Gravel bikes under 2000 euros on test: The Giant Revolt 0 - comfort wonder

>> Here is an overview of all the bikes tested

With the Revolt, Giant already set special accents in the then still young gravel segment when it debuted in 2013. The model has always been extremely comfortable and offers details that are rarely found on other bikes. While the models with carbon frames were only updated last year, the aluminium version on display is now in its third year. The aluminium Revolt proves that it can still set accents in comparison with more recent creations, not only with its good performance in terms of grades, but also with features that make it stand out from the crowd. These include, for example, the so-called FlipChip dropout on the rear wheel, which can be used to lengthen or shorten the wheelbase.

This can influence the driving behaviour: With a shorter wheelbase, the bike appears somewhat more manoeuvrable and agile, with a longer wheelbase it rolls stoically straight ahead. However, its great strength is its remarkable comfort. In particular, the extended seat post with its D-shaped cross-section, although made of aluminium, offers significantly better suspension than the average of the test field. Only the Canyon with its carbon seatpost can keep up. Even on the fork and handlebars, the engineers have endeavoured to achieve a certain amount of suspension. This makes the Revolt Even with the comparatively narrow 40 millimetre tyres, the bike is by no means stubborn off-road. Because the frame and fork can accommodate tyres up to 53 millimetres wide, the range of use can be extended further off-road than with most other gravel bikes. If that's not enough, you can even fit a dropper seat post to the bike to make it easier to tackle steep downhill trails.

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Lightweight, comfortable, stable

The Revolt also earns a good grade with its comparatively low weight, which is only just over the magic ten-kilo mark. This doesn't make the bike a sporting cannon, which is mainly due to the emphatically upright riding position. However, this fits the concept: together with the high level of riding comfort, the comfortable contact points and the wide and finely graduated gear range of the twelve-speed transmission, the result is an all-round comfortable tourer for short trips or very long journeys, regardless of the terrain.

For longer bike adventures, the Revolt has the usual threaded eyelets on the frame and fork, and mudguards can also be fitted. On the other hand, a bit of tinkering would be required to fit a full set of equipment: there are no mounts for a fixed rear carrier or preparation for a dynamo lighting system. Consequently, Giant does not offer such fully equipped models.

Apart from that, we can hardly find any points of criticism of the bike in detail: the FSA cranks may be heavy, but they work perfectly; the Maxxis tyres (tubeless) make a decent impression on all terrains. One could criticise the simple Tektro brake discs, which respond somewhat less sensitively and powerfully than the higher-quality Shimano models. However, they could be replaced easily and cheaply.

Competition from carbon

Anyone interested in one of the five carbon models - Giant's cheapest Revolt Advanced 3 costs just € 2,499 and is therefore possibly still in competition with the test bike - should bear in mind that the riding position on the carbon fibre frame is much sportier. It is also equipped with a 2x10 GRX drivetrain. The comparably equipped Revolt Advanced 2 costs 3,199 euros, the top model is priced at 6,499 euros.

Giant Revolt 0: Info & test grade

• Price: 1999 Euro >> available here
• Weight of complete wheel: 10.1 kilos
• Frame sizes: S, M, ML, L, XL (test size greased)
• TOUR grade: 2,3

Geometry

• Seat/top/head tube: 462/570/165 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR: 617/384 millimetres/1.61
• Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 666/548 millimetres/1.22
• Wheelbase/caster: 1,035/63 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive/gear shift: FSA/Shimano GRX 610/820 (2x12; 48/32, 11-34 t.) | Grade: 1.5
• Brakes: Shimano GRX 400 (160/160 mm) | Grade: 2.0
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler TR 40 mm (eff.: 41 mm) | Grade: 2.0
• Impellers: Giant S-X2
• Impeller weights: 1,717/2,215 grams (f./h.)

