Specialized Diverge E5 2022 – Gravel With the Need for Speed [Short Review]

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Specialized Diverge E5 2020 - Gravel Bike

Specialized Diverge E5 review for 2022!
High-Speed Gravel Bike for less than 1,300$

[Diverge E5 vs Comp E5 VS Elite E5 VS Expert E5]
Tire clearance, weight, drivetrain, geometry

  • Frame Material: Aluminum
  • Fork: Carbon
  • Wheel Size: 700c / 29″
  • Max Tire Clearance: 38/42mm
  • Weight: 9.3 kg


Back to the real stuff with one of the most popular gravel bikes around, the Specialized Diverge. Yes, you can get it for under 1,300$ if you go for the basic Specialized Diverge E5, mounting a Shimano Claris 8-speed groupset and Axis Sport Disc wheelset.

The Diverge by Specialized is a very sporty bike with a geometry slightly more compact than most competitors. It’s a responsive and agile bike that goes fast on tarmac and grinds the gravel pretty smoothly, with a max tire clearance of 47mm, improved for 2023 from 42mm.

You can think of the Diverge’s geometry as a road version of a modern trail bike. It cuts the corners and skids on dirt quite playfully but keeps stiffness up enough to satisfy your inner-racer.

To achieve this, Specialized lowered the bottom bracket (over a half-centimeter lower than the previous Diverge), slacked-out the head tube angle, shortened the chainstays and the overall wheelbase.

The aluminum frameset and carbon fiber fork are high quality, but for its geometry and general built, the Diverge is certainly not a bike meant to carry heavy loads.

One of the best gravel bikes for long day adventures on mixed surface or ultralight bikepacking trips



For UK and Europe check also the prices on Tredz


Specialized Diverge E5 – 2022 models compared in a nutshell


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How we write our reviews: most of our reviews are based on first-hand long-term use or short-term test by a member of our team. For some new models or build variations, we rely on our experience with similar models and our team's experience in understanding bike geometry and components.

Diverge E5Diverge Elite E5Diverge Comp E5Diverge Expert E5
Price$1,300$2,000$2,500CA$4,199
FrameAluminiumAluminiumAluminiumAluminium
ForkFACT carbonFACT carbonSpecialized Future Shock 1.5 CarbonSpecialized Future Shock 1.5 Carbon
Wheel Size700c700c700c700c
Brake TypeMechanical DiscHydraulic DiscHydraulic DiscHydraulic Disc
GroupsetClarisGRX 400, GRX 600Apex 1, PraxisGX Eagle, Rival 1
Drivetrain2 × 82 × 101 × 111 × 12
Max Speed63585048
specialized diverge e5 review

Specialized Diverge E5 vs Elite Vs Comp VS Expert Specs:


Frame and Build


——–Diverge E5Diverge Elite E5Diverge Comp E5Diverge Expert E5
FramePremium Aluminum Premium Aluminum Premium Aluminum Future Shock suspensionPremium Aluminum Future Shock suspension
ForkFACT carbon, full carbonFACT carbon, full carbonFuture Shock 1.5 w/Smooth Boot, FACT carbonFuture Shock 1.5 w/Smooth Boot, FACT carbon
BBShimano 68mm threadedShimano 68mm threadedPraxis 68mm BSASRAM DUB BSA 68 Wide
StemSpecialized, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree riseSpecialized, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree riseFuture Stem, CompFuture Stem, Comp
BarsSpecialized Shallow Drop, 6061, 70x125mm, 31.8mm clampSpecialized Shallow Drop, 6061, 70x125mm, 31.8mm clampSpecialized Adventure Gear Hover, 103mm drop x 70mm reach x 12º flareSpecialized Alloy Minirise, 6.5mm rise, 750mm, 31.8mm clamp
SaddleBody Geometry Bridge Saddle, steel railsBody Geometry Bridge Saddle, steel railsBody Geometry Power Sport, steel railsBody Geometry Power Sport, steel rails
SeatpostAlloy, 2-bolt Clamp, 12mm offset, 27.2mm, anti-corrosion hardwareAlloy, 2-bolt Clamp, 12mm offset, 27.2mm, anti-corrosion hardwareAlloy, 2-bolt Clamp, 12mm offset, 27.2mm, anti-corrosion hardwareTranzX Dropper, 27.2mm, 90mm travel

Components


RDShimano Claris, 8-speedShimano GRX RX400, 10-speedSRAM Apex 1, long cage, 11-speedSRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed
FDShimano Claris, 8-speed, braze-onShimano GRX RX400, braze-on
CrankShimano Claris R200, 50/34TShimano GRX RX600, 46/30TPraxis Alba, 40TSRAM Rival 1 Wide, 38T
ShiftersShimano Claris 2000, 8-speedShimano GRX RX400 hydraulic brake levers, 2×10 speed mechanical shiftingSRAM Apex, hydraulicSRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed
CassetteSunRace, 8-speed, 11-34tShimano CS-HG50-10, 10-Speed 11-36tSunrace, 11-speed, alloy spider, 11-42tSRAM NX Eagle PG-1230, 12-speed, 11-50t
ChainKMC X8 w/ Missing Link™, 8-speedKMC X10, 10-speed w/ reusable Missing Link™KMC X11 Extra Lightweight, 11-speedSRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed
BrakesTektro Mira, flat-mount, mechanical discShimano GRX 810, Hydraulic discSRAM Apex, hydraulic disc, 160mm G2 CenterLine rotorSRAM Level TLM, hydraulic disc, 160mm CenterLine rotor

Wheels


RimsFront: AXIS Elite Disc, Rear: AXIS Elite DiscFront: AXIS Elite Disc, Rear: AXIS Elite DiscFront: AXIS Elite Disc, Rear: AXIS Elite DiscFront: DT Swiss G540
Rear: DT Swiss G540
TiresSpecialized Pathfinder Sport, 700x38cSpecialized Pathfinder Sport, 700x38cSpecialized Pathfinder Sport, 700x38cRhombus Pro, 2Bliss Ready, 700x42mm

Specialized Diverge 2022 E5 Budget/Cheap version: Full Specs:


FrameSpecialized E5 Premium Aluminum, Open Road Geometry, threaded BB, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc
ForkSpecialized FACT carbon, flat-mount disc, 12x100mm thru-axle
BarsSpecialized Shallow Drop, 6061, 70x125mm, 31.8mm clamp
BrakesTektro Mira, flat-mount, mechanical disc
Speeds 16 – Shimano Claris R200 46/34T / SunRace, 8-speed, 11-34t
DerailleursShimano Claris, 8-speed
ShiftersShimano Claris 2000, 8-speed
RimsAxis Sport Disc
TyresSpecialized Roadsport, 60TPI, wire bead, Flak Jacket protection, 700x35mm
Tyre ClearanceMax 42mm
Weight9.3kg (M-Size)

Have a look at: The Best Gravel Bikes for less than 1000/1500$

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