Giant's New Gravel Bike is Brilliant But There's a Catch... - Revolt 2025
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ก.ค. 2024
- Thanks @Josh-Reid for letting us ride this new Giant Revolt gravel bike. Give him a subscribe!
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check out Josh's video from the Migration Gravel Race HERE: th-cam.com/video/qhAuTY2SUJ4/w-d-xo.html
Josh was not the first rider, Cole Paton and Brendan Johnston were the first, with Brendan racing Unbound on 1 June on the prototype bike. Good story tho
@@DaveGrey-c8tyou are correct that they had ridden prototype bikes and at the sharp end of the lifetime grand prix. But I’m pretty sure mine was the first production model to be used.
At some point, if bike manufacturers continue to angle down the top tube, we'll end up with dutch style gravel bikes...
(I wrote my comment before I saw Jimmy's 😅)
With that more upright geometry, this would also make a good endurance bike for normal people.
Yes, I was thinking that as well and personally it's a plus. I'm not a racer, and have back issues that make being a bit more upright necessary.
A video to confirm why you need a gravel bike and how to use it properly
The revolt has been raced in the Life Time grand prix and other gravel races, and it was one of the most sold bikes when I was a mechanic for Giant. It fits many people's requirements; racers, enthusiasts and commuters alike.
YES, but it's too high on the front to be a truly versatile bike. I love the feeling, I love the concept, the innovation with the seat post, but I can't find my optimal riding position in a bike so upright when in my size
@@8paolo96 That can be said for any bike, certain geometries work better for certain body types. Find a bike that works for you, but to write it off as a race bike is a bit of a stretch when the results it's been ridden to have been quite impressive.
The stigmata is inspired by progressive MTB geo, and its numbers aren't too far off from the Revolt's and it's a race winning bike. If anything the revolt is more versatile than a lot of other race specific gravel bikes.
It’s a perfect bike for me, love my advanced 2, I do a lot of rough off road stuff in Scotland … super compliant, I have 2024 with grx that I prefer over sram
@@8paolo96 Giant Revolts do feel upsized, but that doesn't mean you can't find a fast position on one. All bikes I've been a small. But I just bought a 2024 Revolt and I got to try small and XS and I went with the XS. Even in the XS there's no toe overlap at all and it fits me just as if it were a size small on a regular bike. Now in my XS I have slammed the stem and it's a fast, aero fit. Totally agree about the bars, size 42 on an XS feels ridiculous.
@@Dak3y The size dilemma. Ugh. What size are you? Height and inseam?
"They are Giant bars so..." - this cracked me up
To remove a Giant seatpost which uses the wedge, just a sharp thump with the palm of the hand on the back of the seatpost, knocking it forward, frees it. Loosen the bolt first🙄
I just can never get over how much the revolt frame looks like a mountain bike frame
If I spend 5K on a bike I'd like to be able to chose stem length, handle bar width and crank length for myself and then smash the order button.
Most would...and yet even people with 10k bikes don't get that choice. I agree...should be able to swap out cranks, bars and stem when buying any bike for the same type.
Orbea allow you to do that, you can even customise the paint job
@@TerryNutkins3 for all bikes in their range or specific ones?
@TerryNutkins3 so do Planet X !
@@TerryNutkins3 Just had a look...they don't really allow you to change things entirely. They allow upgrading. At least this is what it looks like on the website. You can change brake rotar size...but you can't change stem length bar width etc....unless I'm missing something?
LOL! Too upright! After watching nearly every bike fitTuesday video, I realised I was on the wrong bike. Fast forward and have bought the completely unsexy Giant Defy. Am super comfortable and I seem to be fast.....enough. This review gives me those vibes, unsexy but will be brilliant for the every-person. Would love to be riding a slammed Look 785 but I ride in the real world 😢. Is there such a thing as a sexy, short reach bike? Love your work 😊
I owned the previous design of the Revolt years ago. After the third snapped top tube they gave me a Toughroad (much sturdier frame and more suitable for riding with panniers, which seems to have caused the problems with the Revolt). Luckily I bought it new and benefitted from the lifetime warranty on the frame.
