Gravel bike features suspension-optimised geometry

By Oscar Huckle

Published: Thursday, 23 February 2023 at 12:00 am

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Giant has announced the Revolt X range, a new line of gravel bikes with a short-travel 40mm suspension fork designed for more aggressive riding.

The Revolt X is an addition to Giant’s Revolt gravel bike line-up. The Revolt Advanced Pro 0 won our coveted Bike of the Year award in 2022.

We first spotted the Revolt X when it was leaked on a number of retailer sites in January this year.

The official launch confirms Giant will offer an Advanced Pro carbon fibre Revolt X and an aluminium version of the gravel bike.

The bike features a flip chip at the rear dropout to adjust the geometry to suit your preferences – a feature carried over from the rigid-framed Revolt.

Prices start from £4,499 / $4,800 / €4,600 / AU$6,199 for the Advanced Pro 2 or £2,999 for the aluminium-framed Revolt X 1.

In the UK, carbon models will be available in April and the aluminium Revolt X will be available in May. The aluminium Revolt X 1 will be available only in the UK and Canada.

Suspension-optimised geometry

The Giant Revolt X bikes use gravel bike suspension forks from RockShox and Fox.

The forks provide 40mm of suspension travel and have been specced on other gravel bikes such as the Berria Belador Allroad and the Niner MCR 9 RDO.

The aluminium Revolt X 1 and Revolt X Advanced Pro 2 use RockShox Rudy forks, while the Advanced Pro 1 has a Rudy Ultimate XPLR fork.

Giant

The range-topping Advanced Pro houses a Fox 32 Float AX Performance Elite.

Giant says the Revolt X’s geometry has been optimised for the suspension.

The Revolt X Advanced Pro has a slightly longer reach and less of a bottom-bracket drop than the rigid-framed Revolt. Giant says this is for maximum control.

Giant

The changes are relatively minor, however. The Revolt X Advanced Pro’s reach has increased by 2mm on a size medium to 389mm. The bottom bracket drop is now 68 or 69mm depending on the flip chip setting, down from 80 or 81mm on the rigid Revolt.

The head tube lengths have also been reduced to account for the extra length of the suspension fork. A size-medium frame has a 115mm head tube length compared to 150mm on the rigid Revolt.

The chainstay lengths and wheelbase are unchanged.

Giant has kept the same geometry numbers across the carbon and aluminium Revolt X bikes, but it has lowered the standover height on the aluminium version by 5mm.

Frame details

Giant

Giant says the Revolt X frameset is engineered for the perfect balance between comfort and stiffness.

Giant uses its Advanced Composite for the carbon frames. The brand says the front triangle is assembled and moulded as one continuous piece in a proprietary manufacturing process called Modified Monocoque Construction, helping to create a high stiffness-to-weight ratio.

The top tube slopes downward. This makes the front and rear triangles smaller to create a lighter and stiffer bike, according to Giant. The brand also claims the sloped tube makes it easier for riders to find the right fit.

Giant

The top and down tubes are oversized. The down tube has a boxy and rectangular profile, which Giant claims promotes superior stiffness and torsional rigidity.

The oversized theme continues to the bottom bracket junction on the carbon Revolt X, which houses a press-fit BB86.

The aluminium Revolt X uses a threaded 68mm bottom bracket standard.

The Revolt X uses Giant’s Overdrive headset system with 1 ⅛ in upper and 1 ¼ in lower headset bearings.

Giant

There’s room for two bottle cages in the main triangle, with the down tube containing three bosses if you want to adjust the position. There are also mounting points under the down tube and on the top of the top tube for a bento box.

The Advanced Pro series is compatible with 1x drivetrains only. However, the aluminium Giant Revolt X can accept a front derailleur, so you can run the bike with a 2x drivetrain.

The frame provides three seatpost options. The bikes ship with a dropper post that provides 75 or 100mm height adjustment, depending on frame size. You can also use Giant’s proprietary D-Fuse seatpost if you’re after more compliance, or you can opt for a 30.9mm round post. You’ll need an adaptor if using the latter.

Long and short positions

Giant

Like its rigid sibling, the Revolt X incorporates a flip chip at the rear dropout.

The flip chip provides two positions. The ‘Short Position’ shortens the wheelbase and chainstay length, which is said to result in a nippier ride. The ‘Long Position’ lengthens the wheelbase for increased stability.

To adjust the flip chip, you unscrew the dropout mounting bolts and flip the hardware into the desired setting.

The Revolt X Advance can fit a gravel bike tyre up to 700x53mm wide in the ‘Long Position’ or 700x42mm in the ‘Short Position’.

Giant Revolt X Advanced Pro geometry chart

	S	M	M/L	L	XL
Seat tube angle (degrees)	73.5 / 73.4	73.5 / 73.4	73 / 72.9	73 / 72.9	73 / 72.9
Head tube angle (degrees)	71 / 70.9	71.5 / 71.4	72 / 71.9	72 / 71.9	72 / 71.9
Chainstay (mm)	425 / 435	425 / 435	425 / 435	425 / 435	425 / 435
Bottom bracket drop (mm)	68 / 69	68 / 69	68 / 69	68 / 69	68 / 69
Seat tube (mm)	450	470	490	510	530
Top tube (mm)	553	560	575	585	600
Head tube (mm)	100	115	130	145	160
Wheelbase (mm)	1,024 / 1,034	1,026 / 1,036	1,031 / 1,041	1,041 / 1,051	1,057 / 1,067
Stack (mm)	560	576	592	607	621
Reach (mm)	387	389	393	399	410

Giant Revolt X spec and pricing

Giant Revolt X Advanced Pro 0

• Frame: Advanced-Grade Composite, 12x142mm thru-axle disc, flip chip dropout
• Fork: Fox 32 Float AX Performance Elite, 40mm travel
• Groupset: SRAM Force eTap AXS / SRAM X01 Eagle mullet
• Wheelset: Giant CXR X1 Carbon Disc rims on Giant AR alloy hubs
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler, 700c x 50mm
• Price: $8,500 / €7,800 / AU$8,999 (not available in UK)

Giant Revolt X Advanced Pro 1

Giant

• Frame: Advanced-Grade Composite, 12x142mm thru-axle disc, flip chip dropout
• Fork: RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR, 40mm travel
• Groupset: SRAM Rival eTap AXS / SRAM GX Eagle AXS mullet
• Wheelset: Giant CXR X1 Carbon Disc rims on Giant AR alloy hubs
• Tyres: Giant CrossCut Grip 1, 700c x 45mm, tubeless
• Price: £5,499 / $6,200 (not available in Europe or Australia)

Giant Revolt X Advanced Pro 2

Giant

• Frame: Advanced-Grade Composite, 12x142mm thru-axle disc, flip chip dropout
• Fork: RockShox Rudy XPLR, 40mm travel
• Groupset: SRAM Rival 1
• Wheelset: Giant CXR X1 Carbon Disc rims on Giant AR alloy hubs
• Tyres: Giant CrossCut Grip 1, 700c x 45mm, tubeless
• Price: £4,499 / $4,800 / €4,600 / AU$6,199

Giant Revolt X 1

Giant

• Frame: ALUXX-grade aluminium, 12x142mm thru-axle disc, flip chip dropout
• Fork: RockShox Rudy XPLR, 40mm travel
• Groupset: SRAM Rival 1
• Wheelset: Giant XTC-1 Disc with Shimano cup and cone hubs
• Tyres: Giant CrossCut Grip 1, 700c x 45mm, tubeless
• Price: £2,999 (not available in USA, Europe or Australia)

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