Giant Revolt sizing and alternative gravel/road bicycles welcomed

I currently have a Camino, GRX 1×11. Its decent enough but a bit lazy feeling. I’d like to potentially replace or N+1 with a lighter 2x bike that can do a mix of road and gravel including longer rides. I don’t see this being multi-day so no massive need for lots of luggage carrying ability. I have, or would be happy to get a second set of wheels.

The Revolt Advanced looks like a decent option. Few models online, all 2022 or later so the updated geometry. I think at 5’10/32 inside leg I would probably be fine on either a M or ML having sat on the same sizes of Defy. I will try the Revolt also but this is likely to be on the shopfloor only. I’ve compared geometry but I’m not confident on sizing off this alone quite yet..

In at least one of the shops I’ve visited over the last few weeks I’ve had the handlebars hiding the hub method offered as a sizing tool. Internet opinion on this seems pretty mixed so I’d value any input on what to look for.

There are a few 2022 Advanced 2’s with some cosmetic damage online for £1700 or so, potentially +10% as I intend to use C2W. Seems a good starting point.

I did visit Pedal Power in West Calder recently and although they were very knowledgeable I didn’t have an in-depth conversation on sizing. I know they have a good rep and offer fitting but the same model ends up a chunk more cash (several £100’s).

They also recommended the Diverge Sport Carbon which is £3200 (RRP) with this price seemingly fixed across most retailers at the moment for the 2x version.

I tried an Addict Gravel last week which was good although maybe too racy, all the spacers were already under the stem and the standard Addict felt comfier but unfortunately limited to 35c slicks max.

Diverge is an excellent bike with good tyre clearance for gravel use. I have an older version but still fits 700×47 tyres. My only issue with Spesh is the spec for the money is poorer than a lot of other brands which is often mentioned in bike test reviews etc. There’s some excellent deals to be had on 2023 Giant Revolts if they are your size, however, many on here will warn against Giant due to the warranty issues other have faced. There was a long thread on here about one such experience, but, there’s similarly several on here with Giant bikes based on pics etc.

Funnily enough, I’m looking at a Sonder Camino Ti as my n+1 😁

Edit: Sizing wise I’m virtually the same as you, and annoyingly that puts me slap bang in the crossover point for most frame sizes. My Diverge is a 56cm but I think as I’ve got older I need to look at smaller frames.

I am 6’ but have relatively short arms and legs (31” inside leg) and swapped from a M Defy to a ML Revolt Advanced a few years ago and have found it to be a much more comfortable ride.

At 5’ 10” (~178cm) you are near the top end of the M and inside the ML range according to the Giant size chart. There is quite a bit of reach adjustment available by moving the saddle and/or flipping the stem but you really need to sit on/test ride one to determine which size is best for you.

For what it’s worth I have found the Revolt Advanced to be a great bike. Fast enough on the road, stable on gravel and good for bikepacking. In fact I am looking at replacing it with a new model soon as I would like GRX and the extra fork mounting points.

A few cracks appeared around spoke holes in the rear rim after about 18 months of use but Giant, in contrast to some of the posts on here, replaced the wheel under warranty without any quibbles and told me to keep the old wheel as a spare.

The guy in Pedal Power I think said 54 with confidence (albeit on the Crux, which is nice but racier and 1x only as stock on the base/in budget model) and Specialized’s calculator does indeed put me on a 56 for the Diverge, but also know that I don’t want a really stretched position (or to need a 40mm stem on these bikes!)

Revolts are large-ish but also long. You definitely sound like an ML in Giant Sizing. I’m 6′ but with short inside leg and long torso, and ended up on a Large (lower end of L sizing). I wondered if it was too big, and so did my bike fitter; then he saw me on it and went “oh that’s fine”. I do wonder if I’d be happier with something a bit shorter on techier stuff, but I use it a lot on road and like it as it is. The ML is about a 56, the L is like a 57-58 depending on year.

I picked up a 2022 2x Advanced 0 in Nov last year. Got it online via the Giant Store, just took a punt as it was a good price* and went by their size chart.

I’m 181cm and a 33in leg which put me in the ML range, it’s a good fit with probably at least 10mm of post before the limit. I did get rid of the D-Fuse bars after one ride as they have quite a lot of backsweep on them, fitted a normal bar and all is good.

It’s a quick bike, handles well, living in South Wilts we have a lot of decent fast gravel and lanes, all of which it’s perfect for. I don’t think I need a bigger size.

