2bridges1bike

So I am thinking to get a Giant Revolt. Main use would be mixed terrain rides. But I am also curious to try cyclocross racing at some point. Would a Revolt be able to handle a cross race? I would not be trying to win, just have fun.

tdilf

Yup it will do that.

tyrion

Sprinkle a handful of gravel on the course (discreetly) before the race and you'll be fine.

msu2001la

A Giant Revolt will be just fine for some casual/recreational CX racing. Nice bike!

Hypno Toad

Like you, I ride CX for fun (well ... you'd never guess I'm having 'fun' by the pic below). My Breezer Radar Pro is a fine CX bike. Here are a couple things I've found with a gravel bike on CX: the longer frame that's great on long gravel rides is not as maneuverable on twist CX courses; and gravel tires that have a smaller lug on the center line are great at rolling over gravel, lose grip easily on steep grassy climbs.

chas58

I used to worry about these kinds of questions long ago, but in reality - you can race just about anything in CX as long as it can take "off road" tires (33mm or wider). I've seen FTD (fastest time of day) on a mountain bike, more casual racers doing fat bikes, old 27" tire tandems, whatever. come, play, and enjoy.

If you want to get technical, a CX bike will do a tight U-turn faster than a gravel bike, and you really don't have to worry about pedal strike. They have flat top tubes to make them easier to carry. But CX bikes have gotten all gravelly (witness Specialized new big $$$ CX/Gravel race bike. one bike for everything).

Toad - are you laughing or crying in that picture???

Hypno Toad

Both?!? That's my "I can't get enough oxygen face"

caloso

Exactly. I did my first CX season on an old Trek 660 where I jammed the skinniest knobbies I could find in there.

ericcox

I've just started cross racing this year. In every race during the first lap I think, "why am I doing this again," then I see the lap board and think, "dear God, there's really that many laps left," followed by struggling to breathe, messing up at least one dismount / remount, all to be ended with "I can't believe how much fun that was; can't wait for next week!"

Oh, I'm using an actual CX bike, but have a new gravel bike theoretically arriving this week. I was considering trying it at one CX race to see if I can sell the CX bike (I do a lot more gravel than cross). On the other hand, the rule is n+1, not n-1...

Rolla

I think I would rather race a CX bike on gravel than race a gravel bike in CX, but as long as you're not vying for a trophy, you'll have a blast on your Revolt.

msu2001la

I totally endorse this view. Giant's cyclocross bike (the TCX) can take up to 45mm tires and also makes a great gravel bike. If I were buying a bike from their lineup I'd probably choose the TCX as a dual-purpose bike, rather than the Revolt. The 1x gearing would be the only potential downside for gravel (and road) use. not a dealbreaker for me, but I know it is for some.

On the topic of gravel bikes for CX - Unless someone is regularly battling for podium positions in Cat 3 or above, the nuanced geometry differences between bikes like the Revolt and TCX are not likely to have any impact on the enjoyment and success of recreational CX racing. Obviously the TCX is more purpose built and will be better at some of the finer points like accelerating out of the blocks, snapping off hairpin turns, pedaling on off-cambers, etc, but most recreational CX racers aren't at a level where this stuff really matters.

My main CX race goals are always to not crash, have fun and feel like I gave it my all. I pride myself on being faster on technical sections so if I can learn some new skills or lines that's awesome too. I can definitely accomplish all of this on a gravel bike.

I know very few people who own both a dedicated gravel bike and a dedicated CX bike. These people are either rich bike nerds who own tons of bikes, or they're highly competitive racers in both disciplines. Everyone else I know rides CX on gravel bikes, or rides gravel on their CX bikes.

2bridges1bike

I really would prefer a cx bike in terms of geometry, but I they don’t seem to make them with fender and rack mounts, which seem to be the domain of gravel bikes.

2bridges1bike

I would love to buy a TCX or CX bike, but the deal killer for me is the lack of fender and rack mounts in such bikes. I haven’t used them but the interwebs does not seem to think that frame mounted fenders are up to the job.

bbbean 

Yes. FWIW, if you try it and like it you will be racing to win.

veloz

I’ve been on a Revolt Advanced (carbon) since July. It’s been super for gravel races, for bikepacking/tours and for all surfaces. Likely selling my road bike (Defy carbon) as I’m riding the Revolt everywhere.

Sure. A CX bike makes tight switchbacks easier. But riding a Revolt won’t likely cost a podium spot or even a lap prize. Racing 5-6 CX races yearly amounts to less than 5 total hours for me. In comparison I spent 300+ hours riding gravel last summer. FWIW: Giant has a frame crash replacement warranty if you decide to race.

ThermionicScott 

Hypoxia face!

Hypno Toad

LMAO!!

Darth Lefty 

My local cross races allow pretty much any kind of bike in the not-trying-to-win class. The trying-to-win class requires drop bars and <33mm tires.

msu2001la

I'm surprised by this. My local series is pretty big and the only equipment rules I'm aware of are pretty standard stuff - bikes must have working brakes, no aero bars. I don't think there are any restrictions on tire width, even for the Cat 1/elite racers. Maybe it's a gentleman's agreement in those fields, but everyone seems to run 33mm tires regardless. I've definitely never seen anyone checking, like you sometimes see at CX nationals or UCI events.

Darth Lefty 

I think they have changed the rules for Sacramento Cyclocross since last I looked. I do not know, but I would bet, it's because the same organizers run evening MTB races in the spring and it's the same customer crowd. Also they are not racing for USAC points, which is a different event. And, well, people are buying a lot of gravel bikes. Here's what it says now:

chas58

Actually, I put 50mm on the front my CX bike for gravel races (54mm sometimes). 40mm is plenty big for me in the rear in I'm not hammering on singletrack.