The Giant AnyRoad, made to be beginner friendly. © Cyclocross Magazine
If you’re in the market for an introductory ’cross/gravel bike for someone who maybe doesn’t have much bike handling experience, you may want to take a closer look at Giants’ new offerings for 2014, the AnyRoad and the Revolt. Designed for beginners, the AnyRoad gets someone from a hybrid onto a more road-friendly (and ’cross-friendly) model for $1225, and for $3200, the Revolt can serve as a gravel machine and intro level ’cross bike.
Both bikes have aluminum frame and carbon fork.
“It’s made for a rider who isn’t comfortable with a drop bar, so this gets them started,” a Giant rep explained about the AnyRoad. And unlike a road bike, the AnyRoad comes in sizes from XS to XL. The back angle is a 54 degree angle so it’s a very upright position, similar to a hydrid bike.
If you’re “an avid mountain biker who would want to scare yourself on single track, the Revolt is the bike you want to ride gravel roads and maybe race ’cross.” Even at a glance, it’s obvious that the Revolt is geared toward a gravel racing crowd with a mountain bike slant: with a sloping top tube, mountain bikers will feel right at home. It has a 48 degree back angle, compared to the AnyRoad’s 54 degree, so it’s “more aggressive, for sure.”
The slightly racier Giant Revolt. © Cyclocross Magazine
Revolt Specs:
- MSRP: $3200
- Sizes: S, M, M/L, L, XL
- Colors: Blast Anodized Black/Gloss Grey
- Frame: ALUXX SL-grade aluminum w/ rack mounts
- Fork: Advanced-grade composite, alloy OverDrive steerer
- Handlebar: Giant Connect XR Ergo-Control, 31.8mm
- Stem: Giant Connect
- Seatpost: Giant Connect Composite, 27.2mm
- Saddle: Fi’zi:k Tundra 2, K:ium rails
- Shifters: SRAM S-Series HRD700
- Front Derailleur: SRAM X9
- Rear Derailleur: SRAM X9, Type 2
- Brakes: SRAM S-Series HRD700, hydraulic disc, 160mm
- Brake Levers: SRAM S-Series HRD700
- Cassette: SRAM PG1070 11×36, 10-speed
- Chain: KMC X10 SL
- Crankset: SRAM X9, 32/48
- Bottom Bracket: SRAM GXP
- Rims and Hubs: Giant P-CXR1 WheelSystem
- Tires: Schwalbe Smart Sam Performance, 700×40, folding
- More Info: http://www.giant-bicycles.com
AnyRoad Specs:
- MSRP: $1,225
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Colors: Black
- Frame: ALUXX-grade aluminum w/ rack mounts
- Fork: Composite-grade composite, ALUXX-grade aluminum steerer
- Handlebar: Giant Connect XR Ergo-Control, 31.8mm
- Stem: Giant Connect
- Seatpost: Giant Connect Composite, 30.9mm
- Saddle: Giant Performance
- Shifters: Shimano Tiagra
- Front Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano Sora
- Brakes: Avid BB7 Road, mechanical disc, 140mm
- Brake Levers: Shimano w/Giant Ergo-Control top-bar levers
- Cassette: Shimano HG62 11×34, 10-speed
- Chain: KMC X10
- Crankset: Shimano R460, 34/48
- Bottom Bracket: Shimano external
- Rims: Giant S-X2, double wall
- Hubs: Giant, [F]24h, [R]28h
- Tires: Giant P-RX2, FlatGuard Deflect 3, 700×32
- More Info: http://www.giant-bicycles.com
