Bicycle Quarterly article on the Specialized Diverge

[Porschefan]

I'm not an experienced cyclist, but I started a subscription to Bicycle Quarterly (https://www.compasscycle.com/shop/issues/bq-53-autumn-2015/) a couple of issues ago and have been enjoying it immensely. I don't know if Jan Heine, the founder/editor is a "controversial" figure (a la, say Grant Petersen seems to be to some anyway) or not, but I like his writing and in-depth approach to reviewing (and criticizing sometimes) bikes.

The current issue has a whole series of articles about the Specialized Diverge as a representative of a new class of bikes which have the potential (according to them) to be true "all-around" machines that actually excel at a lot of different kind of riding and could be considered as the ONE bike that could satisfy a lot of different desires. He seems to have been REALLY impressed with the Diverge as an agile speedy bike suitable for fast touring, commuting and even some off-road/camping. I found it fascinating. He has some pretty heavy criticism for things that need to be improved--headset, disc brakes, rack mounting, headlight, but from what I've read of him, he seems uncharacteristically enthusiastic.

Worth a read, IMHO.

STP

[marciero]

I enjoy BQ also. I wouldn't say Jan is polarizing but he has sort of been preaching a gospel for a long time-about wide tires- supple wide tires, low pressure, low trail fenders, lights, etc, oh yes-and planing! And there are the believers/converted and those that are just "meh". My impression is that most on this forum are in the latter group. I sort of fall into the former group. But I still ride and love my skinnier-tire bikes, and dont think low trail is the end-all.

I think Jan has been had a profound influence on the scene. Ten years ago you had very limited choice in 650b tires, rims, bikes. Now it is a popular format, and rando is very popular. Wider tires, even on racing bikes, have come into acceptance. I think some of that is due to his efforts.

His tests are great. No one does more rigorous real-world testing-a 700 mile ride was the Diverge test. And to top it off, he went right back out again and took it camping. He at least makes an effort to do something approaching scientific testing. I like that the bike tests are actually adventure/ride reports, and worth reading just for that. I like the plain writing style. it;s refreshing. Pretty much all the articles are interesting. There is a tone, taste...the lack of ads is huge.

[marciero]

And regarding the Diverge-yes, Jan was very enthusiastic about the ride quality and performance. I really wonder what was up with that headset [kept getting loose]. Totally unacceptable on a bike at even half that price. I dont buy the response from Specialized that it just needed a spacer above the stem. And the brakes.... lets not go there. I'm already seeing disc brake thread jack flash before my eyes.

[rnhood]

The disc brake issues will get resolved in due time.

While the Specialized Diverge appears to be a really nice bike (Redkiteprayer really liked it too), I am of the mind that one should buy a bike for the majority of their riding. So if pavement will be over 50%, then a Roubaix or Domane would make more sense (imho). They can still take a relative large tire (30 on Domane and 32 on Roubaix) for those occasional off the beaten path excursions, while still being perfectly suited for fast group rides. On the other hand, if off-road (dirt, gravel, etc) and/or medium loaded touring is dominating the expected use then the Diverge is a better option.

[keevon]

I've been a Bicycle Quarterly subscriber for 6 years. The latest issue is a letdown - aside from Jan's writeup of his custom Rene Herse several years back, I can't think of another bike that received as much attention as the Diverge. Devoting almost half the magazine to one bike seems excessive.

Otherwise, I'm a big fan of the format, his writing, and the stories.

[beeatnik]

They can still take a relative large tire (30 on Domane and 32 on Roubaix) for those occasional off the beaten path excursions, while still being perfectly suited for fast group rides. .

32s on a Roubaix?!? My pal runs 25 Contis (which admittedly run tall) on his Roubaix and that almost maxes out the clearance.

[rnhood]

A 32 will fit on the disc model (I've ridden it), though you might call it tight. A 30 will fit with ease. But a 28 is about all you'll ever need.

[palincss]

A 32 will fit on the disc model (I've ridden it), though you might call it tight. A 30 will fit with ease. But a 28 is about all you'll ever need.

Perhaps if you're built like a stick insect, light as a feather or never plan to go on anything rougher than chipseal, a 28 is about all you'll ever need. If, however, you weigh anything close to 0.1 tons and intend to ride on alligatored pavement (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodile_cracking)or any kind of gravel whatsoever (even as well groomed as what you see out in front of Downton Abbey) 28s are really inadequate and 32s are just marginal. 42s will serve you a lot better.

http://www.alanizpaving.com/Portals/40724/images/Alligator-40.jpg

[p nut]

Perhaps if you're built like a stick insect, light as a feather or never plan to go on anything rougher than chipseal, a 28 is about all you'll ever need. If, however, you weigh anything close to 0.1 tons and intend to ride on alligatored pavement (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodile_cracking)or any kind of gravel whatsoever (even as well groomed as what you see out in front of Downton Abbey) 28s are really inadequate and 32s are just marginal. 42s will serve you a lot better.


At that point, you may just want 2.0". Not being snarky: just my own observation after being pummeled on my cross bike over the weekend on single track. I think a Fargo is in my near future.

[fiamme red]

I've been a Bicycle Quarterly subscriber for 6 years. The latest issue is a letdown - aside from Jan's writeup of his custom Rene Herse several years back, I can't think of another bike that received as much attention as the Diverge. Devoting almost half the magazine to one bike seems excessive.

