For 5mm less travel, I bought an Ergon CF split seatpost that does exactly the same. Much simpler, more reliable, cheaper and transferable to any other bike. And I saved $14,000!
Yep. A Suntour NCX seatpost also does the same thing without the cost, lack of maintenance ability as this thing has, and is essentially futureproofed which this monstrosity certainly is not. Add in the ridiculous cost of this laughable setup and you'd have to be a fool with far more money than common sense to buy this nonsense.
Coming from the XC world and as someone who rides a lot of gravel, I'm not sure I understand why spec decides to suspend the contact points rather than the wheels. With the str design, the tires will still be thrown around over uneven terrain and the rider will still lose grip and stability. With a full suspension design like on XC bikes, grip and stability is maintained because the wheels are free to move through their stroke while the BB is somewhat isolated from the repeated shocks. The futureshock makes sense to me, but the seatpost suspension design here doesn't. Their design reminds me of a unified triangle design from the 90s; it only works if you're sitting down.
fwiw believe the argument for suspending the rider is that on non-technical gravel the Improved control gained through suspending the bike is not really needed. So adding the components to supply it would just end up increasing complexity, cost, pedal bob and weight.
Exactly. In addition, Specialized's claims that the rider position is fixed simply because the frame and fork are rigid is pure BS nonsense and not the truth. Every single time the front end encounters a hit the front Futureshock compresses which most certainly lowers the bar position and extends its reach relative to the rider's saddle position as the bars move down the fork's axis. On every rear end hit when the rear Futureshock compresses the seatpost moves back and forth thus again altering the rider's reach and drop from saddle to bars on every hit. I'm not saying that's a bad thing because it happens with all suspension type bikes, but their claim and the claims of their snake oil salesman dealers that the rider's position remains fixed simply because the frame and fork are rigid is pure BS and untruth. Then again, you need a good deal of BS and snake oil nonsense claims to sell any even semi intelligent adult on the notion of spending $14,000 on a 19+ pound gravel bike with no pedals or cages attached, a front and rear suspension setup neither of which can be serviced or maintained by the rider themselves, and a suspension setup that is not anywhere near as effective as a basic 1990's XC MTB that cost 1/10th the price and weighs just about the same. 🙂
Specialized really taking these things straight to production. Dude at the top saw the concept and was like "yo just start sellin it. Let's get this cheese baby"
I mean we all can see that all this is, is just a pointless gimmic for specialized to be "first" in something and have a new selling point. Since when gravel cyclists couldn't handle a few bumps. That constantly changing reach because of constantly moving seatpost cannot be good for your power transfer and to charge that much for this thing on top of that..
Annnd cue the recalls for when the shock goes askew in aggressive riding and begins to scar the inside of the frame and introduces the beginnings of stress fractures! 😂
@@overthetarget9401 Totally agree. The risk/payoff factor doesn't line up and most S-Works buyers aren't 70kg pros either. Plus every time that saddle moves it's position fore & aft a few CMs, it's changing the geometry of the bike. For the same pound of weight they add, a rider might as well just get a regular frame with a suspension seat post for MORE compliance and save $10,000.
@@overthetarget9401 Yep. On top of that Specialized guarantees the rear Futureshock for only 2 years. After that any failures with it are coming out of your pocket for a repair/replacement cost that probably approaches $1,000 and that's only if they still carry and make replacement parts for it at that point. Also, neither the front nor the rear Futureshock can be serviced by the rider themselves. All repairs must be done by an authorized Spec dealer or the warranty is voided and dealers will not sell the Futureshock replacement parts to bike owners. Total joke, ridiculous cost and complexity for a small amount of travel. I can only imagine what that rear shock sounds like the very first time it gets hit with a nice splash of mud or collects some dust on that exposed shock. Probably the same creak, creak, creak as you can usually count on with Spec bike bottom brackets. 🙂
This is hilarious! A hybrid mountain/road bike. It is just me or am I just not buying all the marketing hype with gravel bikes. Maybe it's the area that I live in. We have very short gravel roads, if any. Basically gravel roads are what connect the pavement to the single tracks. I'll stick with my road bike for the pavement and my mountain bike for anything that isn't pavement.
