GRAVEL PERFORMANCE

Giant Revolt X Advanced Pro 1 $6,499

Debuting this past February, the Revolt X is Giant’s gravel racer for really rough routes. The Rockshox Rudy Ultimate xplr fork gives you 40-mm of travel. The bike comes with 700 x 45c Giant Crosscut Grip 1 tires, but it can accommodate rubber as wide as 53 mm. At the rear dropout, there’s a flipchip that lets you set the wheel in a long or short position, a difference of 10 mm for the overall wheelbase. In the short setting, you get clearance for a 45-mm tire, while also making the bike slightly more agile. Whichever setting you choose, you’ll find the bike quite capable on twisty tracks. With the Postmodern dropper post, you can push the saddle down 100 mm (or 75 on an XS frame) before you take on a hairy descent. ( giant-bicycles.com)

YT Szepter Core 3 $5,499

YT’S mountain bike dna shines through in its Szepter Core 3 gravel bike. The carbon-fibre frame features a long reach and slack 69-degree head-tube angle. The Rockshox Rudy xplr suspension fork gives you 40 mm of travel to tackle more than just smooth gravel. A 45-mm tire will clear the frame, which also features a built-in rear fender for when it gets sloppy. sram Rival axs shifts the Force xplr derailleur across the gears wirelessly. The whole bike weighs 9.8 kg. There are five sizes available in the assault green paint scheme. ( ca.yt-industries.com)

3T Exploro Ultra $6,999

3T’s latest Exploro, which debuted April 2022, goes all-in on off-road. With a 1-by setup, the Ultra can run tires as wide as 45 mm. Using 650b wheels gives you even more clearance at 61 mm, which is XC mountain bike territory. Compared with the Racemax, the Ultra has a larger seat tube cut-out to fit that off-road rubber, as well as a beefier down tube for better airflow around the tread. A round 27.2-mm seatpost means the bike is dropper-post ready. The frame uses a bb386evo bottom bracket. The 13-speed Campagnolo build is completed by 650b Fulcrum Rapid Red 900 wheels. Six sizes are offered. ( 3t.bike)

Kona Rove LTD $3,299

The Kona Rove ltd’s frame is timeless with its butted chromoly steel. The tapered head tube is paired with a carbon fork covered in mounting points—begging to be loaded with gear and ridden into the sunset. Externally routed cables and a threaded bottom bracket keep maintenance simple. Shifting and braking duties are taken up by Shimano’s 11-speed grx groupset. This Rove rolls on 650b wtb kom Team i23 rims and 47c Maxxis Rambler tires, all-around gravel treads for hardpack and beyond. ( konaworld.com)—jw