£6,499 | 9.9kg
People often look at gravel bikes and ask why… Why aren’t you using a road bike? Why aren’t you using a mountain bike? Why are you riding a hardtail with drop bars?
Indeed, I used to ponder the same kind of queries. Do we really need gravel bikes? What purpose do they serve in the UK, where quality gravel paths are not exactly in abundance?
With the Giant Revolt X, the plot thickens. Not only does the Taiwanese marque’s latest gravel offering come with 52mm tyre clearance, but you’ll also find a remotely operated dropper post, a flip-chip to tweak geometry settings, and 40mm front travel courtesy of a RockShox Rudy Ultimate fork.
What’s the point? Well, we’ll get to that…
PROS & CONS
PROS
OFF-ROAD COMFORT
PERFECTLY SPECCED
CONS
A BIT HEAVY FOR A GRAVEL BIKE
REMOTE DROPPER SWITCH HINDERED RIDING IN THE DROPS
Frame
The headline here is probably the flip-chip technology – which comes more or less as standard on modern mountain bikes. Located in the rear dropout, the chip allows instant geometry, wheelbase and tyre clearance tweaks, essentially making two bikes out of one. Longer wheelbases are conducive to more technical riding, offering more comfort on rock-strewn trails and greater control on uneven descents.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CLASSIC BIKE COLNAGO SUPER
A trailblazing bike immortalised by Merckx and Saronni
"Strava activities are the only way I know some of my friends are still alive"
...or that Bernard is doing his weekly shop
AN EXPERT'S TAKE ON... SADDLE SELECTION
Crucial advice to guide your next purchase
JUST A NUMB#R?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
RURAL PERIL
More UK cyclists are killed on rural lanes than on busy city streets. Rob Kemp investigates why and what can be done to keep us safe while riding in the countryside
A BLESSED RIDE THROUGH THE FOREST OF BOWLAND
Forgoing cloak, cassock and cross, Trevor Ward goes in search of the holy roads that helped make a Tour winner
Dame Sarah Storey claims road and 19th gold double
More success for Team GB's Paralympians in Paris, but Storey slams women's time trial course
Roglič matches Vuelta win record
Slovenian takes fourth Tour of Spain title after hunting down O'Connor's lead, writes Adam Becket
Williams crowned Tour of Britain champion
Welshman leads home resurgence at the stage race to crown an Israel-Premier Tech clean sweep, reports Tom Davidson in Felixstowe
CLASSIC BIKE CLAUD BUTLER OLYMPIC ROAD
Iconic British brand's Holdsworth-era road bike