Specialized Diverge for 2015?
04-17-15, 07:58 AM
#126
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In a similar fashion to Ivick I had some milling done locally for the price of a beer so was very happy and because pictures are great here it is....
To obtain additional clearance the cassette was milled 1.5 mm. There is a small lip on the spider which itself is about 0.8mm
There's plenty of space for the spokes and the spider was milled by an additional 0.5mm on the y axis to ensure there wasn't any contact with the hub....
Finally I can build my custom wheelset now.
To obtain additional clearance the cassette was milled 1.5 mm. There is a small lip on the spider which itself is about 0.8mm
There's plenty of space for the spokes and the spider was milled by an additional 0.5mm on the y axis to ensure there wasn't any contact with the hub....
Finally I can build my custom wheelset now.
04-17-15, 10:47 AM
#127
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Choosing the best bike for a given rider is always fraught with tradeoffs...like all the Diverge hate even though Specialized provides two different hanger locations to accommodate different wheelsets. Just isn't enough...lol.
Per the link I attached, Stan's Grails will bolt to the Diverge. Its been done. The Crux is a great race bike for the rough stuff but it has a very different geometry than the Diverge. So does the other bikes you mention. The most important aspect of any bike provided it is decent and it could be argued the Diverge is better than decent...is the geometry. And yet, a given rider will choose another bike with vastly different geometry or a bike with different characteristics because it won't fit a particular wheelset...or a particular spoke count for the rear wheel when the stock wheels are fine...particularly the optional Spesh carbon wheels for racing.
Per the link I attached, Stan's Grails will bolt to the Diverge. Its been done. The Crux is a great race bike for the rough stuff but it has a very different geometry than the Diverge. So does the other bikes you mention. The most important aspect of any bike provided it is decent and it could be argued the Diverge is better than decent...is the geometry. And yet, a given rider will choose another bike with vastly different geometry or a bike with different characteristics because it won't fit a particular wheelset...or a particular spoke count for the rear wheel when the stock wheels are fine...particularly the optional Spesh carbon wheels for racing.
I can also say that after spending many rides on a demo SL4 Roubaix while waiting on my CruX, I am as comfortable on the CruX as the Roubaix. I have significantly less drop on the CruX compared to the Roubaix, both 56cm, which surprised me. The CruX is much more stable than a Tarmac, maybe not quite as much as the Roubaix. The CruX Evo was fashioned for gravel races, and has much more American CX geometry than Euro. It may not fit everyone but it works for me and my intended uses, YMMV...
04-17-15, 10:56 AM
#128
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Nice going to those finding a work around! My bike shows it has the SCS Axis wheels and I have had no issue running Stan's Grail wheels along with the factory Axis wheels. I do have to make minimum adjustments between the two but nothing that affects shifting. Nor do I have the clearance issue that it seems you guys are seeing on the Diverge?
04-17-15, 11:07 AM
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Nice work graveled!!
In a similar fashion to Ivick I had some milling done locally for the price of a beer so was very happy and because pictures are great here it is....
To obtain additional clearance the cassette was milled 1.5 mm. There is a small lip on the spider which itself is about 0.8mm
There's plenty of space for the spokes and the spider was milled by an additional 0.5mm on the y axis to ensure there wasn't any contact with the hub....
Finally I can build my custom wheelset now.
To obtain additional clearance the cassette was milled 1.5 mm. There is a small lip on the spider which itself is about 0.8mm
There's plenty of space for the spokes and the spider was milled by an additional 0.5mm on the y axis to ensure there wasn't any contact with the hub....
Finally I can build my custom wheelset now.
04-17-15, 11:08 AM
#130
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I chose the bike that best fit "my" wants and needs. If I had found the CruX to be uncomfortable I wouldn't have got it. I actually really enjoyed the Diverge, but for my wants and purposes I wasn't going to be limited to 35's. I would say for most people the Diverge would be an excellent all around choice, and when I first started looking thought it would fit my wants as well. However, after actually researching my purchase options, I realized neither it or the GT are "recommended" for tires larger than 35's. The fact that I was able to get a second set of wheels and still be under the price of the Diverge was a bonus for me. I will admit that if the Warbird had been available it may have made my decision tougher, assuming I could've found one to have tested?!
I can also say that after spending many rides on a demo SL4 Roubaix while waiting on my CruX, I am as comfortable on the CruX as the Roubaix. I have significantly less drop on the CruX compared to the Roubaix, both 56cm, which surprised me. The CruX is much more stable than a Tarmac, maybe not quite as much as the Roubaix. The CruX Evo was fashioned for gravel races, and has much more American CX geometry than Euro. It may not fit everyone but it works for me and my intended uses, YMMV...
I can also say that after spending many rides on a demo SL4 Roubaix while waiting on my CruX, I am as comfortable on the CruX as the Roubaix. I have significantly less drop on the CruX compared to the Roubaix, both 56cm, which surprised me. The CruX is much more stable than a Tarmac, maybe not quite as much as the Roubaix. The CruX Evo was fashioned for gravel races, and has much more American CX geometry than Euro. It may not fit everyone but it works for me and my intended uses, YMMV...
04-17-15, 11:28 AM
#131
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Maybe you wrote that backward but in any event the geometry is quite different between the Crux and the Roubaix and comparing stack and reach for the same frame size clearly shows the handlebar on a stock Crux for a 56 will be lower than the Roubaix for the same stem.
Here is the stock photo of my CruX after the LBS finished assembling it.
