My Top 5 Gravel Bikes of 2023
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 มิ.ย. 2024
- I’ve tested at least 50 gravel bikes at this point - often inside events big and small - and here are my five favorite bikes as of May 2023.
5. Specialized Crux: tinyurl.com/333aedeb
4. Ventum GS1: tinyurl.com/ycy24s46
3. ENVE MOG: alnk.to/1XUehD7
2. Cervélo Áspero-5:
1. Giant Revolt: tinyurl.com/ymk5bhmc
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0:00 intro
1:09 context
3:19 Specialized Crux
7:49 Ventum GS1
10:59 ENVE MOG
13:57 Stages deal
14:36 Cervélo Áspero-5
17:34 Giant Revolt
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The value of the Revolt Advanced 3 was a big motivator for me to go Carbon for my first gravel bike. I can upgrade it over time and am starting with a bigger cassette and faster rolling wider tires.
Here's my list of 50 tested gravel bikes. Some I rode for months and months; some for just a day. Most were somewhere in between.
Specialized Crux
Ventum GS1
ENVE MOG
Cervélo Áspero-5
Giant Revolt (22)
Pivot Vault
3T Exploro RaceMax
BMC Kaius
Cervélo Áspero
Canyon Grail (M) CF SL8
Salsa Warbird
Giant Revolt (20)
Specialized Diverge (22)
Specialized Diverge STR (23)
Trek Checkpoint (22)
Trek Checkpoint (original)
Lauf True Grit (Lauf fork)
Lauf (RockShox Rudy/XPLR)
Lauf Anywhere
BMC URS
BMC URS 01 (w Redshift)
BMC URS LT
Evil Chamois Hagar
Litespeed Ultimate G2
Argonaut GR3
YT Szepter
Ritte Satyr Steel 2.0
Alchemy Ronin Carbon
Allied Able
Cannondale Slate
Cannondale SuperSix EVO SE
Cannondale Topstone
Canyon Grizl
Chapter 2 AO
Litespeed Cherohala SE
Moots Routt RSL
Moots Routt 45
Moots Routt ESC
Mosaic GT-1
Mosaic GT-2 45
Niner MCR 9 RDO
Thesis OB1
Trek Domane Gravel
Devinci Hatchet
Canyon Grail AL
Canyon Grail CF SLX
Bianchi Arcadex
Pinarello Grevil
Pinarello Grevil F
Mason Bokeh
No Orro gravel bikes in the list. 🥲
Hi, what was your opinion about the cannondale TopStone ?
А где CUBE Nuroad ?
@@5cottins topstones have an excellent reputation. i have a topstone 1 alloy and it has been bulletproof. i use it as my beater bike when i dont want to fuck up my ibis hakka and it has been going strong for several years.
Hey Ben! what did you think of the Chapter 2 AO vs something like the latest Crux or Revolt? I have that bike and enjoy it but wanted to see how it compares to the newer bikes and if it's worth a Frame upgrade.
Great Video with lots of informed insights. I own a Ventum GS1 and agree with your commentary specific to that machine. Keep up the good work!
I bought a Giant Revolt Advanced 0 a few months ago and absolutely love it. Also glad to have my purchase validated!
I have been road racing for decades and 2 years ago I decided to get a gravel bike. I had never ridden gravel before and I bought the Giant Revolt for no other reason than it was in stock at my local bike shop. I was surprised, shocked really at how much I like this bike. If I'm not doing a race or fast group ride I'm on my revolt.
Hi Ben, great video as usual! I was really happy to see the Revolt as your #1 since I just picked one up as my first “real” gravel bike (been riding cross bikes on trails forever).. I think you hit the nail on the head with the value that Giant brings.. I was able to get the Revolt Advanced 0, with carbon wheels and GRX 810, for $4,200 (2022 model).. that’s an insane spec for that price! I looked at all the other brands, even consumer direct, and couldn’t find a similar deal.. plus the fit was just about perfect for me.. I looked hard at some other bikes like the Crux and Aspero and they were both too “racy” for me since I don’t have the advantage of being able to ride every day to be in better shape :) Appreciate your insight and I always Enjoy the Ride whenever I can!
