Introducing the Specialized Diverge STR

Building on the success of their Diverge gravel bike, Specialized just released what they’re calling the most capable and fun gravel bike they’ve ever made. They’ve doubled down on their Future Shock technology, and the new Diverge STR features 20mm of travel up front and 30mm in the rear. Both Future Shocks are hydraulically dampened and have tunable travel that can be adjusted on the fly. Specialized says the Diverge STR was made to deliver compliance without compromise and absorb bumps while maintaining the responsiveness of a rigid frame. As they put it, “By suspending the rider—instead of the bike—Future Shock technology increases control and efficiency while decreasing fatigue, so you’ll be riding farther and faster over chunkier terrain than you believed possible.”

The new Diverge STR also boasts bigger tire clearance, with room for 47mm tires on 700C wheels and 2.1″ tires on 650B wheels. The Diverge STR Expert model is built around the brand’s FACT 11r carbon frameset and is built up with a SRAM Rival eTap AXS groupset with a 40T chainring and 10-50 cassette. It comes equipped with Roval Terra C wheels, 42mm Specialized Tracer Pro tires, alloy bars, an S-Works carbon seatpost, and a Power Expert saddle.

The Specialized Diverge STR is available in six sizes that range from 49 to 61cm. There are three models in their lineup, and they certainly don’t come cheap. The Diverge STR Expert shown here is priced at $7,500, the Diverge STR Pro costs $9,500, and the S-Works Diverge STR comes in at $14,000. Diverge STR framesets are $6,000.

Learn more about all of the Diverge models over at Specialized.com. Readers, what do you think? Is putting front and rear suspension on a gravel bike overkill? And is the added complexity of built-in suspension worth it?

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