SPECIALIZED DIVERGE 9R | GRAVEL BIKE BUILD

Journey of building a 2022 Specialized Diverge 9R frameset from start to finish. I got a small amount of use from the frame before selling it. Before I sold the frameset, I rode the bike in the 2023 Belgian Waffle Ride, the Whiskey Tango Fondo, and a few other gravel events.
Follow me on:
• Strava: / strava
• Instagram: / smouvemouves
Build Specs:
• Color: Satin Orange Tint / Spectraflair
• Size (54)
• SRAM Force 40t - 1x
• SRAM XPLR 10-44t cassette
• SRAM XPLR Red eTap AXS 12 Speed
• Supacaz Fly Cages
• Supacaz Sticky Kush Coffee bar tape
• Look Cycle X-Track Gravel Pedals
• Zipp 303 Firecrest 650b wheels
• WTB Sendero 650b tires
• Fizik Argo Vento R5 Saddle
#specialized #gravelbike #specializeddiverge

[@2wheelanything68]

Great videoing content and I appreciate having the components used pop up when installing. Very nice bike

[@GregJC]

That is a really beautiful bike!

[@thewisconsingravelcyclist]

This Diverge is SICK!!! Looking forward to more videos like this!! Keep up the good work.

[@seshreddy8616]

It's amazing bike and I've the same one. I love it and have added aero bars too

[@smouvemouves]

Lately, I've been seeing a ton of people riding them at events (with aero bars and all!) Solid bike!

[@GSUnit21]

@@smouvemouves can I ask you guys how the color is in person?? I feel like it’s very rare, but it’s so hard to get a good look at it. Does the satin mark up easily?? I actually have an opportunity to get this bike on sale so would you say it’s worth it??? Appreciate it so much!!

[@smouvemouves]

@@GSUnit21 It looks matte brown in bright sunlight. (Dark in low light, almost black)
The Specialized decal has a cool burnt orange iridescent look. Surprisingly, the finish doesn't mark up too bad and is easy to clean. Granted, if you ride it off road a lot, you'll want to stay on top of cleaning it frequently. There's also some conditioning washes you can get for matte surface bike frames. Most owners of this Diverge seem to love it. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

[@GSUnit21]

@@smouvemouves thank you so much for the response. I was going to buy it but lucked out and got an arctic blue. It’s got to be the last one in the country on sale lol!! Really appreciate the input!!!

[@80emjay80]

🔥

[@jrsj1998]

I was thinking about buying a diverge. Would you mind commenting on what makes it uncomfortable? Is it the frame-set compliance, geo, or maybe the deeper dish wheels? Thanks!!

[@smouvemouves]

To be fair, I think the discomfort was from my poor power to weight ratio. My fitness wasn't as good as it should have been when I was riding the bike. It was considerably heavier than my previous gravel bike. (Much heavier than my Tarmac, but that's a given.)
Also, the Fizik Terra Argo saddle didn't jive well with me.
So, it all boils down to very minor things related to personal preference vs. any serious bike related issues.

[@fukairen9601]

have you weight the frame and fork?

[@smouvemouves]

Unfortunately, I didn't get to weight the frame and fork. For future builds, I'm going to start doing that. However, I estimate that the complete build weight about 21-22lbs.