04-17-15, 12:49 PM
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Good job and pics, gravelled! 
I especially like the idea of taking a bit off the back of the cassette - looks like you have plenty of clearance.
Wish I had a mill under my shade tree!
I especially like the idea of taking a bit off the back of the cassette - looks like you have plenty of clearance.
Wish I had a mill under my shade tree!
04-18-15, 05:05 AM
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Bend in the Road: Road disc axle shuffle - BikeRadar USA
Originally Posted by Chris Wehan, Specialized
Specialized designed a system called SCS 135x12mm, which is a 135mm wheel with a hub offset like a standard 130mm road wheel. "This system allows Specialized to build bikes with short chainstays while maintaining great shifting. This standard is completely open and we have discussed this system with multiple other companies; we do expect some of them to launch SCS 135 systems in the future," Wehan said.
04-19-15, 06:37 AM
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I think the custom solutions here are great. I considered a Diverge but decided on a synapse carbon disc because the bike will see mostly road use with a little gravel thrown in. This bike is calling out for two wheels sets , one light set with 25s for road duty and the stock set for all around and heavier duty use. I have a CX bike with iron cross tubeless which I like a lot. The stock diverge wheels should be tubeless compatible and the hubs should be readily available to avoid all the confusion. the provided hangar is good but I would want both wheel sets to be easily mounted.
04-20-15, 03:51 AM
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I took a full carbon Diverge out for a test ride this week. I guess I was a little disappointed. It was a fine bike, but a little on the boring side.
I previously rode a Trek Emonda (500 carbon), and it was an impressive bike in it's ability to handle road vibration, bumps, etc. It's one drawback was the ride was a little on the boring side imo (better than the Domane, but not like the Madone before it, or a Tarmac). But it's ability to just cut out vibration completely was amazing. I ran right over a large pothole deliberately, barely even felt it. The bike felt stable, didn't hurt the arms at all, kind of amazing.
The Diverge, with a larger tire (32c I think, vs 23 or 25 on the Emonda) had a similarly boring ride, but riding over a pothole in parking lot I got the usual expected sharp jap up the arms.
Had thought a new, full carbon frame with a fatter tire would match or beat the Emonda. If you're actually riding on gravel the bigger tire will still be better, but had expected it to at least match the Emonda.
I previously rode a Trek Emonda (500 carbon), and it was an impressive bike in it's ability to handle road vibration, bumps, etc. It's one drawback was the ride was a little on the boring side imo (better than the Domane, but not like the Madone before it, or a Tarmac). But it's ability to just cut out vibration completely was amazing. I ran right over a large pothole deliberately, barely even felt it. The bike felt stable, didn't hurt the arms at all, kind of amazing.
The Diverge, with a larger tire (32c I think, vs 23 or 25 on the Emonda) had a similarly boring ride, but riding over a pothole in parking lot I got the usual expected sharp jap up the arms.
Had thought a new, full carbon frame with a fatter tire would match or beat the Emonda. If you're actually riding on gravel the bigger tire will still be better, but had expected it to at least match the Emonda.
04-20-15, 03:33 PM
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Paul - Good that you found the Emonda to handle rough roads so well.
BikeRadar (Trek Emonda SLR 8 - long-term review - BikeRadar) reported that the ride varied with frame size:
"...the Emonda is more unyieldingly rigid in every direction, at least on smaller sizes. Although Trek claims its in-house bench testing shows the Emonda has a similar ride to the Madone, we find the Emonda to be noticeably buzzy. This is particularly evident on coarse pavement, but even relatively smooth dirt roads tend to rattle your hands until they're numb and lifeless, made worse by the relatively sparse stock bar tape.
Larger or heavier testers, however, found the Emonda chassis to be "particularly smooth, bordering on soft at the back..."
Did you happen to check the tire pressures of both bikes you tested?
In any case the Emonda and Diverge target different ride conditions. The Emonda is lighter and racier and will accept only 26mm tires in front and 28mm tires in the rear (according to above BikeRadar review). The Diverge will handle 36mm tires front and rear opening it up to different roads. Boring to the road racer may be stable and reassuring to the gravel rider. Horses for courses, I reckon.
BikeRadar (Trek Emonda SLR 8 - long-term review - BikeRadar) reported that the ride varied with frame size:
"...the Emonda is more unyieldingly rigid in every direction, at least on smaller sizes. Although Trek claims its in-house bench testing shows the Emonda has a similar ride to the Madone, we find the Emonda to be noticeably buzzy. This is particularly evident on coarse pavement, but even relatively smooth dirt roads tend to rattle your hands until they're numb and lifeless, made worse by the relatively sparse stock bar tape.
Larger or heavier testers, however, found the Emonda chassis to be "particularly smooth, bordering on soft at the back..."
Did you happen to check the tire pressures of both bikes you tested?
In any case the Emonda and Diverge target different ride conditions. The Emonda is lighter and racier and will accept only 26mm tires in front and 28mm tires in the rear (according to above BikeRadar review). The Diverge will handle 36mm tires front and rear opening it up to different roads. Boring to the road racer may be stable and reassuring to the gravel rider. Horses for courses, I reckon.
04-21-15, 01:53 AM
#138
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Paul - Good that you found the Emonda to handle rough roads so well.
