I'm just happy that there are options in the market which don't boil down to 'which sec item are you willing to give up', actual differences between bikes at each price point. But I'd have the giant - as I've never had an issue with comfort or grip with my current machine.
Unfortunately, the reviewer has misnamed the Giant bike. The bike that was reviewed is the Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 0, which costs £4,999/ $6400, not the stated £4,999/$4,400. By contrast to the bike in this review, the Giant Advanced 0 (not Pro 0) has mechanical (not electronic) GRX shifting, a slightly heavier carbon layup in the fork, an alloy handlebar (Pro has carbon) and a slightly lower grade (but still carbon) wheelset compared to the Giant Advanced Pro 0. Hope this clears up some confusion for those watching the otherwise very good review.
That BMC front "headshock" is an excellent idea. Cannondale created it over 25 years ago, and is a great application for gravel bikes today. I'd be very interested in trying out the BMC, Cannondales fork locked out.
My first gravel bike had front suspension, then I got a newer rigid one and couldn’t believe how terrible the ride was on rough surfaces. I put a redshift suspension stem on it and now it’s way better. And faster! Front suspension is crucial for gravel.
I'll take full-sus every time. My Gravel bike is a 100/100mm travel full-sus XC mountain bike with fast rolling 700x43 Gravel tires. Very fast on pavement and gravel while still being capable on singletrack.
@@DilbertMuc I set up my bike with a little more air pressure, compression, and rebound than I would for just singletrack. This makes it pedal more efficiently.
@@marksandoval5361 Yes. I watched Lael Wilcox on the Dirty Kanza race. Her first race bike was an Epic fully with drop bars and she won easily. Following year she was on a Pinarello Grevil and did not win anything. They always say that lower air pressure gives more comfort and is faster. Yes. But Schwalbe said the same with their balloon tires. I tested them: Comfy? Yes. Faster? No Way!!
I'm 💯 behind full suspension on nearly all bikes, albeit appropriate travel, sure F1 cars are full sus and they're pretty quick so I've been told, suspension = more traction
As the owner of a Revolt, my mind is made up, but a recent monster cross event helped me understand the proper context for 1x, clutch derailleurs, 650b tires and some form of suspension, and also showed me what XC hardtails do under the same conditions, as riders of both were equally represented. I think where you fall on the spectrum depends on where you ride most regularly but also which gravel events you enter and how competitive you are.
Well... Its best to own 2 bikes for different purposes. I personally own a XC hardtail and will buy the Revolt which look like a endurance road bike but much more capable machine on various terrains
would go for the revolt too. I was really really close to buy one, but in the end i found a good deal in an almost new Wilier Jena. In any case, long life to gravel bikes!
If I wanted comfort then I'd get either a dual suspension xc or light trail bike and the appropriate tyres for speed. I think specialize's futureshock is the only good thing that isn't gimmicky for gravel bikes.
I have been riding a 2018 Giant TCX bike before the Revolt was released and have added 10-42 SRAM gearing to give it all road capability. I love it on single track and gravel roads and races as the quick handling as well as the short and stiff wheelbase make it a blast and I am not a young gun. I would love to get a Revolt but would be disappointed if it did not handle as quickly as my TCX or other CX inspired geometry.
Just update a top spec 90s hardtail with lightweight lockout shorter-travel shock! For example, SID race titaniums have 60-80mm of travel, rock solid lockout, & plush rebound control, and so a superb grip over rough trails for a fork that weighs under 3lbs. It's not strong enough for proper MTB stunts, but turns out to be perfect for gravel and easy single track.
My observation is that my old mtb with short travel forks and a USE suspension seatpost had all day comfort. Technically I think a seatpost is a better option. Elastomer and spring combo. It’s not so much suspension as damping trail buzz and improving comfort. Anyway I’ve got a basic Giant Revolt with a Carbon seatpost waiting to be ridden, but my recovery post hip,replacement is taking longer than expected
I have actually mostly ridden gravel for the last 5 years, mostly because I noticed that I'd I step on a hardtail of +- €1500 it just feels so heavy pushing the 5 extra kilograms up all the climbs. Now that I have a higher end 29er XC hardtail (older carbon Trek Supercaliber with Fox 32, DT Swiss wheels, etc) that only weighs 1kg more than my gravel bike, I actually prefer this XC hardtail for most of my rides. I love gravel bikes because they give you so much speed and lightness already with an alu frame and a simple Sram Apex1 groupset. But if I would spend €5K on a bike, I would just get a sub 10kg XC hardtail instead of a gravel bike, it's more than light and fast enough and it's more capable.
