The new, lighter Giant Revolt is ready for adventures or racing with adjustable geometry

Giant has updated its Revolt gravel bike for 2022.

The new design boasts larger tyre clearances, a lighter chassis and gets tweaked geometry for a more agile ride, alongside a raft of smaller updates that bring the Revolt back to the forefront of gravel design.

That said, the new Revolt still borrows heavily from the old design, carrying over its heavily sloped top tube, radically dropped seatstays and slim, D-shaped carbon seatpost.

That the bike’s overall profile has remained so similar is a testament to the original Revolt Giant, which was released in 2015. It isn’t often that a design can boast that sort of longevity in what is such a quickly evolving cycling genre.

Frameset evolution

While on the surface the new Revolt shares many of the same design cues as the previous version – the same radically sloping top tube, oversize down tube and seat tube replete with aero-style cutaway – look a bit deeper and you’ll find plenty of significant differences.

For instance, its dropped seatstays are much skinnier than on the previous model and the rear dropouts they meet are very much all-new.

Giant, unlike some of brands' recently-launched ‘gravel racers’, hasn’t forgone practical fittings in search of weight savings on the new Revolt.

As such, the bike comes with a full raft of mounting points: one on each fork leg, one on the underside of the down tube, and the normal options on the down and seat tubes.

There is also a top tube mount as well as front and rear fender/mudguard mounts. The rear requires a bolt-on bridge that Giant supplies in a similar manner to the brand’s Defy endurance bike because they share a bridgeless seatstay design.

Giant offers the new Revolt design in two models. The premium Advanced Pro saves over 200g from the frame and fork weight over the previous design, whereas the standard Advanced carbon models shave off 160g.

Geometrical tweaks

Giant says the new Revolt has a shorter wheelbase and reduced fork trail compared to the previous bike.

Both these changes were made to create a more responsive feel, which is something that Giant says was requested by its pro riders and ambassadors to give the Revolt something of an edge in the emerging gravel racing scene.

Riders including Josh Berry – a former winner of the Belgian Waffle Ride and runner up at Unbound Gravel – were extensively involved in the development of the bike so Giant could home in on specific ways to improve the Revolt for pro-level competition.

For more than 12 months, Berry and some of his teammates have competed on prototypes of the new Revolt.

“Gravel racing has become more aggressive, and this new Revolt is helping us push the limits of what we are capable of,” Berry says.

“Rolling on a bike that is much lighter than the race bike I was on last year is a real pleasure. Now I find myself jumping in the local group road ride then taking trails home. It’s a lot more enjoyable now with improved handling and a more efficient pedalling response.”

To put some numbers on the changes, the new Revolt’s reach is 6mm longer (a medium-size frame increasing from 381mm to 387mm) and Giant has steepened the head tube from 70.5 degrees to 71.5 degrees.

Giant has also lowered the bottom bracket height by 10mm, to account for the growth in tyre size since the original Revolt, which came out at a time when 40mm 700c tyres were generally as voluminous as things got.

The changes in fit put the new Revolt more in line with gravel racers like the Cervélo Áspero, 3T Exploro Racemax, Cannondale SuperSix EVO CX and new Specialized Crux.

Flipping the script

Ostensibly, the most innovative difference the new Revolt incorporates is at the rear dropouts.

Instead of a standard fixed unit, Giant has introduced a flip-chip system, where the position of the rear dropout can be changed depending on the orientation of the insert.

Flip-chips are nothing new on gravel bikes, but they are more commonly used at the front of the bike in the fork.

Our 2019 Bike of the Year winner, the Rondo HVRT, and Cervélo’s Áspero and GT's Grade Carbon all use a derivation of flip-chips in their respective forks.

The aim of those is to alter the bike’s trail figure by modifying the fork’s ‘offset’, which changes a bike’s handling characteristics. The handling can be made slower or faster to account for different wheel sizes or riding conditions.

A bike's trail figure is derived from a combination of head tube angle, the fork offset and tyre size, and defines how far the tyre’s contact point ‘trails’ behind the steering axis. A small measure of trail makes for a fast-handling bike, while more trail slows down the steering response.

In contrast, Giant’s rear dropout flip-chip is primarily included to create more tyre clearance.

Set in the rearward position, it extends the chainstays to 435mm, meaning the rider can fit up to a 53mm 700c tyre, while in the forward position, the chainstays are 425mmm, so a 42mm 700c tyre is the biggest the frame will clear.

Of course, if you do lengthen the chainstays (and therefore the overall wheelbase) and opt for a bigger tyre you will change the trail figure (see the geometry chart for how a bigger tyre/longer wheelbase adds to the trail), so to a certain extent, Giant’s design has a similar effect to fork-mounted flip-chips.

