This video is part 1 of a 2 part series about my experience with the Diverge and gravel riding. If you want to find out if I'm going to get a gravel bike, be sure to subscribe and click the bell to be notified when part 2 is released.

Thanks for the shout! Great review!

I like Schwalbe land cruiser tyres. A bit heavy but they are great for puncture protection. They can take on some pretty serious terrain, and mud pretty well considering how fast they roll on road. Cheap and last ages too.

Thanks for the update on the Diverge, it was one of the possibles when we bought our Gravel bikes, so interesting to hear real world experience. Totally agree on the brakes, Julie has upgraded to hydro on her Liv Invite and the difference is remarkable, she now tackles a fast decent with total control and only needs 1 finger for braking.

What an absolutely delightfully made video! Your review is so thorough, and of course it’s awesome in that it’s the viewpoint from a woman. We have little representation when it comes to cycling vlogs. I was excited to hear you rode with WTF bike packing group. I’ve ridden with the WTF Mid-Atlantic group here in Maryland, USA!!! Women rock, and let’s keep riding 😎

I bought one of these recently; that's why I discovered your channel. Every time I look at the bike, I can't help but think how stunning it would look without the yellow accents. I don't think I can live with it. I guess I'm superficial. :-)

Excellent review. After owning my Diverge for almost two years now I totally agree with your assessment including the brakes. I'm currently working with my LBS to upgrade to hydraulic disc brakes but it's a little pricey. I still love this bike though, and would definitely purchase it again. It's just a lot of fun. Again thanks for the honest review. Can't wait for part 2.

Enjoyed the review! Watching from Hawaii. I'm a sequoia and tarmac guy but like seeing the diverge and crux as well. Have a good ride.

Thanks for the vid! I just bought this bike a couple days ago, and I learned a lot from your vid. I took it out for a ride and absolutely love it as well!

Nice bike, and nice shout-out to Russ's channel.

Another great video. Informative and interesting. Subject well covered! Enjoyed watching it rather than working!!!

pathless pedal is a cool channel, and so is this one.

Being August 2020, I know this model has been superseded(2021 Diverges now released) but I enjoyed your comprehensive review of the aluminium model as most Diverge reviews are on the carbon frames. Carbon frames tend to be preferred especially because of the lower weight but as you rightly pointed out, aluminium is more robust and less of a concern when transporting in certain instances, and in the event of crashing. I also agree with the point you made about the 105 groupset. Altho' not familiar with the pound, I think Specialized should've included 105 brakes. The Giant Revolts in their comparably priced carbon Revolt 2 version have full 105(at least in Australia atm).

It's not full-105 because 1) Shimano doesn't make a crankset with 48/32, but those Praxis are at least as good as 105. 2) Shimano doesn't make mechanical road disc brakes, but TRP Spyres are arguably the best mechanical disc brakes out there. - Also, if you swap the brake cable housing for compressionless housing, you'll brakes will have much more power (why so many bikes that come with mech discs don't come with compressionless housing is beyond me - I think it's one major reason for mech discs bad reputation).

My views on gravel bikes is that they are best on "gravel roads". They cannot compare to MTBs on single tracks nor can they compare with road bikes on tarmac. Maybe commuting on bad roads too.

Wider tyres and steel frames add a lot more comfort for all day off-road adventures, plus you get used to being knocked about a bit over time.

I put a comment about wanting to see more your lovely cat too, then saw the rest of the video!

Great review, very informative and eloquent. Also very beautiful n charming

Nice bike ... when you get bored of it send it out to Saskatchewan 😊 I just put 42 mm tires on my specialized gravel bike.... wow what a difference

Great review, I'd agree its a shame that the E5 is not available with all 105 hydro setup, even if it were an option just above this one. I'm still keenest on an aluminium/steel bike when theres a higher chance of damage while off-road. Have to keep saving for that Mason ;)

1:16 ...I like that comment. I think that when people say that they are saying that "it's like being alive again." Credit given to the loci of repentance... a simple life may simply be life. 8:31 ...yeah, I don't like bobbing. 9:14 ....ohhh chips. They try to make half-assed road work sound great. They call it "chips" so it sounds like something enjoyable and fun (even the way that she says it makes me think that it's fun), but everyone knows that it's not. Every-time I see it, it's like "ohhh, chips, that sounds fun.... like going to a cricket match in Rhodesia or a country club in Apartheid SA and being with your chums (gist of Wilhelm and his friends on the yacht in the Baltic... light hearted pranks, daschunds, and whatnot... good times, when good was really good), like "fish and chips..." but it's really not that way at all, a mess of tar, dust and vibration. 12:02 ...negative eugenics. Blocking movement. Forcing the maiden to the car, or selling more bikes. Like she can't just ride side saddle on a rack. 12:12 ...meow, meow. I wish my slave and cat were here. Life gets lonely on the mount. 12:51 Straight on the cross? ...ehh. Must everything be framed in the context of Adam... or Nero, but a mixture of the two. Yeah, human beings are persecuted by sin/disease. The cross has jew-christian connotation, but active re-affirmation of that moral framework? ...the account of Adam is not even half of the truth. 13:31 ohhh... meow, meow. On second thought (or maybe several more than two), this whole thing could be like my slave. Thing is, she's actually pretty... obnoxiously of a different kind. Leave it to YT (the whip) to deliver more torture... like a maxim, straight on the cross.

Thanks for your channel. I started riding recently but using a mountain hybrid which is slow. I want to upgrade though my partner thinks I should rather just do hyrbrid road bike.

Very nice video

Nice review! problem with Big S they saving cost in the wrong part ... brakes !! trp spyre C is a great mechanical brakes and $600 marin four corners has the same brake with 1500$ bike smh ...

9/16 pedal threads?

Is that the Severn Bridge? I rode over that in 2002 from Bristol thru' Wales.

i found your review to be so useful! I am so torn between the Diverge E5 Comp or the Trek Fx5! I wonder if you would have an opinion on the two?

Excellent Michelle @09:30, you compare with Canyon. Just what I need to know. Was it the Canyon Grail AL you compared with? I am turn trying to decide if I should buy a tad less expensive Grail AL with knobbly tires, but still lighter by a lb, and extra set of slick wheels, but without convincing colour, feature shock or the Diverge Comp E5 which I can indeed test ride and experience. Thoughts? Any Feature Shock spring selection guide? Do you get 1 or all 3?

I want to know what the cat thinks of the bike!

I have a question, I just started riding a very nice MTB on a gravel walking path in town. I noticed grit accumulating on the bike after only one ride. How often should I clean the bike? I worry that the gravel dust will work it's way into the wheel and hub bearings. Thanks

I think that's the right move to have the same frame for both sexes. But I think 11.1 is pretty good weight, that's about the same as my older carbon MTB.

You’re lucky to get one of these.

I had a diverge. I used it as a road bike for comfort. If it is a "gravel bike" why are the tires smooth?

How tall are you and what size frame did you go with? Thx for the review!

What make/model tyres were you using on the bike?

Any tire rub with those tires? with the stock tires it looks close and hear 38 does a bit of rub?

Up to the usual high standard.

What size frame is this? 48?

Aluminium not aluminum ;-)

Cat tail!

Is this bike appropriate for People who want a more upright seating Position than on a normal Roadbike? 😄 at the Moment I‘m cycling on an old Mountainbike (but mainly in normal Roads) and I want to buy a bike that is faster :) Greetings from Germany 🤙🏼

Is that a giant cat or are you that tiny?

Toe over lap!!! Awful!!!!