Specialised says the Diverge 4 is the “final getaway automobile,” and the Skilled AXS construct is perhaps the lineup’s candy spot. Sitting beneath the Professional and Professional-LTD halo fashions, it delivers a FACT 9r carbon body, Future Shock 3.2, SWAT 4.0 storage, and Roval carbon wheels, all tied along with SRAM’s Rival AXS XPLR drivetrain. All that for $4,600 lower than the highest tier — and let me inform you, it’s a ripper on the chunky gravel.
Construct Breakdown: All Killer No Filler
The Diverge 4 Skilled AXS comes spec’d neatly with all of the gear you’d need in a motorbike of this caliber, however nothing further “only for present”. It begins with the SRAM Rival AXS XPLR groupset. It’s a great-looking groupset and units off the gunmetal matte body properly. The crankset is one in every of my favourite options, and it seems nice on the brand new Diverge4.
Nevertheless, seems aren’t all the things, so I need to point out that it shifts crisply, the brakes are leagues above the earlier model, and with the huge 10-44T cassette, it feels completely at house on gravel epics whenever you run out of legs. The Roval Terra C carbon wheels add stiffness and drop some weight, and the DT-Swiss 370 hubs let you already know the wheels might be round for some time. They arrive wrapped in 45mm Pathfinder Professional tubeless tires (a favourite of mine) that really feel quick on pavement however assured when the street dissolves into filth.
The construct strikes a pleasant steadiness, gentle sufficient for racing, but stable sufficient for journey. The ending package is equally nicely thought out, that includes SWAT storage (a bag is included) that accommodates trip necessities and a cockpit designed for plenty of completely different hand positions.
The Good, The Nice, and The Barely Bouncy
The standout tech of the brand new Diverge is Future Shock 3.2. Sitting above the headtube, it supplies 20mm of journey that absorbs chatter earlier than it ever reaches your arms. On roots, damaged pavement, and chunky doubletrack, it’s nothing wanting sensible. It’s downright enjoyable whenever you get into the singletrack, however you may get into hassle rapidly with the 45mm tires if you happen to get too gnarly. In a nutshell, the system smooths out high-frequency vibration, takes the sting off sq. hits, and helps maintain traction when the street will get unfastened.
The Specialised “droop the rider” strategy actually works; your legs and arms keep more energizing on lengthy days, and it’s exhausting to not discover the diminished fatigue after three or 4 hours of gravel pounding, particularly on the shoulders (mine not less than). Descending quick on unfastened terrain, the Diverge feels planted and assured, letting you concentrate on line alternative as a substitute of bracing for each bump. The journey permits the entrance finish to soak up the bumps and never skid out or bounce on washboards and wild terrain.
Adjustable Confidence
That mentioned, there’s a trade-off. On steep, punchy, barely rolling climbs, the Future Shock can really feel a bit “bouncy.” It’s not dramatic, however whenever you’re out of the saddle and actually stomping on the pedals, you discover the entrance finish transferring simply sufficient to remind you there’s a suspension system up there. Fortunately, it’s not pogo-stick mayhem (the damping retains issues composed), however you do lose a contact of that razor-sharp, road-bike really feel. Specialised contains completely different tuning springs to fine-tune the system for rider weight and terrain, and I’ll admit I barely scratched the floor of using them. With extra time, I’m assured I might easy out the feeling to match my model higher. Perhaps I’m simply hypersensitive from years of cursing forks that may bob on nasty climbs, however for me, it solely reveals up whenever you’re standing, leaning ahead, and actually driving over the bars.
On the Street | Off the Map
On gravel, the Diverge 4 Skilled AXS is in its ingredient. The Future Shock and Pathfinder Professional combo retains velocity excessive whereas muting the larger bumps of journey. The geometry looks like a mountain bike (sorta). The slacker head tube, longer attain, decrease BB—offers it the boldness of a contemporary path bike however with out dulling the short dealing with you need in a race. It feels “in” the bike, not perched on high, which interprets to descending confidence when the floor turns sketchy.
