The "Photos From Today's Ride" thread. (Vol. 2)
Discussion
seems the HAMMERHEAD took a s
yellowjack said:
PomBstard said:
Bike is a 2023 Revolt Advanced 0 which means carbon frame, carbon wheels running 40c tubeless tyres, and 2x11 GRX groupset.
Geometry is about the mid-point of relaxed-aggressive for a gravel bike, so it’s stable, yet responsive without being too much in either direction. Sounds like a compromise, and it is, but it serves the one-bike-for-all purpose well being good on road, firetrail and singletrack. My Norco was similar, albeit slightly more relaxed feeling.
I’d recommend taking a close look at one, and trying one for size - for my money there was little to touch it for the combo of ability and value for money.
Any other queries, just ask away…
Thank you! I take it you like it, from the way you describe it. I think your 'Advanced 0' was the spec I looked at in my nearest shop, but there don't seem to be any available in a small enough frame for me. I've had two shops check their own inventory and Giant's supplier system. Your bike is a lovely colour. The 'Advanced 2' I was looking at had aluminium wheels and GRX 2 x 10 gearing, so perhaps not as "swish" as yours. It was available (a week ago) in both of the sizes that are most likely to fit me, so I'm hoping that's still the case. I know there are at least four shops local to me stocking Giant, but stock in my target sizes is hit and miss. I was considering a custom build from a more "boutique" frame maker in steel, but not entirely sure on that score. If I don't buy something "in stock" now, it's looking likely that I'm going to have to pay more, and get less, when 2024 bikes finally get delivered to stores.Geometry is about the mid-point of relaxed-aggressive for a gravel bike, so it’s stable, yet responsive without being too much in either direction. Sounds like a compromise, and it is, but it serves the one-bike-for-all purpose well being good on road, firetrail and singletrack. My Norco was similar, albeit slightly more relaxed feeling.
I’d recommend taking a close look at one, and trying one for size - for my money there was little to touch it for the combo of ability and value for money.
Any other queries, just ask away…
One question, though. Have you experimented at all with the 'Flip Chip' in the rear dropout yet? I'm told it'll accommodate up to 53mm tyres in one of the settings.
Haven’t yet tried the flip chip but have no need for 53c tyres on this bike - the 40c it come with are fine.
Would recommend anyone in the market for this type of bike to take one for a spin as part of their shopping.
This is the fourth or fifth Giant I’ve bought new over the years, they’ve all been fine frames with a good level of kit, presenting a very capable bike that’s excellent value for money. I get my Boutique w
ker kicks from my mtb 
PomBstard said:
Sorry YJ, missed this! I was also considering something a bit more boutique-y but struggled to find anything (a) in stock and (b) that wasn’t just another Chinese-build frame with a different paint job, and I can’t afford a custom built jobbie.
Haven’t yet tried the flip chip but have no need for 53c tyres on this bike - the 40c it come with are fine.
Would recommend anyone in the market for this type of bike to take one for a spin as part of their shopping.
This is the fourth or fifth Giant I’ve bought new over the years, they’ve all been fine frames with a good level of kit, presenting a very capable bike that’s excellent value for money. I get my Boutique wker kicks from my mtb
Haven’t yet tried the flip chip but have no need for 53c tyres on this bike - the 40c it come with are fine.
Would recommend anyone in the market for this type of bike to take one for a spin as part of their shopping.
This is the fourth or fifth Giant I’ve bought new over the years, they’ve all been fine frames with a good level of kit, presenting a very capable bike that’s excellent value for money. I get my Boutique w
ker kicks from my mtb Thanks for the reply.
I'm still procrastinating. There's a serious danger that i'll end up missing out completely if I don't act soon. . .
yellowjack said:
Thank you! I take it you like it, from the way you describe it. I think your 'Advanced 0' was the spec I looked at in my nearest shop, but there don't seem to be any available in a small enough frame for me. I've had two shops check their own inventory and Giant's supplier system. Your bike is a lovely colour. The 'Advanced 2' I was looking at had aluminium wheels and GRX 2 x 10 gearing, so perhaps not as "swish" as yours. It was available (a week ago) in both of the sizes that are most likely to fit me, so I'm hoping that's still the case. I know there are at least four shops local to me stocking Giant, but stock in my target sizes is hit and miss. I was considering a custom build from a more "boutique" frame maker in steel, but not entirely sure on that score. If I don't buy something "in stock" now, it's looking likely that I'm going to have to pay more, and get less, when 2024 bikes finally get delivered to stores.