Great review. I love my 2020 Giant Revolt. Great on gravel with 40c tires and great on the road. I swap in 50mm carbon wheels with 28c road tires for rides that are all paved.
Thanks for the great video!
I bought a '22 Revolt Advanced 2 a few months ago, and I'm really enjoying it. I chose the "2" partly so I could fit a nice set of road wheels and tires into my budget. Di2 is great, but my mechanical derailleurs shift so fast and reliably that I don't miss it. After some fiddling, I can now switch from road to gravel wheels in six minutes.
I agree with your critique of the steering stem spacers and seatpost clamp/wedge.
I agree that the saddle is good, and that's a surprise, because I have a terrible time finding a saddle that fits me.
Overall, I got a great bike (with a few quirks) that I'll have a blast on for years to come.
Another great video Ben. I've been on the Niner RLT 9 RTO for a few years now, and it's been a super solid bike, but I'm feeling the call of that Damn MOG 🙂
Another masterpiece video. Thank you Ben! I’m amazed you got all that info in a 20 minute clip. 😮
Glad it was of interest.
There ya' go again Ben... raising the bar for enjoyable, hands-on, real world reviews. Spectacular work. Two of my potentials were on your list though #1 totally got me by surprise which isn't a bad thing. Thanks to you getting closer to making a buying decision. Am going over some of the for me unfamiliar brands at Sea Otter. Wish had known of it before. Definitely would have driven up from L.A. Kinda curious about titanium bikes now especially if material as light as carbon and if truly makes ride more compliant, etc. Huge thanks again for what you do. Cheers!
Ti gravel bike rules but a carbon aero is faster
Thank you. And yeah, Sea Otter is worth the trip if you’re in SoCal.
Ti is not as light as carbon nor can it be manipulated as easily for flex here and stiffness there. It can be comfortable to ride, and the durability is a huge benefit over carbon, but it isn’t indestructible.
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Appreciate the 411 on Ti. Wasn't really looking forward to throwing another build into the mix/decision making process.
Thanks, perfect review and video at the perfect time.
Really appreciate your honest, perceptive feedback. Rarely do you go wrong with a Giant. Well engineered, reasonably priced, increasingly well designed. If I go mainstream, I go Giant. They just work and work well. The Revolt is an absolute standout. I'm riding a steel Ritchey Outback at the moment, But I owned a last gen Revolt Adv and it was excellent: stable enough, comfortable enough, fast enough, reliable... Can't beat them with a stick! I'm returning to carbon for racing soon and Revolt ties with Lauf on the shortlist.
I'm not into gravel bikes, I'm 100% on road. However, I like your videos, races, adventures and footage. The present list although personal, it's close to perfection as includes indeed 5 of the best current bikes. And surprise-surprise, No1 is a bike most people would buy, not just dream. So, well done.
Surprise that you are the 'Aero is everything' inventor, something that even if I'm against (I love standard tubing and shallow wheels that suffer less in the crosswinds), it haunted me for a longtime since every person I know hit me in the head with this motto !!
I believe that you should share a tour of your bikes at the garage. Your Tarmac, Enve, etc + all the adjustments/modifications you love or you suggest.
But most of all - I repeat myself - your stuff is very interesting, fun(ny) and informative. Thanks!
Thank you. I need to clean up my garage first!
Your videos offer great information. Nice work!
I have a 2022 Revolt Advanced 1. I haven't bought a bike in over 15 years and was upsold on the electronic shifters and drop post, which I dont regret at all. I got an extra set of wheels and road tires fitted with rotors and a cassette. I couldn't get along with the stock saddle but all in all I love riding this bike.
