Are you ready for a thrilling adventure on two wheels? Specialized has two amazing bikes that will take your riding experience to the next level! The Diverge and the Roubaix are both exceptional models that offer unique features and benefits.
The Diverge is a versatile beast that can tackle any terrain, from gravel back roads to off-road trails, and everything in between. With its all-new gravel geometry and category-leading tire clearance, it’s the perfect ride for those who crave speed, stability, and fun.
On the other hand, the Roubaix is a bike with a legendary history of dominating the Paris-Roubaix race. This model is all about speed, comfort, and performance, and it’s engineered with the latest technology to provide a smooth ride without any compromises. With its lightweight Rider-First Engineered™ frame, aerodynamic design, and powerful components, the Roubaix is a machine that’s built to win.
But which bike is the best fit for you? That’s the question we’re here to answer! In this article, we’re going to take a deep dive into the Diverge and the Roubaix, comparing their features, benefits, and capabilities.
We’ll help you choose the perfect ride for your goals, whether you’re a seasoned rider looking for a new challenge or a beginner who wants to explore the world on two wheels. The Diverge and the Roubaix are waiting for you, and the adventure starts now!
Introducing the Specialized Diverge
A gravel bike at heart, the Diverge comes in the standard Diverge models, their all-new STR models (which feature their special suspension technology), and the Diverge flat bar for those gravel bike commutes!
The main difference between both bikes is the Diverge is better suited for adventure cycling. As that is all we are about here at Cycle Travel Overload, it seems the Diverge is our preferred option out of the two. But let’s not right off the Roubaix too soon.
The Diverge is also optimized for fast gravel riding and racing if that’s also something you fancy! Making it one of the best all-rounder gravel bikes that give you the potential for backcountry adventures and fast-paced gravel racing wins!
Introducing the Specialized Roubaix
Fast, light, and ready to ride roads quickly! Technically considered an endurance bike the Roubaix is ideal if you only plan to ride roads and ride them fast! Lacking the progressive gravel geometry and build. It isn’t the most preferred bike out of the two for adventure cycling.
It still is somewhat comfortable thanks to the rather upright stack/reach ratio and the new Future Shock 2.0 which is a piston in the head tube with 20mm of travel. That offers control and dampening options. However, performance was the main focus, behind every engineering decision Specialized made for this bike.
This new technology has resulted in drastic performance improvements, namely in the vertical compliance department, improving smoothness, speed, and comfort.
For the sake of this article, we are going to compare two comparative models for both bikes. The Specialized Roubaix Sport and Specialized Roubaix Expert vs the Diverge Sport Carbon and Diverge Expert Carbon
This way we can have a rather fair comparison. Keeping in mind that the diverge also offers a flat bar and STR models.
Price – Diverge Vs Roubaix
When it comes to price the Diverge has a plethora of options ranging from $1,100 to $14,000. While the Roubaix ranges from $2,700 to $14,250.
| Bike | Price |
| Specialized Roubaix Sport | $3,500 |
| Specialized Diverge Sport Carbon | $3,500 |
| Specialized Roubaix Expert | $8,000 |
| Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon | $6,200 |
Weight – Diverge Vs Roubaix
The Specialized Diverge weighs 21 lbs and 5 oz / 9.67 kg while the Roubaix weighs around 18.95 lbs / 8.6 kg. All different build options and models weigh differently. But from the numbers above we can see that the Roubaix is 1 kg lighter. And it makes total sense as this is the bike best for fast and aerodynamic riding
Tire Clearance – Diverge Vs Roubaix
When it comes to tire clearance the Diverge fits 47mm x 700c and 2.1” x 650b. While the Roubaix has room for up to 33mm x 700c tires.
The Diverge comes stock with Pathfinder Pro 2BR Tan sidewall 700 x 42 mm tires. While the Roubaix comes with Specialized Turbo Pro 700c x 30mm tires.
Gearing – Diverge Vs Roubaix
From the graph below we can see that the Roubaix models have road bike gearing which gives you a wide range of gear ratios for climbing and descending. While the Diverge has slightly more capable climbing gears with lower gear inches which favor riding up hills with a loaded bike. However, the Diverge does lack the downhill gear range that the Roubaix can maintain.
Both Diverge models we compared have 1×11 and 1×12 drivetrain setups. The Diverge Expert Carbon with its 40T crank and 11-50T cassette, boasts a 22.24″ climbing gear and 101.17″ largest gear. While both the Roubaix models have a 26.85″ granny gear and 122.17″ largest gear.