BikeRadar (Trek Emonda SLR 8 - long-term review - BikeRadar) reported that the ride varied with frame size:
"...the Emonda is more unyieldingly rigid in every direction, at least on smaller sizes. Although Trek claims its in-house bench testing shows the Emonda has a similar ride to the Madone, we find the Emonda to be noticeably buzzy. This is particularly evident on coarse pavement, but even relatively smooth dirt roads tend to rattle your hands until they're numb and lifeless, made worse by the relatively sparse stock bar tape.
Larger or heavier testers, however, found the Emonda chassis to be "particularly smooth, bordering on soft at the back..."
BikeRadar (Trek Emonda SLR 8 - long-term review - BikeRadar) reported that the ride varied with frame size:
"...the Emonda is more unyieldingly rigid in every direction, at least on smaller sizes. Although Trek claims its in-house bench testing shows the Emonda has a similar ride to the Madone, we find the Emonda to be noticeably buzzy. This is particularly evident on coarse pavement, but even relatively smooth dirt roads tend to rattle your hands until they're numb and lifeless, made worse by the relatively sparse stock bar tape.
Larger or heavier testers, however, found the Emonda chassis to be "particularly smooth, bordering on soft at the back..."
They filled up the tires before I test road both, but I did not check it myself. It's certainly possible on the specialized they gave me a higher tire pressure thinking it would be "faster" while you'd see more compliant handling of bumps and potholes at a lower pressure.
In any case the Emonda and Diverge target different ride conditions. The Emonda is lighter and racier and will accept only 26mm tires in front and 28mm tires in the rear (according to above BikeRadar review). The Diverge will handle 36mm tires front and rear opening it up to different roads. Boring to the road racer may be stable and reassuring to the gravel rider. Horses for courses, I reckon.
It's an interesting idea that different frame size on the Emonda makes a difference. Thanks for bringing up that review.
I did a google search for "trek emonda review" and amusingly, came up with almost every description of the ride humanly possible.
1. bikeradar - Trek Emonda SL6 (apparently their initial review of the Emonda)
...Highs: A ride full of life and excitement, a future classic...
...Crest the brow of a hill and point the SL6 back down and the chassis’ liveliness uphill transforms into a compliant ground hugging missile that floats over bumpy and broken surfaces with a limpet-like tenacity for holding its line. The amount of grip it exudes through hard cornering is mighty...
...The Trek’s comfortable frame doesn’t need wider than 23c rubber... The slim 23c rubber they're shod with offers great all-weather grip and proved plenty tough enough in testing, and it's testament to just how smooth the bike is that Trek hasn’t resorted to anything wider for extra comfort...
2. TrekBikes.com Emonda Home Page
(skipped because it's not really a review)
3. Cycling News - Trek Emonda SLR 8 - long-term review
(a copy of the cycling radar review you linked to describing the ride as to stiff)
4. Velonews - First Ride: Trek’s featherweight Emonda - First Ride: Trek's featherweight Emonda - VeloNews.com
Since we’re painting with broad strokes here, the ride is roughly comparable to that of Cannondale’s fantastic SuperSix EVO — my most frequent response to the much-asked “what’s your favorite bike” question. The Emonda is slightly lighter, but the difference is imperceptible...
The graphics on the Emonda’s seatmast say “Ride Tuned,” and the back end of the bike certainly felt that way. Test bikes were set up with 23mm tires — smaller than I’ve ridden in quite some time — and yet the bike was still exceptionally comfortable. Integration isn’t always a good thing, but in this case, Trek’s ability to fine-tune the compliance of the seatmast, rather than hope another manufacturer does a good job with its seatpost, is a bonus.
Is it better than the new Specialized Tarmac? Tough to say. It is about 200 grams lighter, and is available with two head tube lengths, which is good for fit. But overall stiffness and ride quality remain too close to call — at least for now. Getting both bikes through VeloLab, with the lab testing and extensive ride time that entails, should paint a clearer picture.
5. cyclingweekly.co.uk - Trek Emonda SL5 - Trek Emonda SL5 review - Cycling Weekly
As we’ve already mentioned, the overwhelming ride sensation is smoothness. Even fitted with stock 23c tyres the Emonda copes with small and medium bumps better than many comfort and endurance-focused carbon frames. If there are any negatives, it’s that the Emonda’s refined ride does slightly disguise its overwhelming speed. This is a very fast bike — but everything works so well there’s no seat-of-your-pants agitation.
6. road.cc - Trek Émonda SLR 8
About once a year a bike comes along for review at road.cc that I really don't want to send back, so I spin the test period out for as long as possible. The Émonda SLR 8 is the one for 2014. This is a bike that's astonishingly quick on the hills, flattering your climbing abilities, and it's easy to live with for long hours in the saddle...
In terms of ride feel, I found the Émonda pretty comfortable....Things are more direct at the front end with bumps, holes and gravel making their presence felt through Bontrager's XXX VR-C handlebar, but even the worst road surfaces feel relatively smooth and don't threaten to knock you off your line...If you do find yourself lacking comfort and/or not sticking to the ground over the rough stuff, wider tyres would certainly help...
...Trek reckon that the Émonda has a 'size-specific ride-tuned performance'. In other words, they've engineered things so that each size feels and performs exactly the same....
...Verdict
Super light and lively road bike that flies up the climbs, with many other talents too.
7. bicycling.com - 2015 Trek Emonda
(A video with someone from Trek saying the bike was designed to be light and stiff)
8. cyclinguphill.com - Trek Emonda – Review
(Says it's very stiff, not much on ride quality)
9. youtube.com - 2015 Trek Emonda exclusive first ride | Review | Rutland Cycling
...They reduced the weight but the comfort's still there. Get the right size bike you ride it just becomes comfortable. It's not any less comfortable than a Domane for instance. It just works...