I just bought an Aspero Apex 1x a few weeks ago and loving it so far.
wow Giant Revolt! great value and very popular - I considered it along side the Canyon Grail CF Sl and it was very close - went with latter as I’m more into day racing than adventure gravel - few friends have the Revolt and love it - good video thx
I've had a Salsa Warbird for years. It works! I don't have a need for another gravel bike, but I'd be interested in the Lauf, especially since they are CHEAPER now that they have a warehouse in the US. I love MTBing, but I agree with you on suspension or lack thereof on a gravel bike. If I need suspension I'm grabbing my XC/enduro bike.
Brilliant. Thanks. I’m on the aspero (not the 5). Some upgrades like seat post from black inc, terra Argo saddle, aero alu bars (cos I like the flat part). And finally 2 wheelsets, Bontrager pro 3v for gravel and Ican aero 35 (super light at 1350g) for road/all road, light gravel.
Sounds sweet. I rode and enjoyed the original Aspero again at The Cycling House in Tucson this spring. They had it set up with 32 slicks and it was a great ride.
Not sure if u read comments on older posts, but I’ve just added a Ritchey Outback into the stable. Aspero is now on 32 slicks and will be my somewhat comfy road bike and champagne gravel. The Outback fitted with the latest Sram Apex AXS eagle 10-52 with 42t chainring. With the GX 10-52 I get 2 cogs greater than a 1:1 ratio. I’m not a speed monger…it’s cool to cruise. Got a feeling the Outback will be the more used bike.
Great review Brother...thank you !
I have the lowest priced revolt. Its a great bike even at the lowest spec, especially for someone getting into biking more or a commuting/around town bike that you arent too afraid to lock. Also they look sweet, again even at the lowest price point people frequently think its a very expensive bike.
Bought a Revolt Advanced 0, seat tube split after 80kms due to a design flaw.
Giant shop mocked me, saying it wasn’t common (check the internet!) and then said I’m a penalizing manner, it’s going to take months to get you a new frame.
Giant couldn’t supply a replacement frame in the same colour.
Eventually got a CX frame as a replacement.
Now own a Checkpoint and the service, warranty and treatment at the Trek shop has been phenomenal!
This guy is so great to watch and listen to! He really knows his stuff and lives biking.
Ride on, Ben, thx for the 411 one the bikes you’ve tested. I’ve learned a lot form you. Currently, I own a Crux Expert (love it, geometry is perfect) that’s great on/off road. My go to all-arounder for sure, and I have a Pinarello Grevil that is more aero than just about any road bike I own. Love them both because they are great on and-or off road. My best days out include asphalt, aggregate trails, and gravel roads. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and stoke 👍
Cheers, Kato. Thanks for sharing your experiences, too.
Appreciate the insight. I’m enjoying a Santa Cruz Stigmata as my go-to. It feels quite nice on some 28c road tires as well.
The Stigmata has been a stalwart for years. No need to fix what isn’t broken.
I love my 2022 Revolt Advanced Pro 0. It is the only complete bike that I have kept stock in my life. I've been riding since 1993.
Yay for Giant! Love my (Giant) Liv Devote advanced 1. A Revolt with just a few tweaks for women specific. I opted for the 1X and love it. My everyday fun adventure bike.
Cool. Thanks for sharing your experience with the Devote.
It would have been nice if you had put a list of all 50+ bikes you’ve tested 😉 but I was pleasantly surprised by your bike choice 👍🏻
i wanted a giant revolt but couldnt find one in my size so i ended up with an ibis hakka instead. i was more hyped on the revolt at first but now i have no regrets. the ibis in bone white is just so sexy, even non cyclists give me compliments on it regularly.
I own a 2021 Giant Revolt graveler and it is a fantastic bike for racing and just plain pleasure riding. I employ a Sram Force mechanical groupo and I love it. I ride on WTB Resolute 42mm tires and they seem to be the right width for me. Glad you gave the Revolt such high marks.
