Recommendations for bike similar to Diverge
I sold my Specialized Diverge Subcompact a little bit ago and am ready for another bike. It was my first bike and I enjoyed it for fitness, commuting and everything in between. Unfortunately with the lower end components and lack of tire size clearance I decided to sell.
I am now looking at another bike and am looking to spend between $900-$1,800. I am open to another Diverge and have also looked at smaller brands like All City, Salsa and Surley. It seems that the Diverge would give me the most bang for my buck in this price range, but open to suggestions. |
Leaning toward a steel frame?
Assuming you're aware of the recent Diverge models with the shock up front, an alternative would be including $135 in the budget for a Shockstop stem, fitted to a regular frame/bike model. There's your squish up front sorted, if you want it. |
Bang for buck would be a Raleigh Roker using the corporate discount. Carbon gravel bike, takes up to 45mm tires. Fender mounts and you can use a seat collar for a rack mount, same as with the 2018 Diverge.
Next would be Fuji Jari at Performance, I think right now they are doing 30% back in Performance bucks or whatever they call them. Rack mounts, fender mounts, 3 bottle mounts, up to 42mm tires. Also, Diamondback Haanjo. |
I've ridden the Diverge Carbon comp. It's a sweet bike, but I wanted to be able to mount racks, so I sold it and got a Jamis Renegade Exploit, which I love. The Exploit is a bit out of your price range, but they have other models. I also love it because it's steel. It might be worth your time to check one out if you have a Jamis dealer near you.
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Originally Posted by scotch
(Post 19828389)
I've ridden the Diverge Carbon comp. It's a sweet bike, but I wanted to be able to mount racks, so I sold it and got a Jamis Renegade Exploit, which I love. The Exploit is a bit out of your price range, but they have other models. I also love it because it's steel. It might be worth your time to check one out if you have a Jamis dealer near you.
I have never ridden a steel bike. How does the ride feel compared to carbon or aluminum? |
Originally Posted by Temple90
(Post 19828738)
I have never ridden a steel bike. How does the ride feel compared to carbon or aluminum?
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I recently got a Diamondback Haanjo Carbon Comp for a nice price. Very happy with it but still kinda crave a steel bike (or frame, at least). I see the latest Soma Wolverine is here or just about to arrive. Tough-to-beat for off-the-shelf steel (and sliding dropouts!) but you'd have to build it up.
I was also looking at Diverge, Salsa Warbird, GT Grade. Oh, check out the latest Kona Sutra. That LTD version is sweet (will probably sell out fast). |
Originally Posted by scotch
(Post 19828802)
All personal preference of course, but for me, steel is a whole lot smoother than aluminum. And, again for me, smoother than carbon. Steel is heavier than either of the other two, but that's not an important factor for my riding. And steel is bombproof. Go try one. You won't regret it. :thumb:
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Originally Posted by scotch
(Post 19828389)
I've ridden the Diverge Carbon comp. It's a sweet bike, but I wanted to be able to mount racks, so I sold it and got a Jamis Renegade Exploit, which I love. The Exploit is a bit out of your price range, but they have other models. I also love it because it's steel. It might be worth your time to check one out if you have a Jamis dealer near you.
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Originally Posted by ATPAH
(Post 19830821)
I'd agree that steel provides the best ride. I went for a carbon Renegade because the shop had it on hand and it came cheaper than ordering the Exploit. The light weight and snappy acceleration are bonuses. I don't need it, but it certainly is nice, especially since this will be doubling as a road bike, and it's nice to be able to get all the help I can holding the wheel of stronger riders. I'm a little nervous about the durability of carbon relative to steel, but this isn't a mountain bike, so I won't be laying it down in a rock garden anytime soon.
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Originally Posted by ATPAH
(Post 19830821)
I'd agree that steel provides the best ride. I went for a carbon Renegade because the shop had it on hand and it came cheaper than ordering the Exploit. The light weight and snappy acceleration are bonuses. I don't need it, but it certainly is nice, especially since this will be doubling as a road bike, and it's nice to be able to get all the help I can holding the wheel of stronger riders. I'm a little nervous about the durability of carbon relative to steel, but this isn't a mountain bike, so I won't be laying it down in a rock garden anytime soon.
Snappy acceleration is fun, huh... These CF frames and lighter wheels puts a smile on my face every time I ride... :D Now if I can find a steel bike that can do this I would be a happy camper... |
I test rode the new 2018 Diverge Comp E5 with the future-shock and really liked the bike. From what I understand, it's quite different than the previous Diverge with more dirt emphasis.
Does anyone know if you can swap out the saddles for another Specialized model during purchase? That can potentially shave off another $100 or so. |
Originally Posted by Temple90
(Post 19827856)
I sold my Specialized Diverge Subcompact a little bit ago and am ready for another bike. It was my first bike and I enjoyed it for fitness, commuting and everything in between. Unfortunately with the lower end components and lack of tire size clearance I decided to sell.
I am now looking at another bike and am looking to spend between $900-$1,800. I am open to another Diverge and have also looked at smaller brands like All City, Salsa and Surley. It seems that the Diverge would give me the most bang for my buck in this price range, but open to suggestions. |
Originally Posted by ATPAH
(Post 19830821)
I'm a little nervous about the durability of carbon relative to steel, but this isn't a mountain bike, so I won't be laying it down in a rock garden anytime soon.
[...] Aluminum is a budget choice. It looks like ass, it rides like ass. If you wanna race on a budget, it's an option. I won't ride it. |
Originally Posted by Ryder1
(Post 19836994)
I'm on MTBR.com far more than this site and am amazed how much more fear of carbon fiber I see here than there. The stuff is strong af.
[...] Aluminum is a budget choice. It looks like ass, it rides like ass. If you wanna race on a budget, it's an option. I won't ride it. Fortunately, drops to flat and burly rock gardens aren't in my plans for my CX bike. Also, the CF ride quality is much more noticable without big tires and suspension to smooth things out, so I'll be glad to have it. |
Originally Posted by ATPAH
(Post 19837029)
Mountain bikes take a lot more abuse than road or CX bikes, so the fear at MTBR is somewhat justified.
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