Giant Revolt Advanced 2: A complete all-round gravel bike with the right spec

Compared with its predecessor, the compact frame is now lighter and sportier. The longer geometry, the slightly steeper fork and the lower bottom bracket do indeed ensure more agile handling and more efficient pedalling. In addition to the 3T Exploro Primo And, perhaps with the exception of the Merida Silex 700, the Giant strikes a near-perfect balance between a relaxed riding position and biomechanically optimal pedalling. The Revolt secures its place on the podium not least thanks to its comfort levels. The Taiwanese call the rear stays and handlebars – which are deliberately designed to absorb vibrations – ‘D-Fuse’; any loss of stiffness in the bottom bracket and head tube is easily overlooked.

The comfort of the Giant Revolt Advanced 2 It can be enjoyed in all grip positions; the slight backswing of the handlebars and virtually no flare result in three completely different riding positions, ranging from relaxed to sporty. This is complemented by the state-of-the-art 2×12 GRX 820 groupset, which, despite offering the widest gear range in the test, also provides a low gear ratio. As if that weren’t enough to make it a top all-rounder, the second-lightest bike is also the one with the highest possible load capacity.

A maximum system weight of 150 kilos is absolutely brilliant, even for touring bikes; that’s where the threads for the luggage rack and a whole host of other attachments really come into their own. It’s just that the chunky Maxxis tyres aren’t quite as well-balanced and make this lightweight speedster unnecessarily dull on firm paths. A ten-year warranty on the fork and a lifetime warranty on the frame speak volumes about the confidence in the quality.

Not the most exciting gravel bike, but perhaps the most complete? Based on a combination of test data and subjective riding impressions, thanks to its sleek and sturdy frame set, high-quality components that are perfectly matched throughout, and superbly balanced geometry, it’s certainly the Rose Backroad hot on their heels.

A major comparison: 16 gravel bikes put to the test

• 3T Exploro Primo (Tip: Sports equipment)
• Bergamont Grandurance Expert >> available here
• Bulls Machete
• Canyon Grizl CF SL 6 AXS (Tip: Top pick)
• Conway GRV 9.0
• Corratec Allroad C2
• Fuji Jari Carbon 1.3
• Giant Revolt Advanced 2 (Tip: All-rounder) >> available here
• Koga Colmaro Extreme >> available here
• Marin Headlands 1
• Megamo West 10 >> available here
• Merida Silex 700 (Tip: Off-roaders)
• Rondo Ruut AL1
• Rose Backroad GRX RX820 (Tip: Top pick) >> available here
• Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 (Tip: Value for money) >> available here
• VSF Bicycle Manufactory GX-500 >> available here

Giant Revolt Advanced 2: Grade & Details

• Note: 2.1 (Tip: All-rounder)
• Price: 2,999 euros >> available here
• Weight of complete bike: 9.43 kilograms
• Frame sizes: S, M, ML, L, XL (test size in bold)

Geometry

• Seat tube/top tube/head tube: 470 / 560 / 149.9 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR: 591 / 383 millimetres / 1.543
• Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 644 / 579 millimetres / 1.112
• Wheelbase/Caster: 1025 / 65.7 millimetres

Facilities

• Drive/Gearbox: Shimano GRX RX820 (2 x 12; 48/32, 11–36 t) | Grade: 2.0
• Brakes: Shimano GRX RX820 (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.0
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler Slik Shield 700-40c (effective: 41.5 mm) | Grade: 2.0
• Wheels: Giant P-X2 disc
• Impeller weights: 1627 / 2239 grams (front/rear)

Pros and cons of the Giant Revolt Advanced 2

• Plus: Top-class saddle comfort, high load capacity, flip dropouts (variable wheelbase)
• Minus: A tyre profile more suited to off-road use, with less refined tread pattern

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