Victor Rodriguez, Henderson, NV
Cool. Hope you're staying cool in Henderson.
I love your brute honesty with humour. Subscribed
Cheers. Thank you.
Awesome & Thanks Sir 🙏🕊
I second that comment on Giant building their own bikes. So many companies are really just marketing firms, and I have been burned more than you'd think by companies who had a good reputation but changed their factory location and the product went to crap. I really like companies such as Giant, Allied, litespeed or Moots for these reasons
Top class, as usual. That Revolt absolutely rules.
Great video Ben. Agree with your opinion on the dollar to fun ratio on the Giant. Earlier this spring, I needed to get a second gravel bike as my teenage son was getting into joining me racing events. I have had a Canyon Grail with 2x Di2 since early 2021 and was on the fence about what to get. I ended up going with the Revolt Advanced 0 with mechanical GRX 2x. Got carbon rims and all the goodness right out of the box. 100% agree the bike is stable (much less twitchy than the Grail) and a solid performer. I do miss the 'hidden buttons' on the Di2 but I sure don't feel have compromised anywhere else.
I hope your son ends up riding the same size bike so you can get his hand me downs. 😄
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney yep same size so I sort of get to extend the N+1 equation.
Absolutely!!!! Light and areo!!!! Y’all finally got it and from a practical man!!! What is the weight of the revolt bike?
Love my Ventum .. plus you can pick bar, stem, and crank length to truly get your size
Yeah, that is a plus and a notable difference from Canyon (at least in North America - Europeans may have more flexibility in parts).
Good vid BD. Interesting picks. 🤔
Merckx Strasbourg 71. Excellent bike with features like Kevlar shielding at rock impact areas and attachment points for fenders and extra bottles.
Ah, shoot! You reminded me that I left that one of my tested list… Glad you like it.
Excellent video. Subscribed!
Awesome, thank you!
Love my Cervelo Aspero! Can't wait to use it at BWR Canada
That BWR Canada course should be a challenge. Have fun!
Great review !! Cheers from Mexico
Thank you, David.
Thanks a bunch Ben, I find your reviews very helpful! Curious to hear your opinion on the Domane SL/ SLR as a gravel bike if you've ridden that one? I find their Gen 4 model sits just around the sweet spot with 40/42 max clearance, as tested by @gravelcyclist etc. I too think 40mm is the optimal gravel setup for fast paced, racy gravel fun.
Thank you. Glad to hear that. I think the Domane is a great bike, and agree that 40mm is the sweet spot for fast gravel. I have a new inexpensive aluminum one in for test with Tiagra. Going to try it with both road and gravel tires and will do a review video.
Before Trek launched the Checkpoint, they - for a few months - had a Domane Gravel, which I called BS on. th-cam.com/video/waYQeRnZ6nQ/w-d-xo.html
Coming from mountain bikes I purchased a Giant Revolt Advanced and can happily say it’s comfy and feels great on road and gravel. My hands and ass dont buzz like they did with borrowed road bikes. While my mtb was a big purchase, this bike was affordable and a huge value!
You made my day, I always feel good when an expert validates my choice. My Revolt puts a smile on my face very time I take it out and really love the GRX Di2 2X drivetrain.
I say the same about my Áspero5
Great list Ben! I started with a Giant Revolt and always recommend it as a good start into gravel for both price and value. I was curious if you ever got a chance to test out a 3T Exploro Racemax or Ultra? Also would just love to see the list of bikes you have tested in general. Thanks!
Thanks. Yes on the Exploro RaceMax, but not the Ultra. I have a spreadsheet with the gravel bikes I have tested and geo and notes. Was trying to figure out how to add that to the video, but it looks like illegible garbage. I need a graphic designer!
Maybe that could be a separate video - a quick run down of *all* the bikes.
thanks for this vid! hoping they add internal storage to future generation revolts. I have a swat box on my bike (2016 roubaix) and I really like not needing a saddle bag - don't think I'd buy a new bike without some sort of integrated storage system.
