I'm suffering from major paralysis by analysis when looking for a new gravel bike. I have scrutinized every little detail on the spec sheet, done geometry overlays, and read/watched most all of the reviews. Unfortunately, I can't find much information that would provide any relative comparisons between the bikes listed here. Here is the list of what I'm currently looking at to fill my need:
I'm pretty familiar with the differences in specs, geometry, etc between all of these bikes. However, I'm really interested in hearing stories from people who have ridden 2 (or more) of these bikes and can share their opinions or thoughts on one vs another.
I have no valid complaints about my Giant Revolt. The ride quality is great. The frame's a bit heavy and the stock stem/bars aren't great, but stems and bars are to be replaced immediately like stock saddles or those spoke protector plates.
I have not ridden any of those bikes, so I can't help you. What might be helpful would be to describe what you are looking for in a bike and how you are going to use it. The list you have is quite diverse, meaning the bikes are very different from each other. I say this because no two peoples riding styles and terrain are going to be the same. So to hear one person tell you which of those bikes they liked best really isn't helpful. What is more helpful is to know what you are looking for so that people who have ridden those bikes could tell you if they are good at those things.
As an example, my bike is used for very long rides (>100 miles) and many multiday loaded trips. I quickly ruled out the Lauf bikes because of the low stack height. My lower back would be aching if I had to ride a Lauf on my typical rides. However for someone who is racing, or isn't going to be spending many days on the bike, the Lauf might be perfect. At the time I ruled out the RLT RDO, because the original version claimed to be built with stiffness optimized rather than comfort (they have changed this in the newest version) and being that I am not racing I would prefer comfort over stiffness.
I agree with ljsmith that your priorities are key, as are your stack and reach requirements. What you list suggests at least some interest in vibration dampening. I have no experience with the Niner, but I have a Revolt Advanced and my brother has a Diverge, both lower-level builds than you are considering. I also had an opportunity to test a Lauf fork (installed on a Felt Breed, if memory serves), but that was just riding around on the field behind the shop.
My tire-kicking reaction to the Lauf fork was that I really wanted to be amazed by it but found it vague and pogo-like. It definitely erased high impacts but took a second to reset and the delay bugged me instantly. This was not a proper test under actual rugged conditions, however, and I am ignorant of its fine-tuning properties.
I think it's fair to say that both the Revolt and Diverge prioritize stability over maneuverability at speed compared to a standard road bike. They require a bit more to lean into a turn. In practice, I really like it and come to rely on it when things get dicey, and I can still scoot over on a dime when needed. As for vibration dampening, I think both the Giant D-Fuse seat post and Specialized FutureShock 1.0 work very, very well. I don't remember which spring my brother had installed, but I tried to mess with it on standing climbs and other yanking maneuvers and it did not budge, but it removes chatter beautifully. I have seen reviewers online complain that the D-Fuse post gets bouncy, and I can get it to do that, but I attribute any bounce to poor pedaling form by someone used to a stiffer platform. I just love it, and with a high volume tire I think it works brilliantly. The Revolt bars are also D-Fuse-like in the shape of the tops, but the benefits are more subtle and most noticeable in the drops. On flat gravel, in the drops, going full gas with larger tires, the whole dampening system, including the frame compliance, works great. It is a very comfortable bike for all-day riding, but it also responds to effort. Beyond that, extremely jolting descents such as at remote gravel events might have me considering a Redshift stem for a little extra cushion, although for the kind of riding I do I think 9/10 of it should be technique in positioning.
The Revolt has retained its all-road geo (and mine has a 105 groupset, pre-GRX) whereas the Diverge has been tweaked in the mtb direction, so your planned riding destinations might dictate that choice. I do not have single track skills and have a hard time with highly technical sections on the Revolt. Maybe the newer Diverge with FutureShock 2.0 and the slacker, stretched geo will help with that if you so desire. For my riding, with at least 70% being on the road, I find the Revolt Goldilocks perfect. I am only held back by my own deficiencies.
I appreciate the replies. I am prioritizing gravel races (100-300 mile length) plus a secondary priority for the occasional mulitiday ultralight gravel bikepacking on this bike.