Geometry – Diverge Vs Roubaix
Geometry can play a big part in the difference between how a bike rides and feels. It is definitely something to consider when buying a bike.
Want to learn more about understanding bike geometry? Read this article which goes through all the jargon and what it means for a comfortable ride!
Here is where we see most of the differences in bikes. All the measurements below are in mm and are for both medium-sized bikes.
The main geometry specs that can paint the picture of the type of bike we are looking at are; stack/reach ratio, trail, chainstay, and wheelbase.
Firstly the stack/reach ratio for the Diverge is 1.56 vs 1.58 for the Roubaix, this is rather unexpected! Suggesting that the Roubaix is a more upright bike even though it is designed for performance. In comparison, the Diverge is slightly more aggressive. But both bikes a rather upright and offer comfort for those long days in the saddle.
Chainstay is 10 mm longer on the Diverge. With measurements of 425 mm puts the Diverge chainstay right in that short and quick range for a gravel bike. While the Roubaix measures 415 mm this means it’s rather short and jumpy in the rear. If we were comparing gravel bikes to gravel bikes. Cause the Roubaix is an endurance/road bike this would be rather normal for a road bike.
With that longer chainstay and I am assuming the wheelbase also makes the Diverge a more stable and planted bike especially when bikepacking or bicycle touring. The more stable the bike under a load the better. Also as expected the Diverge has a 47 mm longer wheelbase. Making it easily the most capable bike out of the two if you are choosing adventure cycling. The Roubaix may feel too unbalanced if loaded up with gear, which it isn’t really intended for anyway.
Now we’ll look at the trail. This tells the story of how each bike will corner and what the handling is like upfront.
The Diverge has around a 2 mm longer trail length at 57 mm which is in the mid-range for gravel bikes making it feel rather responsive and predictable upfront. While the Roubaix’s trail at 55 mm makes it still rather responsive. But it is slightly shorter meaning it is more responsive which is ideal for fast-paced road riding.
Overall from these numbers, we can assume that the Diverge is the more stable bike when it comes to riding with all your gear and if you are looking at these bikes to mostly go on adventures. And because here at Cycle Travel Overload that’s all we are about. The Diverge I would recommend as your go-to out of the two.
But the Diverge is considered a rather less appropriate gravel bike in the geometry department when it comes to adventure cycling. There are other gravel bikes that we have compared to the Diverge which are worth comparing.
That doesn’t mean you can still have some fun on the Diverge and I would argue the Diverge might offer a more fun ride. Then those traditional adventure geometry gravel bikes. Especially when it comes to riding trails. That shorter chainstay in comparison to other gravel bikes offers much more responsiveness and control over the rear.
But if you want a bike to ride fast the Roubaix definitely delivers that. But surprisingly you can expect a rather comfortable ride while still maintaining performance. With a super upright riding position, that is haven’t seen too often on similar endurance/road bikes
| Bike | Diverge | Roubaix |
| Stack | 610 | 605 |
| Reach | 392 | 384 |
| Stack/Reach Ratio | 1.56 | 1.58 |
| Top Tube Length | – | 563 |
| Seat Tube Length | 500 | 485 |
| Seat Tube Angle | 73.5 | 73.5 |
| Head Tube Length | 133 | 143 |
| Head Tube Angle | 71.75 | 73.5 |
| BB Drop | 80 | 76 |
| Front Center | 630 | 592 |
| Chainstay Length | 425 | 415 |
| Wheelbase | 1042 | 995 |
| Rake | 55 | 44 |
| Trail | 57 | 55 |
| Standover Height | 779 | 783 |
In conclusion, the Specialized Diverge and the Roubaix are exceptional bikes that cater to different cycling styles and preferences.
The Diverge is a versatile all-rounder that can tackle any terrain, from gravel back roads to off-road trails. It offers a comfortable, stable, and fun ride with its all-new gravel geometry and category-leading tire clearance.
On the other hand, the Roubaix is an excellent choice for road cycling enthusiasts who crave speed, comfort, and performance. It’s engineered with the latest technology to provide a smooth ride without any compromises, thanks to its lightweight Rider-First Engineered™ frame, aerodynamic design, and powerful components.
When comparing the Diverge and the Roubaix, it’s essential to consider factors like price, weight, tire clearance, and gearing.
The Diverge has a wider price range and diverse models like flat bar and suspension technology boasting models to choose from, more significant tire clearance, and lower climbing gears, making it suitable for backcountry adventures and fast-paced gravel racing.
Meanwhile, the Roubaix is lighter and faster, making it perfect for road cycling enthusiasts.
About The Author
