@@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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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'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.
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.
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 🙂
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 have a Sage Titanium Barlow. It’s closer to endurance road geometry with a 72.5 head tube angle which makes it great on pavement or gravel. The ride is very smooth with Panaracer gravel king SS tires in 35mm. This is my first titanium bike as well as my first gravel bike. My two previous bikes were a Specialized Roubaix and a Giant Defy. Both were great riding bikes. This one is as good if not better. I like Giant but it has one fatal flaw, the press fit BB. I hate creaks. It took me a year and several tries to get the creak out of that BB. The final solution was a Chris King BB and Morgan Blue aqua proof paste. Finally, silence!😊 Unfortunately the bike was stolen soon after. Press fit bottom brackets are now a deal killer for me. I now use Morgan Blue aqua proof paste on everything that is threaded or pressed except handlebars.
Literally the same experience. Giant revolt advanced 2 ‘22 and the pressfit bottom bracket creaked from day 1. Had it noted at service with giant dealer and made no difference. It’s been relegated to the kickr and I’ll be selling it. I doubt I’ll buy a pressfit bb again. Probably looking at a Crux expert as the 22 model is 30% off in runout.
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)
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
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.
Yup, my mix of riding is such that something that can handle some fast paced short to medium gravel rides and double as Bike-Packing Trail Mule was the order list for me back in Sep 2022, the SL5 Checkpoint won out after trying out 3 other brands… for a carbon stead it’s taken a beating (upgraded to the Bonty carbon rims) well impressed…. but for sure my criteria is not the same as Ben…. that Ventum sure seems like a sweet ride though…
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!
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'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!
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.
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)
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.
Awesome video as usual…!!! Your top pick the Giant revolt gives me faith that you don’t have to take out a second mortgage to buy a good bike!!! 😅 The bike industry is getting way outta control with pricing.. (just my opinion)
The new updated Revolt is probably in pole position for me as I am searching for a new do everything bike option. I like the Diverge STR too but I don’t trust the durability of the suspension systems, nor do I want to fiddle with them to get them just right every time I change something.
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.
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.
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
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.
Thanks for your candor …. and not jumping ahead in your video, I’d arrived at the choices of a Time gravel frame whatever that model name is or the Giant. A little pleasantly surprised with your choice. I guess I still have to flip the coin, which is not small, as I haven’t seen any ridden reviews of the Time…just a hint.
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney and as they are building a factory here stateside you have another reason! Not that you aren't adequately busy already. Thanks for your work...play,whatever you call it
Ben, Thanks for the review. I’ll have a 58 cm Time ADHX coming in at Vecchios in a few weeks if you’d like to give it a test ride. Give Jim a call if you’d like to arrange… Stumper
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.
@@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.
Well-designed carbon can beat anything, including Ti, in almost every performance and comfort category, no question. You buy Ti because it’s theoretically more durable. As someone who loved my carbon gravel bike…until I broke it…I’m going back to metal bikes for all off-road riding but understand it won’t be as stiff at the bottom bracket.
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.
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..
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!
Are any steel/ti bikes high on your list? I went from a trek checkpoint to a ritchey outback breakaway for travel purposes and have not missed the carbon one bit.
Ah, sweet. The Ritchey Breakaway was the bike of envy for a few of us reporters on the road back in the day. I have hardly ridden any steel in recent years. I think Mosaic makes beautiful ti bikes.
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney They just redid the outback model in 2020 as well, so it's got crazy tire clearance galore. I put mine together with AXS 1x and a rear brake hose with a no leak coupler built in, so it's easy to pack but has all the modern features.
Looks like this selection of bikes is a lot about lightness and high speed on relatively smooth surface. I will not swop any of them with my more heavy 3 cm suspension gravelbike (Cannondale topstone lefty), because suspension is supercomfortable and probably more safety when hitting big holes. I am not competing, only training, commuting and enjoying. I love suspension and it is a huge improvement compared to my cyclocrossbike. My hands love it. My neck love it.
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.
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. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-waYQeRnZ6nQ.html
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.
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.
@@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.
I love the crap out of my Revolt, even though mine is the base model, it will be a bike to built up over time and didn't mind dropping $1300 on a whim. great comparative. Surprised the Scott didn't get in the run.
Ridley Kanzo Fast for me. Never rode anything else like it and wouldn't change it for anything else in this list. If you can ever get one to test, don't hesitate. Also like the Cervelo, but the Giant not so much. In my experience they cut costs on the finish/paint, which would be fine if they offered an option to upgrade to better/custom finish. Sadly, they don't, at least not in the EU.
@@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
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.
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
Hi there @The Ride with Ben Delaney, Not Grizly or Grail on your list they didn´t make your top5 what do you have to say about these canyon gravel bikes? You enjoy more the new Grail or the Grizly? There no other light options like the Crux on the market now? Cheers
Grizl is a bit much for me, but I like the Grail. Here's my latest on the new Grail: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IdJLirn4DBk.html And no, nothing quite like the Crux now!
I like Giant as a brand but I don’t like the looks of them and like You said, looks matter. I went for Ribble CGR since it was only thing rightly available to me (Covid peak) and I like it, it is like you said Middle Ground, sporty enough but can take 47 mm tyres, usual mounts only though, two water bottles. My friend just got his Specialized Diverge STR, 10k cost. Did a little spin on it, complete pig compared to mine, acceleration and power down wise. But it has front and back suspension, so the owner is happy, and as long as owner is happy the bike is good. Just not for me. Previously ridden Merida Silex for 3 years, was also a pig and a mile muncher MTB style bike, wanted something sportier this time…
Wow I just had to look up the Diverge, hidden 20/30mm travel that's so quaint. As a mtb lover I'd try it since we have chunkier potholed fire roads and trails that look nothing like the groomed gravel in nice youtube videos, but for that price it would make more sense to just buy 2 XCs one for my dad and myself
Off topic question. Since you have ridden and tested so many bikes. In your opinion could the lauf fork be fitted on the new canyon grail? I want the grail however my sons lauf bike with that fork is so comfy for chunky races. Thanks for the help!
experience writer but first time gravel bike purchaser. Found eight 2020 giant revolt carbon very close to me at at an attractive price. is there anything I'd be seriously missing by not buying a more recent year model?
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Ben, always enjoy your videos and content with honest reviews of equipment etc. Just curious after looking at your #1 gravel bike I noticed that it has a flip chip in the REAR drop outs vs. the front (Ventum G1 to be exact). Curious to know your thoughts on why you prefer one over the other.
do you think you can review more ti and steel gravel bikes, like that cool stainless steel Otso Warakin or Niner RLT SIR please. I think steel gravel and atb bikes are where it's at.
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Oh neat, those look like fun bikes. It be cool to see a few more to review like the aforementioned bikes. Or maybe compare a bike that comes in different materials, like ti, vs steel vs the carbon version of the bike like the Otso and Niner bikes.
