We’ve been out testing it on everything from hardpack gravel with small aggregate to grass, chalk and even muddy singletrack through the local woods.
When you get off-road the Diverge continues to impress. > SRAM, Zipp & RockShox launch new XPLR gravel components You also get the benefit of a decent amount of seatpost showing to help with comfort.
We won’t bore you with the numbers but the result is a capable and stable bike in the dirt that still feels responsive and nimble on the road. That means a long front centre, a long top tube paired with a shortish stem and a steep seat tube angle and short chainstays to compensate. That’s not bad at all considering that Specialized say that they’ve used their most progressive geometry ever on a dropped handlebar bike. In fact, stick a set of slicks on and we’d happily commute year-round on it. The new version has seen a price hike of £500 up to a rather scary £5750 but this is sweetened by a set Roval Terra CL’s wheels swapping out the DT Swiss G580’s which although dependable were a bit weighty and a decent excuse for getting dropped up climbs. This does mean that the newer model gets 12 gears rather than the 11 that we’ve been riding around on. Other than the colours, there are some more major changes, the 2022 version now comes with a Sram Rival Etap AXS groupset rather than Shimano GRX 815 but as both groupsets are absolutely superb, choosing between them normally comes down to personal preference.
> Stu's full review of the Diverge Expert is here The Expert model retains its FACT 9R carbon layup but the colour schemes have changed to a choice of either teal or “arctic” blue from this sunburnt zebra (not the official name) that we managed to get our hands on.
When I was using my Porter Cable or Milwakee router, I found the tool bit "found" a path to ground and only need a single conductor to the plate to work correctly.Now before we get too deep we should mention that Specialized has just launched its 2022 Diverge, once again available in Sport, Comp, Expert, Pro and S-Works guises for the carbon model and aluminium versions to suit lower budgets. If you have a spindle with ceramic bearings, or water cooled, the alligator clip is mandatory as the spindle/collet is electrically isolated from the system. ONE (1) conductor is soldered to a large alligator clip to attach to tool bit for conductivity of the touch. ON the table (metal block side) I split the cable so ONE (1) CONDUCTOR is terminated in the TRS 1/4" connector. ON the machine side only 1 male TRS 1/4" plug is inserted in the panel mount plug.
1) I drilled a hole in the end (the OD of a 1/4" TRS female metal shelled guitar jack)Ģ) Soldered a jumper from the Tip to the shell so electrically conducts to the plate.ģ) press the female shell into the block.Ĥ) drilled and installed another (1/4" panel mount TRS female connector) in the push button box on the gantry.ĥ) wired the two conductors of the tip to the J connection on the PMDX BOB via one of my bundle of wires to the gantry.Ħ) purchased a nice coiled cable from music store and male plug ends.