GIANT REVOLT X ADVANCED PRO 0
Testing the Gravel Revolution:
a bicycle that "Rides" between two worlds
The test
The world of cycling is an ever-changing planet, as is everything in the universe after all. Such innovations affect all areas of cycling, from racing to enduro via mountain bikes; but surely, one of the areas most affected by such change is gravel.
We were the first lucky ones to be able to test the brand new GIANT REVOLT X ADVANCED PRO 0 , top-of-the-line model of the Revolt By Giant. A bike that sits somewhere between the cross country and gravel and opening up new dimensions to cycling off-road and adventure cycling.
In fact, gravel bikes have been the latest trend in the cycling world, and in recent years we have seen so many new developments in the industry. Until a few years ago, people didn’t know what a gravel bike was, and then, especially after the pandemic, so many cyclists or amateurs came to this type of cycling, preferring it to the classic road bike or mtb for a variety of reasons.
If the gravel traditionally stood between the mtb and the road bike, now the new GIANT REVOLT X ADVANCED PRO 0 opens up a new dimension by placing itself exactly halfway between an mtb bike from cross country and a gravel.
We will analyze all the features of this new and innovative vehicle very shortly, but there is definitely one detail that immediately catches the eye: the suspension fork.
As some of you might turn up your nose at a gravel bike with a suspension fork, I confess that I too had doubts at first. But after this test I definitely changed my opinion. I like to be open to innovations, and when they come from a big company like Giant, there must be a reason.
But let’s start from the beginning: we were invited by Giants Italy to the official launch of the new GIANT REVOLT X ADVANCED PRO 0 at Lake Maggiore and more specifically at the Centro degli Alpini in Dormelletto. As soon as we arrived, we found these fascinating bikes waiting for us, and after dressing up in our stylish cycling kits Giant ready for the ride (yes, the Taiwanese company also makes technical clothing, bikepacking bags and other accessories in addition to bikes) we started riding.
To be honest, it took very little to fall in love with this bike: very few meters of pedaling were enough to understand the potential of this bike. Let’s see now in its technical details
Frame
Let’s start with the soul of the GIANT REVOLT X ADVANCED PRO 0, the frame. This was designed specifically for front suspension so it differs slightly from previous rigid fork models. The vertical chainstays are slightly lowered and the stems have a smaller diameter to absorb shocks and ground vibrations. These features are mixed with D-FUSE technology (mentioned in my previous article on the Giant Defy) and facilitate the overall riding experience on uneven surfaces. A noteworthy detail on the rear thru-axle is the FLIP CHIP technology, which is a kind of adjustable dropout that allows the rear wheelbase to be changed by lengthening it for faster riding or shortening it for better off-road handling. Versatility is the basic concept of the REVOLT X. The generous clearance of the frame allows it to accommodate tires up to 53 mm making this bike even more multi-purpose. The geometries of the frame are designed to work in combination its fork, absorb shocks and impacts, giving the pedaling a remarkable fluidity and speed both on gravel and on rough terrain with rocks, stones and all the “obstacles” that the woods can offer you.
Fork
The fork is a Fox 32 Float TC Performance Elite with 40 mm travel, which is much less than a cross country fork. This suspension fork is the lightest Fox has ever built and was developed for gravel bikes. Weighing only 1226 g, it also allows fenders to be mounted. Also on the fork, the Kabolt thru-axle allows different wheel adjustments depending on the type of riding or tires you want to use-a real nice touch.
Like many of the Fox forks, it is possible to lock or unlock the fork with a simple gesture, acting on the adjuster located on the stems or adjusting the rebound level. Also on the fork is a generous clarence to accommodate typical mtb tires.
Telescopic seatpost
One of the features I appreciated most on this bike was the telescopic seatpost. Really, a telescopic seat post on a Gravel? Well yes.
This seatpost, in addition to having a telescopic function, and thus being able to be lowered on downhill sections, also offers slight cushioning, by a couple of centimeters, making pedaling over rough terrain very comfortable.
A not insignificant detail that I greatly appreciated especially for the ease with which the saddle height is adjusted while pedaling; this is due to the special ergonomic shape of the control (on the left side of the handlebar) that allows with the simple pressure of the finger (index finger in high grip or thumb in low grip) to be able to raise or lower the saddle as needed. Again, a meticulously designed detail that makes the riding experience very safe and comfortable.