Regarding compliance: I definitely value comfort when cruising in the saddle, but I also want the bike to go when I jump out of the saddle on a climb. I have been using a Redshift stem for 2 years and can't live without it anymore.
In the past, I have used the Kona Sutra but it is heavy and sluggish to ride, but really stable. I still have one that I use for commuting and luxury bikepacking.
I have also owned a Giant Revolt and Salsa Stormchaser. I liked the Stormchaser fit, but ended up jumping on the opportunity to sell it to a friend to help him get into gravel. Additionally, I sized up when purchasing the Revolt to get a slightly longer more stable bike (I rode the ML and the L but purchased the L). Unfortunately, I could never get the fit dialed except for going with a super short stem. I think if I had purchased a ML I would still be riding it.
The only bike available for me to go ride is the Diverge. All the other bikes are for purchase online so can't be test ridden.
The list is heavily driven by current availability along with cost. I really don't have a "budget" for this bike. I'm happy to pay for quality parts that I'll value but not interested in gimmicks.
The Niner RLT 9 RDO is the most appealing bike to me due to not having any propritary stuff (no D-Fuse, FutureShock, etc). However, it has longer chainstays than the other options. It is a well known race bike, so I think it would do just fine in that discipline.
The Diverge geometry has me intrigued/nervous. I will not be riding much (if any) singletrack on this bike and I feel like it might be to MTB-like for my tastes. As I mentioned, I can go ride this bike, but there isn't much exposed pavement to ride on right now due to snow. I'm afraid I wouldn't really be able to test the geometry to the full extent.
DUrbaniak wrote:The Niner RLT 9 RDO is the most appealing bike to me due to not having any propritary stuff (no D-Fuse, FutureShock, etc). However, it has longer chainstays than the other options. It is a well known race bike, so I think it would do just fine in that discipline.
FWIW my last two bikes have had 45 and 44.5 cm chainstays. I happen to like the extra length which enhances stability, accommodates bigger tires, and slightly improves chain line. But I'm sure that's a matter of taste. For an extreme look at the Rivendell Atlantis with, depending on frame size, chainstays between 51.5 and 55.5 cm! I've never ridden one but I suspect it would be best suited to delivering newspapers.
I have a first-gen Diverge, which serves well BOTH as an endurance bike and snappy urban road use. I stiffened it with carbon wheels for better climbing, softening it with Redshift (instead of Future-Shock) and a Canyon/Ergon clone twin-leaf post. TheWave bar gave me a 4th hand position too. The new Diverge is indeed less "fun" on the road or climbing, but I guess Specialized wanted more downhill stability with the longer legged and slacker newbie. Not me. If I were starting over I'd probably look at others, inc the very sweet GT Grade (although that may be a little lax too). I swapped to 46/36 with 36/12 (sic) Ultegra 2x and am finally done! Good luck in your demos.
I have a 1st-gen RLT RDO, purchased used. At the time it was one of the few carbon options with a taller stack height, which is what I need. I've been very happy with it. Love the stability. Sure, the handling is not as responsive as my road bike,(which is more like "sneeze and you're in the ditch") but I'd never call it "sluggish." For reference: I'm late 50s, 5'9" 155lbs, ride mostly New England dirt roads.
I think one bike your missing in your consideration is the Open Wi.De.. if for some reason you have kept this one off the list, you best par choice I feel you’ll be the Diverge. The only reason I place the Diverge below the Open Wi.De. Is because of the proprietary requirements of the fork and the periodic servicing needed on the shock.
The truth is all of those are great bikes, and all will work fine for the use case that you suggest. So perhaps the answer is pick the one that speaks to you most.
If I were to comment on the only one I have ridden, the Diverge is great, and I believe the FutureShock is an asset, especially for the longer distances you mention. I believe I ride the same roads as you, and never hit a trail on my Diverge, and never feel like it is too trail oriented. And I have begun keeping the FutureShock on all the time even on paved roads and notice that I feel fresher afterward.
i have 2019 Niner, got it for the simple looks, straight lines, no gimmicks. The long chainstay creates a stable ride at speed, allows me to ride trough pretty narly roads with only 32mm slick. The downside is you have to slow down more on sharp corners as the bike tend to understeer. The frameset is way overbuild, 1200g frame + 600g fork good luck getting it under 19lb. 9000 miles on it so far, should last me for a while.