I have Revolt Advanced 2 from 2022 and I love it. Except the seatpost system.
Well done 🎉🎉
300k subs - nice one folks
I love the repairability segment. No other reviews do that.
I did my first bike review on here in 2010 and everyone since I mention how easy the bike will be to tune/repair.
42cm doesn't seem particularly wide for a gravel bike handlebar nowadays!
It's way too narrow. 50mm in 700c is the bare minimum, preferably with room for fenders.
Add in flared bars at 38mm with flared out to 43mm on the drops.
Ahhh, this is the Josh who was "Josh Cam" in Maddy's recent Migration video. Francis, you're right the handlebar sizes seem too big on the smaller sizes but also the crank length.
I’ve said it before, these reviews are a great watch, fantastic to see a new format and style. Two opinions and a wide range of factors considered, plus the Cool Wall… all good.
Love my Revolt. I bought a revolt 1, it had paint problems, giant sent me a Pro 0 frame as a replacement! Result! Fitted Rival axs and that’s been a game changer. Lovely bike!
I recently got a 2022 revolt and have to say it’s my first grown up bike and I love it. Now I’m planning how to upgrade it
Added a 6" dropper to mine so I didnt have to remove the seat post for packing. Downside is I lost the flex but it's so useful when riding MTB trails with 50's. I've also got long legs short body so the high front end just brings it back to normal endurance height when the road wheels go on. It's the bike that goes in the van for longer trips away where it can do a whole number of things well with a couple of sets of wheels rather than any one thing fantastically.
I have previous version and love it. Main thing I don't like is max front chainring in 1x is 43. Wish they would address that to fit a 46. I almost always ride in short wheel mode unless I throw in my 2.1 mtb tires for the chunky stuff. As for front end, I agree it is high but for me I was never real aggressive and I run almost slammed but with 1 spacer. I will say it is FAF on the road, on the gravel and everywhere in between.
Hello, I also have the previous model and I am able to run a 1x 46 on the front with no issues. It only needed the smallest crank spacer that SRAM provides (along with all the pre-installed spacers) and I never had any issues or play with it in the last 12.000km. You should give it a try!
I get that you would want to test new bikes and this was a great Chance to do so. But could you also test some more affordable bikes? 1200-3000€? I specially like the pricepoint of the Radon R1 race Tiagra the Rose Blend.
Both are hydraulic disc brake bikes for 1200€.
And I also wouldnt mind some carbon frame bikes ~2000€ like the Radon SPIRE 7.0 or the Canyon Ultimate CF SL 7. Both are
Yes! we were looking for some recommendations this is great
I agree. I've got a Boardman ADV 9.4. Great value, well specced bike costing £2,150, ticks all the boxes!
I brought the 2022 model. Love it! Have been on pretty rough single track in the New forest as well as the lovely gravel paths. I have put a 80mm zero angle stem on as I felt a bit squashed. Changed the handle bars to 38cm.
I did look at the Liv, but the giant was a nicer colour (starry night) and the crank length was 170mm on the small, whereas the medium Liv was 172.5, which I didn't want
Looks like a nice all-round gravel bike I would consider. I like the stone guard under the downtube, and the storage compartment.... important features for me.
Great review, Francis I starting riding after finding your channel a few years ago, living in the U.S. I wanted to find the most bike for the money near me and I found the Giant Revolt 2 which is an entry level version and have loved it. Yes I now know things I would like in a new bike moving forward as I grow as a cyclist however a thousand plus miles later the bike is still going strong and has been a great first bike for me. You provide something for all of us, new or pro we can all learn from your channel! Love it!
"I now know things I would like in a new bike" - what do you miss about Revolt 2 today?
