The Specialized Diverge STR gravel bikes use a seat tube insert as a spring for the rear suspension, and the entire front cockpit moves vertically to damp front wheel travel. This is unlike any other full-suspension system on any bicycle.
When I unboxed the Specialized Diverge STR Expert for this review, all I could think was, “This is so weird.” I’m very accustomed to seeing and feeling out suspension, both on bicycles and motorcycles.
But the Suspend The Rider (STR) suspension system throws out convention. And as much as I applaud breaking from the status quo, I wasn’t convinced the strange suspension method would deliver a ride that felt anything near “normal.”
First, neither of the wheels is suspended, which immediately seemed strange. The rear suspension involves a seat tube insert acting as a spring and a pull shock in the top tube, damping forward and rearward seat post travel. Yep, weird.
The front suspension involves the stem and handlebars moving vertically, damped by a cartridge inside the head tube. Again, it seemed so strange. I couldn’t imagine the bike feeling anything like any other fully suspended bike or motorcycle I’d ever ridden.
I tested the Specialized Diverge STR Expert for 6 months, riding around my home in the woods of Wimberley, Texas. Most of the terrain was hardpack caliche base with a topcoat of talcum dust and littered with limestone rocks ranging from pebbles to softball size. Plenty of square edges hide in the dust, as well as deep sand along drainages. Finally, numerous dry creekbed crossings at the bottom of hills require caution.
In short: The front and rear Future Shock on the Specialized Diverge STR Expert improved control and comfort dramatically when gravel riding bordered on mountain biking. There is no denying that the suspension system works well. But there is also no avoiding the strange initial feeling of the suspension movement. The Future Shock system is an acquired taste that pays huge dividends if “super chunk” gets you excited.
- Frame material: Diverge FACT 11r carbon
- Weight: 21.8 lbs., 56cm
- Tire clearance: 700 x 45c
- Available sizes: 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61cm
Pros
- Suspend The Rider suspension system improves comfort and control without affecting pedaling efficiency or handling
- Component selection provides great bang for the buck
- Bike is flexible; it can be raced and go bikepacking
- SWAT internal storage is significant in volume
Cons
- Heavier than comparable gravel bikes
- More expensive than comparable gravel bikes
Specialized Diverge STR Specifications
The Diverge STR blends SRAM lower-tier components and second-tier frame material to produce a bike that costs almost half as much (MSRP $6,700, on sale at the time of writing for $5,000) as the top-of-the-line S-Works Diverge STR (MSRP $12,500).
Specialized molds its Diverge STR Expert frame with proprietary Diverge FACT 11r carbon. It has internal storage in the downtube and a threaded bottom bracket. The front and rear Future Shock suspension components live within the frame, and all cable routing is semi-internal. The Diverge STR frame is only compatible with 1x drivetrains.
There are three water bottle cage mounts, front fork rack mounts, front fender mounts, and a top tube bag mount. The frame will clear 45c tires.
The drivetrain is a “mullet” configuration using SRAM wireless road and mountain bike components. The 1x Rival 40t Wide crankset and SRAM DUB BSA bottom bracket join a GX Eagle AXS rear derailleur. A 12-speed NX Eagle 11-50t cassette and Rival eTap AXS brake-shift levers complete the drivetrain.
Roval Terra C carbon wheels spin on DT 370 hubs and DT Swiss Comp race spokes. Specialized Tracer Pro tubeless tires in 42c provide grip. SRAM Rival eTAP AXS hydraulic units handle braking duties.
Specialized rounds out the Diverge STR Expert build with its cockpit components. Interestingly, Specialized includes an S-Works carbon seat post instead of the more flexible Roval Terra post.
My 56cm test sample weighed a verified 21.8 pounds without bottle cages or pedals.