Fantastic video 👌👌👌
I love my 2021 Giant Revolt. Would trade in for the new version with more race-focused geometry and more mounts for bikepacking if I had the money, but it's still a rock solid bike that feels awesome in a wide range of riding styles and surface types.
Yeah, I didn’t like the original Revolt geo nearly as much.
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney I've never ridden one but several of my friends have them, one rider I was riding with on a Santa Cruz Stigmata reckons the original model felt like a bit of a truck! I don't know and I bought the first Checkpoint, if the Giant had beat Trek off the drawing board I may well have ended up with one. Very interesting that you rate the new model so highly, they seem great value for money compared to other brands and one day I'm going to convert my Checkpoint to a single speed and get another gravel bike, maybe the Giant Revolt V3 when it's eventually released. Thanks for the great video.
My pleasure. Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences.
The Revolt was my first gravel bike and running 50c ReneHerse and am just crazy happy with it.
Sweet.
Nice video sir great review and have to agree after research got a giant revolt advanced 0 In 2022. Figured best level for me didn't want to splurge for 11spd di2 I figured 12spd was on verge and would rather have that as a ultegra 12spd user already. Love the thing had some great rides n bike packing trips on it. Like the Enve too, as I just love Enve full stop. Keep up the good work.
Cool. Thanks for sharing. Cheers.
I was getting a little sweaty with those first 4 bikes, $4k for the cheapest... Whew! But then the mighty Revolt. I bought a '20 Advanced 2, and still absolutely adore it. Rides great as a road bike, and you can get pretty silly with it on big tires! Great value is candy on top. Upgrade with time as you can. Only my stem is stock these days! Nice review.
Cool. Glad it was helpful, and that your experience was similar to mine.
This is a great list! A bit surprised to see that Giant at the top but they do offer a lot of bang for not much buck. I considered the Aspero-5 and the GS1 but ultimately went with the racy Obed GVR and haven't looked back. It's treated me well, and been rock solid. I have GRX 2x di2 on it and it too is my #1 groupset of choice. I have a set of aero road wheels for it but hardly ever put them on - the gravel wheels (Spinergy GXX) and Cinturatos are just too good. Whenever it's time to get another gravel bike though, I think i'm going with titanium. While I do like to go fast, racing is not a priority for me.
What would be your top picks for ti?
@@LastAphelion I haven't ridden any titanium gravel bikes yet (I do have a titanium hardtail though, which I love and rides extremely well) but the ones i'm considering are (in no particular order) - Chumba Terlingua, Sanitas Node, Alchemy Ronin, LiteSpeed Ultimate G2 and Sage Storm King. Ultimately for me it'll come down to which one I can get GRX 2x Di2 on. That's the only groupset i'll consider.
Great stuff as always Ben. I had a Litespeed T5 Gravel for a few years. That was stolen, with Litespeed now being considerably more expensive in the UK (current Watia is $1=£1!!) I now have a Kinesis Tripster ATR v3- you might want to check that out if you can, a great all-rounder at a good price. Alpkit's Sonder Camino Ti is a frankly ridiculous bargain for titanium- $2349 for a frame, would like to see your impressions on that too.
Bummer about the theft. We don’t get Kinesis over here (I don’t think!) and I had not heard of Alpkit. Will look into them. Thanks.
Absolutely loved this video… didn’t think I would,because I came to it thinking 🧐 these bikes will super cool but super expensive too..
Glad I stuck around until the end.. excellent work … (St.Helens..UK)
Cheers!
Picked up a 2023 revolt advanced pro 1 and love it!
Excellent video
I've been riding revolts since 2014. My only gripe is PF BB on the carbon models. And the seat post shim is annoying too, as Ben said. I now have the Adv Pro 1 with Rival AXS. Heavy groupset!