@@offsitearchive Well, to start the drivetrain is a basic Shimano sora 2x9 which is good for what it is however I feel that there are times where I’m just in between gears to the point where something seems lacking. So that would be an upgrade, hydraulic disk brakes would be something I would try to also have in my next bike. The geometry works for me regarding my seating position and never felt I needed a more racing seated position so maybe that’s something Francis is used to that may just be lacking in this bike for him. And finally I have the aluminum frame with carbon fork, honestly this has probably saved me a few times as I did have a crash or two but I would like an even lighter bike I think, I’m not into super aero this or that but just a bike that is full carbon, gravel, 1x11 drive, with hydraulic disks would be a next bike. I think that so many times I have said this is just my starter bike and start looking for something better but overall it’s been quite adequate and has me still content even though I think the wish list is more of a want not a need. I keep up with those around me and worked on making myself a better cyclist not trying to find a bike that makes me better.
Have the Revolt 2 advanced. The wide handlebars were the first thing that needed changing even though I am 6'1 and have long collar bones.
I think 50 mm should be the bare minimum tire size a gravel must reach. Tire clearance of just 42 mm isn't enough for me
max tyre here it's 53 and giant it's quite generous with mud clearance
With the flip chip set to the rear you can fit a 53mm tyre. But on my bike I fitted 40s. Nothing like what Jimmy and Francis rode on around here, yet.
Beautiful new whip
Boy's super review! I sold, pre and in the COVID period Giant, Trek and Canondale. All build by G! The comfort is great on the Revolt, but it Indeed feels a bit like a Dutch opoefiets (old school Dutchie transportation
😊). I agree the shiz of the smaller sizing, that they not pair it with shorter cranks and smaller handlebars. I changed because stock and willing to give service. I changed a lot off handlebars and stems , not only on xs and s sizes. Cranks are bit more complicated. 😉 Cheers again keep de Pcast rolling.
As long as companies like Fairlight and Mason continue to provide well designed bikes, with no proprietary parts or integrated cable systems, then that's where my money will go. Failing that I'll just go custom steel. Simple, but no less modern designed metal bikes, are just easier to live with, which means more time on the bike, with more smiles per mile.
The DFuse seatpost is the only post that has a decent range without any moving parts.
When I first saw it under my mate, I thought his post was cracked, it moved so much. 😮
*considering the VCLS post with “moving parts” as it tends to creek.
Been waiting for narrower bars to come into stock for my Defy for MONTHS!! It’s ridiculous. And I can confirm that my seat post is a mare to move too.
I can actually fit a 47mm Pathfinder Pro in the standard (short) flip chip setting with 5mm clearance on each seat stay tube. I'm on my second season racing it in local gravel events in the US.
they were riding a 45 in the short version stating that 42 it's the max, so there's already something not sounding right
I have turned my (previous model) Revolt Pro into a "fast" ultra-endurance bike and it really works great! I have kept the giant dropper post which really helps to relax a bit on the downhills, 50mm wheelset, and 40cm aero handlebars. I have also slammed the stem. Having taken part in multiple brevets and ultra distance events I 've never felt more confortable on a bike that can also go really fast. + I have also kept the stock wheelset with gravel tires. I really think that it is a perfect solution for someone that wants one bike to do it all!
PS: Giant DOES honor their lifetime warranty (not like Cannondale).
Hey Guys, I have quiet similar feeling of my BMC URS. Super versatile, comfortable, good for adventure, but stack is quiet too high. Getting into sportive position is impossible. I cannot switch stem, because it has very needed MTT suspension build it. Is there a way to lower stack differently? Like with „negative stack” handlebar for example (could not find such product). Anything? Thanks
I think that this head tube size is because of giant's another bike TCX (which is more racing)
Hi Cade, is it time for another ep of Best entry level bike 2024 or Decathlon Cheap bike? I remember Triban 120 was suggested last year!
I have a revolt e pro. It's the dog's. I love it. I have to say the D fuse technology works. I don't find my bar's too wide. I thought your review was a bit unfair, TBH. You always sem to give Giant a hard time. The Revolt is a phenomenal machine for a normal person, like me. Who just enjoys getting out in the fresh air.
