NBD – First in 14 years, a Specialized Diverge Carbon Sport w/ SRAM AXS Rival 2×12

I sold my last road bike, a CF Fuji (forget the model), about 14 years ago to focus on running. Today, with a confirmed torn meniscus in one knee and some pain in the other, the repeated pounding on pavement makes running long distances on consecutive days no longer feasible. It’s been 3-4 months since I’ve been able to run because of something going on with the knee and I’ve been itching for consistent outdoor endurance exercise. So I went searching for a bike and happened upon this pre-owned build from someone local…

A Diverge Sport Carbon from 2023, but upgraded to a SRAM AXS Rival 2×12 group set, Hunt 35 carbon wheels, upgraded pathfinder tires, and s-works stem. And it was my size and had less than 100 miles altogether. I had been deliberating over 1×12 SRAM or a 2×12 GRX. I loved the idea of the e-shifting, and had settled on getting something with a 2×12 GRX given my constraint of a $3k budget and desire to split road and gravel about 60/40. But decided to search on FB marketplace and this popped up. It was perfect

Got it Monday, took it out for a couple rides this week and I’m loving it. Flipped the stem and apparently that dislodged a bubble in the front brakes, so now I’m working that out… but otherwise it’s wonderful! Just happy to share it and join the club! When I was last riding, gravel bikes weren’t a thing – but they’re perfect for what I was looking for!