Hello Gents,
I have been a long time MTB rider and I took the decision to buy my first gravel bike after a couple of rides with a borrowed Giant Revolt.
I plan to use the bike for 30-100km rides, mainly hard packed gravel and tarmac roads, and sporadically use it (maybe with road wheels in future) for road rides with my group as I have no road bike. After visiting a couple of bike shops and investigating through internet I narrowed down my search to 2 models that I think may fit my needs.
**Giant Revolt Advanced 2 2024** [**https://www.giant-bicycles.com/es/revolt-advanced-2-2024**](https://www.giant-bicycles.com/es/revolt-advanced-2-2024)
**Orbea Terra M30TEAM 1x 2023** [**https://www.orbea.com/us-en/bicycles/road/terra/cat/terra-m30-team-1x-2023**](https://www.orbea.com/us-en/bicycles/road/terra/cat/terra-m30-team-1x-2023)
Both are at the same price point, main difference is the drivetrain 2×12 on the Revolt vs 1×11 on the Terra. Since I’m planning on use the bike on the road I was guessing the wider gear ratio of the Revolt is the way to go but I like the simplicity of the 1x and the Orbea look over the Revolt.
Could you give me some advice? Do you think it will be a notoceable difference between those 2 specially on tarmac?
As a side note I was offered a Cannondale Topstone Carbon Rival Axs 2023 for an extra 500€, but I was not able to get a clear conclusion on this bike and not sure if the extra cost for the electronic shifting is worth it.
Thank you in advance!
by RnowW
3 Comments
Tough one. Anything remotely bumpy and you will want the simplicity of 1x. The 1x makes a great difference on the chunks. On the road you will need the 2x unless your group is riding slow.
I’d say go 2x but go up to 40t in the back. Still 46/30 is not going to be as fast as a road compact so there will be the compromise. The geometry is fine, practically endurance road, get some 32c slicks/tour tires for your road rides, at least 40c for gravel.
To actually what to buy you have to decide yourself.
I’ve had nothing but endless issues with my 2024 revolt advanced 2 (including being on a second frame).
Frame lasted 600ks (warrantied)
Bottom bracket 1,200ks. Pressfit, creaks no matter what you do or who looks at it.
Issues with the groupset
Issues with the seatpost
Issues with rear wheel (warrantied)
Paint on the first frame would scratch if you looked at it funny
Probably 1 out of 4 rides I’ll come home wishing I’d never purchased it
Try both of them if you can. It’s always much better, and clearly the equipments will not market any difference here. Only the feeling of being good on it or not. And if both fit, you can choose by colour or anything that is just tastes considérations.
Edit : of course you can discuss 1x vs 2x, but the most important is the range you need. I consider that at this price tag you totally know what you are doing about this. IMO, just a question of preference (for the same range). I personnaly prefer 2x.