If you like the flip chip, you need to get your hands onto a Polygon Tambora, they have flip chips front and rear
GT grade I think has it on the fork and not on the rear
Would love to see you guys having a look at Halfords' Boardman range especially with their huge discounts on the go at the moment! The Adv 8.9 with 10 speed GRX, and hydraulic discs currently under £900!
It seems only short people complain about bike sizes 😜🤣🤣
They probably complain the most! 😊. But I am 187cm and typically need a 58 frame (or L in Giant) but my fitted bar size is 40cm so no proprietary build works…..a big challenge is that we are three dimensional (or even more) but the industry usually fits bikes on one dimension only. I know that Ribble, Fairlight et al do allow user specification but otherwise you are in the game of immediately customising a brand new bike, discarding components and needing to spend even more money. The industry gets away with this I guess because most people probably do not get a full bike fit and put up with a bike that is not sized properly because they do not realise.
It's not just short people. I'm 6ft4, long legs, short body. Most bikes I run all the spacers. For example my TCR has a 15cm drop from saddle to bars with all the spacers fitted.
I wish they would go away from that D- Fuse seatpost system. Lots of complaints online (and from personal experience) of it developing a nasty creak.
So far my fix has been putting a piece of electrical tape on the back of the shim
That frame is huge even in XS. Equivalent Cannondale Topstone XS is 2cm shorter and 4cm lower (reach/stack figures)
I’ve got the second generation Revolt Advanced pro with Cadex wheels and handle bar and it rides really well. I’ve owned race bikes and endurance bikes and the geo for me ( slammed ) is excellent as it’s very similar to a endurance bike. Only really commenting as I don’t get Jimmy’s point on who it’s for ?! I’d say anyone who wants a more capable endurance bike that can go off road, even with the 45 mm Maxxis Reavers I have on mine right now which blow up on the Cadex rims to much wider it still isn’t far off my endurance bike in terms of out right pace, but far more comfortable and capable.
"Single track; gnarly stuff; mud!"
Exactly why i got a Revolt for Scottish 'gravel' riding!
I ride a 2024 Revolt Advanced 0 (medium) with the stem slammed completly. This would not be possible now with the deep spacer needed to run both derailleur and brake cables through headset.... do I go down a frame size to maintain position? How do you get around this?
Love my 21 revolt advanced 0. 2x grx mechanical but all carbon except the bars. This was the model before the flip chip came in. Bar width is the one thing i keep thinking about changing all the time too. I have 2 sets of rims and use it for road and gravel. While slower than a full on road bike its a good compromise as a 1 bike for all setup. I think they've gone all in on the grave gro now so I dont know with this new one if you could necessarily use it as a road bike too.
This is hot tip as a future best in class roadbike then. "Too much mtb" normally translates to "will be roads latest best thing" in about 7 years time ;)
It looks very similar to my most favorite bike of all - Giant TCR Advanced Pro/Liv Langma road race, which means for me it will be excellent.
Kenya getting some love! Proud Kenyan here
i feel sometimes on this channel the geo/bar width/frame size conversation is skewed more towards a road forward crowd. been around bikes and people who ride bikes for some time and have seen plenty of people on larger frames/wider bars then what is suggested on this channel.
a more upright position is going to be more ideal for a beginner who doesn't have the core strength. gravel bikes are great beginner bikes. giant being placed in the market that it is... is going to be many people's first bike.
I agree that Giant specs with too wide bars.
When I got my 2021 revolt size L I thought 46cm bars would be great for control but after 2 years of shoulder pain I finally switched to 42cm bars and the bike feels so much better. I think the 46 bars are better fit for a football player 😂
I also think that their d-fuse bard are highly underrated. They have a very noticeable flex which helps smooth the buzz on gravel. I definitely lost the compliance when switching to Easton AL bars.
My four year old Pinarello Grevil has a "cut out" seat post. Unfortunately, it won't fit a standard seat post. Thus no Redshift suspension seat post.
Phew! Looks like I dodged a bullet there: just got my 2023 Revolt from Giant Prudhoe. Thankfully it has NON-concealed cables.