10. https://roadcyclinguk.com/ - Trek Emonda
(a page listing technical stuff but no ride review)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
So...after putting in an hour going through each of these reviews, they're described the bike's ride quality with almost every single possible description. :-/ :-/ :-/
This one matches my personal experience exactly:
As we’ve already mentioned, the overwhelming ride sensation is smoothness. Even fitted with stock 23c tyres the Emonda copes with small and medium bumps better than many comfort and endurance-focused carbon frames. If there are any negatives, it’s that the Emonda’s refined ride does slightly disguise its overwhelming speed. This is a very fast bike — but everything works so well there’s no seat-of-your-pants agitation.
So I'm not sure...are they right the smaller frames with a smaller rider ride differently? Or are they just writing an inflamatory review for some reason? Or did a did level (not the 500 carbon level SL5) of carbon ride differently?
I've seen a lot of people on the forum say they've ridden, but no one describe it as buzzy, but then they're probably not riding it on light gravel either, so...dunno.
Last edited by PaulRivers; 04-21-15 at 10:18 AM.
04-21-15, 05:12 AM
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I've had mine for a couple of months now and truthfully I feel the same way. I'll definitely use it when I'm primarily on gravel, but it's just not a bike I would want to ride that much on even very rough pavement. I'd rather just ride my road bike. The Diverge always feels heavy and sluggish to me.
04-23-15, 08:38 AM
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I have a cyclops trainer. To make it work I had to use the QR adapters in the rear wheel with a special twist. The Drive side QR adapter is cylindrical in shape and will not mate to the typical trainer mount which assumes a normal cone shaped drive side QR skewer fitting. To make it work, I removed the drive side QR fitting from an old skewer and drilled out the center using a 9/16s bit, then inserted the Specialized QR adapter into this hole and super glued it together. Because my trainer can handle the extra width of a mountain bike rear axle, this setup works, but with very little extra space; getting the bike into the trainer is tricky even at the widest setting the trainer can accommodate.
Also, having a friend with a drill press did hurt. I can't imagine drilling out the QR adapter with a normal drill.
Also, having a friend with a drill press did hurt. I can't imagine drilling out the QR adapter with a normal drill.
04-29-15, 04:10 AM
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Hi.
I was considering the Diverge Comp Carbon and could find virtually no pictures of the red one online. The photo on the Specialized website is dark, and the additional photos I could find online are on an Asian webpage I couldn't decipher and make the bike look very orange.
Oh well, I ordered the bike anyway, not having much idea what the color really looks like.
Now it is here and I have gotten it about ready to ride, and took a few pix. I am posting them here in the hope that others interested in the red will find them, as this thread was one of the first and only discussions I found about the Diverge while researching it prior to my purchase.
Oh, and I also received the pouch of spacers, spare derailleur hanger and compatibility guide with my bike.
In person this bike is very red! I don't know why it appears orangeish to cameras.
I was considering the Diverge Comp Carbon and could find virtually no pictures of the red one online. The photo on the Specialized website is dark, and the additional photos I could find online are on an Asian webpage I couldn't decipher and make the bike look very orange.
Oh well, I ordered the bike anyway, not having much idea what the color really looks like.
Now it is here and I have gotten it about ready to ride, and took a few pix. I am posting them here in the hope that others interested in the red will find them, as this thread was one of the first and only discussions I found about the Diverge while researching it prior to my purchase.
Oh, and I also received the pouch of spacers, spare derailleur hanger and compatibility guide with my bike.
In person this bike is very red! I don't know why it appears orangeish to cameras.
Last edited by fijizzle; 04-29-15 at 04:11 AM. Reason: fixed grammatical error
04-29-15, 08:44 AM
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Thanks for posting the red Carbon comp. it's better than I thought. I'm anxiously waiting for mine to arrive (in black) hopefully by end of July. Looking at using it mainly for 40km daily city commuting. The setup of your handlebars resembles the AWOL. It's s good thing for the long rides. Congrats on your arrival of your bike. Like also your finishing touches such as the mirror instal.
04-29-15, 08:57 AM
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Huh. I'm about 6 foot tall, 215 pounds. I don't think i'm overweight, but certainly not on the shorter or lighter side either.
They filled up the tires before I test road both, but I did not check it myself. It's certainly possible on the specialized they gave me a higher tire pressure thinking it would be "faster" while you'd see more compliant handling of bumps and potholes at a lower pressure.
Sure, though my feeling with the Diverge was that it was supposed to be an "everymans" bike. They put gravel racing in the title to have something cool to say about "you can put fatter tires on it", that was my impression.
It's an interesting idea that different frame size on the Emonda makes a difference. Thanks for bringing up that review.
I did a google search for "trek emonda review" and amusingly, came up with almost every description of the ride humanly possible.
1. bikeradar - Trek Emonda SL6 (apparently their initial review of the Emonda)
...Highs: A ride full of life and excitement, a future classic...
...Crest the brow of a hill and point the SL6 back down and the chassis’ liveliness uphill transforms into a compliant ground hugging missile that floats over bumpy and broken surfaces with a limpet-like tenacity for holding its line. The amount of grip it exudes through hard cornering is mighty...
...The Trek’s comfortable frame doesn’t need wider than 23c rubber... The slim 23c rubber they're shod with offers great all-weather grip and proved plenty tough enough in testing, and it's testament to just how smooth the bike is that Trek hasn’t resorted to anything wider for extra comfort...
