Originally Posted by
dwmckee
40 mm clearance is plenty for the riding you describe and even rougher gravel. Though wider is always better! The Giant really is a fantastic value, why was that one crossed off of your list? Maybe consider a Salsa Warbird (Apex model closest to your price) or a Jamis Renegade (Steel frane in your price range). We just sold a beautifyl Salsa Warroad in your size, perfect for your riding, but too expensive (beautiful though!).
Thanks
dwmckee I really wanted to love the Giant Revolt and was hoping it was going to be the perfect balance between specs and price, enough so that I drove several hours to try it. It rode really rough for me compared to the Checkpoint and Diverge. Maybe I missed something on the test ride, but rode the Checkpoint SL5 and Giant Revolt back to back on the same route and the Checkpoint was a much smoother ride. One LBS is getting in a Salsa Warbird in my size next month. That pushes me back into the price range of the Diverge carbon. I have been back and forth on increasing my budget, but I am leaning towards starting at a lower price point until I have a better feel for what I need/want and also to give me an all roads back-up to my road bike that I am not worried about taking on group bar-to-bar rides. Unfortunately, the Jamis dealers nearby don't have anything in my size in stock, but I could expand my search range. The Checkpoint ARL5 is in route to my LBS, so I am feeling a bit of a time crunch.