The Giant Revolt Advanced SL, A Race Winner Before Its Release 

 

The last generational update to the iconic Giant Revolt was in 2024 when the MY25 models were released with internal cable routing, increased tyre clearance, and internal frame storage. This update was welcome and cemented the Revolt as one of the best value gravel bikes on the market.  

However, there was one thing that some people weren’t too happy with; the Revolt did not have a UDH hanger. SRAM released their new 13 speed gravel offerings only a few weeks later which required this specific dropout connection. This meant that those who were chasing the latest groupset technology offered by SRAM had to search elsewhere. The reason the UDH was not included on this model was due to the Flip Chip which allows for the rear wheel position to be manipulated parallel to the chain stays which allows riders to extend the wheelbase of their bike and modify the tyre clearance. However, this system is incompatible with the increasingly popular UDH system and meant that the bike topped out at 12 speed cassettes. 

While the UDH issue was the most relevant gripe at release, in the years since, the gravel market has shifted towards aero, race machines with many companies integrating deeper tube and rim cross sections, more aggressive geometry, and lighter, higher end components. In the past year, gravel bikes have started to pop up that look like the aero bikes from 3 years ago but with clearance for 50mm+ tyres.  

While the Revolt still held its own amongst pro riders and enthusiasts alike, the Revolt’s slightly more relaxed geometry, sloping top tube, and components such as wide bars and dropper posts, set it firmly in the ‘do anything category’ in a cycling world increasingly interested in the race specific gravel machine. 

 

Enter the Giant Revolt and Liv Devote Advanced SL range. First spotted at Unbound 2026, Aussie rider Brendan Jonhston, teammate Cole Paton, and pro riders Peta Mullens, Tessa Neefjes, and Melisa Rollins were all seen on a new ‘prototype’ gravel race bikes with new Cadex components to boot. We now know this to by the latest Revolt/Devote offering, the race focused Revolt/Devote Advanced SL range.  

There were a few things that stood out about the new bike, firstly, the inclusion of the UDH dropout was hard to miss with the Aussie now running a full SRAM XPLR 13 speed setup. People also noticed that the internal storage and bolts on the top tube and fork were all removed in a bid to save weight (the official release does have top tube bolts on the frame). There was, however, a new mounting point for bottles and accessories underneath the top tube which Paton used to store his third bidon. The overall geometry also looked more aggressive with a more level top tube, and noticeably deep forks. In addition to the frame, new Cadex components were also spotted with deep section gravel wheels and a new one-piece cockpit mounted to both riders’ bikes. 

Johnston went on to place 4th in Unbound that year, his best ever placing at the event and just shy of the podium. However, due to the massive success of the Specialized riders on the newly released Crux at the event, Johnston’s accomplishments and his fancy new bike were somewhat overshadowed from a media standpoint. 

However, just 20 days later, Johnston would line up for one of Australia’s premier gravel cycling events, Tasmania’s The Devil’s Cardigan. The Aussie rider would be participating as the returning champion, having won the race in both 2024 and 2025. Riding his new Revolt SL, the SRAM-sponsored athlete was now able to run a 1x SRAM Red XPLR groupset with the full 13 speed range available thanks to the new rear dropouts. With this setup and a late decisive attack, he took home his 3rd victory in the 6th edition of the race. This also marked his 6th consecutive UCI Gravel World series win.  

Image credit: Kristina Vackova

Brendan Jonhston will be returning to South Australia at the end of the year to tackle the UCI Gravel World Championships in Nannup on the same course where he won SEVEN earlier this year, however, this time he will have an updated Revolt underneath him.  

It’s safe to say, Giant has addressed the few drawbacks people found with the older Revolt generation, and proved the bike’s abilities in the months since it was first spotted in late May.  

 

We’re keen to get some of these Gravel race machines in the store to see the bike for ourselves! In the meantime, if you think this bike is for you, pre-orders are now available on our website.