Nice list Ben, I bought a CRUX COMP which I loved, saddly I have to returned it to Specialized due to some issue with the steam and fork spacers, still wating if my local store will return my money, and I thinking on Ibis HAKKA MX either Ventum GS1
Yes. What I like about the Crux. It’s just a bike.
Other than seatpost, the Giant is also just a bike, but much more affordable
Just saw your video and I am so happy that you love the GIANT as its the bike I got, I did not see your video before I bought the bike som this made me so happy that a guy like you likes the bike although I have Pirelli M on i might try out your maxxis. Awesome video as always
Cool. Glad to hear it.
Ben enjoy your video. Riding BMC Unrestricted URS 01 ONE and if I have to choose will take the Cervelo Aspero 5
Great review, Ben! Top 50 list next? 30sec per bike, 1min intro/outro; people love top whatever list so does TH-cam’s algo.
Awesome review! Really appreciate your insight and candidness. Have you ever tested a Santa Cruz Stigmata
studio.th-cam.com/users/videobd-fkG-5AzU/edit
Great review. I have a Crux, and no, it didn't cost me $12.5 grands but only half that. You can certainly enjoy a decently-built Crux for much less than the price of the S-Works.
I rode my Giant Revlon Advanced 2 in the Paris-Roubaix Challenge last month. It rode like a dream!
Super cool. I've ridden the Roubaix Challenge a few times, mostly on road bikes. My most enjoyable time was on a Mason Bokeh with 50mm tires for sure.... Well, at least on the cobbles; the 50k on pavement down to the Arenberg was a bit of slog with that much rubber.
Love my 2019 Giant Revolt 0, very comfortable. Just had LBS upgrade to GRX Di2.
Damage $ ?
@@osint6372 No damage, upgrade. Less expensive than buying new Revolt with Di2
Love your vids and like your reasons for your picks. Have you tried the Factor Ostro Gravel out yet? Would love to know whwt you think of it. No compromise aero gravel race bike with plenty of tire clearance...
Thank you, George. I have an Ostro lined up for Unbound this year. Stay tuned…
Also with the revolt the AL versions start around 1,000 or so for those starting on a tighter budget !
Yeah, that’s a great shout.
I’ll be riding Unbound 100 on my 2013 Focus Mares CX bike. 40c tires and 10 speed di2. Not very aero with the canti brakes. It’s an oldtimer but plenty comfy.
Heck yeah, Peter! I will see you there. As you know, plenty of the early Unbound/DKs were won on much narrower tires. Comfy is good.
So Ben, most of us can only choose one, so which is the most versatile, like I ride mostly east chunk and gnarl but love getting out on road bike smooth gravel. Like the Highlander, there can be only one! It would seem the Giant has the top nod for this role. Thanks for another great video.
Also, noted all are carbon bikes. No metal in this list.
Great video.
I love your channel .
Thank you
Thank you!
nice video, thx for all the tips! thoughts on the Ridley Kanzo Fast? pretty close to buying one.. been on a Trek Checkpoint ALR5 for many years, time to upgrade..
Check out my SBT video: th-cam.com/video/u-ztWhz-_Sw/w-d-xo.html
So refreshing to have a presentation of "My Top 5".. instead of the typical clickbait titles like "BEST BIKE OF 2023" !!... who is to say what is MY best.. I appreciation knowing what you like looking for in these bikes. It's useful information I can use to make my own decisions
Thanks, Jim. And yeah, who the heck am I to say what THE WORLD'S BEST are?
You're the man!
Wow, didn‘t expect your #1 after all these lightweight, aero and expensive gravel bikes. Very reasonable and well presented Top 5. Would love to own any of these (if I would have the chance to ride them before purchase).
My current favorite bike: Time ADHX / Canyon Grizl CF SLX Di2 (man, this sand colorway got me)
I'm keen to try a Time.