One question, though. Have you experimented at all with the 'Flip Chip' in the rear dropout yet? I'm told it'll accommodate up to 53mm tyres in one of the settings.
YJ - have you looked at Sonder bikes at Alpkit? They get good reviews, they are good value, they are designed in the UK. There are about 10 shops round the country (Alpkit) and I think you can take them out for a spin, or hire them for a day.One question, though. Have you experimented at all with the 'Flip Chip' in the rear dropout yet? I'm told it'll accommodate up to 53mm tyres in one of the settings.
Daveyraveygravey said:
YJ - have you looked at Sonder bikes at Alpkit? They get good reviews, they are good value, they are designed in the UK. There are about 10 shops round the country (Alpkit) and I think you can take them out for a spin, or hire them for a day.
No, I hadn't considered those. To be honest I wasn't really even aware of them. I'll have a look at locations online now. The biggest problem I've got is crippling anxiety. It takes a lot just for me to get out of the house to go to a bike shop, when I know realistically that's the only way I'm going to get a new bike. I know you can buy a bike online these days but that doesn't really appeal to me. Last year, when I had no budget, I managed a couple of trips to local(ish) shops who carry more unusual brands or do custom builds on stock frames from Brothers/Surly/etc. Now that I actually have some money to buy a bike, it's somehow harder to get down to the nuts and bolts of which off-the-peg bike or build I'd like. It's driving me nuts some days.
Another issue is that I hardly ride bikes at all at the moment. Almost all my activity is walking or running. I fear that getting a decent bike will simply serve to demonstrate just how unfit I've become since the collision that killed my last bike in July 2023. I'm still not hugely comfortable riding a bicycle on the roads, where a lot of my miles were on a road bike prior to the collision.
yellowjack said:
No, I hadn't considered those. To be honest I wasn't really even aware of them. I'll have a look at locations online now.
The biggest problem I've got is crippling anxiety. It takes a lot just for me to get out of the house to go to a bike shop, when I know realistically that's the only way I'm going to get a new bike. I know you can buy a bike online these days but that doesn't really appeal to me. Last year, when I had no budget, I managed a couple of trips to local(ish) shops who carry more unusual brands or do custom builds on stock frames from Brothers/Surly/etc. Now that I actually have some money to buy a bike, it's somehow harder to get down to the nuts and bolts of which off-the-peg bike or build I'd like. It's driving me nuts some days.
Another issue is that I hardly ride bikes at all at the moment. Almost all my activity is walking or running. I fear that getting a decent bike will simply serve to demonstrate just how unfit I've become since the collision that killed my last bike in July 2023. I'm still not hugely comfortable riding a bicycle on the roads, where a lot of my miles were on a road bike prior to the collision.
I'm in a similar position, but for different reasons. I have to have a shoulder replacement op, the consultant told me this was more likely caused by a dislocation in childhood (which I don't remember) than the broken scapula and clavicle in the last 7 years, caused by crashing my road bike and then my MTB. Until a few years ago, I hadn't had a major accident on the MTB off road, all the broken bones had been during road rides, so I used to think MTB & off road was the safest option, whenever it was likely to be freezing the MTB would come out. But since the clavicle, I've had at least two more offs on the MTB, not quite as serious, where I've lost the front wheel. Once was trying to get out of a rut, the other was on green chalk. I think this happens when I am relaxed, speeds weren't high; it's never happened when I have been going bat-sThe biggest problem I've got is crippling anxiety. It takes a lot just for me to get out of the house to go to a bike shop, when I know realistically that's the only way I'm going to get a new bike. I know you can buy a bike online these days but that doesn't really appeal to me. Last year, when I had no budget, I managed a couple of trips to local(ish) shops who carry more unusual brands or do custom builds on stock frames from Brothers/Surly/etc. Now that I actually have some money to buy a bike, it's somehow harder to get down to the nuts and bolts of which off-the-peg bike or build I'd like. It's driving me nuts some days.
