At the beginning of this year I started to consider buying a new bike. I already own an aero road bike and that’s amazingly fast! However, pretty much restricted to nicely tarmaced roads only with its 25mm tyres and super stiff frame. I’ve already experienced the freedoms a more versatile bike can offer with my cyclo cross frame in being able to go almost where a mountain can go. Byways, gravel tracks, through fords and muddy lanes are not a problem plus winter riding too. Simply a bike I can ride that isn’t restricted, opens up world of riding possibilities.
For the past 4 years my cyclo cross bike has been feeling this need however, this comes with draw backs. The cyclo cross frame geometry made it a little unstable on fast descents, a little too upright sitting position for me and restricted to a maximum tyre size of 35mm due to UCI race rules. That and the lack of lugs to attach bike packing equipment too.
So my decision was to look for a gravel specific frame. After a LOT of research I decided to go for the Giant Revolt advance carbon. Simon at Launceston Cycles was thankfully able to help in locating one for me.
The frame shape mimics the Defy’s super-dropped rearstay design. The defy has been in giants range for many years as a super endurance/sportive bike due to it’s amazing comfort on those long days in the saddle and the revolt offers that too.
Plugged into the seat tube is Giant’s carbon D-Fuse seatpost, its D cross-section allowing a degree of flex without sacrificing stiffness which I’ve found helps for long ride comfort. Upfront, the squared-off forks and tapered overdrive steerer tube absorb vibrations well.
Something that sets the defy and revolt apart are it’s ability to offer added clearance for high-volume 45c tyres, this rises to 50c if switching to 650b wheels (mountain bike wheels).
Despite this being a gravel bike, stick a set of road tyres on it and suddenly it becomes a racy road machine. It climbs incredibly well and is so stable when descending at high speeds. The 73-degree seat angle sends you over the cranks for max power, while upfront the slightly relaxed 71-degree head angle ensures accurate steering when the road crumbles.
Fitted with a set of gravel tyres and the Revolt comes into its own on rutted roads, the smoothing back-end matched up front by the bar’s ability to deaden buzz.
The Revolt feels road-bike stiff on climbs. It’s easy to propel yourself up challenging gradients, with the my lowest 32 gear offering a bail-out option as and when required….especially when carrying race luggage.
My bike is built with Shimano’s 105 group set, GRX 810 brakes and Zipp 303s wheels. I’m also running a Fizik 3D-printed saddle. The polymer-based lattice padding certainly culls weight and improves comfort and is a great addition to the bike.
The GRX brakes offer very good, precise and powerful braking. The hoods are designed to offer extra comfort over uneven ground and on long rides and I have to say they do work very well.
The Zipp 303S wheel option is an extremely impressive and versatile wheelset, offering reasonable weight with on and off-road capabilities. The straight-sided tubeless design makes for good overall performance and speed on a wide variety of typically Cornish road surfaces and conditions. For riders who have already embraced the benefits of tubeless, or are ready to start, these wheels are impressive.
With lugs on the underside of the frame to carry and extra water bottle or tool caddy this bike is the perfect steed for bike packing trips and ultra distance road and gravel races too. I’ll be racing mine in this years Pan Celtic.
In summary I’d say I’m over the moon with my choice. It’s light (mine weighs 8.3kgs) comfortable and fast. Oh and I love the colour!