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney max tire width on the Time ADHX is only 38... I think the next gen will be very interesting tho
I just got a base model Aspero with SRAM Apex 1x a few days ago, and I'm loving how it feels and rides. I like fast bikes too, and I test rode a few other things, but find the Aspero to be my bag. I ex[eted to find the Apex lacking and originally planned to upgrade when I got the chance, but it's smooth and works really well. It's a keeper. I'll probably upgrade the bars to aero carbon.
Glad you dig the bike and the group.
The Giant Revolt was my favourite pick when looking for a gravel bike a couple months ago, but all those stories about cracked seat tubes held me back. Ended up getting a Trek Checkpoint, which has been fine so far. I do love the down tube storage; like really, REALLY love it. I wonder if I'll ever be able to own a bike without it...
But that Enve...it's a beautiful bike; there's no denying that.
Where do you normally ride, Ben? I'm in Boulder County and starting to explore the gravel in the foothills and also the plains East of Boulder, but happy to get recommendations from you, as I'm sure you have a wealth of routes under your butt 😊
Checkpoint is a great bike. Glad you dig it.
I am in south Boulder so a lotta Flagstaff and Chapman, Marshall Mesa, and Boulder Res-area dirt. www.strava.com/athletes/116154
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney, Checkpoint is what I brung, so I gotta ride it 😄
I'm in Louisville, so riding pretty much the same places. I'll say "hi" if I ever run into you, which I hope to!
Hey Ben, stumbled across your video and loved it. Really surprised at your #1. Always wanted a tcr but was concerned about the quality. Was wondering how highly you rate the construction of the giant compared with the enve, or cervelo, ect. Now subscribed and looking forward to next vid 🤠
Thanks very much. I appreciate that.
I am a big believer in Giant’s quality, in part because they build their own bikes. Their marketing might not be at the same high decibel range as some brands, but the production level is as good as anybody, I believe.
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney 👍
I have ordered one of these (Giant Revolt Advanced 2 - 2022). I was really torn though between the Ribble CGR Titanium sport edition which is the lower in the titanium range. Worried about the amount of people reporting the seat issue and struggling to see if it has been resolved on the models going out. But between the two bikes would you think this would be more fun to ride? Would Giant be your pref? Many have said it is a fantastic ride.
just bought the Revolt 12 spd 1x etap. also buying a second set of wheels that will be set up for strictly road so I can use this on my club rides. I had heard that the SRAM 2x 12spd road cassettes (ex Road Rival XG-1250 Cassette 10-36t) can also be used on a 1x configuration. Have you by chance heard if this is correct? if so it means, I could possibly get a little more low end gear to better mimic my current 2x set up on my road bike.
Yeah, I'm using a 10-30 Rival cassette With Rival AXS XPLR Derailleur, you have to adjust the pulley cage with the upper screw. It works fine & flawlessy on my Aspero.
Great review video! Really like the Revolt. Curious why you prefer a 2x setup vs 1x?
For Shimano, I prefer Di2 to mechanical, and until very recently you couldn't get a wide range 1x for Shimano. Also, I like being able to make big jumps with the front derailleur, and fine tune with the rear.
Cargo bike gravel racing loves you Ben, and waits longingly for your participation. First Boulder, then the Continental United States. Let's jump the shark and get it done.
Hehehe. You tee it up, we’ll knock it down.
AWESOME BIKES!!! 💯😎
Great recommendations. What are your top 5 Titanium Gravel bikes?
For me, the best geometry frame Specialized Diverge Expert or S-WORKS and very important functions for gravel roads its front suspension 20mm. Plus bonus huge frame storage.
Quite interesting... I just came over from David Arthur's channel "Just ride bikes" where he had nothing but praises for the new Giant Revolt, since it is a mixture of the TCR with gravel bike features without too many compromises. Our largest Specialized dealer for 25 years threw the towel because of Specialized's politics and became a Giant center. I guess I need to pay them a visit for a new Revolt.
Giant isn't anything close to free of problems. I've worked for 2 shops where Giant broke our contract by signing with stores far too close to the shops I worked for. I'm talking nearly half the distance in our agreement.