I think it really does come down to the off-road stuff in your area. Around us in Bath it is really rocky, so an XC MTB is best. But if you have the long gravel roads then a gravel bike can make sense. Liam
@@DM-jh5rs Yes, I used to have suspension seat post years ago. But I meant that the design of shock itself is very similiar as the one in Trek Supercaliber
You mean the isostrut? The difference would be Trek's isostrut flexes the seat stays but Specialized has a pivoted flexible seat tube, which may cause less stress than the Trek's system. As for 60mm vs 30mm, I'm not sure if bigger is better as long as the ride is stable and not bouncing around like regular suspension MTB/ seatposts. I guess we have to wait for long term reviews to see if it's worth it.
@@arfarzam does it? The way I see it is that isostrut still causes some energy losses from the pedals due to the suspension. The specialized method has suspension just on the rider, similar to a suspension seatpost. The specialized method will allow no loss by suspension.
@@genotabby that is right. The specialized system is more efficient whereas the trek system is more effective. It has lower unsprung mass giving more traction and frame compliance. Specialized is good if you want efficiency, a dropper and suspension seatpost. Each to their own but I prefer the trek because you have suspension when riding out of the saddle
@@arfarzam tbh my diverge got damaged and now I'm exploring the moots routt ybb titanium frame. It has some suspension riding out of the saddle as well
So basically the saddle keeps rocking back and forth? That's not really 'suspension' is it? Would be curious to try one out though, I'm a fan of companies trying new stuff out
Just wait until the first time that exposed rear shock gets hit with a nice splash of mud or collects some dust for dry environment riders. Creak, creak, creak, just like most Spec bottom brackets. 🙂
I care more about sand ripples than I do little gravel rocks. Thinking lauf or actually suspension that allows the wheel to move more is better for that?
Such custom bike with a small suspension inside the frame might not be necessary actually. Given the price point and the experimental nature of this technology, I'd rather ride it only on compact and fast terrains. Well, then in that case, small upgrades like the leafspring seatpost (canyon / ergon), stems with elastomer and adding gels under the bartape already are sufficient. I think the complexity they're working on actually is trying to solve problems from MTB standpoint, not gravel. If the frame suspension come in handy only when on bumpier terrains, then I'd rather to see a front suspension present first. I'm not dissing the tech, quite the opposite, but price and quality should make sense, otherwise they're marketing gimmicks.
What they don't come up with to steal even more money! Because that's what the bike industry is doing right now, defrauding hard-working people with worthless poorly designed monstrosities of bikes! Prices start from 7500,-! They've gone crazy
Relatively easy to assemble th-cam.com/users/postUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA (note that is does not come with tools, so please have a set of hex/Allen keys and Phillips screwdriver handy). The bike weighs 27 lbs fully assembled, which is not bad.A couple quirks about the bike:- left brake lever operates the front brake (something to get used to if controlling the front brake with your right hand is what you usually do)- Shimano thumb shifters for the gears are positioned close to the center. This is a bit of a nuisance because changing gears involved taking your weight from one hand to change gears, a hassle if you are regularly changing gears. However, gear shifters positioned at the drop bars are very expensive compared to thumb shifters, so I can understand, given the price of the bikeBike is otherwise of good quality. Gears change fairly smoothly and fit/assembly is of good quality. A totally competent product for the price.
But it’s not targeted at athletes. Lest be frank, the biggest market are not athletes but weekend riders. And weekend riders want cool toys and comfort, which two boxes this ticks off
@@sethJeon depends on the type of gravel you are heading to. Smooth, almost asphalt like gravel, and it will be like a dream, for bigger rocks and more gravelly you maybe would need bigger tires to enjoy the riding more.
"suspension seatposts aren't very good to look at" - Chris. I'm sorry Chris but are you drunk. This new future shock looks like the cover fell off during shipping and the butt ugly internals are now in view. So yes suspension seat posts arnt pretty but they are better looking then this future shock system. I love my front future shock 2.0 it is hidden and you can't really tell it's there but really nice to have.
If this bike doesn’t make sense to you then most likely your roads are tolerably smooth. Our roads are wild and crazy especially if you want to ride them fast but they totally beat the crap out of us. This bike is perfect for us. I would buy one of these in a heart beat.
For 5mm less travel, I bought an Ergon CF split seatpost that does exactly the same. Much simpler, more reliable, cheaper and transferable to any other bike. And I saved $14,000!
I use the Canyon branded one (same thing), totally agreed, does the same thing.
And it even looks good, unlike this contraption.