Otherwise, I'm a big fan of the format, his writing, and the stories.I agree that the Diverge review was excessive. I'll never buy a Diverge and most likely am never going to ride the roads in the review/ride report, so the article wasn't of great interest to me.

[Aaron O]

When I read about the Diverge I was excited; all of my all arounder sports tourer builds are 531/SL and I prefer OS tubing. I've tried it. Blehhhh. It was a lot like the roubaix disc - too stiff up front, sort of harsh. I rode an aluminum model - maybe the CF is nicer.

I really wanted to try an all arounder, light bike - and thus far after test riding a few, I think I want to call Daniele Marnati again and have him make me what I want. Basically a late 60s Cinelli SC styled bike with OS tubing. Maybe a CF fork. Thus far I haven't been wild about disc brakes, but it's been all dry on pavement.

I like hearing different perspectives...some of what Jan Heine makes sense to me, some doesn't. I've met him - I thought he was a pretty cool cat.

[beeatnik]

Perhaps if you're built like a stick insect, light as a feather or never plan to go on anything rougher than chipseal, a 28 is about all you'll ever need. If, however, you weigh anything close to 0.1 tons and intend to ride on alligatored pavement (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodile_cracking)or any kind of gravel whatsoever (even as well groomed as what you see out in front of Downton Abbey) 28s are really inadequate and 32s are just marginal. 42s will serve you a lot better.

http://www.alanizpaving.com/Portals/40724/images/Alligator-40.jpg

Love the Tire Talk.

So, I did a lot of loose dirt/gravel roads this weekend in the Sierra foothills and the second I was off pavement, I was filled with anxiety. Realizing that I was riding 28mm Challenge PR clinchers, my confidence level was low. 20 miles of dirt and gravel later, I was glad to be riding a tire which is as fast as anything on pavement and durable enough for rock strewn paths.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/708/20981607494_f1be5e1a9e_b.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5620/20992945183_95ca46ec84_b.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5707/21427147509_f3e7968b26_b.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5696/21426233638_3ac781fc66_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/774/21427162499_505f27819d_b.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5690/21612728571_939c253fca_b.jpg

[guido]

I like to ride the sorts of roads Jan uses for his tests (ok a lot less steep, but similar surface). 32s are minimum for me, 42s are better and I'm building up a bike to run 55s... I completely drank the cool-aid. As to the Diverge, I think Jan is somewhat dazzled by the impression that a major manufacturer has started to make bikes that edge into his world view. Sort of like when the pretty cheerleader in school is nice to you, the glow lets you overlook a lot of stuff you might have been put off by. But he has taken many other bikes to task for far fewer mechanical issues... He had a similar flirtation with the Calfee adventure bike. All Diverge all the time made for a rather boring issue, but I'm a fan of young love when ever it strikes. He'll move on to a more sensible bike in due time...

[etu]

I think Jan is somewhat dazzled by the impression that a major manufacturer has started to make bikes that edge into his world view. Sort of like when the pretty cheerleader in school is nice to you, the glow lets you overlook a lot of stuff you might have been put off by. But he has taken many other bikes to task for far fewer mechanical issues...

1+
I am a big fan of BQ and tried many of things Jan has advocated. Some worked for me and some did not. In either case, I've learned a lot and I am oh so grateful for compass tires.
For the Diverge, I was definitely taken aback by the fact that he rode the bike without a load! No front handlebar bag or rear saddle bag? He states that he did not want to alter the ride quality of the bike. This is reasonable for short rides, but not for the longer brevet, adventure rides. We're not usually going to have friends carrying our stuff for us!

[guido]

For the Diverge, I was definitely taken aback by the fact that he rode the bike without a load! No front handlebar bag or rear saddle bag? He states that he did not want to alter the ride quality of the bike. This is reasonable for short rides, but not for the longer brevet, adventure rides. We're not usually going to have friends carrying our stuff for us!

Anything really important fits in that cute little box on the down tube... :rolleyes:

[etu]

Love the Tire Talk.

So, I did a lot of loose dirt/gravel roads this weekend in the Sierra foothills and the second I was off pavement, I was filled with anxiety. Realizing that I was riding 28mm Challenge PR clinchers, my confidence level was low. 20 miles of dirt and gravel later, I was glad to be riding a tire which is as fast as anything on pavement and durable enough for rock strewn paths.


nice looking bike and a fun looking course!

most of us agree with the saying "different horses for different courses".
maybe we can aknowledge "different horses for different riders".

as an average bike handler, i like my dirt tires to be fatter. looking at the pictures, i probably could have done that ride on a 28mm, but would have been more relaxed and havign more fun on a 42. celebrate diversity, eh?:hello:

[Jan Heine]

Good discussion - thank you! I never thought I'd be taken to task for not being critical enough about a bike!

The reason I rode the bike without luggage was simple: Even though we rode the Diverge for 20+ hours, most riders in the market for that type of machine don't go that far. So I wanted to ride the bike as its owner would. We then also took it on a camping trip with a full load.

Regarding the amount of space given to the bike - we thought these were really fun rides, and of interest not just because of the bike. The idea of getting a performance bike with front low-riders to retain the sensation of a spirited ride on short camping trips can be translated into any material you'd like. In fact, my own Mule now has a low-rider rack and does the same thing in steel. So more than anything, I viewed the Diverge as a "proof of concept" than "you can do this only on this bike".

Jan Heine
Editor
Bicycle Quarterly
www.bikequarterly.com (http://www.bikequarterly.com)