Group
La GIANT REVOLT X ADVANCED PRO 0 we tested mounted a groupset SRAM Electronic with a mountain-bike gearing. Single front chainring SRAM Force D1 DUB 40 teeth, rear derailleur SRAM X01 Eagle AXS and 52-tooth SRAM cassette. A real mtb gearing I would say: comfortable, agile and suitable for any kind of gradient.
The disc brake system is the SRAM Force eTap AXS hydraulic with 160 mm rotors, also from SRAM, for very powerful, highly modular braking that lends confidence to the bike. I am not very familiar with SRAM groupsets, but the feeling I got was impressive, especially the speed of shifting and its precision. This kind of shifting really blew me away.
It takes little getting used to the SRAM shifting system, which is very intuitive: just press the left button to make an upshifting and the right one for downshifting. So, you just press the button on the side where you want to shift up or down the gear. Simple to say… and equally simple to do. The braking system as a whole is very powerful and highly modulable. The “right” group for a bicycle of this kind, like the… GIANT REVOLT X ADVANCED PRO 0.
Wheels and tires
Also the wheels of the GIANT REVOLT X ADVANCED PRO 0 are noteworthy. The bike mounts wheels with rims Giant CXR X1 carbon with 12 mm through-bolt pins. The wheel profile is 25mm (lower than the previous 35mm models), very suitable for off-road riding. Light and strong rotating masses in line with the overall performance quest with which the Revolt was conceived … and you know how much I like carbon wheels (vi the article on the CADEX AR35 written some time ago).
The tires mounted are the Maxxis Rambler, 700x50c, obviously tubeless so as not to be afraid of pinching. A wide tire so like a mtb tire. I found them perfect for the kind of trail we did.
Latest goodies
Water Bottle Holder CLUTCH KIT with accommodation for multitool (also small and lightweight) model. The bike was equipped with a bikepacking handlebar bag from the Giant line that would deserve an article in itself.
Test Ride – Route
Giants Italy chose a mixed route in order to let us try the bike on the most diverse terrain we started from brackets add location. We started at the Alpine Center in Dormelletto, where we met the local gentlemen who welcomed us with a hearty breakfast and hot drinks (no … we did not drink proper coffee as you are thinking .. although we were and were tempted).
After this warm welcome with the locals, we started a small climb up a dirt road and then entered the woods to test the bike on rocks and stones.
The track had numerous ups and downs and pieces of single track; a beautiful trail that really allowed us to test the bike on all types of terrain for which it was born.
The sense of comfort while driving was phenomenal, and our feedback was very positive. Near the end of the ride, we had lunch at the Agriturismo La Cucchetta, where the property showed us around the stables and we enjoyed the first warm spring sunshine with a view of Lake Maggiore and a hearty lunch worthy of true #gravelcrusher.
When lunch was over, I had to run to the station on my bike, and not knowing the way, one of the alpini, kindly flagged me down in his Panda 4X4 showing me the way by standing in front of me with his car. What an honor! This is Italian hospitality, made by people who live and love their territory.
Are you curious to see the route we took? I have reconstructed part of the trail and you can see it at the Komoot link, by clicking here.
Conclusions
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, the gravel world is constantly evolving, and I believe that if large companies like Giant are investing in new, even more “hybrid” vehicles, there will be a reason; companies of this type are always looking to the future.
Personally, I absolutely loved the comfort and safety that this amazing vehicle communicated to me, and I think it can be a great companion for bikepacking events like Tuscany Trail, one-day gravel trails like Unpaved Roads or simple outings with friends where we enjoy the “third time” at the bar at the end of the ride.
I pedaled GIANT REVOLT X ADVANCED PRO 0 top of the line of the series; the same bike is also available in other versions that you can see at this page.
Special thanks to Giants Italy for organizing the day and Mirror Media for the photos and to all the other journalists and influencers present. Once again cycling together creates new friendships, I believe this is the true value of cycling.
You can follow my cycling adventures and see the stories e reels of the test on my Instagram
Until the next adventure
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