Yep. A Suntour NCX seatpost also does the same thing without the cost, lack of maintenance ability as this thing has, and is essentially futureproofed which this monstrosity certainly is not. Add in the ridiculous cost of this laughable setup and you'd have to be a fool with far more money than common sense to buy this nonsense.
Coming from the XC world and as someone who rides a lot of gravel, I'm not sure I understand why spec decides to suspend the contact points rather than the wheels. With the str design, the tires will still be thrown around over uneven terrain and the rider will still lose grip and stability. With a full suspension design like on XC bikes, grip and stability is maintained because the wheels are free to move through their stroke while the BB is somewhat isolated from the repeated shocks. The futureshock makes sense to me, but the seatpost suspension design here doesn't. Their design reminds me of a unified triangle design from the 90s; it only works if you're sitting down.
fwiw believe the argument for suspending the rider is that on non-technical gravel the Improved control gained through suspending the bike is not really needed. So adding the components to supply it would just end up increasing complexity, cost, pedal bob and weight.
Exactly. In addition, Specialized's claims that the rider position is fixed simply because the frame and fork are rigid is pure BS nonsense and not the truth. Every single time the front end encounters a hit the front Futureshock compresses which most certainly lowers the bar position and extends its reach relative to the rider's saddle position as the bars move down the fork's axis. On every rear end hit when the rear Futureshock compresses the seatpost moves back and forth thus again altering the rider's reach and drop from saddle to bars on every hit. I'm not saying that's a bad thing because it happens with all suspension type bikes, but their claim and the claims of their snake oil salesman dealers that the rider's position remains fixed simply because the frame and fork are rigid is pure BS and untruth. Then again, you need a good deal of BS and snake oil nonsense claims to sell any even semi intelligent adult on the notion of spending $14,000 on a 19+ pound gravel bike with no pedals or cages attached, a front and rear suspension setup neither of which can be serviced or maintained by the rider themselves, and a suspension setup that is not anywhere near as effective as a basic 1990's XC MTB that cost 1/10th the price and weighs just about the same. 🙂
Specialized really taking these things straight to production. Dude at the top saw the concept and was like "yo just start sellin it. Let's get this cheese baby"
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😄
bwahahahaha
I mean we all can see that all this is, is just a pointless gimmic for specialized to be "first" in something and have a new selling point. Since when gravel cyclists couldn't handle a few bumps. That constantly changing reach because of constantly moving seatpost cannot be good for your power transfer and to charge that much for this thing on top of that..
Imtpu o
Yea
Annnd cue the recalls for when the shock goes askew in aggressive riding and begins to scar the inside of the frame and introduces the beginnings of stress fractures! 😂
Someone said free upgrades? 😂
Yeah, I wouldn't trust that construction, too much complexity for too little effect.
@@overthetarget9401 Totally agree. The risk/payoff factor doesn't line up and most S-Works buyers aren't 70kg pros either.
Plus every time that saddle moves it's position fore & aft a few CMs, it's changing the geometry of the bike.
For the same pound of weight they add, a rider might as well just get a regular frame with a suspension seat post for MORE compliance and save $10,000.
@@overthetarget9401 Yep. On top of that Specialized guarantees the rear Futureshock for only 2 years. After that any failures with it are coming out of your pocket for a repair/replacement cost that probably approaches $1,000 and that's only if they still carry and make replacement parts for it at that point. Also, neither the front nor the rear Futureshock can be serviced by the rider themselves. All repairs must be done by an authorized Spec dealer or the warranty is voided and dealers will not sell the Futureshock replacement parts to bike owners. Total joke, ridiculous cost and complexity for a small amount of travel. I can only imagine what that rear shock sounds like the very first time it gets hit with a nice splash of mud or collects some dust on that exposed shock. Probably the same creak, creak, creak as you can usually count on with Spec bike bottom brackets. 🙂
Good review ...thanks. Thinking of getting the higher spec bike, do you think its worth the extra money for a competitive age grouper ?
This is hilarious! A hybrid mountain/road bike. It is just me or am I just not buying all the marketing hype with gravel bikes. Maybe it's the area that I live in. We have very short gravel roads, if any. Basically gravel roads are what connect the pavement to the single tracks. I'll stick with my road bike for the pavement and my mountain bike for anything that isn't pavement.
I think it really does come down to the off-road stuff in your area. Around us in Bath it is really rocky, so an XC MTB is best. But if you have the long gravel roads then a gravel bike can make sense.
