Giant Revolt vs Giant Revolt X: The best Giant gravel bike in 2024

Cyclist
Giant Revolt vs Giant Revolt X: The best Giant gravel bike in 2024

The Giant Revolt was one of the original group of drop bar bikes designed to head off the tarmac. It had a refresh in mid-2024 and is now on its fourth iteration. 

We’ve not yet reviewed the fourth generation Revolt, but its predecessor was one of our favourite gravel bikes and the changes that Giant has made are small: integrated cabling and internal frame storage dominate.

But Giant has another trick up its sleeve in the form of the Revolt X. This adds a suspension fork and dropper post to the Revolt platform and comes specced with mullet gearing.

We’ve also reviewed the lower-priced standard Revolt in its alloy format. It shares much of its geometry with the carbon Revolt and offers a more affordable option for riders wanting to dip a toe in gravel or those looking for a tough all-weather drop bar commuter bike.

So which of the Giant Revolt platforms should you choose? Read on for a comparison of features, a complete UK range overview for the Revolt and Revolt X and our suggestions on how to choose between the Revolt and Revolt X.

Giant Revolt vs Giant Revolt X: Key features at a glance

Giant Revolt

• Advanced Pro and Advanced carbon and Revolt alloy frameset options
• Rigid carbon fork across range
• Internal cable routing on carbon bikes
• Flip-chip in rear dropout across range
• Predominantly 2x groupsets from SRAM and Shimano
• Down tube storage compartment in carbon frames
• 53mm/45mm tyre clearance in long/short flip-chip positions

Giant Revolt X 

• Advanced Pro grade carbon frames on all UK specs
• Suspension fork adds 40mm front travel
• Dropper post equipped, with 30mm suspension
• External cabling
• Flip-chip rear dropout
• 1x SRAM mullet builds on all UK specs
• No in-frame storage 
• 53mm/45mm tyre clearance in long/short flip-chip positions

Giant Revolt vs Giant Revolt X: frame grades

Giant sells the carbon Revolt at two grades to address different price points: Advanced Pro and Advanced. Both share the same frameset, made of Giant’s Advanced Grade Composite carbon fibre.

The two ranges differ in the carbon fibre grade of the fork, with the Advanced Pro bikes equipped with an Advanced SL fork, while the Advanced bikes are equipped with an Advanced grade fork. The Advanced Pro bikes also offer higher-spec components and wheelsets.

The Advanced grade carbon fork is also fitted to the alloy framed Giant Revolt range.

All UK specs of the Revolt X are carbon-framed, using Giant’s Advanced grade composite. There’s an alloy Revolt X available in some markets, but not in the UK.

The carbon non-suspension Revolt models had a refresh in mid-2024, which saw front end cable integration and down tube storage added. The Revolt X continues to have external cabling (which is the only option for front hose routing with its suspension fork). There’s no internal frame storage either. 

The refresh of the carbon Revolt also saw the addition of frame protection on the down tube and drive-side chainstay, which is absent from the alloy Revolt and the Revolt X. 

Giant Revolt vs Giant Revolt X: suspension and compliance

The Revolt X adds a front suspension fork to the Revolt, either a Fox or RockShox unit, dependent on model. This offers 40mm travel, along with a lockout.

In contrast, the Revolt has a rigid carbon fork across the range. This includes gear mounts, which are absent from the Revolt X’s suspension forks. 

There’s more suspension on offer at the rear of the Revolt X in the form of the Post Moderne dropper post fitted to all specs. This adds 30mm of suspension travel in addition to the capability to drop the seatpost by 100mm for descents.

While it lacks suspension, the carbon Revolt uses Giant’s carbon D-Fuse seatpost, which is D-shaped and designed to provide up to 7mm of flex. It can be swapped out for a standard round seatpost or a 30.9mm dropper post. The alloy Revolt has an alloy D-Fuse seatpost.

All Revolt and Revolt X bikes have D-Fuse handlebars too, either in carbon or alloy. Giant claims that the D-shaped profile helps insulate the rider from surface bumps while still providing a robust support when pulling up. 

Giant Revolt vs Giant Revolt X: geometry

The defining feature of both the Giant Revolt and the Revolt X is the flip-chip in the rear dropout. This allows you to increase or decrease the chainstay length by 10mm and hence the wheelbase by the same amount. 

Not only does this alter the tyre clearance by 8mm from 45mm to 53mm, but it also affects other geometry figures. 

Giant quotes trail figures with different tyre sizes, which affects the numbers. A longer trail will make the bike’s handling more stable, so it’s useful on more extreme terrain, for which the Revolt X is more adapted. Its quoted trail is significantly longer than the standard Revolt, although this reflects the non-sagged value.

The Revolt X’s bottom bracket drop is also significantly less than the Revolt’s. A greater drop will add stability to the ride, but again the Revolt X’s figures reflect the non-sagged measurement, which will increase once a rider sits on the bike and compresses the suspension fork.