Measured values

• Weight of complete wheel: 10,120 grammes | Grade: 4.0
• Driving stability: 8.3 N/mm | Grade: 1.7
• Rear comfort: 100 N/mm | Grade: 1.7
• Comfort front: 82 N/mm | Grade: 2.3
• Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 57 N/mm | Grade: 1.7

Advantages and disadvantages of the Giant Revolt 0

• Plus: High ride comfort, plenty of tyre clearance, relatively light
• Minus: No mounts for rear pannier rack and dynamo light

All 13 bikes in the comparison test

• Bulls Grinder 4
• Canyon Grizl 7
• Carver Gravel 220 1by
• Cube Nuroad C:62 One >> available here
• Focus Atlas 6.7 >> available here
• Giant Revolt 0 >> available here
• Megamo Jakar 20 >> available here
• Merida Silex 400 >> available here
• Radon Regard AL 10.0
• Ridley Kanzo Adventure Alu
• Rose Backroad AL GRX RX400 >> available here
• Scott Speedster Gravel 10 >> available here
• Stevens Prestige >> available here

How TOUR tests

Weight (25 per cent of the overall grade): The weighed complete wheel weight in the standardised test wheel size 56-57 centimetres counts for the evaluation. We also show the wheel weights for orientation. The grading scale is set in such a way that a grade of 1.0 is technically achievable: we award the best grade for weights under 7.5 kilograms.

Rear comfort (20 per cent): A measure of compliance under road shocks, measured in the TOUR laboratory. A suspension travel is measured when the seatpost is loaded. The measured value correlates very well with the riding impressions and the feeling of comfort. Good marks also mean decent riding dynamics, which have a positive effect on speed on poor roads and off-road.

Comfort Front (10 per cent): The deformation of the handlebars under load is determined in the same way as for the rear. A good score means a lot of suspension comfort, which takes the strain off your hands on long rides. However, strong sprinters who want a lot of stiffness should look for stiff handlebars.

Front stiffness (10 per cent): Important parameter for steering precision and confidence in the bike at high speeds, determined in the TOUR laboratory. The overall stiffness is determined on the fully assembled frame set, i.e. including the fork. The stiffness values are capped. The aim is not an infinitely stiff frame, but one that is sufficiently stable to ride.

Bottom bracket stiffness (10 per cent): Reveals how much the frame yields under hard pedalling, for example when sprinting. This measurement also takes place in the TOUR laboratory, with realistic clamping, in which the frame can deform as it would when riding.

circuit (5 per cent): The shifting characteristics are determined in the driving test. It is not the price or the quality impression of individual components that is assessed, but exclusively the function of the entire gearbox. The gear range, but also, for example, the cable routing, the quality of the cables and the mounted chain play a role.

Brakes (5 per cent): As with shifting, the test on the road also counts here, and the experience from our countless tests of brakes is also incorporated into the assessment. It is not the component itself that is assessed, but the function of the interaction between the brake body, pads and discs: How well can the brakes be modulated? How durable are the brakes, how do they react in hot or wet conditions, how long are the braking distances?

tyres (5 percent): Rolling resistance and grip are evaluated - as far as known from one of our independent tyre tests or based on driving impressions. The tyre width has no influence on the rating, as this is more a question of personal preference.

Lacquer (5 per cent): The TOUR paint test simulates stone chipping and allows a statement to be made about the durability of the protective top coat. A chisel simulates stone chipping or chain impact. Starting at a height of ten centimetres, the height is increased by ten centimetres until the paint gives way or the maximum drop height of 50 centimetres is reached.

Maintenance/adjustment (5 per cent): The test assesses how easy a bike is to maintain and adjust. Marks are deducted, for example, for special tools required, particularly complex detailed solutions, manufacturer-specific components or maintenance work that can only be carried out in specialised workshops. The overall score is calculated arithmetically from the differently weighted individual scores (percentages in brackets). It primarily expresses the sporting qualities of the bike.

>> We have compiled all the information about our test here