Liam
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Looks like Speciaized came up with same design of rear shock as we have seen in Trek Supercaliber, but in mini version 😀
That would be nicer if they hid and did not expose the cute 30mm suspension on Specialized Diverge STR . Trek Supercaliber made it look very nice.
@@echomike8591 Yes, Trek looks very nice, this is like made in garage :/ Shame really as they could put a rubber sleeve or anodize the shock in black
The STR suspension only works if you're sitting down which is very, very different from most mtb full suspension designs.
@@DM-jh5rs Yes, I used to have suspension seat post years ago. But I meant that the design of shock itself is very similiar as the one in Trek Supercaliber
@@DM-jh5rs it's the exact same concept as trek pro caliber
Trek eCalliber uses almost the same type suspension system. It's a 60 mm suspension. This is my first observation
You mean the isostrut? The difference would be Trek's isostrut flexes the seat stays but Specialized has a pivoted flexible seat tube, which may cause less stress than the Trek's system. As for 60mm vs 30mm, I'm not sure if bigger is better as long as the ride is stable and not bouncing around like regular suspension MTB/ seatposts. I guess we have to wait for long term reviews to see if it's worth it.
Ecaliber or supercaliber isostrut helps with rear wheel traction and more compliance at pedals. This does neither.
@@arfarzam does it? The way I see it is that isostrut still causes some energy losses from the pedals due to the suspension. The specialized method has suspension just on the rider, similar to a suspension seatpost. The specialized method will allow no loss by suspension.
@@genotabby that is right. The specialized system is more efficient whereas the trek system is more effective. It has lower unsprung mass giving more traction and frame compliance. Specialized is good if you want efficiency, a dropper and suspension seatpost. Each to their own but I prefer the trek because you have suspension when riding out of the saddle
@@arfarzam tbh my diverge got damaged and now I'm exploring the moots routt ybb titanium frame. It has some suspension riding out of the saddle as well
So basically the saddle keeps rocking back and forth? That's not really 'suspension' is it? Would be curious to try one out though, I'm a fan of companies trying new stuff out
Yea, I think it's something to try before you buy.
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It’s so affordable!!! Can’t wait to easily pickup my replacement seat post shock when it blows up after 100km.
i (with my 92kgs) ride more then that without problems
Just wait until the first time that exposed rear shock gets hit with a nice splash of mud or collects some dust for dry environment riders. Creak, creak, creak, just like most Spec bottom brackets. 🙂
I care more about sand ripples than I do little gravel rocks. Thinking lauf or actually suspension that allows the wheel to move more is better for that?
just buy a Suntour NCX. much cheaper, same purpose and easily replaceable
Interesting idea. Not sure if it’s needed or is more of a gimmick that will need constant maintenance
That will be the question for anyone looking to buy for sure
just buy a Suntour NCX. much cheaper, same purpose and easily replaceable
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How fast can you go on the asphalt with this bike?
Cuz you said you ve been taking corners at 50km/h on gravel ?
Pontiac Aztec meets Ford Edsel = Specialized Diverge STR (Bianchi ARCADEX now has a ugly cousin)
I wonder what it's like compared to the Niner MCR 9 RDO
I really wonder what Future Shock adds compared to a allready proven solution like Cane Creek eeSilk seatpost.
A tiny silicone shield cover over the rear shock arm would weigh nothing, flex, clean easily, and make the bike not look like pieces have fallen off.
Agree. It does look like it has been added by „user” later on. I would like to see this piston anodised in black maybe.
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When I first saw this I was convinced that it was some homebrued contraption.
Is the carbon fiber Rock proof ?
Probably get a mountain bike at this point
Such custom bike with a small suspension inside the frame might not be necessary actually. Given the price point and the experimental nature of this technology, I'd rather ride it only on compact and fast terrains. Well, then in that case, small upgrades like the leafspring seatpost (canyon / ergon), stems with elastomer and adding gels under the bartape already are sufficient.
I think the complexity they're working on actually is trying to solve problems from MTB standpoint, not gravel. If the frame suspension come in handy only when on bumpier terrains, then I'd rather to see a front suspension present first.
I'm not dissing the tech, quite the opposite, but price and quality should make sense, otherwise they're marketing gimmicks.
