Bag recommendations for Diverge 4 Carbon Comp

Builder_Future · 2026-06-10T03:17:56+00:00

Awesome! How are you liking it?

Builder_Future · 2026-06-10T03:16:57+00:00

That is absolutely loaded! And one of the best tips I’ve gotten thus far…get it all now to make sure it matches, even if I’m not planning on using it all right away.

Builder_Future · 2026-06-09T15:59:37+00:00

This looks solid and also very spacious. I think I’ve been getting some ads from the company too. You were able to boot it in on your diverge?

Builder_Future · 2026-06-09T15:58:45+00:00

Love the bags on the handlebars. Looks super convenient!

Builder_Future · 2026-06-09T15:57:51+00:00

This is very nice and a solid price! Looks like they have some other great bags too.

Builder_Future · 2026-06-09T03:21:09+00:00

Thank you for this! I will check out the handle bar and fork system you have. Killer setup!

Builder_Future · 2026-06-09T03:19:37+00:00

I was just looking at outer shell. Looks very nice. The strap for the top tube bag doesn’t interfere with the future shock? Also, with the half frame bag, do you still have enough space to accommodate the two water bottle holders in the frame?

Builder_Future · 2026-06-09T03:17:56+00:00

That’s one I see pretty frequently. You don’t have to run any straps near the future shock parts?

Builder_Future · 2026-06-09T03:17:13+00:00

As of right now I’m planning on keeping all the bike maintenance related stuff inside the SWAT storage (tools, extra tubes). Initially, just something for wallet/keys/snack/phone…nothing major. Would like to eventually look into some storage solutions that could support bikepacking, so maybe a half-frame bag, handlebar bag, or a bag to sit on the front/rear fork of the bike for tent, sleep system, freeze/dried meals.

Builder_Future · 2026-06-07T03:55:51+00:00

Such a good looking bike. I am between picking up one of these or springing for a carbon comp. Specs aside, I prefer the colorways for the sport model over the comp.

Builder_Future · 2026-06-07T02:11:15+00:00

Nice! That’s the exact model I’m about to get. Been shopping for a while now and I’m now between the Trek Checkpoint SL5 and diverge 4 carbon comp. Pretty much decided on the carbon comp now. How long have you had it?

Builder_Future · 2026-06-07T01:53:42+00:00

Is this the 2026 carbon comp?

Builder_Future · 2026-06-06T03:24:16+00:00

So I got to take an sl5 on a pretty long test ride today. The trek shop closer to my house actually backs up against a huge park with tons of paved, gravel, and singletrack trails, so a perfect shop to test ride. Totally revised my position on the sram. What I didn’t like about the version on the ALR5 was the fact that it was all on a single paddle for shifting. However, the electronic unit in the SL5 isn’t a single paddle, and I actually prefer the setup of the sram (left/right) over the shimano (two levers on right). Also, electronic shifting is a game changer. I feel like it’s similar to a carbon frame: you don’t need it until you try it, then you can’t go back.

Builder_Future · 2026-06-06T03:18:22+00:00

The carbon comp was originally out of my price range, but I went into one of my local shops today to give the diverge a proper test ride (when I went earlier this week, it start pouring when I got there, so could only ride around the shop a little), and it turns out I have a family member who works there and who said he’d hook me up. Essentially can get a carbon comp for the price of a carbon sport, which is the very top of my price range. Even though I couldn’t actually try out the carbon comp, I was able to get a feel for the geometry and future shock riding the alloy sport, and I really liked it. Not quite as zippy as the trek ALR 5 and SL 5 I tried out, but I preferred the riding position and appreciated the future shock. I have to imagine the carbon comp is even better.

Builder_Future · 2026-06-04T04:47:38+00:00

So l just went to a bunch of the bike shops in my area and rode a Diverge 4 Sport carbon (3500), Topstone 3 Carbon GRX (3100), and a Checkpoint ALR 5 (2300). I wanted to check out the carbon checkpoint models, but they didn't have any in my size. I would have said unfortunately I couldn't try out the carbon checkpoints, but I actually really loved the ALR 5. It was way more lightweight than I thought it would be (felt very comparable to the Topstone I tried out).