Another issue is that I hardly ride bikes at all at the moment. Almost all my activity is walking or running. I fear that getting a decent bike will simply serve to demonstrate just how unfit I've become since the collision that killed my last bike in July 2023. I'm still not hugely comfortable riding a bicycle on the roads, where a lot of my miles were on a road bike prior to the collision.
t crazy downhil, thank feck! My MTB is about 18 yrs old, a reasonable Boardman hard tail, but it still has a triple chainset and inner tubes, oh the horror. But you do perch on it, rather than in it like more modern mtbs. Our mortgage has finally ended so I was going to treat myself to a brand new mtb (I've never bought a new one, always 2nd hand off Ebay) and I was quite happy to be spending £3-5k on it. LIkely a Mason Raw, as they are down the road oomr me, and it sounds like it would do exactly what I want. But the last crash has me thinking if I have another bad one, I might just give up, and it would kill me having an expensive bike in the garage not being used. This is where Sonder come in, they seem to work slightly differently to the big brands. Everyone tells me if you ride on chalk you will always likely have front wheels go out from under you, but modern geo makes that less likely. We'll see!
Having said all that, I am finding it harder and harder to ride on the roads. I've been on the road bike this week a couple of times, which hasn't been out of the garage since mid December. The driving that seems to go on around me seems like it has got even worse in those 6 weeks.
From the top of Pico do Arieiro in Madeira at 1,818m. Definitely feeling it today although heading back up there later this afternoon, but this time with the Enduro bike for some downhill fun and games on the Parc Ecological EWS track.
Edited by Before the music stops on Sunday 4th February 10:03
Daveyraveygravey said:
I'm in a similar position, but for different reasons. I have to have a shoulder replacement op, the consultant told me this was more likely caused by a dislocation in childhood (which I don't remember) than the broken scapula and clavicle in the last 7 years, caused by crashing my road bike and then my MTB. Until a few years ago, I hadn't had a major accident on the MTB off road, all the broken bones had been during road rides, so I used to think MTB & off road was the safest option, whenever it was likely to be freezing the MTB would come out. But since the clavicle, I've had at least two more offs on the MTB, not quite as serious, where I've lost the front wheel. Once was trying to get out of a rut, the other was on green chalk. I think this happens when I am relaxed, speeds weren't high; it's never happened when I have been going bat-st crazy downhil, thank feck! My MTB is about 18 yrs old, a reasonable Boardman hard tail, but it still has a triple chainset and inner tubes, oh the horror. But you do perch on it, rather than in it like more modern mtbs.
Our mortgage has finally ended so I was going to treat myself to a brand new mtb (I've never bought a new one, always 2nd hand off Ebay) and I was quite happy to be spending £3-5k on it. LIkely a Mason Raw, as they are down the road oomr me, and it sounds like it would do exactly what I want. But the last crash has me thinking if I have another bad one, I might just give up, and it would kill me having an expensive bike in the garage not being used. This is where Sonder come in, they seem to work slightly differently to the big brands. Everyone tells me if you ride on chalk you will always likely have front wheels go out from under you, but modern geo makes that less likely. We'll see!
Having said all that, I am finding it harder and harder to ride on the roads. I've been on the road bike this week a couple of times, which hasn't been out of the garage since mid December. The driving that seems to go on around me seems like it has got even worse in those 6 weeks.
Just a word of caution re long slack geo. They do require a more active riding style, and unfortunately if you don't, it can be actually easier to lose the front as there is less weight on it. t crazy downhil, thank feck! My MTB is about 18 yrs old, a reasonable Boardman hard tail, but it still has a triple chainset and inner tubes, oh the horror. But you do perch on it, rather than in it like more modern mtbs. Our mortgage has finally ended so I was going to treat myself to a brand new mtb (I've never bought a new one, always 2nd hand off Ebay) and I was quite happy to be spending £3-5k on it. LIkely a Mason Raw, as they are down the road oomr me, and it sounds like it would do exactly what I want. But the last crash has me thinking if I have another bad one, I might just give up, and it would kill me having an expensive bike in the garage not being used. This is where Sonder come in, they seem to work slightly differently to the big brands. Everyone tells me if you ride on chalk you will always likely have front wheels go out from under you, but modern geo makes that less likely. We'll see!
Having said all that, I am finding it harder and harder to ride on the roads. I've been on the road bike this week a couple of times, which hasn't been out of the garage since mid December. The driving that seems to go on around me seems like it has got even worse in those 6 weeks.
This is made worse, the bigger the generational leap.
It doesn't take long to adapt but the front can feel vague and lacking in grip initially. The unfortunate side effect is folks then tend to lean further back which compounds the problem.
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