But after 4 months of use there are plenty of things which are terrible

Rear wheel bearings – on the third set already, the hubs are really really badly sealed (the Giant store told me that I should be taking the freehub body off after every ride to dry the hub out! WTF!)

The Seatpost and clamp with the D-Fuse post and stupid wedge set up is terrible – you’ll need a torque wrench to get it set up correctly, it still creaks and can slip if not tight enough and then a nightmare to loosen if you want to adjust mid ride or whatever. And the rubber cover for the post and clamp always comes loose on anything rough.

The front mech cable routing is bad, as it’s not a continuous housing to the mech, and mine was missing a little rubber gromit on the end of the cable liner and just collects mud from the back wheel then needs replacement.

*for the £2k I paid, it’s crap and definitely not a keeper.

@crankslave, what would you replace it with?

Not a fan of funny seatpost clamps etc but it’s not based on any experience, just more of a if it’s not broke mindset..

I’d be happy with a reduced Diverge (assuming sizing etc was right) but probably be a good few months before you see any discounts on the current year models. Against the reduced Giants they don’t seem great value.

Same height, same inside leg and on a medium Revolt Adv. I added 20mm to the stem, could have gone just 10mm really. It’s a really lovely thing to ride

ML would also work, which I ride in Giant’s road range, but if I’m in between sizes on mountain or gravel I tend to size down.

I could have wrote the OP, I was looking at the Revolt to replace my defy. I’m 5 11″ and the M/L fits perfect.

I do worry about the cracking issue on the d fuse post however…

The paint cracking on the seatube area? Have there been any catastrophic failures/I thought this had been addressed with newer frames?

Apparently it has been sorted on the latest models,

https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/cannondale/topstone-carbon-rival-axs-gravel-bike-930386#colcode=93038603

Apparently I’m right in the middle of Cannondale’s sizing with a M suiting 170-185cm. Off to check the back of the sofa…

I tested both M and ML before buying my Advanced 0 last year. I’m 5’11 with a 32″ inseam. The M felt much more nimble than the ML which is what I bought, I’ve just added a 30mm longer stem to try following recently renting a more stretched out road bike as the bike does feel a bit short on road rides. Off road the M has been great. My previous bike was a 54cm cx bike which probably coloured my judgement…

Dfuse seat clamp is a bit annoying but nothing impossible to deal with after an initial learning curve and the seat tube flex adds a lot to comfort.

No issues with bearings, but most of my miles have been on road and on a set of Hunt wheels… I’ve no concerns re warranty following discussions with the Giant dealer I bought the bike from. I think Giant’s give great vfm and am very happy with mine.

Cannondale Topstone Carbon in medium. Superb bike. Fast and comfortable

I’m thinking about a Grizl or maybe even a Ridley Kanzo Adventure (again they size big so probs a medium). Not sure if Canyon are viable on C2W however. So maybe a Diverge is the thing or even a new model Crux, the Trek grav bike also looks good but there’s a compromise of brand vs. spec for sure.

I’d like something that’ll do the odd Sat morning road club chaingang and be good off-road, but am slowly thinking that looking for a 2x set up sort of limits choice somewhat.

But spec wise, Giant’s are really good vfm and it does ride well, it’s just that I’ve been annoyed with the niggles.

No cracking issues on my frame yet, but I’m pretty fussy with making sure the rear wedge and the clamp wedge are all correctly located (they’re both separate to the frame) then use the right torque, but my god its a PITA. There’s definitely better flexy seatpost options out there. IMO the integrated clamp is more to do with an aero carry over than the D-Fuse, but most carbon frames have a similar arrangement I expect.

No idea on sizing, but bike-wise have a look at the Orbea Terra & potentially the Rondo Ruut.

I looked at the Rondo for a gravel bike, but a lot of reviews mentioned it was at the more road-oriented end of the gravel market, which is sounds like you might be looking for.
It was between the Orbea & the Camino for me, and I ended up with the Camino. Not sure if it was the right choice or not. The Orbea is a great looking bike.

I have test ridden a Topstone, it was comfy but the cables (especially with the integrated light models were a mess). Not sure the newer ones are in budget and the colours I have seen aren’t the best imho..

I did also find the front felt pretty harsh, I think that’s because the rear spoils you comfort wise and I’m sure the right tyre volume and pressure on the front would help.