Hi all! I am fairly new to gravel biking, but been doing mountain biking for the last few years, and for health reasons, now have to switch to a different sport. I used to have a more racy road bike, but I never felt comfortable riding it, and after it sitting in the garage for a few years, I sold it. So, for the time being, commuting on my mountain bike (Stumpjumper Expert Carbon) about 11 miles on a mixed gravel and street path to work. Looking to pick up a gravel bike for the commute, and I think I have narrowed it to two that I really like, wondering what other people's impressions are.
Main must have for me is quality brakes, so I really want hydraulic disc. Not sure I actually want carbon, my mountain bike is carbon, and I get very nervous putting it on the back of a bus. Prefer a reliable drivetrain and I noticed a few bikes I tested mis-shifting from shop, but maybe they needed a tune. I don't know a whole lot about the drivetrains of gravel bikes other than a bit of reading and couple of test rides.
My current two top picks are:
- Giant Revolt Advanced 3 $2200 on sale – https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/revolt-advanced-3-2022 – Seem to be a carbon frame, but I believe it's actually heavier than the aluminum Diverge. Appears to be a good component set, I think. Shimano GRX and Tiagra components. I rode the less expensive Giant Revolt 3 because a LBS had it in stock, and I liked the feel of the bike dimensions, but the shifting and braking did not feel great on that bike.
- Specialized Diverge Comp E5. $2000 on sale. https://www.specialized.com/us/en/diverge-comp-e5/p/217058?color=350287-217058 – Alumnimum frame, carbon fork w/ future shock, SRAM Apex drivetrain. LBS is building out a test Diverge Elite for me to test ride, but haven't tried it yet.
Also looked at Cannondale Topstone, but the one at the LBS was the wrong size, and it felt very heavy.
Any other suggestions of other good bikes in this range or recommendations between these two?
Thanks in advance!
by bendawg
1 Comment
If I were spending $2k on a mixed-surface commuting bike and did NOT want carbon, I would look at Surly. I feel like several of their models (midnight special, straggler, preamble, bridge club) would meet your needs. They would all have rack and fender mounts and be great commuter rides.
Between your two options, I would lean toward the Giant primarily because I’d prefer to avoid weird proprietary pseudo-suspension (future shock)–but others may disagree. You could look at the aluminum revolt instead of the advanced if you are trying to avoid carbon. But I think a carbon bike could tolerate being put on a bus from time to time.