FUCK I just wrote pretty much a whole novel as a comment about this rig and then my browser crashed…
blackfocal on
Had to go look up that top tube bag for myself. Those are nice!
SaeculumObscure on
My awesome Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon. I really (!) enjoy riding this bike. At the same time it is very fast, very comfortable and most importantly incredibly fun to ride. Climbs fine but where it really excels is in the flat or on technical descents, no matter how smooth or rough the terrain is. It just gooooes.
I’ll be building myself a new rig for this year though as a small gift by myself to myself for surviving and recovering from a major heart surgery (david procedure) I had last year. This means that I’ll be having to let go of this bike shortly afterwards. But not until I’ll give it a few more nice rides!
Here’s the rig rundown from the bottom up
* The tires are the Dylan Johnson approved Continental RaceKings. Sized 650b to fit the frame. The diverge has a claimed 50mm tire clearance with 650b wheels. These measure to roughly 56mm and just barely fit. There might be like 3mm on either side. I’ve put some paint protection foil on the chainstays and seatstays to protect them a bit so it’s fine 🙂
* For the wheelset I’m running DT SWISS ARC 1100 Dicut 50s size 650b. Got them second hand and mostly for the looks and for thinking that they just might make me a little bit more aero and faster. Haha. They feel great though. And look good. Mostly look good. Damn… do they look good.
* The handlebar is from the brand Pro. Got them because they aero shaped and still have a wide clamping surface in the middle so I can mount my aero bars.
* The aero bar cups / brackets / mounting thingies are from Profile Design. I did replace the aero bar extensions with new ones I got from Aliexpress. They are really nicely shaped and are sooo comfortable to ride for a long time.
* The saddle is a Pro Stealth Team saddle. Got it just recently. Now my dick doesn’t get numb anymore which is nice.
* The top bag is from CYCLITE, the frame bag from Apidura. I like to carry lots of useless stuff with me so having the space to do so is nice.
* Frame integrated storage is an essential feature for any gravel bike. I’ve got absolutely no Idea why any manufacturer would release a gravel bike in 2025 with an integrated storage solution. I’m looking at you, 3T…
* The pedals are Crankbrother Eggbeater 2s. No idea why anyone would use any other pedals. They are affordable, can be self-serviced easily (there is a cheap service kit available online you can use to turn the pedals back into new ones) and you can click in from all four (4!) sides.
* Lots of pink details everywhere matching my pink socks, pink hydration pack and pink glasses. Yes I’m that kind of guy, whatever that is.
My next bike will be an ENVE MOG. It will be my first bike build (I’ve been doing all the service for this one myself already) and I am more than stoked.
6 Comments
gravel bikeporn over here, I like it very much!
Is it 27,5 wheels?
Where’s the rundown?
I gonna need a rundown, Jim.
FUCK I just wrote pretty much a whole novel as a comment about this rig and then my browser crashed…
Had to go look up that top tube bag for myself. Those are nice!
My awesome Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon. I really (!) enjoy riding this bike. At the same time it is very fast, very comfortable and most importantly incredibly fun to ride. Climbs fine but where it really excels is in the flat or on technical descents, no matter how smooth or rough the terrain is. It just gooooes.
I’ll be building myself a new rig for this year though as a small gift by myself to myself for surviving and recovering from a major heart surgery (david procedure) I had last year. This means that I’ll be having to let go of this bike shortly afterwards. But not until I’ll give it a few more nice rides!
Here’s the rig rundown from the bottom up
* The tires are the Dylan Johnson approved Continental RaceKings. Sized 650b to fit the frame. The diverge has a claimed 50mm tire clearance with 650b wheels. These measure to roughly 56mm and just barely fit. There might be like 3mm on either side. I’ve put some paint protection foil on the chainstays and seatstays to protect them a bit so it’s fine 🙂
* For the wheelset I’m running DT SWISS ARC 1100 Dicut 50s size 650b. Got them second hand and mostly for the looks and for thinking that they just might make me a little bit more aero and faster. Haha. They feel great though. And look good. Mostly look good. Damn… do they look good.
* The handlebar is from the brand Pro. Got them because they aero shaped and still have a wide clamping surface in the middle so I can mount my aero bars.
* The aero bar cups / brackets / mounting thingies are from Profile Design. I did replace the aero bar extensions with new ones I got from Aliexpress. They are really nicely shaped and are sooo comfortable to ride for a long time.
* The saddle is a Pro Stealth Team saddle. Got it just recently. Now my dick doesn’t get numb anymore which is nice.
* The top bag is from CYCLITE, the frame bag from Apidura. I like to carry lots of useless stuff with me so having the space to do so is nice.
* Frame integrated storage is an essential feature for any gravel bike. I’ve got absolutely no Idea why any manufacturer would release a gravel bike in 2025 with an integrated storage solution. I’m looking at you, 3T…
* The pedals are Crankbrother Eggbeater 2s. No idea why anyone would use any other pedals. They are affordable, can be self-serviced easily (there is a cheap service kit available online you can use to turn the pedals back into new ones) and you can click in from all four (4!) sides.
* Lots of pink details everywhere matching my pink socks, pink hydration pack and pink glasses. Yes I’m that kind of guy, whatever that is.
My next bike will be an ENVE MOG. It will be my first bike build (I’ve been doing all the service for this one myself already) and I am more than stoked.