Hey! I'm in Switzerland and trying to decide between two bikes:
- a new 2023 Revolt Advanced 2 with GRX 810 on sale for CHF 1'750
- the Checkpoint ALR 4 with GRX 400 for CHF 2'300
This will be my first gravel bike and my first "adult" bike other than the one I use to get around town. I was in Sweden this summer doing a weeklong bike trip and really enjoyed the gravel sections, so it has motivated me to take the jump! I live in a very hilly and mountainous area in Europe and will be mostly riding on a mix of gravel and pavement, not going to jump into single track right away. I hope to take another multi-day biking trip next summer.
On my trip I rode a Cube Nuroad and a BCF Gravel Alu Standard with L-Twoo GR9 11, which came from a local company. I really liked it and in comparison the Cube Nuroad felt sluggish to me. I'm tempted to get a BCF with SRAM Apex 1, but I don't know how I would ship it to me…
Since then I have test-ridden the Checkpoint ALR 4 and Revolt Advanced 2 and am having a hard time deciding between the two. It should be a no-brainer for the Revolt Advanced, right? Its carbon, is 2by, and has GRX 800 instead of 400, but somethings are holding me back:
- Trek seems to use higher quality components overall, even though the frame is Alu, the FSA on the Revolt makes me nervous after what I've read
- Long-Term durability vs comfort: Riding the carbon frame was fun and seemed more comfortable, but am worried about how long it will last?
- I felt a bit squished in the Revolt with the shorter reach when I was in the lower position on the drop bars and wanted to move back on my seat. However, I'm worried the checkpoint might be too aggressive for me for a longer ride?
Thanks for any advice! Should I just get the Revolt? It will come sooner and is cheaper and carbon… but the checkpoint is still stuck in my head…
by NoCar8604
1 Comment
I think you can relax about your concerns for the quality and durability of the giant, the FSA cranks is a good catch, not preferred but not the end of the world. Overall the giant homebrand stuff and the trek bontranger stuff is comparable. Both of them can use tire and wheel upgrades to make the biggest difference to that feeling.
The geometry and ergonomics is a very fair concern, the checkpoint is relatively aggressive and the giant relaxed so by all means it is reasonable to make your decision on this. Don’t forget that you can swap stems, and raise and lower handlebars so if you just need 10-20mm to make the feel right this can be achieved properly without putting the seat in a bad position.
Lastly the pricing and value. The price of the trek is very poor so it is very hard for me to even consider it, it is not that unique even if you decide the revolt is not for you I would keep shopping other brands unless there is something about the swiss bike pricing I don’t understand.