2. TrekBikes.com Emonda Home Page
(skipped because it's not really a review)
3. Cycling News - Trek Emonda SLR 8 - long-term review
(a copy of the cycling radar review you linked to describing the ride as to stiff)
4. Velonews - First Ride: Trek’s featherweight Emonda - First Ride: Trek's featherweight Emonda - VeloNews.com
Since we’re painting with broad strokes here, the ride is roughly comparable to that of Cannondale’s fantastic SuperSix EVO — my most frequent response to the much-asked “what’s your favorite bike” question. The Emonda is slightly lighter, but the difference is imperceptible...
The graphics on the Emonda’s seatmast say “Ride Tuned,” and the back end of the bike certainly felt that way. Test bikes were set up with 23mm tires — smaller than I’ve ridden in quite some time — and yet the bike was still exceptionally comfortable. Integration isn’t always a good thing, but in this case, Trek’s ability to fine-tune the compliance of the seatmast, rather than hope another manufacturer does a good job with its seatpost, is a bonus.
Is it better than the new Specialized Tarmac? Tough to say. It is about 200 grams lighter, and is available with two head tube lengths, which is good for fit. But overall stiffness and ride quality remain too close to call — at least for now. Getting both bikes through VeloLab, with the lab testing and extensive ride time that entails, should paint a clearer picture.
5. cyclingweekly.co.uk - Trek Emonda SL5 - Trek Emonda SL5 review - Cycling Weekly
As we’ve already mentioned, the overwhelming ride sensation is smoothness. Even fitted with stock 23c tyres the Emonda copes with small and medium bumps better than many comfort and endurance-focused carbon frames. If there are any negatives, it’s that the Emonda’s refined ride does slightly disguise its overwhelming speed. This is a very fast bike — but everything works so well there’s no seat-of-your-pants agitation.
6. road.cc - Trek Émonda SLR 8
About once a year a bike comes along for review at road.cc that I really don't want to send back, so I spin the test period out for as long as possible. The Émonda SLR 8 is the one for 2014. This is a bike that's astonishingly quick on the hills, flattering your climbing abilities, and it's easy to live with for long hours in the saddle...
In terms of ride feel, I found the Émonda pretty comfortable....Things are more direct at the front end with bumps, holes and gravel making their presence felt through Bontrager's XXX VR-C handlebar, but even the worst road surfaces feel relatively smooth and don't threaten to knock you off your line...If you do find yourself lacking comfort and/or not sticking to the ground over the rough stuff, wider tyres would certainly help...
...Trek reckon that the Émonda has a 'size-specific ride-tuned performance'. In other words, they've engineered things so that each size feels and performs exactly the same....
...Verdict
Super light and lively road bike that flies up the climbs, with many other talents too.
7. bicycling.com - 2015 Trek Emonda
(A video with someone from Trek saying the bike was designed to be light and stiff)
8. cyclinguphill.com - Trek Emonda – Review
(Says it's very stiff, not much on ride quality)
9. youtube.com - 2015 Trek Emonda exclusive first ride | Review | Rutland Cycling
...They reduced the weight but the comfort's still there. Get the right size bike you ride it just becomes comfortable. It's not any less comfortable than a Domane for instance. It just works...
10. https://roadcyclinguk.com/ - Trek Emonda
(a page listing technical stuff but no ride review)
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So...after putting in an hour going through each of these reviews, they're described the bike's ride quality with almost every single possible description. :-/ :-/ :-/
This one matches my personal experience exactly:
As we’ve already mentioned, the overwhelming ride sensation is smoothness. Even fitted with stock 23c tyres the Emonda copes with small and medium bumps better than many comfort and endurance-focused carbon frames. If there are any negatives, it’s that the Emonda’s refined ride does slightly disguise its overwhelming speed. This is a very fast bike — but everything works so well there’s no seat-of-your-pants agitation.
So I'm not sure...are they right the smaller frames with a smaller rider ride differently? Or are they just writing an inflamatory review for some reason? Or did a did level (not the 500 carbon level SL5) of carbon ride differently?
I've seen a lot of people on the forum say they've ridden, but no one describe it as buzzy, but then they're probably not riding it on light gravel either, so...dunno.
They filled up the tires before I test road both, but I did not check it myself. It's certainly possible on the specialized they gave me a higher tire pressure thinking it would be "faster" while you'd see more compliant handling of bumps and potholes at a lower pressure.
Sure, though my feeling with the Diverge was that it was supposed to be an "everymans" bike. They put gravel racing in the title to have something cool to say about "you can put fatter tires on it", that was my impression.
It's an interesting idea that different frame size on the Emonda makes a difference. Thanks for bringing up that review.
I did a google search for "trek emonda review" and amusingly, came up with almost every description of the ride humanly possible.
1. bikeradar - Trek Emonda SL6 (apparently their initial review of the Emonda)
...Highs: A ride full of life and excitement, a future classic...
...Crest the brow of a hill and point the SL6 back down and the chassis’ liveliness uphill transforms into a compliant ground hugging missile that floats over bumpy and broken surfaces with a limpet-like tenacity for holding its line. The amount of grip it exudes through hard cornering is mighty...
...The Trek’s comfortable frame doesn’t need wider than 23c rubber... The slim 23c rubber they're shod with offers great all-weather grip and proved plenty tough enough in testing, and it's testament to just how smooth the bike is that Trek hasn’t resorted to anything wider for extra comfort...
