Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon w/ Power2Max crank @ 9.1 kg (Gravelbike)

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justRideIt
Posts: 203
Joined: Sat Nov 16, 2019 10:10 am
Location: Germany

by justRideIt

I received my 2021 Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon (size 52) two weeks ago.
Lead time has been reaaaally long, my German dealer ordered it before launch in March 2020 (!!).

Having resisted the Gravel hype until now, after the first few rides I am a convert 🤣

I love MTBing, I love road biking, and this allows me to combine the two.
The versatility is great, e.g. to leave the tarmac at full gas and bunnyhop right into a singletrail 🚀😂

Out of the shop it was quite heavy at ~9.8 kg. I'm not turning a donkey into a racehorse, but wanted to reap the low-hanging fruits. So I decided to make my wallet weigh much less :lol:

First, I need power: swapped out the Shimano GRX crank for a Power2Max NG power meter with Rotor Aldhu cranks.

Also switched the heavy-ass stock 700c wheels (DT Swiss G540) to DT Swiss GRC 1400 carbon wheels, downsized to 650b. Riding a smaller 52cm frame I think the 650b wheels fit the bike well. It feels more agile / nimble compared to stock, more playful on the trail and more willing to lean into corners. (The discussion of 27.5" vs. 29" has been beaten to death, no need to repeat any of that here).

As tires I first chose Panaracer Gravelking Semislick in 48mm width (48-584) and rode them tubeless for 1.000 km. I did not like the feel of them, even at lower pressures they felt quite stiff and not supple at all. Maybe related to their beefy puncture protection.

With my intent to build a Frankenstein bike - half MTB, half roadbike - I switched to MTB tires: 2.2“ Continental Speed Kings (=55-584). On the DT Swiss GRC1400 rims (internal width 24mm) they measure 56mm.
Specialized approves max. width of 2.1“ or 53mm, but these fit fine with enough clearance for mud, dirt etc.
The wider tires combined with lower tire pressures (~20 PSI) feel great and give confidence on rough sections in comparison to the rather skinny Pathfinder Pro 38-622.

However, the 650b wheels lower the already-kinda-low bike by an additional 10mm, so gotta be careful with striking pedals or chainrings when navigating root sections on the trails or when pedaling while ripping bends.

Further changes compared to the stock Diverge Comp Carbon:
  • Switched out the Roval Terra Carbon seatpost with 20mm setback to the Roval Alpinist Carbon, which I can use with 0mm setback
  • Switched out the Power Comp saddle to the S-Works model, I prefer the carbon rails & shell, feels more comfortable to my bum
  • Regarding frame geometry and coming from many kilometers on the Tarmac SL6, the stack is too high for my liking, so in order to lower the cockpit I
  • switched out the high headset cover for the lower one
  • switched out the Specialized Future Stem 70mm @ -6° for 90mm Extralite Hyperstem @ -12°
  • I put on a bell, because shouting at pedestrians to get out of the way in order to save 27g, that I only do on my Tarmac 🤣
Putting multitool, tire levers, CO2 etc. into the SWAT compartment in the downtube is nice to keep center of gravity low and the saddle free of bags.

As pictured it now weighs 9.2kg incl. XTR pedals, Supacaz bottle cages, Garmin mount and bell.

Most weight savings from tires, wheels and XT rotors (455g), followed by saddle (106g), stem (67g) and seatpost (58g).

Not a featherweight at all, but very capable for my intended use. Love the comfort the 20mm suspension by the Future Shock provides. Takes the edge right off.

I could save significant weight going for skinnier tires, but I like to take it on singletrails, emphasize its offroad capabilities and the fun to be had 😀

Open to further recommendations and tips.

