Let me first state that I'm coming from an SWORKS Venge and we have very smooth roads. I love my Venge. However, there is something ultra fun about being able to link tarmac together with dirt / gravel / sand roads and frankly feel like a kid again on a bike. The ride quality is the best I have ridden in a LONG time - maybe ever. The ability to use suspension aka STR when and how you want is wonderful. Full tarmac, STR set to stiff feels like a fantastic race bike. Little chatter on the road no problem, middle setting with STR... head into dirt, gravel, or sand or just rough pavement, full STR and you glide. Very and I hesitate to even say pedal bob, it is very minimal and after a couple of minutes you don't realize it. That is how slight it is. This bike might just be perfect, I can see riding a century on the Diverge - STR no problem. Wonderful ride, ergonomic, comfortable and fast when you want it.