Personally I’d go for the Fezzari Shafer SRAM rival e tap build @ $3200…oh wait that is exactly what I did. Throw on the Rudy fork and electronic drop seat post with suspension and you are still 3K less than the BMC
I‘d take the Revolt due to simplicity reasons (less maintenance and better longterm resistance) . And better looks. The head tube of the BMC is way too long. What I don’t like at the Revolt is the stupid pressfit bottom bracket ! Hopefully they change it for 2023 model and ever after!
Great video 👍🏻 I believe both are great and beautiful bikes, it’s all to the rider him self and his style, I love the giant but I would chose the bmc, suits my style that’s all 😎👌🏻
More suspension means more parts to maintain or worse, to break. Exactly what i do not want on a gravel bike. Sometimes less is more (fun, and less work).
my biggest issue with suspension on gravel bikes is that it's all very proprietary. on mountain bikes, you can swap suspension to your hearts content, but if you want something different on that bmc, your only option is to get a new bike. the canyon grizl and niner mcr do it right though.
The reason for that is Rockshox only now came out with a good fork and Fox is still work in progress, same with Suntour. So bike manufacturers took it in their own hand. In future we'll see the same RS, Fox, Suntour, Magura gravel forks everywhere since the market has grown so much.
Both are amazing bikes and any one of us would be fortunate to ride either one. Would the Revolt not give as much comfort with fat 50mm tubeless tires at low pressure as a 42mm tire snd 1cm of “suspension”? Or even more ride cushion by keeping your wallet fuller and fatter?
It’s cool, but price does it. I don’t know about the rear but the headshock thing is cool. Tech aside bmc is just not a brand that has good value like giant. I’d buy a canyon lux or trek supercaliber if I wanted full sus.
I mean neither , is it just me or are both insanely expensive , gonna stick to my Trek Crockett for slight gravel and Ghost lector HT for gravely gravel , both cheaper than the cheapest Giant tested . I mean Jesus who's spending £7.6k on a niche heavy bike ! Granted I am tight and like bargain so probably shouldn't watch these type in videos.
The BMC is pronounced URS (latin, means "bear"), not U.R.S. Urs is a common male name just like Ursula for woman in Switzerland, which is home of BMC (Bicycle Manufacturing Company),
Totally dropped the ball here. That is the Giant Revolt Advanced PRO 0.... and it's $2000 more than the bike you think you are reviewing. How did this make it through any sort fact checking? Kind of disappointed in Bike Radar here.
Who's your winner here? Has anyone even tried a full suspension gravel bike? Let us know in the comments!
I'm just happy that there are options in the market which don't boil down to 'which sec item are you willing to give up', actual differences between bikes at each price point.
But I'd have the giant - as I've never had an issue with comfort or grip with my current machine.
Unfortunately, the reviewer has misnamed the Giant bike. The bike that was reviewed is the Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 0, which costs £4,999/ $6400, not the stated £4,999/$4,400.
By contrast to the bike in this review, the Giant Advanced 0 (not Pro 0) has mechanical (not electronic) GRX shifting, a slightly heavier carbon layup in the fork, an alloy handlebar (Pro has carbon) and a slightly lower grade (but still carbon) wheelset compared to the Giant Advanced Pro 0.
Hope this clears up some confusion for those watching the otherwise very good review.
That BMC front "headshock" is an excellent idea. Cannondale created it over 25 years ago, and is a great application for gravel bikes today. I'd be very interested in trying out the BMC, Cannondales fork locked out.
My first gravel bike had front suspension, then I got a newer rigid one and couldn’t believe how terrible the ride was on rough surfaces. I put a redshift suspension stem on it and now it’s way better. And faster! Front suspension is crucial for gravel.
I'm not a big fan of the purple (with red Giant logo) paint job, but I've gotta say, the Revolt Advanced is a stunning looking bike.
The color is the biggest thing holding me back!
