Unbound Gravel was a hotspot for unreleased new cycling technology this year. We saw SRAM’s unreleased 13-speed Red XPLR AXS groupset, a COROS bike computer with over 90 hours of battery life, a new niche race kit and new wheels.
We also got a glimpse of new bikes, including a prototype Giant, which we’re pretty sure is a new top-of-the-range Revolt.
This bike was ridden by Australian Brendan Johnston, aka Trekky, of the Giant Factory Team in the elite men’s 200-mile event. Johnston finished in 15th place after an impressive performance in a “brutal” race in which he suffered three punctures.
(Image credit: Anne-Marije Rook)
Giant remains mum on the details of the new bike, but here’s what we know:
Giant introduced the Revolt gravel bike a decade ago and several iterations have been released since then, meeting the need for increasingly capable and faster off-terrain horses.
The series’ flagship model, the Revolt Advanced Pro, has pushed the limits of weight while balancing flexibility and capability with speed and racing geometries.
Innovations from the past few iterations include:
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– A flip-chip rear dropout that allows riders to adjust the wheelbase to fine-tune handling for different types of terrain.
– Lowering the seat intersections with thinner diameter tubes to improve rear flexibility.
– The brand’s patented D-Fuse seatpost, intended to reduce shock and vibration from the rough surface.
Many of these technologies appear to be present in this prototype as well.
At first glance, the biggest change is the addition of downtube storage – an increasing trend in gravel bikes and something riders, rather than racers, have been asking for, Giant revealed.
Building storage into the downtube involves more than simply cutting a hole in the carbon. There are complex design elements to consider, including designing an access door or lid, hinges and latches, which ensure the compartment and contents do not interfere with internal cable routing, and of course the structural integrity of the downtube. To compensate for the cutout, manufacturers will have to add extra material, so this new prototype may not be lighter or even as light as its predecessors.
(Image credit: Anne-Marije Rook)
The internal frame guidance is also new. Internal cable routing isn’t the easiest for home mechanics to work on, but it does provide clean (perhaps even more aerodynamic) lines and allows riders to attach accessories without the interference of cables.
The D-Fuse seatpost and flip chip are also present on this prototype, but what is mainly missing is the addition of a UDH interface. Introduced by SRAM in 2019, the Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) standardizes the derailleur mounting interface across different bicycle frames, aiming to improve shifting performance and increase system robustness.
(Image credit: Anne-Marije Rook)
A UDH interface is required to use the new 13-speed SRAM Red XPLR AXS derailleur we saw, which Trekky, despite being a SRAM-sponsored athlete, was unable to take advantage of. Although he used the new SRAM Red brake shift levers, carried over from the newly released SRAM Red road groupset, Trekky has to make do with a SRAM mullet construction consisting of a 1x chain up front and a 12-speed mountain bike transmission. derailleur and Eagle cassette at the rear. Whether this bike will have a UDH interface when it hits the market is still unknown.
The new SRAM Red brake shift levers
(Image credit: Anne-Marije Rook)
The cockpit on Trekky’s bike appears to be CADEX’s Aero Integrated Handlebar, a $699 upgrade that we suspect won’t be standard on the commercially available bikes or perhaps only on the highest-end models.
For its trail exploration rides, Trekky used CADEX AR 35 Disc Tubeless gravel wheels with carbon spokes and wrapped in 50mm Pirelli Cinturato tires with ample clearance.
(Image credit: Anne-Marije Rook)
As with the current model, the prototype sports accessory is mounted on the top tube and down tube.
Again, Giant doesn’t want to reveal anything about this other than what our own eyes can see, but we’re sure it will be released later this season. Stay tuned.
(Image credit: Anne-Marije Rook)