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Last edited by justRideIt on Fri Apr 16, 2021 7:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2020 S-Works Tarmac SL6 Disc @ 6.35-ish kg: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=159454
2021 Specialized Diverge viewtopic.php?f=10&t=165482

GT3RS
Posts: 103
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 9:43 pm

by GT3RS

Very funky little bike, Specialized sometimes have better/ more interesting colours in their non S-Works models. The wheel/ tyre combo gives it a mini monstercross look.

by Weenie


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damond
Posts: 348
Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2010 12:47 pm

by damond

hell of a bike!! congratulations!! But please, change those bottle cages..that rainbow colour just doesn't suit the bike :oops:

AnkitS
Posts: 1456
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 5:03 am
Location: Santa Cruz, CA

by AnkitS

+1 on bottle cages. Sick bike though.

spartacus
Posts: 1049
Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2011 6:53 pm

by spartacus

Awesome looking bike. I'm surprised it weighs so much actually. Not that the weight matters too much.

justRideIt
Posts: 203
Joined: Sat Nov 16, 2019 10:10 am
Location: Germany

by justRideIt

damond wrote:
Wed Mar 03, 2021 10:55 pm
hell of a bike!! congratulations!! But please, change those bottle cages..that rainbow colour just doesn't suit the bike :oops:
Thanks for the feedback. What would you put on? I had black raw carbon cages on but they looked too bland on the bike.
2020 S-Works Tarmac SL6 Disc @ 6.35-ish kg: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=159454
2021 Specialized Diverge viewtopic.php?f=10&t=165482

damond
Posts: 348
Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2010 12:47 pm

by damond

For me there is only 1 bottle cage in the world and it is called Arundel Mandible :mrgreen:

sebejo
Posts: 40
Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2018 3:25 pm

by sebejo

Thoose Speedkings in this size look juicy, but they are not Tubeless Compatible are they?

justRideIt
Posts: 203
Joined: Sat Nov 16, 2019 10:10 am
Location: Germany

by justRideIt

sebejo wrote:
Thu Mar 04, 2021 2:14 pm
Thoose Speedkings in this size look juicy, but they are not Tubeless Compatible are they?
You're right, they are not officially declared as "tubeless ready" by Continental, but I've heard from some riders on a German MTB forum that they're running them tubeless and it works for them.

I'll try and find out. What I can already say is that you need to go for a spin immediately so that the sealant can work its magic. The sidewalls are very nimble, flexible, which makes for a great ride quality, but also need quite some sealant to get airtight.
2020 S-Works Tarmac SL6 Disc @ 6.35-ish kg: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=159454
2021 Specialized Diverge viewtopic.php?f=10&t=165482

timacwalker
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Feb 07, 2020 9:37 pm

by timacwalker

Super looking bike, congrats. May I ask how you've found the shifting on the p2m chainrings?

justRideIt
Posts: 203
Joined: Sat Nov 16, 2019 10:10 am
Location: Germany

by justRideIt

Thanks timacwalker.

GRX mechanical front derailleur is superb and shifts flawlessly in combination with the P2M chainrings.
2020 S-Works Tarmac SL6 Disc @ 6.35-ish kg: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=159454
2021 Specialized Diverge viewtopic.php?f=10&t=165482

nulldreiundreissig
Posts: 130
Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2018 11:13 am

by nulldreiundreissig

justRideIt wrote:
Wed Mar 03, 2021 10:01 pm


First, I need power: swapped out the Shimano GRX crank for a Power2Max NG power meter with Rotor Aldhu cranks.

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Can you tell me something about the P2M-branded 46/30-chainrings on the NG? Are those / similar ones available separately?

justRideIt
Posts: 203
Joined: Sat Nov 16, 2019 10:10 am
Location: Germany

by justRideIt

On the invoice the line item is
- KB-P2M-GR104-001.4630
- Kettenblatt P2M Gravel, Lochkreis 104 mm, 4630T Ursprung: Spanien.

So they originate from Spain, but the label on the chainring itself states "Made in Taiwan".

Sorry, I do not have any details about where Power2Max is sourcing these.
2020 S-Works Tarmac SL6 Disc @ 6.35-ish kg: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=159454
2021 Specialized Diverge viewtopic.php?f=10&t=165482

timacwalker
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Feb 07, 2020 9:37 pm

by timacwalker

justRideIt wrote:
Thu Mar 04, 2021 8:59 pm
Thanks timacwalker.

GRX mechanical front derailleur is superb and shifts flawlessly in combination with the P2M chainrings.
Thank you. That's good to know.

by Weenie


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Geoff
Posts: 5395
Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2003 2:25 am
Location: Canada

by Geoff

OK, that's nice. The livery is great. I have to say, I think that it looks better with the 650bs on it!

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