The rain came hard and fast in Emporia, but not hard enough to keep a new gravel rig from breaking cover. During the leadup to Unbound Gravel 2025, eagle-eyed fans may have spotted what looks to be a brand-new Specialized Diverge, caked in Kansas mud and piloted by none other than Annika Langvad and Geerike Schreurs — both Specialized-backed riders. And while the official line from Morgan Hill is radio silence, the “leak” feels just sanctioned enough to keep us watching.
Update: Specialized athletes seem to have the green light to put the new bike on full display. Thanks to the Instagram feed of Sarah Sturm, we have the best photos yet of what is definitely a Specialized Diverge. It’s also clearly updated with UDH, and at least a new fork. More details when we get them from Specialized!
Let’s break down what we can see beneath the grime.
Familiar Shape, Fresh Details
From a silhouette perspective, this new bike doesn’t reinvent the Diverge platform — it refines it. The classic dropped seatstays are still present, and the overall stance echoes that of the current generation. But look closer, and you’ll spot some subtle reshaping:
- A more sculpted head tube hints at aero ambitions.
- A sleeker seat tube and chainstay junction appear tightened and smoothed, likely to aid compliance and airflow.
That brings us to the front end.
Future Shock Up Front — Again
Specialized’s Future Shock suspension is front and center, continuing the brand’s “smoother is faster” mantra. Whether it’s a new version of the current 3.0 spec from Roubaix is unclear. Still, placement and execution suggest the same travel and concept — isolating your hands from the buzz without compromising your fit or handling.
Bonus points for the Roval Rapide aero bar on Langvad’s rig. That likely won’t be stock spec, but it does show that the Diverge is still being thought of as a high-performance machine, not just an adventure platform.
Internal Routing, With a Nod to Mechanics
Yes, cables are routed internally — but not through the stem as seen in the less blurry photo above. Instead, they dive into the head tube externally after routing neatly from the center groove of the bar. That’s great news for home mechanics and racers on the road, especially those who don’t travel with a full-service pit crew.
UDH Compatibility = Transmission-Ready
SRAM’s Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) is clearly in play here, which means this new Diverge can run SRAM’s Transmission groupsets — a big nod to modern drivetrain standards and futureproofing. We’re also seeing a traditional external seatpost clamp and a likely round seatpost, which keeps options open for dropper compatibility.
Tire Clearance? Still TBD
This one’s tricky — with the Kansas mud hiding just about everything below the top of the tire. That said, clearance was a key limitation on the previous Diverge, with a maximum of 47mm. That was fine five years ago, but today’s all-road terrain demands more. The competition (Allied, Argon 18, Lauf) is pushing 2.2″ tires in the rear. Judging by what we can almost see, Specialized may be (should be) increasing that number — but until it’s confirmed, we can’t be certain.
Fork Mount Overload
Bikepackers, rejoice. The new fork is loaded with mounts — three bolts per leg, at least. That makes the front end ready for cages, cargo, or extra bottles without reaching for an aftermarket fork. It also points toward Specialized keeping the Diverge in its original “do-it-all” lane — not just racing but also long-haul, mixed-surface riding.
Due For a Refresh
It’s been five years since we saw a full Diverge (not including the STR) refresh, and this prototype (more like production-ready) — if it is the next-gen Diverge — seems to hit all the right boxes:
- It is still versatile, with ample tire clearance for 50-55mm (tire size en vogue), and has gear mounts for a life beyond racing.
- Still fast, with aero touches and oversized tubes for max power.
- It is still practical, with external routing and likely dropper support.
Will it be lighter? More compliant? Made for 1x only? Time (and cleaner photos) will tell. But one thing’s clear — Specialized has a new gravel bike coming.
Stay tuned for more leaks — Unbound week has just begun.