Always tough to go against Giant given the value. Spend the money "saved" on something for the wife...
Love my Giant Defy roadbike
For some, the bike is the wife.
I'll take full-sus every time. My Gravel bike is a 100/100mm travel full-sus XC mountain bike with fast rolling 700x43 Gravel tires. Very fast on pavement and gravel while still being capable on singletrack.
I tested your configuration recently and must admit: you're right. At least front suspension is a no-brainer for gravel.
@@DilbertMuc I set up my bike with a little more air pressure, compression, and rebound than I would for just singletrack. This makes it pedal more efficiently.
@@marksandoval5361 Yes. I watched Lael Wilcox on the Dirty Kanza race. Her first race bike was an Epic fully with drop bars and she won easily. Following year she was on a Pinarello Grevil and did not win anything. They always say that lower air pressure gives more comfort and is faster. Yes. But Schwalbe said the same with their balloon tires. I tested them: Comfy? Yes. Faster? No Way!!
I'm 💯 behind full suspension on nearly all bikes, albeit appropriate travel, sure F1 cars are full sus and they're pretty quick so I've been told, suspension = more traction
As the owner of a Revolt, my mind is made up, but a recent monster cross event helped me understand the proper context for 1x, clutch derailleurs, 650b tires and some form of suspension, and also showed me what XC hardtails do under the same conditions, as riders of both were equally represented.
I think where you fall on the spectrum depends on where you ride most regularly but also which gravel events you enter and how competitive you are.
Well... Its best to own 2 bikes for different purposes. I personally own a XC hardtail and will buy the Revolt which look like a endurance road bike but much more capable machine on various terrains
Great review on both bikes 👍😁
Thanks for watching Ben! From all at BikeRadar.
would go for the revolt too. I was really really close to buy one, but in the end i found a good deal in an almost new Wilier Jena. In any case, long life to gravel bikes!
If I wanted comfort then I'd get either a dual suspension xc or light trail bike and the appropriate tyres for speed. I think specialize's futureshock is the only good thing that isn't gimmicky for gravel bikes.
I have a Specialized Turbo Creo SL (gravel version) with future shock 2.0
Is amazing how comfortable the bike is with only 20mm of travel
The wonders of suspension... :D))))
Yes, I am totally agreed with you. I am currently riding XC bike and will buy a Giant Revolt. Giant and Merida have unbeatable quality / price ratio.
I have been riding a 2018 Giant TCX bike before the Revolt was released and have added 10-42 SRAM gearing to give it all road capability. I love it on single track and gravel roads and races as the quick handling as well as the short and stiff wheelbase make it a blast and I am not a young gun. I would love to get a Revolt but would be disappointed if it did not handle as quickly as my TCX or other CX inspired geometry.
Just update a top spec 90s hardtail with lightweight lockout shorter-travel shock! For example, SID race titaniums have 60-80mm of travel, rock solid lockout, & plush rebound control, and so a superb grip over rough trails for a fork that weighs under 3lbs. It's not strong enough for proper MTB stunts, but turns out to be perfect for gravel and easy single track.
My observation is that my old mtb with short travel forks and a USE suspension seatpost had all day comfort. Technically I think a seatpost is a better option. Elastomer and spring combo.
It’s not so much suspension as damping trail buzz and improving comfort.
Anyway I’ve got a basic Giant Revolt with a Carbon seatpost waiting to be ridden, but my recovery post hip,replacement is taking longer than expected
There are hardtails with actual suspension that cost less and weigh less.. The Trek Supercaliber weighs about the same
I have actually mostly ridden gravel for the last 5 years, mostly because I noticed that I'd I step on a hardtail of +- €1500 it just feels so heavy pushing the 5 extra kilograms up all the climbs. Now that I have a higher end 29er XC hardtail (older carbon Trek Supercaliber with Fox 32, DT Swiss wheels, etc) that only weighs 1kg more than my gravel bike, I actually prefer this XC hardtail for most of my rides.
I love gravel bikes because they give you so much speed and lightness already with an alu frame and a simple Sram Apex1 groupset. But if I would spend €5K on a bike, I would just get a sub 10kg XC hardtail instead of a gravel bike, it's more than light and fast enough and it's more capable.