The Revolt X has a similar stack to the Revolt, but a 35mm shorter head tube for the size L frame to allow extra space for the suspension fork’s crown.

There are minor differences in geometry between the carbon and alloy Revolts too. This is principally in the chainstay length and the wheelbase, which should add greater stability to the alloy than the carbon frame.

We didn’t find that using the flip-chip had a large effect on the bike’s handling in our review of the previous generation Revolt, however. It requires more work to flip the chip than one might expect, as the brake calliper has to be moved and realigned at the same time, so although useful in principle we weren’t convinced of its benefit beyond increased tyre clearance.

Giant Revolt vs Giant Revolt X: groupsets

A significant difference between the Revolt and Revolt X is in the range of groupsets specced by Giant. 

All three Revolt X specs sold in the UK have SRAM 1×12-speed electronic mullet builds, with a 40t chainset paired with either a 10-52t or 11-50t cassette and a SRAM Eagle AXS derailleur.

The majority of Revolt specs are 2x with either SRAM or Shimano groupsets. The Shimano options have mixed GRX groupsets in either 12 or 10-speed, although the base spec uses the 9-speed Sora road-going groupset. Lower spec bikes swap in an FSA chainset in place of the Shimano-branded model.

The Revolt Advanced 1 is the only 1x spec for the non-suspension Revolt. It’s fitted with a SRAM Apex XPLR 12-speed mechanical groupset.

Giant Revolt vs Giant Revolt X: wheels and tyres

Giant’s own-brand carbon wheels feature on the highest spec bikes and are exchanged for alloy Giant wheels as you descend the price range.

Both offer a wide internal rim width to satisfy the support needs of gravel tyres.

Giant sells the Revolt and Revolt X with a mixed medley of tyres. On the three Revolt bikes we’ve reviewed, we’ve found them not to be best adapted for typical UK off-road conditions. They might be fine for faster riding on dry, hardpacked gravel or on tarmac, but in the damp and muddy conditions that UK riders often encounter there’s more grip needed.

Giant does deliver all its bikes set up tubeless, however. 

Giant Revolt vs Giant Revolt X: sizing

Giant sizes its bikes from XS to XL and sizing is the same for the Revolt and Revolt X. The range is claimed to fit riders from 155cm to 200cm tall. Note however that complete Revolt Advanced Pro bikes are only available in the UK from size S, so claimed rider height starts at 159cm.

Giant doesn’t sell all its models in the complete size range in all markets, so the size range may be more limited for other specs too.

Giant Revolt vs Giant Revolt X: ranges compared

Next, we’ll run through the entire UK ranges for each of Giant’s gravel bikes, from the most expensive to the entry spec for each, with a brief spec run-down including frame grade, groupset and wheelset. 

Giant doesn’t provide weights for its bikes and recommends that you ask a dealer to weigh the bike in the size and spec that interests you. 

Giant Revolt bike range

Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 0 

• Frame: Advanced Grade
• Fork: Advanced SL Grade
• Handlebars: Giant Contact SLR XR
• Groupset: SRAM Force AXS 43/30t, 10-36t 12-speed
• Wheels: Giant CXR 1 carbon
• Tyres: Cadex GX 40mm
• Saddle: Giant Grit SL
• Price: £5,599

Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 1

• Frame: Advanced Grade
• Fork: Advanced SL Grade
• Handlebars: Giant Contact SLR XR
• Groupset: SRAM Rival AXS 43/30t, 10-36t 12-speed
• Wheels: Giant CXR 1 carbon
• Tyres: Cadex GX 40mm
• Saddle: Giant Grit SL
• Price: £4,999

Giant Revolt Advanced 0

• Frame: Advanced Grade
• Fork: Advanced Grade
• Handlebars: Giant Contact XR
• Groupset: Shimano GRX RX820 48/31t, 11-36t 12-speed
• Wheels: Giant CXR 2 carbon
• Tyres: Cadex GX 40mm
• Saddle: Giant Grit
• Price: £3,799

Giant Revolt Advanced 1

• Frame: Advanced Grade
• Fork: Advanced Grade
• Handlebars: Giant Contact XR
• Groupset: SRAM Apex XPLR 40t, 11-44t 12-speed
• Wheels: Giant P-X2 alloy
• Tyres: Giant Crosscut Grip 45mm
• Saddle: Giant Grit
• Price: £3,099

Giant Revolt Advanced 2

• Frame: Advanced Grade
• Fork: Advanced Grade
• Handlebars: Giant Contact XR
• Groupset: Shimano GRX RX820/FSA Omega AGX+ 48/32t, 11-36t 12-speed
• Wheels: Giant P-X2 alloy
• Tyres: Giant Crosscut Grip 40mm
• Saddle: Giant Grit
• Price: £2,699

