Context: My 2021 Specialized Diverge Elite E5 (56cm) was stolen in May (bad news) and finally getting insurance money for it (good news). I really loved the geometry of the bike and it was super fun to ride and I found it very versatile. Thinking of using this as an opportunity to upgrade and drop 3-4lbs in weight. There is a 2021 Specialized S-Works Diverge 56 in my area for sale, asking $3k. I've only ever owned Aluminum and steel bikes. This bike has a decent size chip on the seat stay (pictured), listing claims is cosmetic only- thoughts on how to verify this or other things to look out for?
Also- if you got to buy a new-to-you bike (<$3k) right now that would be ridden 70% road/hills and 30% gravel and dirt (Bay area), what models would you look at beyond the Diverge?
Few more pics: https://imgur.com/a/enHAYpl
Listing
"Incredible all-road/gravel machine, originally $10,500. This is the top-end S-Works build, upgraded with brand new $1850 Roval Terra CL wheels and a freshly serviced drivetrain (less than 1,000 miles on cassette/chain/chainring). One little chip (cosmetic only, pictured), but otherwise everything else is in perfect condition.
Original price: $10,500
Current wheels (brand new) worth $1850
Bar: Terra 420mm
Bar Ends: Muc-Off Stealth Tubeless Puncture Plugs Tire Repair Kit
Stem: S-Works Future stem
Brakes/Shifter: GRX 810
Saddle: Power Pro 143mm NEW*
Seatpost: Roval Terra
Cages: S-Works Carbon Rib Cage
Crank: Dura Ace with 4iiii power meter
Derailleur Front: Dura Ace
Derailleur Rear: GRX 810
Cassette: Ultegra 11
Chain: Ultegra
Wheels Roval Terra CL NEW*
Tires: Pathfinder Pro 700×38"
by dex110
5 Comments
Nah. Shitty RX400 caliper with a rusty, corroded bolt. Who knows what else it’s hiding
It COULD be more. Mostly it is the paint layer, but there is that slightly darker spot on the carbon.
If it is scuffing, I would ride it after building the paint layer up again.
The home analysis would involve tapping the area with a metal object to see if the spot sounds dull (bad).
The proper solution is to get it checked with ultrasound.
IMO
The fact that the paint is chipped off like that and you can see right underneath the carbon makes this actually even more re-assuring. A lot of times, a way some shops check for a crack is they sand the paint and surrounding area off a bit to see underneath.
Not saying it’s NOT a crack… looks more like a paint gouge, you can’t know for sure unless you bring it to a carbon repair expert.
If in doubt, walk away. I’m not a fan of carbon for off-road bikes, because of this issue: with alu, steel, Ti, you can see damage
As for the chip: the shape is hinting at just paint, but without the ‘how’ its hard to tell.
But: the caliper is *not* GRX810 spec, the bolt as pointed out very crusty and 1000-ish miles is *not* fresh. 2000 miles from a GRX 11x chain is a good number.
Edit: it may be the 800 caliper but very crusty.