Giant recommends using the Revolt in short-wheelbase form when you’re riding mixed terrain with plenty of paved roads. It says the more responsive handling should feel more like a road bike and, of course, lighter tyres should make it feel sprightlier too.

Giant says the long wheelbase/big tyre combo should be reserved for when a rider needs more traction and control on fast, loose descents and technical off-road climbs.

Revolt 2022 geometry

D-Fuse development

Giant’s innovative ‘D-Fuse’ seatpost concept debuted back in 2014 on the TCX, and the D-shaped seatpost design has been widely adopted by brands looking to gain a bit of comfort-inducing vertical flex in their bikes.

The D-Fuse feature has since proliferated within Giant’s own range too, having been included in the brand’s Defy endurance bike.

The new Revolt uses an updated version of it. Giant says a new carbon construction means the latest post now has up to 12mm of fore/aft flex.

There is a fundamental difference in the way the D-Fuse post is fixed into the bike now, though.

Instead of a proprietary D-shaped seat tube and clamp to match the post, the seat tube fits a standard 30.9mm round post and uses an adaptor at the clamp to secure the D-Fuse post.

This facilitates the use of a dropper post should one be required by the rider, which is good to see.

Dropper posts are becoming more and more popular for gravel bikes, as the recent launch of Rockshox’ Reverb XLPR AXS shows.

The D-Fuse design has been deployed up front too. The new Contact XR D-Fuse gravel bar is based on the bar Giant uses in the Defy. The brand says its semi-circle cross-section makes it compliant when pushing on the bar but stiff when pulling on it, creating benefits for both comfort and efficiency.

Compared with the bar used on the Defy, Giant says the new Contact XR D-Fuse design offers 10 per cent more downward compliance but 30 per cent more stiffness when sprinting.

Rolling with the times

Both the Advanced Pro and the Advanced Revolt bikes are running on all-new gravel wheelsets from Giant, which come setup tubeless as standard.

The Advanced Pro builds use the CXR1s, which are based around a hookless, tubeless, 25mm internal-width rim built onto DT’s tough, efficient 350 hubs with Sapim’s CX-Ray spokes. They weigh in at a claimed and respectably light 1,398g per pair.

Giant claims that the hookless rim design not only makes for a lighter rim, but also a stronger design than traditional hooked rims because it allows it to increase the size of the hookless rim bead, making it taller (2.5mm) and wider. Giant says this better supports the tyre and dissipates impact loads more efficiently.

Giant says this better supports the tyre and dissipates impact loads more efficiently.

The brand also says that going hookless improves the bike’s handling when running lower pressures because the tyre is not only a more rounded shape from the increased internal width but also benefits from improved sidewall support when cornering.

This means the tyre is less likely to squirm under pressure, potentially improving stability.

We’ve already got a new Revolt Advanced Pro 0 up and running, so expect a full test soon. Our large test bike weighs in at 8.33kg.

Giant 2022 Revolt range and prices

Giant’s 2022 Revolt range consists of four Advanced models and two Advanced Pro models, plus a frameset only option.

Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 0

• Colours: Gloss Dark Red / Grenadine
• Sizes: S, M, M/L, L
• Frame: Advanced-Grade Composite, 12×142mm thru-axle, disc, flip-chip dropout
• Fork: Advanced SL-Grade Composite, full-composite OverDrive steerer, 12mm thru-axle, disc
• Handlebar: Giant Contact SLR XR D-Fuse, 31.8mm, S:42cm, M:44cm, M/L:44cm, L:46cm
• Bar tape: Stratus Lite 3.0
• Stem: Giant Contact, 8-degree, S:60mm, M:70mm, M/L:80mm, L:80mm
• Seatpost: Giant D-Fuse SLR, composite, -5/+15mm offset
• Saddle: Giant Approach SL
• Shifters: Shimano GRX RX-815 Di2, 2×11
• Front derailleur: Shimano GRX RX-815 Di2
• Rear derailleur: Shimano GRX RX-815 Di2
• Brakes: Shimano GRX RX-810, Shimano SM-RT800 rotors [F]160mm, [R]160mm
• Brake levers: Shimano GRX RX-810 hydraulic
• Cassette: Shimano CS-HG800, 11-speed, 11×34
• Chain: KMC X11SL-1
• Crankset: Shimano GRX RX-810, 31/48, S:170mm, M:172.5mm, M/L:172.5mm, L:175mm
• Bottom bracket: Shimano, press-fit
• Wheels: Giant CXR 1 Carbon Disc WheelSystem
• Tyres: Maxxis Receptor, 700×40c, tubeless
• Extras: Factory set up tubeless, 53mm max tyre size in "long" flip-chip position, 42mm max tyre size in "short" flip-chip position
• Price: £4,999

Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 1

• Colours: Matte Carbon / Gloss Black
• Sizes: S, M, M/L, L, XL
• Frame: Advanced-Grade Composite, 12×142mm thru-axle, disc, flip-chip dropout
• Fork: Advanced SL-Grade Composite, full-composite OverDrive steerer, 12mm thru-axle, disc
• Handlebar: Giant Contact SLR XR D-Fuse, 31.8mm, S:42cm, M:44cm, M/L:44cm, L:46cm
• Bar tape: Stratus Lite 3.0
• Stem: Giant Contact, 8-degree, S:60mm, M:70mm, M/L:80mm, L:80mm
• Seatpost: Giant D-Fuse SLR, composite, -5/+15mm offset
• Saddle: Giant Approach SL
• Shifters: SRAM Rival eTap AXS, 2×12
• Front derailleur: SRAM Rival eTap AXS
• Rear derailleur: SRAM Rival eTap AXS
• Brakes: SRAM Rival eTap AXS hydraulic, SRAM PaceLine rotors[F]160mm, [R]160mm
• Brake levers: SRAM Rival eTap AXS hydraulic
• Cassette: SRAM Rival, 12-speed, 10×36
• Chain: SRAM Rival D1
• Crankset: SRAM Rival D1 DUB, 30/43, S:170mm, M:172.5mm, M/L:172.5mm, L:175mm, XL:175mm
• Bottom bracket: SRAM DUB, press-fit
• Wheels: Giant CXR 1 Carbon Disc WheelSystem
• Tyres: Maxxis Receptor, 700×40c, tubeless
• Extras: Factory set up tubeless, 53mm max tyre size in "long" flip-chip position, 42mm max tyre size in "short" flip-chip position
• Price: £4,299

Giant Revolt Advanced Pro frameset

• Colours: Gloss candy navy
• Sizes: S, M, M/L, L, XL
• Frame: Advanced-Grade Composite, 12x142mm thru-axle, disc, flip-chip dropout
• Fork: Advanced SL-Grade Composite, full-composite OverDrive steerer, 12mm thru-axle, disc
• Seatpost: Giant D-Fuse SLR, composite, -5/+15mm offset
• Price: £1,599

Giant Revolt Advanced 0

• Colours: Satin Knight Shield
• Sizes: S, M, M/L, L, XL
• Frame: Advanced-Grade Composite, 12x142mm thru-axle, disc, flip-chip dropout
• Fork: Advanced Grade Composite, full-composite OverDrive steerer, 12mm thru-axle, disc
• Handlebar: Giant Contact XR D-Fuse, 31.8mm, S:42cm, M:44cm, M/L:44cm, L:46cm, XL:46cm
• Bar tape: Stratus Lite 3.0
• Stem: Giant Contact, 8-degree, S:60mm, M:70mm, M/L:80mm, L:80mm
• Seatpost: Giant D-Fuse, composite, -5/+15mm offset
• Saddle: Giant Approach
• Shifters: Shimano GRX RX-810, 2×11
• Front derailleur: Shimano GRX RX-810
• Rear derailleur: Shimano GRX RX-810
• Brakes: Shimano GRX RX-810, Shimano SM-RT70 rotors [F]160mm, [R]160mm
• Brake levers: Shimano GRX RX-810 hydraulic
• Cassette: Shimano CS-HG800, 11-speed, 11×34
• Chain: KMC X11SL-1
• Crankset: Shimano GRX RX-810, 31/48, S:170mm, M:172.5mm, M/L:172.5mm, L:175mm, XL:175mm
• Bottom bracket: Shimano, press-fit
• Wheels: Giant CXR 2 Carbon Disc WheelSystem
• Tyres: Maxxis Receptor, 700×40c, tubeless
• Extras: Factory set up tubeless, 53mm max tyre size in "long" flip-chip position, 42mm max tyre size in "short" flip-chip position
• Price: £3,499