Personally I’d go for the Fezzari Shafer SRAM rival e tap build @ $3200…oh wait that is exactly what I did. Throw on the Rudy fork and electronic drop seat post with suspension and you are still 3K less than the BMC
Best gravel bike is the one your having fun on 😀
I‘d take the Revolt due to simplicity reasons (less maintenance and better longterm resistance) . And better looks.
The head tube of the BMC is way too long.
What I don’t like at the Revolt is the stupid pressfit bottom bracket ! Hopefully they change it for 2023 model and ever after!
I will go for the URS, but taking off the Sram drivetrain and set a nice GRX 1x11🤷🏻♂️
Def taking the giant.
Giant all day long after a lot of research and testing, I bought the revolt
Nailed it yet again Warren. Giant for me.
Thanks for watching! From all at BikeRadar.
Great video 👍🏻 I believe both are great and beautiful bikes, it’s all to the rider him self and his style, I love the giant but I would chose the bmc, suits my style that’s all 😎👌🏻
More suspension means more parts to maintain or worse, to break. Exactly what i do not want on a gravel bike. Sometimes less is more (fun, and less work).
Maintenance is not so much an issue but rather availability of spare parts in a couple of years.
Warren can you test a XXL 26 inch MTB please. Just for frame laughs.
Revolt!!!
Love the videos! I ride a Defy - I love it, but only tried it out because of your videos. Thanks! I would definitely choose the Revolt!
my biggest issue with suspension on gravel bikes is that it's all very proprietary. on mountain bikes, you can swap suspension to your hearts content, but if you want something different on that bmc, your only option is to get a new bike. the canyon grizl and niner mcr do it right though.
The reason for that is Rockshox only now came out with a good fork and Fox is still work in progress, same with Suntour. So bike manufacturers took it in their own hand. In future we'll see the same RS, Fox, Suntour, Magura gravel forks everywhere since the market has grown so much.
BMC for me
That Giant paint job is ghastly.
Suspension?
Straight back to the 1990 with that design.
the front suspension looks just like the cannondale headshox.
Giant for the value. But if I had the money to burn, then the BMC.
Revolt!
Both are amazing bikes and any one of us would be fortunate to ride either one. Would the Revolt not give as much comfort with fat 50mm tubeless tires at low pressure as a 42mm tire snd 1cm of “suspension”? Or even more ride cushion by keeping your wallet fuller and fatter?
It’s cool, but price does it. I don’t know about the rear but the headshock thing is cool. Tech aside bmc is just not a brand that has good value like giant. I’d buy a canyon lux or trek supercaliber if I wanted full sus.
BMC is swiss, so you pay swiss prices. ;)
@@DilbertMuc haha good point
Soo...Headshock...
Giant definitely Giant. All those gimmicks and high prices.
Switched off at £7500 !!! Fu#*0ff
the BMC 👍
but I dont like the electric group set and being forced upon by BMC manufacturer
giant for me... heads down....BMC is overpriced for the components on the bike.. not worth my money.
7k haha, BMCs scope clearly focuses on Swiss.
If you really think you can't do without suspension, get a frickin MTB , but don't complicate a race-related bike needlessly ffs
I mean neither , is it just me or are both insanely expensive , gonna stick to my Trek Crockett for slight gravel and Ghost lector HT for gravely gravel , both cheaper than the cheapest Giant tested .
I mean Jesus who's spending £7.6k on a niche heavy bike !
Granted I am tight and like bargain so probably shouldn't watch these type in videos.
The BMC is pronounced URS (latin, means "bear"), not U.R.S. Urs is a common male name just like Ursula for woman in Switzerland, which is home of BMC (Bicycle Manufacturing Company),
BMC is a soft tail, not full suspension. No pivot.
So a Canyon Lux or Specialized Epic is a soft tail and not full suspension either?
ich muss so lachen , full suspension 10 mm , lmaof!
The revolt with this paintwork has to be one of the worst looking bikes of all time.
Bicycles these days are overhyped and over priced.
: )
Totally dropped the ball here. That is the Giant Revolt Advanced PRO 0.... and it's $2000 more than the bike you think you are reviewing. How did this make it through any sort fact checking? Kind of disappointed in Bike Radar here.
Disc brakes ruined the look, the weight and the aerodynamic of these bicycles.