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What they don't come up with to steal even more money! Because that's what the bike industry is doing right now, defrauding hard-working people with worthless poorly designed monstrosities of bikes! Prices start from 7500,-! They've gone crazy
Relatively easy to assemble th-cam.com/users/postUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA (note that is does not come with tools, so please have a set of hex/Allen keys and Phillips screwdriver handy). The bike weighs 27 lbs fully assembled, which is not bad.A couple quirks about the bike:- left brake lever operates the front brake (something to get used to if controlling the front brake with your right hand is what you usually do)- Shimano thumb shifters for the gears are positioned close to the center. This is a bit of a nuisance because changing gears involved taking your weight from one hand to change gears, a hassle if you are regularly changing gears. However, gear shifters positioned at the drop bars are very expensive compared to thumb shifters, so I can understand, given the price of the bikeBike is otherwise of good quality. Gears change fairly smoothly and fit/assembly is of good quality. A totally competent product for the price.
That weather 😕
The general consensus is that the rear suspension adds too much weight and is not needed
Yep, absolutely pointless bike as i see it. For athletes, the only thing needed for gravel is road bike with a bit of extra tyre clearance.
But it’s not targeted at athletes.
Lest be frank, the biggest market are not athletes but weekend riders. And weekend riders want cool toys and comfort, which two boxes this ticks off
Out of point but do you guys think installing gravel tire to my roubaix gonna work for gravel roads?
@@sethJeon depends on the type of gravel you are heading to. Smooth, almost asphalt like gravel, and it will be like a dream, for bigger rocks and more gravelly you maybe would need bigger tires to enjoy the riding more.
Do people forgot mountain bikes exist?
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Winner! Of the Ugliest New Bike Award! Give me a break! PLEASE!
Fits to Test it in Germany. Form follows function
full sus gravel, when the world gravel champs uses a roadbike
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"Suspension seatposts are not much to look at..." - would hardly say that exposed suspension is any better...
if you want comfort sit in your home
At some point the person who may consider this, may just as well buy the Epic EVO instead…..
Specialized is filling in a gap in the evolution of true all surface road bikes. Nice review and interview
Thanks Noel, it'll be interesting to see how many people are prepared to pay the £££
just buy a Suntour NCX. much cheaper, same purpose and easily replaceable
If it's an all surface bike it is not a road bike. 🙂
LOOOOOOOOOOOL This is serious BULLSHIT marketing crap...
Heavier, uglier and expensive 😂😁🤣
Wanna ride in the hills?? Use a mtb 😉
❤❤❤
If it is hard to explain....and it is.....
I’ll,pass
"suspension seatposts aren't very good to look at" - Chris. I'm sorry Chris but are you drunk. This new future shock looks like the cover fell off during shipping and the butt ugly internals are now in view. So yes suspension seat posts arnt pretty but they are better looking then this future shock system. I love my front future shock 2.0 it is hidden and you can't really tell it's there but really nice to have.
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An eyesore for sure.
a gravel bike that weight is 9 kg and cost is around 15000 dollari is not worth....i would go in a front MTB
run a slightly bigger back tire and save the $12000
Exactly. I was thinking I'll just convert my MTB to Di2 like my roadie and I'm good to go.
So he in other words said: "We realized gravel riders don't like a suspension that works perfectly, so we gave them this"
You could also just get a checkpoint with isospeed and save yourself some weight
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Specialized with ISO speed...
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A gravel bike that can't fit racks and can't support heavy riders
If this bike doesn’t make sense to you then most likely your roads are tolerably smooth. Our roads are wild and crazy especially if you want to ride them fast but they totally beat the crap out of us. This bike is perfect for us. I would buy one of these in a heart beat.
Where are you based, Steve?
just buy a Suntour NCX. much cheaper, same purpose and easily replaceable
LOL
stupid bike
Can you possibly make a more ridiculous looking bike? 😂
Plenty of companies have done so
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They'll try again.
@@overthetarget9401 😂
This is the RS1 fork of the gravel line. So Dumb.
So basically what you’re saying is it is just a gimmick. Got it
just buy a Suntour NCX. much cheaper, same purpose and easily replaceable
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A very huge misnomer here - this is not full suspension. It does not have front suspension, only rear. Therefore it is a softtail.
It does have front suspension.. it's just 20mm but it's suspension
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@@Dustin0703 I wasn't aware of that, thank you.
Mays well just buy Full sus XC rig, jeez........
Bullshit.
Not understand, is like gravel beacome mini MTB. Front shock, rear mini shock, bigger tyres... Maybe just buy MTB bike.
Just get a mountain bike
That seems to be one side of the argument
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I think that’s about right