2. TrekBikes.com Emonda Home Page
(skipped because it's not really a review)
3. Cycling News - Trek Emonda SLR 8 - long-term review
(a copy of the cycling radar review you linked to describing the ride as to stiff)
4. Velonews - First Ride: Trek’s featherweight Emonda - First Ride: Trek's featherweight Emonda - VeloNews.com
Since we’re painting with broad strokes here, the ride is roughly comparable to that of Cannondale’s fantastic SuperSix EVO — my most frequent response to the much-asked “what’s your favorite bike” question. The Emonda is slightly lighter, but the difference is imperceptible...
The graphics on the Emonda’s seatmast say “Ride Tuned,” and the back end of the bike certainly felt that way. Test bikes were set up with 23mm tires — smaller than I’ve ridden in quite some time — and yet the bike was still exceptionally comfortable. Integration isn’t always a good thing, but in this case, Trek’s ability to fine-tune the compliance of the seatmast, rather than hope another manufacturer does a good job with its seatpost, is a bonus.
Is it better than the new Specialized Tarmac? Tough to say. It is about 200 grams lighter, and is available with two head tube lengths, which is good for fit. But overall stiffness and ride quality remain too close to call — at least for now. Getting both bikes through VeloLab, with the lab testing and extensive ride time that entails, should paint a clearer picture.
5. cyclingweekly.co.uk - Trek Emonda SL5 - Trek Emonda SL5 review - Cycling Weekly
As we’ve already mentioned, the overwhelming ride sensation is smoothness. Even fitted with stock 23c tyres the Emonda copes with small and medium bumps better than many comfort and endurance-focused carbon frames. If there are any negatives, it’s that the Emonda’s refined ride does slightly disguise its overwhelming speed. This is a very fast bike — but everything works so well there’s no seat-of-your-pants agitation.
6. road.cc - Trek Émonda SLR 8
About once a year a bike comes along for review at road.cc that I really don't want to send back, so I spin the test period out for as long as possible. The Émonda SLR 8 is the one for 2014. This is a bike that's astonishingly quick on the hills, flattering your climbing abilities, and it's easy to live with for long hours in the saddle...
In terms of ride feel, I found the Émonda pretty comfortable....Things are more direct at the front end with bumps, holes and gravel making their presence felt through Bontrager's XXX VR-C handlebar, but even the worst road surfaces feel relatively smooth and don't threaten to knock you off your line...If you do find yourself lacking comfort and/or not sticking to the ground over the rough stuff, wider tyres would certainly help...
...Trek reckon that the Émonda has a 'size-specific ride-tuned performance'. In other words, they've engineered things so that each size feels and performs exactly the same....
...Verdict
Super light and lively road bike that flies up the climbs, with many other talents too.
7. bicycling.com - 2015 Trek Emonda
(A video with someone from Trek saying the bike was designed to be light and stiff)
8. cyclinguphill.com - Trek Emonda – Review
(Says it's very stiff, not much on ride quality)
9. youtube.com - 2015 Trek Emonda exclusive first ride | Review | Rutland Cycling
...They reduced the weight but the comfort's still there. Get the right size bike you ride it just becomes comfortable. It's not any less comfortable than a Domane for instance. It just works...
10. https://roadcyclinguk.com/ - Trek Emonda
(a page listing technical stuff but no ride review)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
So...after putting in an hour going through each of these reviews, they're described the bike's ride quality with almost every single possible description. :-/ :-/ :-/
This one matches my personal experience exactly:
As we’ve already mentioned, the overwhelming ride sensation is smoothness. Even fitted with stock 23c tyres the Emonda copes with small and medium bumps better than many comfort and endurance-focused carbon frames. If there are any negatives, it’s that the Emonda’s refined ride does slightly disguise its overwhelming speed. This is a very fast bike — but everything works so well there’s no seat-of-your-pants agitation.
So I'm not sure...are they right the smaller frames with a smaller rider ride differently? Or are they just writing an inflamatory review for some reason? Or did a did level (not the 500 carbon level SL5) of carbon ride differently?
I've seen a lot of people on the forum say they've ridden, but no one describe it as buzzy, but then they're probably not riding it on light gravel either, so...dunno.
04-29-15, 09:04 AM
#144
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The take away on a bike purchase whether its axle size and related wheel fit and bottom bracket type and geometry....is....the buyer needs to scrutinize what works best for him or her. Take the Diverge. Yes its hard to fit standard 135mm disk wheels with thru axles to the bike. But Spesh already makes a great carbon wheelset for the bike and their stock AL wheelset will work fine for the majority of riders. Machining parts...and I am an engineer...is silly. You guys bought the wrong bike. Its not unlike less than relevant discussion about the Emonda in this thread. A guy buys an Emonda for gravel riding and finds out the bike limits him to a 28mm tire which is less than ideal for gravel riding. He bought the wrong bike for the job. Nothing wrong with either bike. Each are near best in class...but different genres. Its the buyer and not the bikes that need more scrutiny...lol.
Last edited by Campag4life; 04-29-15 at 09:09 AM.
04-29-15, 09:12 AM
#145
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Paul - Good that you found the Emonda to handle rough roads so well.