Yeah, not a fan of those. Glad I got my Revolt when I did.
the ONLY thing that puts me off giants is the proprietary steerer tubes on the forks, 1 1/8" top, 1 1/4" bottom, which means the lower headset bearing is a little difficult to get a replacement for (and thats even with me working at a shop with access to madison, zyro, windwave, extra, cycle division and silverfish)
The Titus Goldrush by Planet X has the adjustable dropouts - would be cool to see more reviews of their stuff too!
For Anyone wondering its the same frame as the Liv devote from 2024, they just had too many of the old revolt frames to ship this for 2024.
In my experience the seatpost clamp is not that well designed because (as you saw in the video) there will be a lot of sand and dirt in the seat tube after some time. The rubber cover for the bolt is not sufficient to keep out all the dirt and thus the seatpost will start to creak after some time, especially after a lot of riding in the wet.
Yes, that's true, especially since I bought the bike with a dry seat post. 1.) When the cracking started, I cleaned _all_ parts and smeared every surface of each part with an assembly paste that reduces particle ingress and therefore cracking. Haven't had a problem with it since. 2.) Unfortunately, the rubber cover is also too loose. You can use adhesive putty there, for example, as it makes the least amount of mess when you want to remove the cover again
I’ve got a 2021 version which I love but may have to upgrade to this 2025 model
If you upgrade, sell me your 2021. As Long as it’s carbon 😄
Ive still got the anyroad that came before this bike and im due to replace it, love the look of this its tempting 😊
Does the frame still have a press-fit BB?
Thanks Francis , Jimmi , and Josh....I am a big fan already . Be well , eh ?
Looks like a rigid Mtb with drop bars.
Seems like it's a little heavier than the old Revolt, I wonder if that's because of the addition of the frame storage. Look's like a good N+1 bike tho!
Good commuter bike for sure.
Depends on your definition of gravel.
I was running 44 bars on my gravel bike ( same as my road bike) and found the tops with levers cranked in too narrow so possibly need to go wider.Bear in mind i am 6'2" with a long armspan.
Considering not everyone is racing and wider bars will give more control and leverage on these rougher tracks.
Bar could be dropped with a minus stem and no spacers.
But why would you?
Unless you are chasing KOM or riding tame UCI gravel this position will give you more control and comfort!
Not everthing needs to be a race bike!
Sometimes narrow and low is comfort for some people
Descending a rocky singletrack without being sent over the bars is when you appreciate longer headtubes and wider bars
I just bought a Trek Checkpoint ALR5 because it is a very simple bike. Surprisingly, for a Trek, it doesn't have proprietary anything. I'm not looking to race, and if I really want to ride off road, I'll take my Norco Sight.
I have been looking at gravel bikes. The large XS sizes, oversized handlebar, make this a no go.
Nice 😊
What is Josh's height as I've seen him riding sized small Revolts. Thanks
I disagree that 42mm wide tyres is 'good enough' for most people and based on Dylan Johnson's recent testing I think that in a few years most people will be on 50mm or more.
There's very few downsides to running much wider tyres for regular users. The aeo penalty of a wide tyre will be very small at recreational user speeds off road, and wider XC tyres have lower rolling resistance than gravel specific tyres which makes up for the aero losses.
Upsides: much comfier, more capable, better puncture protection, less need for any suspension (so the bike is simpler).
I use 60mm.
My Trek can only have specific Trek seatposts and it's SO annoying. Good job Giant for having an adapter.
Giant makes the Defy for racing
8:40 Jimmy's lenses match his jersey to a T!
Can't Giant manage to install UDH? No purchase without UDH!
Sorry Josh was NOT the first, Cole Paton & Brendan Johnston were the FIRST to get hold off the prototypes bikes. Brendan raced Unbound on 1 June on the prototype.
For me, this bike is out of it’s place. It’s not racey enough in this format and doesn’t offer anything extra compared to other manufacturers. The DFuse stuff is good but not enough.