Always fun to read everyone's opinions & perspectives...
Key features for me are: 1. Threaded bottom bracket (I'm tired of creaking press fit BB's) 2. Must fit 42's and 45's would be even better. 3. Available in a 2x11 configuration with mechanical shifters. Yeah, the electronic stuff is amazing but I figure the thousand I save by going mechanical will get me a second set of carbon wheels.
Niner, Santa Cruz, Ibis, Jamis and so many other great brands out there. I wish more have transitioned to the new threaded BB.
I also expect whatever I get this year will be obsolete next year when Shimano comes out with a 2x12 or 2x13 drivetrain.
NoCoGreg wrote:I also expect whatever I get this year will be obsolete next year when Shimano comes out with a 2x12 or 2x13 drivetrain.
Whatever I get any year will soon be obsolete - by design. I'm OK with that, I just buy something I know I'll be happy with and can get parts for over the long haul. Good bicycles, like good tools, have enduring value have.
BTW when Shimano comes out with a 2x20 drivetrain I expect the lifetime to be measured in hours. For my particular circumstances I prefer about 12% steps between gears so a 2x8 or 2x9 setup is sufficient. And that's so far out of style it's almost cool again. 🙂
My approach to buying a new bike changed after I bought a new bike earlier this year. In part due to supply issues and Covid.
I found a complete bike where I was able to pay extra (at cost) for better wheels, had them set up tubeless with tire of my choice. I selected a model with GRX400 as this is an second bike and I wanted to save...to eventually get a custom frame that all these parts would be installed on. That way I’m splitting up the costs over time: a) bike I can afford asap, b) get the frame I really want in a few years, c) decide then if I want or need to upgrade other items (likely another few years away from new frame). I just can’t justify getting it all now and being happy for next 5-6 years.
My experience is I've gotten more enjoyment for less money by getting what I really want rather than modifying or replacing something less. Since I have financial constraints like most folks I sometimes do without one thing to get another without compromise. And I'm old enough to have no problem justifying getting it all now. 🙂
Involuntarysoul wrote:i have 2019 Niner, got it for the simple looks, straight lines, no gimmicks. The long chainstay creates a stable ride at speed, allows me to ride trough pretty narly roads with only 32mm slick. The downside is you have to slow down more on sharp corners as the bike tend to understeer. The frameset is way overbuild, 1200g frame + 600g fork good luck getting it under 19lb. 9000 miles on it so far, should last me for a while.
I have a short wheel based gravel bike, and it also understeers. Kind of frustrating. I have a bad habit of pushing it too hard to see what will happen. I can drift my '90's mountain bike on this gravel, but not my "gravel" bike.
I impulsively picked up the last Santa Cruz Stigmata I could find. The only other bikes I was seriously considering were the Diverge and the Open WiDe or whatever they call that. That bike is pretty awesome and a friend rides one. The Stigmata is light and pretty quick, even with a 2x GRX basic build and alloy rims (DT350 hubs). So far, I really like it. It is not as slack as some of the Salsa bikes but it is pretty nimble with a shorter wheelbase. I'm a mountain biker mainly (though more road miles each year, especially early) so I don't take it on gnarly single track since I use my mountain bikes for that. I stick to gravel and it is quite nice. The only thing I wish it had are those bento box drillings.
The Stigmata is a beautiful bike, and Santa Cruz takes care of its customers. As for the bento box brazeons, I have a Revelate Gas Tank that straps on, I trimmed the velcro strap to size, and that thing doesn't budge, if that's your concern. I can appreciate the clean aesthetics of a bolt-on, though.
Thanks! I found a bag- Apidura Racing top tube bag (the Racing version) and it is slim, grippy, and has a magnetic flap closure. It is slim enough to where it does not hit my knees. I'll use this and their frame bag I ordered. The Race version of that is also pretty slim. I like the ease and clean look of a bolt on but this will work, and they will not budge.
Nice looking bike, congrats! I believe it fits up to 41mm with room to spare, not bad at all. I have GRX400 on my bike and really like it. My bike (Canadian brand) is also not as slack, but it's quick and snappy...reminds me of the look of the Stigmata. Enjoy the hell out of it!