BikeRadar (Trek Emonda SLR 8 - long-term review - BikeRadar) reported that the ride varied with frame size:
"...the Emonda is more unyieldingly rigid in every direction, at least on smaller sizes. Although Trek claims its in-house bench testing shows the Emonda has a similar ride to the Madone, we find the Emonda to be noticeably buzzy. This is particularly evident on coarse pavement, but even relatively smooth dirt roads tend to rattle your hands until they're numb and lifeless, made worse by the relatively sparse stock bar tape.
Larger or heavier testers, however, found the Emonda chassis to be "particularly smooth, bordering on soft at the back..."
Did you happen to check the tire pressures of both bikes you tested?
In any case the Emonda and Diverge target different ride conditions. The Emonda is lighter and racier and will accept only 26mm tires in front and 28mm tires in the rear (according to above BikeRadar review). The Diverge will handle 36mm tires front and rear opening it up to different roads. Boring to the road racer may be stable and reassuring to the gravel rider. Horses for courses, I reckon.
BikeRadar (Trek Emonda SLR 8 - long-term review - BikeRadar) reported that the ride varied with frame size:
"...the Emonda is more unyieldingly rigid in every direction, at least on smaller sizes. Although Trek claims its in-house bench testing shows the Emonda has a similar ride to the Madone, we find the Emonda to be noticeably buzzy. This is particularly evident on coarse pavement, but even relatively smooth dirt roads tend to rattle your hands until they're numb and lifeless, made worse by the relatively sparse stock bar tape.
Larger or heavier testers, however, found the Emonda chassis to be "particularly smooth, bordering on soft at the back..."
Did you happen to check the tire pressures of both bikes you tested?
In any case the Emonda and Diverge target different ride conditions. The Emonda is lighter and racier and will accept only 26mm tires in front and 28mm tires in the rear (according to above BikeRadar review). The Diverge will handle 36mm tires front and rear opening it up to different roads. Boring to the road racer may be stable and reassuring to the gravel rider. Horses for courses, I reckon.
05-02-15, 06:28 AM
#146
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hi to everyone here, i'm a happy owner of a Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon and i'm in need of a quick tip from you guys.
I go out for road rides as much as off-road rides and I can say nothing but good words on how I got along with this bike from the first day I used it
The thing is that that, obviously, due to certain specs (tyre sizes, weight etc) there is a lack of performance on flat tarmac roads and climbs comparing to my previous racing bike I had. again: obviously. And since I'm used to riding alot on a racing bike, I sometimes feel the need to work out on the Diverge bike's weight (who doesn't) and so I've started doing a few changes in regards to that (changed cassette and rear derailleur) and now I am going for the another step which is to build a second pair of wheels from a pair I had on my old racing bike. I am still wiling to keep the original Axis 4.0 that came on the Diverge for off-roads and replace them with lighter ones when I'm out on tarmac roads.
The second pair of wheels I am talking about is DT Swiss RRC1250, (specs below).
FRONT: DT Swiss RRC 570F Carbon Clincher 32 Front Wheel (https://www.amazon.ca/DT-Swiss-Clinch.../dp/B002SQTVLI)
REAR: DT Swiss RRC 680R Carbon Clincher 32 Rear Wheel DT Swiss RRC 680R Carbon Clincher Rear Wheel | Chain Reaction Cycles
In order to have them mounted on the Diverge, I will have to remove the original hubs and replace them with disc hubs but the tricky part with the Specialized Diverge frame is that it's only compatible with 135mm disc hubs so I will need a 135mm read hub to match the Diverge frame...
Now the question: Do the spokes from the DT Swiss RRC1250 wheels need to be changed because of the new hubs? If so, how can I know which size I need?
Has anyone else tried to do this?
I will also appreciate any other extra-advice on this... Perhaps trying to buy a new set of wheels and selling the DT Swiss ones, etc
Thanks much!
I go out for road rides as much as off-road rides and I can say nothing but good words on how I got along with this bike from the first day I used it
The thing is that that, obviously, due to certain specs (tyre sizes, weight etc) there is a lack of performance on flat tarmac roads and climbs comparing to my previous racing bike I had. again: obviously. And since I'm used to riding alot on a racing bike, I sometimes feel the need to work out on the Diverge bike's weight (who doesn't) and so I've started doing a few changes in regards to that (changed cassette and rear derailleur) and now I am going for the another step which is to build a second pair of wheels from a pair I had on my old racing bike. I am still wiling to keep the original Axis 4.0 that came on the Diverge for off-roads and replace them with lighter ones when I'm out on tarmac roads.
The second pair of wheels I am talking about is DT Swiss RRC1250, (specs below).
FRONT: DT Swiss RRC 570F Carbon Clincher 32 Front Wheel (https://www.amazon.ca/DT-Swiss-Clinch.../dp/B002SQTVLI)
REAR: DT Swiss RRC 680R Carbon Clincher 32 Rear Wheel DT Swiss RRC 680R Carbon Clincher Rear Wheel | Chain Reaction Cycles
In order to have them mounted on the Diverge, I will have to remove the original hubs and replace them with disc hubs but the tricky part with the Specialized Diverge frame is that it's only compatible with 135mm disc hubs so I will need a 135mm read hub to match the Diverge frame...
Now the question: Do the spokes from the DT Swiss RRC1250 wheels need to be changed because of the new hubs? If so, how can I know which size I need?
Has anyone else tried to do this?
I will also appreciate any other extra-advice on this... Perhaps trying to buy a new set of wheels and selling the DT Swiss ones, etc
Thanks much!