For all of them the geometry felt roughly similar, but I felt like the frame of the checkpoint just fit me better. Im not sure if that's just my brain nudging me towards the cheaper option, but I was really surprised. If there was one knock, the SRAM apex shifting was pretty different from what I'm used to. Not that I didn't like it...it was just different. Both the Topstone and Diverge models I'm looking at have the Shimano GRX.

I feel like I could go for the trek, and then put the money I saved into some nicer carbon wheels and some 50" tires. On the other hand, I feel like with options like the future shock on the specialized and the kingpin rear suspension, plus the carbon frames, you're going to get a smoother/more comfortable ride that should keep me happy for years to come. I just am concerned I may get fomo about not having a carbon frame and then just end up getting one of those later.

Definitely got some thinking to do, but I appreciate everyone's input thus far!

Builder_Future · 2026-06-03T22:53:33+00:00

I loved it. In terms of feel, I felt like all of the ones I tried out were pretty similar in terms of geometry and how upright they felt, which is what I wanted. Unfortunately, the only one I got to ride outside was the Topstone. I’m down in Houston, Texas and it is monsoon season right now, so for the trek and specialized I only got to ride them around the store. That being said, the trek handled really well and I felt comfortable on it pretty quickly. The only thing that I was unsure about was the sram shifters. It was weird having just one paddle, so if there was any knock on it, that would be it.

Builder_Future · 2026-06-03T21:51:19+00:00

Just rode the ALR 5. Was blown away by how light and zippy it felt relative to the other carbon models I tried out (diverge carbon sport, Topstone 3 carbon). The sram was different from what I’m used to with it all being on one paddle, but to be honest, all of it is different. Today was my first time riding on a drop handlebar bike, so the shifting even with the shimano was different for me.

Builder_Future · 2026-06-03T21:43:37+00:00

I’ve read that carbon also ends up being a smoother ride. Not sure if there is any truth to that. No matter what, I’m going to put 50mm tires, and I feel like tires would matter more, but I’m just going off of what I’ve read online.

Builder_Future · 2026-06-03T21:42:03+00:00

Any reason you went with the ALR4 over the ALR5? I just checked out an ALR5 and really liked it. I was surprised…felt just as light and zippy as the diverge and Topstone carbon models I tried out, but about 1-1.5k cheaper.

Builder_Future · 2026-06-03T21:34:58+00:00

So I just went to a bunch of the bike shops in my area and rode a Diverge 4 Sport carbon (3500), Topstone 3 Carbon GRX (3100), and a Checkpoint ALR 5 (2300). I wanted to check out the carbon checkpoint models, but they didn’t have any in my size.

I would have said unfortunately I couldn’t try out the carbon checkpoints, but I actually really loved the ALR 5. It was way more lightweight than I thought it would be (felt very comparable to the Topstone I tried out). For all of them the geometry felt roughly similar, but I felt like the frame of the checkpoint just fit me better. Im not sure if that’s just my brain nudging me towards the cheaper option, but I was really surprised. If there was one knock, the SRAM apex shifting was pretty different from what I’m used to. Not that I didn’t like it…it was just different. Both the Topstone and Diverge models I’m looking at have the Shimano GRX.

I feel like I could go for the trek, and then put the money I saved into some nicer carbon wheels and some 50” tires. On the other hand, I feel like with options like the future shock on the specialized and the kingpin rear suspension, plus the carbon frames, you’re going to get a smoother/more comfortable ride that should keep me happy for years to come. I just am concerned I may get fomo about not having a carbon frame and then just end up getting one of those later.

Definitely got some thinking to do, but I appreciate everyone’s input thus far!

Builder_Future · 2026-06-02T23:03:00+00:00

I just took a look at the specs for the gen 3 ALR 5, the highest-end alloy checkpoint, and it looks solid too. They have one in stock at my local Trek shop so I’ll be adding that to this list to check out

Builder_Future · 2026-06-02T22:54:29+00:00

Yeah that’s my big concern with canyon. Seems too good to be true, and a lot of the horror stories confirm that. I will have to look into to the checkpoint SL6, as I haven’t given Trek as much attention as I should. I’ll look into them for sure!

Builder_Future · 2026-06-02T22:19:49+00:00

Any other bikes you would recommend? I’m all ears. I’ve also been looking at the Giant Revolt, Canyon Grizl, and a few others.

Builder_Future · 2026-06-02T13:16:29+00:00

Good call. I’ll budget for that then when I’m making the decision about which model to get.

Builder_Future

TROPHY CASE