Tech

Giant unveils all-new Revolt gravel bike

Supplied by Giant Bikes.

· By Press Office · 0 comments

Giant is introducing a new composite all-rounder that’s specifically designed for versatility, compliance and long-distance efficiency on adventurous terrain including roads, gravel and dirt. The new Revolt Advanced opens up a world of possibilities for riders looking to push their limits of gravel racing and adventure.

ccs-62657-0-92925100-1534411216.jpgThe Revolt Advanced 0 was developed and tested with Giant pro racers to deliver versatility, compliance and long-distance efficiency on rugged roads and dirt. Jake Orness photo.

In addition to an all-new, purpose-built frameset, the Revolt Advanced introduces several key innovations from Giant including new D-Fuse cockpit components. The D-Fuse seatpost and new D-Fuse handlebar work together as a system to smooth out rugged terrain and optimize performance on dirt and gravel roads.

Giant engineers and product developers worked with athletes from the Giant Factory Off-Road Team over the past year to develop and test prototype versions of the new bike. Ryan Steers, a regional Giant pro racer in the U.S. who specializes in gravel racing, rode a prototype earlier this summer at the Dirty Kanza 200, one of the world’s premier gravel races.

ccs-62657-0-28533900-1534411219.jpgRyan Steers, a rider with the U.S. regional Giant Co-Factory Off-Road Team, raced a prototype version of the Revolt Advanced 0 at the Dirty Kanza 200, a grueling 206-mile gravel race in Kansas. @PinnedGrit photo.

“Dirty Kanza is infamous for being brutal on bodies and bikes,” said Steers. “Having a proper machine that’s purpose-built for stuff like this helped get me through an incredibly long, hard day. The new geometry felt just right on the endless rolling hills of Kansas, and the D-Fuse components really took the edge off the punishing gravel terrain.”

Veteran XC and cyclocross racer Carl Decker also rode a prototype version of the Revolt Advanced to a podium placing at the Lost and Found Gravel Grinder earlier this summer. He finished third in the elite men’s race at the rugged 100-miler in Northern California.

“I’ve done that race, and others like it, for years on cyclocross bikes or MTB hardtails, and having a purpose-built gravel machine this year was truly a treat,” Decker said. “Over the long haul, the new geometry combined with the D-Fuse seatpost and handlebar setup kept my back, hands and upper body in way better shape than previous years.”

New Frame Design and Technologies

The frame geometry on the new Revolt is designed for long-distance comfort and efficiency on variable terrain. It has a slightly taller stack height compared to Giant’s TCX cyclocross bikes, and a reach that’s optimized for performance on varied terrain. The fork geometry is also tuned for this type of riding, with a 50mm rake and 74mm trail, which produces a front end that feels responsive and nimble on the road but is also relaxed enough to offer confidence and control on more rugged terrain. In addition, a slightly lower bottom bracket improves the bike’s stability and efficiency for endurance riding.

ccs-62657-0-93368700-1534411211.jpgThe new Revolt Advanced frameset features shorter chainstays and a slightly lower bottom bracket, which gives it an agile yet stable ride quality for rough roads and dirt. Jake Orness photo.

The Advanced composite frame material, handcrafted in Giant’s own composite factory to yield a high stiffness-to-weight ratio, gives the bike precise handling capabilities and also transfers pedaling power with maximum efficiency. The rear triangle is designed with flattened seatstays and a lower seatstay junction to help absorb road shocks and vibrations.

The frameset is integrated for disc brakes and has added frame clearance for tires up to 45c. The frame and fork are also compatible with 650B rims, which allows for even higher volume tires for added control in the most aggressive off-road terrain. Beyond that, the new frame includes a number of features for gravel adventures, including an X-Defender downtube protector, three water bottle mounts, and a smart mount system for racks and accessories

D-Fuse: Tuned For Compliance

Initially presented in 2014 as a proprietary seatpost for cyclocross bikes, D-Fuse was created to absorb shocks and vibrations, giving cyclocross riders and racers more control on rough roads and dirt. The heart of its design is a distinctive tube shape with a round front and flattened rear section.

ccs-62657-0-48774800-1534411213.jpgThe Revolt Advanced features the new Contact XR D-Fuse handlebar, which uses D-shaped tubing to improve compliance while also making it feel stiffer for sprinting and climbing efforts. Jake Orness photo.

Following its success on TCX cyclocross bikes, including multiple world championship titles, the D-Fuse seatpost design was adapted by the Defy endurance road range and now the Revolt Advanced to improve control and minimize fatigue on long rides. Its shape and composite design result in up to 12mm of “travel” for a smoother ride quality.

Now Giant is bringing D-Fuse technology to the front half of the bike with all-new handlebar designs. The expanded role of D-Fuse, as a system, is to significantly improve compliance at key contact points. The Revolt Advanced features the new Contact XR D-Fuse handlebar, which uses similar D-shaped tubing as the D-Fuse seatpost.

ccs-62657-0-99931500-1534411214.jpgThe D-Fuse seatpost, originally introduced on Giant cyclocross bikes, has become a rider favorite for absorbing shocks and vibrations on rough roads and bumpy dirt trails. Jake Orness photo.

Compared to the Contact SL round handlebar, tests show the D-Fuse bar has 10 per cent more “pushing” or downward compliance and 20 percent more “pulling” or upward stiffness. As a result, it absorbs more shocks and vibrations while also increasing stiffness for sprinting or out-of-the-saddle climbing.

The handlebar also has slightly flared drops (8 degrees), which offers wider hand positioning for off-road situations without compromising on-road ergonomics and wrist comfort. The top section of the handlebar is backswept 5 degrees, a unique design that also combines off-road control with on-road comfort and efficiency. In addition to the ergo advantages of the XR D-Fuse, it is also 5 percent lighter than the round Contact SL handlebar.

2019 Revolt Advanced Series

The 2019 Revolt Advanced series includes three models: Revolt Advanced 0, Revolt Advanced 1 and Revolt Advanced 2 with various specs and price points. Availability varies by country.

ccs-62657-0-61466400-1534411209.jpgThe 2019 Revolt Advanced 0 1 includes the Giant CXR1 composite WheelSystem and 40c CrossCut Gravel 1 tires, which are set up tubeless right out of the box for improved rolling efficiency and a reduced risk of flats. Availability varies by country.

ccs-62657-0-72435100-1534411207.jpgThe 2019 Revolt Advanced 1 features SRAM Apex drivetrain components and hydraulic disc brakes. Availability varies by country.

ccs-62657-0-40339100-1534411203.jpgThe 2019 Revolt Advanced 2 in Metallic Orange / Gun Metal Black. Availability varies by country.
ccs-62657-0-61393000-1534411205.jpgThe 2019 Revolt Advanced 2 in Deep Gray / Metallic Red / Silver. Availability varies by country.

For more information and details on the new Revolt range, click here.

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