05-02-15, 11:41 AM
#147
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The Emonda is NOT a gravel bike. 28mm tires are as big as you can fit on an Emonda and not optimal for gravel. So no idea why you continue with your Emonda mantra...pretty irrelevant to the Diverge which is a better gravel bike purely because it will fit wider tires and it is a competent bike. On the road...Emonda all day long. An excellent road bike but not the best tool for gravel riding.
So if you want an almuminum endurance bike it's now the Diverge, and you also seemed to have missed that frame ride quality is also very comparable. Would have preferred to see either an Emonda-level of vibration absorbtion on the Diverge, or a more interesting ride quality on the bike.
05-03-15, 05:19 AM
#148
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hi to everyone here, i'm a happy owner of a Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon and i'm in need of a quick tip from you guys.
I go out for road rides as much as off-road rides and I can say nothing but good words on how I got along with this bike from the first day I used it
The thing is that that, obviously, due to certain specs (tyre sizes, weight etc) there is a lack of performance on flat tarmac roads and climbs comparing to my previous racing bike I had. again: obviously. And since I'm used to riding alot on a racing bike, I sometimes feel the need to work out on the Diverge bike's weight (who doesn't) and so I've started doing a few changes in regards to that (changed cassette and rear derailleur) and now I am going for the another step which is to build a second pair of wheels from a pair I had on my old racing bike. I am still wiling to keep the original Axis 4.0 that came on the Diverge for off-roads and replace them with lighter ones when I'm out on tarmac roads.
The second pair of wheels I am talking about is DT Swiss RRC1250, (specs below).
FRONT: DT Swiss RRC 570F Carbon Clincher 32 Front Wheel (https://www.amazon.ca/DT-Swiss-Clinch.../dp/B002SQTVLI)
REAR: DT Swiss RRC 680R Carbon Clincher 32 Rear Wheel DT Swiss RRC 680R Carbon Clincher Rear Wheel | Chain Reaction Cycles
In order to have them mounted on the Diverge, I will have to remove the original hubs and replace them with disc hubs but the tricky part with the Specialized Diverge frame is that it's only compatible with 135mm disc hubs so I will need a 135mm read hub to match the Diverge frame...
Now the question: Do the spokes from the DT Swiss RRC1250 wheels need to be changed because of the new hubs? If so, how can I know which size I need?
Has anyone else tried to do this?
I will also appreciate any other extra-advice on this... Perhaps trying to buy a new set of wheels and selling the DT Swiss ones, etc
Thanks much!
I go out for road rides as much as off-road rides and I can say nothing but good words on how I got along with this bike from the first day I used it
The thing is that that, obviously, due to certain specs (tyre sizes, weight etc) there is a lack of performance on flat tarmac roads and climbs comparing to my previous racing bike I had. again: obviously. And since I'm used to riding alot on a racing bike, I sometimes feel the need to work out on the Diverge bike's weight (who doesn't) and so I've started doing a few changes in regards to that (changed cassette and rear derailleur) and now I am going for the another step which is to build a second pair of wheels from a pair I had on my old racing bike. I am still wiling to keep the original Axis 4.0 that came on the Diverge for off-roads and replace them with lighter ones when I'm out on tarmac roads.
The second pair of wheels I am talking about is DT Swiss RRC1250, (specs below).
FRONT: DT Swiss RRC 570F Carbon Clincher 32 Front Wheel (https://www.amazon.ca/DT-Swiss-Clinch.../dp/B002SQTVLI)
REAR: DT Swiss RRC 680R Carbon Clincher 32 Rear Wheel DT Swiss RRC 680R Carbon Clincher Rear Wheel | Chain Reaction Cycles
In order to have them mounted on the Diverge, I will have to remove the original hubs and replace them with disc hubs but the tricky part with the Specialized Diverge frame is that it's only compatible with 135mm disc hubs so I will need a 135mm read hub to match the Diverge frame...
Now the question: Do the spokes from the DT Swiss RRC1250 wheels need to be changed because of the new hubs? If so, how can I know which size I need?
Has anyone else tried to do this?
I will also appreciate any other extra-advice on this... Perhaps trying to buy a new set of wheels and selling the DT Swiss ones, etc
Thanks much!
05-03-15, 05:34 AM
#149
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The point was that the carbon with a better ride exists, so it's dissapointing to not see similar ride quality on the Diverge.
And it doesn't make sense that you would try and rant on this, as Specialized has clearly replaced the Sectuer (their previous aluminium endurance bike) with the Diverge.
So if you want an almuminum endurance bike it's now the Diverge, and you also seemed to have missed that frame ride quality is also very comparable. Would have preferred to see either an Emonda-level of vibration absorbtion on the Diverge, or a more interesting ride quality on the bike.
And it doesn't make sense that you would try and rant on this, as Specialized has clearly replaced the Sectuer (their previous aluminium endurance bike) with the Diverge.
So if you want an almuminum endurance bike it's now the Diverge, and you also seemed to have missed that frame ride quality is also very comparable. Would have preferred to see either an Emonda-level of vibration absorbtion on the Diverge, or a more interesting ride quality on the bike.
05-03-15, 09:35 PM
#150
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It seems like you just want to argue, and I have little interest in getting into a "I don't understand why you can compare ride quality on different bikes" debate, or the tired old "you can only compare two things that are exactly the same" thing. I'm sure most of the other people reading understood what I was saying after the second post, even if you do not. I'm not going to respond further just because these things go on forever with absolutely no additional real info after this point. Good luck.
Last edited by PaulRivers; 05-03-15 at 10:09 PM.