Giant Revolt Advanced 1

• Colours: Gloss phantom green
• Sizes: S, M, M/L, L, XL
• Frame: Advanced-Grade Composite, 12x142mm thru-axle, disc, flip-chip dropout
• Fork: Advanced Grade Composite, full-composite OverDrive steerer, 12mm thru-axle, disc
• Handlebar: Giant Contact SLR XR D-Fuse, 31.8mm, S:42cm, M:44cm, M/L:44cm, L:46cm
• Bar tape: Stratus Lite 3.0
• Stem: Giant Contact, 8-degree, S:60mm, M:70mm, M/L:80mm, L:80mm
• Seatpost: Giant D-Fuse, composite, -5/+15mm offset
• Saddle: Giant Approach SL
• Shifters: SRAM Rival eTap AXS, 1×12
• Front derailleur: N/A
• Rear derailleur: SRAM Rival eTap AXS XPLR
• Brakes: SRAM Rival eTap AXS hydraulic, Giant MPH rotors [F]160mm, [R]160mm
• Brake levers: SRAM Rival eTap AXS hydraulic
• Cassette: SRAM Rival, 12-speed, 10×44
• Chain: SRAM Rival D1
• Crankset: SRAM Rival D1 DUB, 40T, S:170mm, M:172.5mm, M/L:172.5mm, L:175mm, XL:175mm
• Bottom bracket: SRAM DUB, press-fit
• Wheels: Giant P-X2 wheelset
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler, 700×45c, tubeless
• Extras: Factory set up tubeless, 53mm max tyre size in "long" flip-chip position, 42mm max tyre size in "short" flip-chip position, Giant 1x chain guide
• Price: £2,999

Giant Revolt Advanced 2

• Colours: Gloss Starry Night / Chameleon Neptune
• Sizes: XS, S, M, M/L, L, XL
• Frame: Advanced-Grade Composite, 12x142mm thru-axle, disc, flip-chip dropout
• Fork: Advanced Grade Composite, full-composite OverDrive steerer, 12mm thru-axle, disc
• Handlebar: Giant Contact XR D-Fuse, 31.8mm, S:42cm, M:44cm, M/L:44cm, L:46cm, XL:46cm
• Bar tape: Stratus Lite 3.0
• Stem: Giant Contact, 8-degree, S:60mm, M:70mm, M/L:80mm, L:80mm
• Seatpost: Giant D-Fuse, composite, -5/+15mm offset
• Saddle: Giant Approach
• Shifter: Shimano GRX RX-600, 2×11
• Front derailleur: Shimano GRX RX-810
• Rear derailleur: Shimano GRX RX-810
• Brakes: Shimano GRX RX-400 hydraulic, Giant MPH rotors [F]160mm, [R]160mm
• Brake levers: Shimano GRX RX-600 hydraulic
• Cassette: Shimano 105, 11-speed, 11×34
• Chain: KMC X11SL-1
• Chainset: FSA Omega AGX, 32/48, XS:170mm, S:170mm, M:172.5mm, M/L:172.5mm, L:175mm, XL:175mm
• Bottom bracket: FSA BB-CF86, press-fit
• Wheels: Giant P-X2 Disc wheelset
• Tyres: Giant CrossCut AT 1, 700x38c, tubeless
• Extras: Factory set up tubeless, 53mm max tyre size in "long" flip-chip position, 42mm max tyre size in "short" flip-chip position
• Price: £2,399

Giant Revolt Advanced 3

• Colours: Satin Terracotta
• Sizes: S, M, M/L, L, XL
• Frame: Advanced-Grade Composite, 12x142mm thru-axle, disc, flip-chip dropout
• Fork: Advanced Grade Composite, full-composite OverDrive steerer, 12mm thru-axle, disc
• Handlebar: Giant Contact XR D-Fuse, 31.8mm, S:42cm, M:44cm, M/L:44cm, L:46cm, XL:46cm
• Bar tape: Stratus Lite 3.0
• Stem: Giant Contact, 8-degree, S:60mm, M:70mm, M/L:80mm, L:80mm
• Seatpost: Giant D-Fuse, composite, -5/+15mm offset
• Saddle: Giant Approach
• Shifters: Shimano GRX RX-400, 2×10
• Front derailleur: Shimano Tiagra
• Rear derailleur: Shimano GRX-RX400
• Brakes: Shimano GRX RX-400 hydraulic, Giant MPH rotors [F]160mm, [R]160mm
• Brake levers: Shimano GRX RX-400 hydraulic
• Cassette: Shimano Tiagra, 11×34
• Chain: KMC X10-1
• Chainset: FSA Omega Adventure, 32/48; S:170mm, M:172.5mm, M/L:172.5mm, L:175mm, XL:175mm
• Bottom bracket: Shimano, press-fit
• Wheels: Giant P-X2 Disc wheelset
• Tyres: Giant CrossCut AT 1, 700x38c, tubeless
• Extras: Factory set up tubeless, 53mm max tyre size in "long" flip-chip position, 42mm max tyre size in "short" flip-chip position
• Price: £2,199