Happy to hear that David and I agree on that. He had his Crux with him at Sea Otter this year.
The best bike is the bike that has the right geometry and fit for your body.
I bike that you can ride comfortably for a long time.
I have a short torso and long legs, bought the Litespeed T1sl.
Feels like its custom made for my body.
Had a couple of other road bikes in the past, none has felt som comfortable to ride.
If I ever buy a gravel bike it will be a Litespeed because of that.
Another vote for the Giant - I added The Tufo Gravel Thundero 40 tyres to mine and absolutely love it.
Giant Revolt is a well designed bike. Everyone I know that has one loves it. The geometry did not work for me. I went with the Cannondale Topstone carbon ultegra with 2 by. The kingpin feature is awesome on the Oregon "chonky" gravel. I don't race and never will. I just ride.
Any thoughts on Moots. Sold my Aspero 5 for the Moots Routt RSL. Love both for very different reasons but the Moots is timeless and more comfortable!
Great list! Love your ride recaps. Couple of questions. I noticed that most of the bikes on the list are from mainstream tier-1 brands. Are you also testing more boutique global brands and if so do those not rate as highly because do you feel they lack the R&D budgets that the larger brands have? Another question from riding so many bikes, what are your thoughts on bottom bracket types for homeowners? I like having a threaded bottom bracket so I can easily swap at home but I noticed that some brands like Giant have continued with press fit while some carbon bikes have started to go the integrated threaded route.
Giant do pressfit very well, don't think you'll have any issues and they are not hard to replace anyway.
Thanks, Neil.
I try to test bikes from all sizes of companies. Boutique brands definitely have allure and a cool factor. The big brands often get heckled for spending on marketing - “that’s why these bikes are so expensive; they’re paying millions to pro athletes!” And marketing is a cost, for sure, but big companies also have teams of engineers and product managers and economies of scale in buying power - and those things affect the product and the price on the consumer end. As I tried to lay out in the intro, this list was going primarily on the very subjective *how I feel* about the bikes when riding them.
On the BB question, that is a 10-gallon can of worms… threaded and press fit can be done well and be done poorly. I am a bit partial to the T47 (that small brand allure!), but honestly if a press fit or any other style works well (read: fits tightly in perfect alignment), the I don’t care what is in there!
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney thanks for providing your insight. Seems spot on. I value the honest opinions of people such as yourself because as you said before, most people can't get out and ride 50 different bikes a year to make that call for themselves.
Hey Ben! Thanks for the great video I ride a giant gravel as well, wanted to ask you what saddle do you have in yours thanks . Eddie
I just used the stock Giant model, and was pleasantly surprised.
i'd love for you to test ride blackhearts all road ti bike. i know youve seen it, but would love for you to ride it as well!
Great shirt 👏🏻. Greetings from The Netherlands 😊
Cheers!
Pretty hard to get some of these bikes in my size in Australia. Looking at BMC Kaius 01 One or the Factor Ostro gravel? Any suggestions? Ever ridden the Factor? Love your channel, refreshing honest content.
Kaius is awesome - and hyper-pigeonholed. You better be sure you're sure that you're sure that 36cm bars are what you want, and that the reach is dialed. But the ride is typical top-shelf BMC quality.
Have not ridden that Factor, but have a loaner lined up for Unbound.
Cheers!
Hi Ben , great videos!! have you tried the Scott Addict gravel ?? would like to see you test it!!
Thank you. No, I haven’t. I need to check in with them.
Love my Crux Comp with upgraded Roval carbon wheels. Never ride my road bike anymore.
Hey Ben! Thanks for the great videos . I ride gravel as well. Wanted to get info on that enve seat post you have . Thank you ..Eddie
It's the 30.9 version here: alnk.to/e75JuI5
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney hey Ben! Thank you so much for taking the time to send me the info.. greatly appreciated! I love you videos .. excellent info.. have a wonderful evening..Eddie