Kona Rove AL versus Giant Revolt 3

[WGibbons]

Hi,

I'm new here, and also new to cycling. I'm trying to decide what bike to buy. From what I've read online, a cyclocross style bike would suit me best. I'm aiming to lose weight, with a view to doing a 25km commute to work a couple of days a week when I get fit, and perhaps down the line going on longer road trips.

The thing I like about the cyclocross style is that it seems to leave some fleixibility for different things down the line. I also like the idea of disc brakes, which are outside my budget on the current purely road bikes that I've seen.

I think I've narrowed my search down to 2 choices. The Giant Revolt 3 and the Kona Rove AL. Price-wise, they're about the same (the Giant is about 150 dearer, but the dealer will trade in my old hybrid, which brings the price down to about the same as the Kona).

One of the things I'd be keeping in mind is that if I was ever to join a club or go out with a few lads, I'd have to be able to keep up (reasonably well, anyway) with the road bikes. One of the phrases used to describe the Kona on Wiggle.com was "urban hybrid". Does that mean it's not suited to comfortable longer road trips? Or is it just a phrase? Anyway, if you have a few minutes, could you look at the specs of the 2 bikes and share your thoughts, please?

Giant Revolt 3:website

Kona Rove AL: website

The Rove looks more off-road orientated, with space for bigger tyres (although it seems to come delivered with the same tyres as the Giant). As I'm leaning more towards road stuff, does this mean the bike is less suited for the road?

In terms of gears, drive, brakes, etc., how do the bikes compare?

Are they so similar that it makes no difference, or does one stand out as definitely being better than the other?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Elswick Cotterpin]

Welcome to the forum! It's hard to choose, isn't it? Those are two of the bikes that interested me too; a lot of these models are very similar, the biggest difference between the two here is that the Revolt comes with a triple chainring while the Rove has a compact chainring. Triple will give you a wider range of gears, saying that, the compacts are fine for lots of people. Opinions are divided.

Both are what they're calling 'endurance' bikes, which basically means a slightly more relaxed geometry, should be more comfortable than a bike designed essentially for racing, although they're both designed for road and some not-too-rough roughstuff, so they will move pretty well on the road; it's the engine, not the bike.

Both have Claris groupset, the cheaper end of Shimano, but a good one all the same.

I don't know diddly about the different types of brakes...

Definitely go to a bikeshop/store and have a look at them, sit on some, try for size; one of 'em may start whispering 'buy me, buy me'.

Best of luck!

 

[AndyRM]

All of the above is good advice.

On looks alone, I'd go with the Kona. But then I do ride one most days so may be slightly biased...

 

[mickle]

Revolt is short for absolute farking revolting. Buy the Kona.

 

[WGibbons]

Thanks guys.

A Cannondale Caadx has just come into the mix too. It's a tiny bit more expensive, but it seems to have better groupset.

Any thoughts on the Cannondale?

http://www.cannondale.com/nam_en/2015/bikes/road/cyclocross/caadx/caadx-sora-disc

 

[mickle]

Thanks guys.

A Cannondale Caadx has just come into the mix too. It's a tiny bit more expensive, but it seems to have better groupset.

Any thoughts on the Cannondale?

http://www.cannondale.com/nam_en/2015/bikes/road/cyclocross/caadx/caadx-sora-disc

Which one do you like?

 

[WGibbons]

Which one do you like?

The only one I've seen in the flesh so far is the Giant. I'm going to see the Cannondale tomorrow and the Kona on Friday. So I can't really say which one I like yet, hence asking newbie questions about which one is considered best by those that know more about these things than me!

 

[Elswick Cotterpin]

It's a good bike from a good brand, and you'll find that the longer you look the more you'll find that you like.. if that makes sense?? It makes sense in my head. The pricing is all pretty similar, the specs are similar, quality of components vary, generally you pay more for higher specs or for more popular brand names.

If you'll use it for commuting you might want to look at fittings for mudguards or a rack if you'll be carrying anything, also, the more desirable the bike the greater the risk leaving it anywhere while you're at work, unless you have somewhere secure to store it.

Evans, I think, call them 'adventure' bikes, it's not quite a cyclo-cross, not quite a touring bike, or a hybrid; advertised as an all-round go anywhere type of machine. That's fairly accurate, within limits, and with applied common sense.

All the manufacturers have their own versions, as you'll discover if you keep looking; Saracen/Merida/orbea/GT/Specialized/Raleigh/Merlin cycles.. there's probably more. It'll probably come down to finding one that you like the look of, for a price you can afford, and that feels right when you sit on it. If you have a bike shop near you that would be a good place to start, you can't beat actually seeing the bike in the flesh - in the metal(?) - for helping you to decide.

(Edit: I just saw your post above, ignore some or all of this...)

 

[russ.will]

Planet-X London Road SRAM Rival 22 for the same money as the Cannondale, but Rival 22 is a er, a rival to Shimano 105, so a couple of rungs up the ladder. As they're made/assembled in this country, you get a chance to change spec a bit on certain items (eg, change the stem length, bar width, tape colours, etc) for no extra outlay and quite a few other bits are minimal extra cost. Handy if you know what you want.

Russell

 

[WGibbons]

Thanks for the replies.

I made a decision.

I've ordered, wait for it.......


The Cannondale CAADX Sora Disc. Got a great deal. It was reduced from €1145 to €995, and the dealer gave me €200 trade in for an old bike. So €795. Bike to work scheme means it will really only cost me about €400. So overall I think it's a better bike per buck than the others.

Can't wait to get it!

Next big question is shave or wax the legs?

 

[Elybazza61]

Nice choice *

Oh and shave or wax whatever you like,it is in the rules though(no 33 to be exact;http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/#33)




*Of course you do realise that when this bug really kicks in you'll be looking at a nice 'for best' shiny road bike later;the caadx will be a good winter/bad weather steed if you do though