Giant Revolt Advanced 3

• Frame: Advanced Grade
• Fork: Advanced Grade
• Handlebars: Giant Contact XR
• Groupset: Shimano GRX RX400/FSA Omega 48/32t, 11-34t 10-speed
• Wheels: Giant P-X2 alloy
• Tyres: Giant Crosscut Grip 40mm
• Saddle: Giant Grit
• Price: £2,499

Giant Revolt 0

• Frame: Aluxx aluminium
• Fork: Advanced Grade carbon
• Handlebars: Giant Contact XR
• Groupset: Shimano GRX RX820/FSA Omega 48/32t, 11-34t 12-speed
• Wheels: Giant S-X2 alloy
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler 40mm
• Saddle: Giant Approach
• Price: £1,799

Giant Revolt 1

• Frame: Aluxx aluminium
• Fork: Advanced Grade carbon
• Handlebars: Giant Contact XR D-Fuse
• Groupset: Shimano GRX RX400/FSA Omega 48/32t, 11-34t 10-speed
• Wheels: Giant S-X2 alloy
• Tyres: Giant CrossCut 38mm
• Saddle: Giant Approach
• Price: £1,499

Giant Revolt 2

• Frame: Aluxx aluminium
• Fork: Advanced Grade carbon
• Handlebars: Giant Contact XR D-Fuse
• Groupset: Shimano Sora/FSA Vero Pro 48/32t, 11-34t 9-speed
• Wheels: Giant S-X2 alloy
• Tyres: Giant CrossCut AT 2 38mm
• Saddle: Giant Approach
• Price: £1,299

Giant Revolt frameset

You can also buy the Advanced Pro as a frameset only in sizes XS to XL for £1,899. The XS frame isn’t sold in the UK as a complete bike, so for smaller riders in the range from 155cm to 159cm, this would allow them to choose a frame size that should provide a better fit. 

Giant Revolt X bike range

Giant Revolt X Advanced Pro 0

• Frame: Advanced Grade
• Fork: Fox 32 Float TC Performance Elite 40mm travel
• Handlebars: Giant Contact SL XR
• Groupset: SRAM Force AXS/X01 Eagle AXS 40t, 10-52t 12-speed
• Wheels: Giant CXR X1 carbon
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler 50mm
• Saddle: Giant Approach SL on Post Moderne dropper post
• Price: £6,499

Giant Revolt X Advanced Pro 1

• Frame: Advanced Grade
• Fork: RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR 40mm travel
• Handlebars: Giant Contact SL XR
• Groupset: SRAM Rival AXS/GX Eagle AXS 40t, 10-52t 12-speed
• Wheels: Giant CXR X1 carbon
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler 45mm
• Saddle: Giant Approach SL on Post Moderne dropper post
• Price: £5,499

Giant Revolt X Advanced Pro 2

• Frame: Advanced Grade
• Fork: RockShox Rudy XPLR 40mm travel
• Handlebars: Giant Contact SL XR
• Groupset: SRAM Apex AXS/X1 Eagle AXS 40t, 11-50t 12-speed
• Wheels: Giant CXR X1 carbon
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler 45mm
• Saddle: Giant Approach SL on Post Moderne dropper post
• Price: £4,499

Giant Revolt vs Giant Revolt X: which should you choose?

How do you like your gravel? Giant’s two gravel platforms are geared to different styles of gravel riding.

If you like to spend a lot of your time in mountain bike territory, on steeps and singletrack, the Revolt X may be a better choice. The suspension fork adds an extra dose of compliance and the wide tyres and wide-range mullet gearing help on ascents and trickier off-road.

When we reviewed the Revolt X, however, we found that it wasn’t particularly adept on the trickiest terrain and suggested that its suspension would serve better to smooth the ride on rougher, more horizontal trails.

The Revolt X may be too niche and specialised for many riders too. If your typical gravel ride is less extreme and particularly if you need to add in some road riding, the Revolt may be a better choice. Although we did find that the Revolt X was competent on roads with its suspension locked out, you’re then carrying around a heavy suspension fork that you’re not using.

Giant took advice from its gravel racing pros when it updated the non-suspension Revolt, so it’s adapted to faster riding. 

It’s potentially more versatile too, with the internal storage and fork leg mounts – both missing from the Revolt X – allowing you more carrying options to set it up for bikepacking. The new internal cabling at the front end makes it easier to mount a bar bag as well.

The Revolt X’s carbon frame, suspension fork and dropper post make the bike a premium purchase. If you don’t want to spend so much on a gravel bike, the Diverge alloy is the only platform with prices under £2,000. With its mudguard and rack mounts it would make a good all-weather, all surface commuter bike too.

Finally, if you’re planning to race cyclocross, you might want to consider the brand’s dedicated cyclocross bike, the Giant TCX Advanced Pro. 

Read our full reviews of the (previous generation) Revolt Advanced Pro, Revolt X and alloy Revolt for more details to help you to choose.

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