The search is over. I just ordered a Specislized Diverge Elite DSW. I also had a chance to ride a 2015 Raleigh Willard with Sora. I chose the diverge because it felt more nimble and I liked the new Tiagra a lot more than Sora. I didn't want to get off the bike even though it was 2 sizes too small. Bike should be here in 1-2 weeks!
Congratulations on the new gravel bike! I know you put a lot of research into choosing the right one for you. Have fun tearing-up that gravel on your new ride!
Just purchased a Diverge Smartweld Elite, love it so far. Added the CG-R post which really helps the ride quality. Looking for gravel/rough backroad tires now as the stock 30's are too smooth for my tastes. Anyone tried to mount Small Block 8's (33 or 35) or Kenda Happy Mediums? Wondering if the 35 will fit with much clearance?
Anyway, 60 miles on the bike in 3 days of ownership, love it so far.
MellowCat,
\nGreat looking bike. The CG-R seat post is on my to do list. On the MTBR forum there's a Diverge discussion thread. Someone did get 35s on their Diverge with enough clearance.
Thanks for the heads up about the MTBR post, I'll have to check it out. Wondering what 35's fit? Seems like the clearance is going to be close, and tire brand difference may play a role in the tire fitting.
Definitely check out the CG-R. My LBS let me take one off a carbon Diverge they had on the floor and take it for a spin, I was sold on it after the first few bumps!
My buddy has a Diverge in carbon and is running the Kenda Happy Mediums in 35c w/tubes. And he really likes them. They fit fine though that is about the maximum width I'd recommend and still maintain a little clearance. He bent the OEM crank and installed an Ultegra 46/34 with adapters. Afterwards, the shift arm of the FD hit was rubbing on the tire. The clearances in that area are very tight but still not sure why that happened. It could be the chain line was slightly further out requiring the FD arm to pull in more to effect the shift. Or perhaps because the FD was lowered to accommodate the smaller diameter chainring. Or, most likely, a combination of the wider tire along with the altered chain line and smaller chain ring. We got it to work but it wasn't pretty. The other issue he has been having is with tire pressure. He rides off road a LOT - and low pressure gives him good traction but he flats a lot - pinch flats. When he raises the pressure to avoid the flats the ride gets very harsh. So I would suggest you look for tubeless as you should be able to run at the sweet spot of tire pressure w/o risking pinch flats.
I went to ride my Diverge today and the left shifter failed! Bummed. Feels like the gear broke in the brifter, I can't shift up to the big ring. Back to the shop tomorrow I guess.
I think most 35c tires should fit even if a little oversized. I think I'd stay away from 38s and definitely from 40s.
That Smartweld frame looks really nice. It seems to split the difference between carbon and the lower end aluminum. The Comp w/hydraulic brakes looks especially nice but the price is coming very close to (other manufacturer's) carbon. The Elite looks like a very nice bike at that price point and I would expect they will sell a lot of them. I'm not much for orange usually but that is a very good looking bike!
![[biggrin]](http://cdn.websitetoolbox.com/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif "Big Grin - :D")