On pavement, the Diverge feels quick, however you’re reminded it’s a gravel-first machine. The 45mm tires hum barely, and the refined front-end motion on difficult climbs is noticeable. Swap to a 38 mm slick, and the bike transforms right into a a lot sharper street weapon. That versatility is what makes the Diverge compelling; you’ll be able to tune it to your trip model, terrain, and targets.
Plus, it has mounts galore, and never simply the 3-pack ones, however fender mounts. Nevertheless, they don’t stick out like a sore thumb or want a “hidden bolt that may or may not have come along with your body” like another bikes I’ve had.
Room For Snacks & Extra
The brand new SWAT storage is big. Sure – the downtube is barely larger on the up to date Diverge 4, and so they crammed that house with… nothing. Properly, extra particularly, a pleasant waterproof-ish, zippered bag of nothing with a really easy-to-grab tether.
You possibly can match a variety of flat gear, a rain jacket, and extra within the new SWAT storage. You may as well transfer your water bottle mounting bolts barely. All of the hoses are tucked properly inside, so there’s zero fear about snagging them.
Who’s It For?
The Diverge 4 Skilled AXS is for the gravel racer who doesn’t wish to sacrifice journey functionality. It’s gentle, stiff, and quick sufficient to take a seat within the entrance group at a gravel race, however the Future Shock, huge clearance, and SWAT storage make it a software for lengthy rides, bikepacking, or all-day mixed-surface exploring.
At $6,000, it’s not low-cost, however in comparison with the Professional and LTD builds, it delivers many of the tech and trip high quality with out the flagship price ticket. In case you actually needed to make this bike a race-day machine, I might take the $4,000 you didn’t spend on the LTD model and put money into a high-end set of wheels – although, realistically the included Roval Terra C carbon wheels are completely suited to the wants of this bike, and also you’re in all probability higher off saving that $4k for race entries and journey charges and simply go trip your bike.
Diverge 4 Skilled AXS – Full Specs
Body & Fork
Body: Specialised Diverge FACT 9r carbon, SWAT™ 4.0 inside storage, threaded BB, completely inside routing, 12×142 mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc, UDH dropout
Fork: Future Shock 3.2 w/ Easy Boot, FACT Carbon, 12×100 mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc
Shifters: SRAM Rival AXS E1 wi-fi
Rear Derailleur: SRAM Rival AXS E1 XPLR
Crankset: SRAM Rival E1 XPLR DUB Large, 40T
Cassette: SRAM Rival E1 XPLR, 10-46T, 13-speed
Chain: SRAM Rival E1
Backside Bracket: SRAM DUB BSA 68 Large
Wheels: Roval Terra C carbon rims, 25 mm inside width, 32 mm depth, 24h, tubeless-ready, DT for Roval 370 hubs
Tires: Specialised Tracer 700×45, tan sidewall, tubeless-ready (entrance & rear)
Stem: Future Stem Professional (90mm)
Handlebars: Specialised Journey Gear Hover, 103 mm drop, 70 mm attain, 12º flare
Saddle: Physique Geometry Energy Skilled
Seatpost: Roval Terra Carbon seatpost, 20 mm offset
SWAT™ 4.0 downtube storage with an up to date, bigger opening
Weight: 17.5
Worth: $6,000
Lasting Impressions
Although we’ve had little time on the Diverge 4 Skilled AXS, the message is evident. This bike is for these seeking to get pleasure from time on gravel. Whether or not that’s racing, adventuring, or underbiking, the Diverge excels.
It’s gonna take some extra time on the Future Shock to get it fully dialed, but it surely’s far more of an asset than a disadvantage. Specialised actually nails the steadiness between velocity and luxury on this one.
Take a look at all of the fashions and pricing right here.
Specialised.com