There has been a monster gravel version of it with front suspension and a dropper post, that spec is well balanced. This is just a +1 in the see of gravel bikes these days.
Unless you ride on pristine, smooth roads, then a Gravel bike is likely a better bet than an ultra fast, ultra stiff road race bike.
internal cable routing for easy Maintenance ... oh wait do the hoses go through the headset Bearings ... that's a great idea .. can you service my headset yes that's 200 quid for what should be 60!!!
There's a place reserved in hell for whoever designed that seatpost lock mechanism. Don't get me wrong I love my Revolt (advance 0) but adjusting the saddle height is a nightmare
Seems bit harsh. I ride the previous model - it’s great. Survived some hellish conditions without missing a beat. Not everyone rides in an aggressive TdF bike position! (Plus you never have to buy at RRP just get it in the sale next year)😀 But yes would be nice to spec all the component sizing especially at these prices but it’s the same with most brands and unlikely to change while people still buy as they are now. What’s more weird is why giant stores - who have access to all the components - can’t swap things around. Profit margins I guess.
A near enough £6k gravel bike that's both heavier and more expensive than a near pro level XC bike, it just doesn't make sense to me.😮
Agreed. Also when you putting on suspension like features you can just get a dropbar XC or hardtail straight away, having about the same weight & similar riding position
Its £5.5k and what XC bike can you get thats lighter and cheaper than this with full electronic groupset? Genuinely intrigued because a brief look suggests you can't.
I wish there was any off-road "gravel" that was remotely close to what he was riding in Kenya. Everything in the great lakes/midwest region of the US that is gravel is like river rock that you tire just sinks into and is hard to ride on. vs packed dirt roads or white rock that can be smooth-ish and be ridden just fine.
Get some Orro bikes on the channel
Can you explain the “Giant bars” -joke?
Play on words
F: Asks for smaller sizes
J: “They are Giant (giant) bars though”
Giant as in the brand but also the size
@@SpaniardUnited But they are Giant (giant) bars?
You made a couple of comments about the proprietary seat post. I for one am very unhappy with the trend of ANYTHING that locks you into a brand.
2x? Seems old fashioned.
Still hate the MTB looks of it. Reminds me of my first Merida Silex in 2018. Long and slack, great for cruising. Bad for any kind of zippy cycling. Got rid of it bought meself a racy Gravel Bike, kind of more my thing when fit with 40-45 mm tyres.
100g lighter than my size L, Hardtail Mountain Bike with an Enve Fork, Shimano Trail pedals and 2.4 Rekon Race 29" tyres.
It's a Redstrap bottle cage actually not Giant 😊
giant bars, dad joke!
Nothing wrong with it not being suited to Unbound. Almost nobody who buys one will ever do that event.
Giant "horses" in the Giant "stable" nonchalantly chompin on hay, awaiting possible new owner.
In walks Josh.........
Oooooooooffff 170 cranks on a size XS??? Giant what are you doingggg???
I think you're overstating the MTBness of this bike. I have a 2023 model and two sets of wheels; with road tires, it doesn't feel that different from my old road bike. Also, I'm 6'1" and ride a 56, so I'm able to get a reasonable amount of saddle to bar drop (though I have considered flipping to the stem to get even lower).
Hopefully the frame won’t crack on the new model, I had 3 frames replaced on the last model, Giant have a good warranty process for a reason, there quality control is 💩
This is a Mountainbike with drops
As a 2019 revolt advanced 0 owner - this is a bit meh, I won’t be upgrading
Revolt owner here (the cheap version, though). The seatpost does creak a lot. But not due to seatpost flexing, but due to the "clamp" thing parts rubbing against each other. I heard that lubrication can help, but since I don't feel like going through the trouble of losing bike parts inside my frame, I never touched it.
I guess the only people happy with this internal clamping system are bike fitters because that way, people twice before messing with their seatpost
Right, I put assembly paste on every surface of all parts and no more creaking problems. Anything that falls into the frame can be easily shaken out again, that shouldn't be a reason.