In September I traded my Crux for a Diverge wanting to jump on the wide tire/smooth is fast train. Almost immediately I regretted it, I missed the way the Crux handled and how fast it felt.. However, I started seeing numbers on the Diverge that just didn't make sense. I was picking off dirt segments 1 by 1 on the area and started taking some of my own KOMs that I'd earned on the Crux.
This weekend was my first race on The Diverge, and I'm here to say, while Spec clearly markets this as their adventure bike, it will absolutely fly on dirt in race situations.
I'm roughly 6' 190 lbs, the course was 51 miles of 80/20 cat 2 gravel/asphalt with 2200' of elevation change, with an average power of 246 watts (257 normized) for just over 2.5 hrs the bike managed a very impressive 20.2mph. I raced on Pathfinder TLR 50s since the course was rather smooth.
This course was pretty flat and there were only 2 significant punches, I thought I'd miss the Crux uphill but honestly the downhill behavior of the Diverge allowed me to attack over the top of climbs and eliminate any gap or even overtake anyone that got away from me uphill.
I think a lighter wheelset will put this thing over the top, and I couldn't imagine racing without the future shock after having it… just wanted to share my thoughts and experience for anyone looking for a true dirt All Rounder.
by TwinTexanDad
5 Comments
Nice job out there. My hands are still a little sore from those roads
I have been considering going from Diverge to Crux, but there really is no denying that the Diverge will steamroll anything you throw at it.
What breaks my heart is that I saw your speed and it was slightly lower than mine. But then I remembered that mine is km/h… So my wide tires are not reason I am slow.
It was a perfect day for the TCM!
Cool bike!