Gravel bike purchase

[Ryan Laaks]

Hi All,

 

Seeking advice on what gravel bike to purchase. I currently have the following options specialized diverge comp 2019, scott addict 40 2024, merida silex 6000 2019 or trek domane SL5 Gen3 2024. Looking for a long lasting purchase, that will handle semi rough terrain and be good on the road. Your assistance is most grateful. Regards Ryan

[Rowl]

Hi Ryan, all relatively good options but not all completely the same. The Domane is not primarily a gravel bike but more of an all road bike - what is the max tire clearance you can run on the Domane? And all the other bikes?

 

Then groupset, I assume the 2019 Spez will run 105/Ultegra not GRX, or maybe Apex 1x11. As far as possible, go for GRX, and newest is probably best. And more gears are probably better, i.e. 12spd GRX > 11spd GRX etc (I'm on GRX 2x10 and it suits my needs most days).

 

Considering all the factors and specific bike condition, which is the best to buy?

Edited September 26, 2025 by Rowl
Grammar

[El Duderino]

Go for the one that can take the widest tyres. 

[guidodg]

Giant Revolt over any of those...

[Mongoose!]

37 minutes ago, guidodg said:

Giant Revolt over any of those...

Giant Revolt 👌

1 hour ago, El Duderino said:

Go for the one that can take the widest tyres. 

Giant Revolt 🤷‍♂️

[W@nted]

Another  +1 on the Giant Revolt. Love mine!

[Headshot]

There is only one choice - the new Trek dual sus. The closer you go to MTB the better off you'll be seems to be their thinking  or you could just buy an MTB and maybe save some money. This gravel bike evolving into MTB trend is confusing...

[Baracuda]

Another vote for a Giant Revolt. I surveyed all options, test rode many, read many reports and reviews. 2x gearing, can still fit 53mm (2.1) tires, light and comfortable. It still surprises me how good it is when you are barrelling down Karoo roads. 

Ben Delaney tests dozens of different bikes and it is still one of his favorites. 

 

[Ryan Laaks]

3 hours ago, Rowl said:

Hi Ryan, all relatively good options but not all completely the same. The Domane is not primarily a gravel bike but more of an all road bike - what is the max tire clearance you can run on the Domane? And all the other bikes?

 

Then groupset, I assume the 2019 Spez will run 105/Ultegra not GRX, or maybe Apex 1x11. As far as possible, go for GRX, and newest is probably best. And more gears are probably better, i.e. 12spd GRX > 11spd GRX etc (I'm on GRX 2x10 and it suits my needs most days).

 

Considering all the factors and specific bike condition, which is the best to buy?

The Specialized is running the 12spd - AXS and the Scott is on the Shimano GRX FC-RX610-2 46-30 T and Shimano CS-HG710 11-36. What is your view point....

[Ryan Laaks]

The Specialized is running the 12spd - AXS and the Scott is on the Shimano GRX FC-RX610-2 46-30 T and Shimano CS-HG710 11-36. What is your view point....

[ChrisF]

Just in case the jury is still out ....

 

GIANT REVOLT 👍

[ChrisF]

1 minute ago, Ryan Laaks said:

The Specialized is running the 12spd - AXS and the Scott is on the Shimano GRX FC-RX610-2 46-30 T and Shimano CS-HG710 11-36. What is your view point....

 

 I am a Shimano fan - disclaimer.

 

I have the 2024 Giant Revolt with 2x12 GRX.

 

@Zebra has the previous model with the 2x11 GRX.

 

Both absolutely brilliant bikes.  The final gearing is a function of your legs and your terrain ... I went smaller in front due to bust knees,  @Zebra is rocking the original big gears over Chappies every couple of days.

 

Every so often I miss the simplicity of a 1x (my other bikes are all 1x) .... but when the road gets long and the hills get steep .... that granny gear saves my bacon.  And when the road points down, MAN, the extra top end of the big ring is LEKKA !!!

 

 

SRAM vs Shimano .... might as well join a Ranger vs Hilux debate .... or a Merc vs BMW debate ....

[El Duderino]

2 hours ago, Mongoose! said:

Giant Revolt 👌

Giant Revolt 🤷‍♂️

Was going to suggest this too. I have a Revolt Advanced 2. Can take 50mm tyres with ease. 

[dave303e]

2 hours ago, Headshot said:

There is only one choice - the new Trek dual sus. The closer you go to MTB the better off you'll be seems to be their thinking  or you could just buy an MTB and maybe save some money. This gravel bike evolving into MTB trend is confusing...

that bike is built for a very niche market of bikepacking races. I thin for the mountain races it would be a bit of a weapon.

[verandapanda]

2 hours ago, Headshot said:

There is only one choice - the new Trek dual sus. The closer you go to MTB the better off you'll be seems to be their thinking  or you could just buy an MTB and maybe save some money. This gravel bike evolving into MTB trend is confusing...

For sure in theory, a lot of gravel racing success has been had on drop bar MTBs (the Supercaliber is a prime example) and for most riders they'll be able to dial in a pretty equivalent position too. But the frame geo., leverage ratios and susp. performance of the CheckOUT doesn't feel the same at all as a Supercal. The CheckOUT is the gap-fill in that adventure gravel line up.. But as with most things in life there are many ways to get a job done. 

Edited September 26, 2025 by verandapanda
'Better English'

[Zebra]

2 hours ago, ChrisF said:

 

 I am a Shimano fan - disclaimer.

 

I have the 2024 Giant Revolt with 2x12 GRX.

 

@Zebra has the previous model with the 2x11 GRX.

 

Both absolutely brilliant bikes.  The final gearing is a function of your legs and your terrain ... I went smaller in front due to bust knees,  @Zebra is rocking the original big gears over Chappies every couple of days.

 

Every so often I miss the simplicity of a 1x (my other bikes are all 1x) .... but when the road gets long and the hills get steep .... that granny gear saves my bacon.  And when the road points down, MAN, the extra top end of the big ring is LEKKA !!!

 

 

SRAM vs Shimano .... might as well join a Ranger vs Hilux debate .... or a Merc vs BMW debate ....

I was a bit of a cheapskate; the new/unused but 2-season-old Revolt was heavily discounted, and for R25k i happily settled on both 2x, as well as 11-speed;

…at 63, am not going to set ANY records with 1x, or 12-speed!

1x is indeed simpler, but I was happy with 2x affordability trade-off, and I like the bigger gearing it offers.

Chris