Giant Defy Advanced & mudguards

Still can't decide whether I should go Defy or Revolt! Sensible head says Revolt based on where I live but I really loved my Defy and regret selling it now.

Leaning towards Revolt currently, unless a good used Defy comes up. Giant are selling off 2021 models (which have basically identical riding geo to a Defy, just a longer wheelbase) so they're quite good value. The newer models have a different geo which is oriented to more aggressive riding with the flip chip in the short position. Hopefully be able to get to ride one in the next couple of days to make a decision

I've decided and bought a '21 Revolt which is nigh on identical in stack and reach to the Defy, only differences being a slacker front end and ~30mm longer chainstays. Should arrive Tuesday. Giant offer a pretty much no quibble returns policy within 30 days so I'll take advantage of that to test ride it. None of my local dealers still have '21 models in stock so I couldn't ride them and I wasn't interested in the '22 model because the geo has changed plus there are reports of cracking seat tubes. As far as any bike is a bargain these days it was a bargain - £1900 for a mix of GRX800 & 600 plus GRX400 hydro calipers.

If it proves comfy I'll get spare wheelset and have one set up for gravel/winter (38mm tyres) and the other for pure road, probably aero carbon and running 32s.

Well, the Revolt Advanced gets pretty close to being an N=1 bike. 

Swapped it over from the stock Giant wheels and Crosscut knobblies to something lighter and GP4000s and its plenty agile enough for my needs. Back to back test on same route and it was 1.4 mph faster.

I was a bit concerned by the bar (particularly the width) but the backsweep helps there and it doesn't feel wide. I usually ride 42cm bars but Giant put 44cm on the M/L Revolt. Drops very accessible and noticeably compliant - I ride a lot of cattle grids on my usual circuits so I'm probably better placed than most to notice it. I loved the D-Fuse stuff on my old Defy and it's better on the Revolt, probably because the shorter seat tube means I'm running with more post exposed.

One thing I'm not a big fan of is the GRX rear mech, it was much more fiddly getting wheels in and out compared to Ultegra 6800 on my old bike. Even with clutch switched off it was hard to get everything lined up. Perhaps Froome has a point! It might must be that I need to learn a new technique, I'm used to working with thru-axles so its not that.

Got some minor position tweaks to make and when funds allow I might swap to my preferred 165mm cranks, but that will mean a whole new BB and chainset. Unfortunately the Praxis cranks are OEM only and spares aren't available. 

As to the point of this thread, the mudguards are on order, hopefully easy to fit.

With the saddle I noticed two things - one it really does need the full 11-12Nm of torque applied otherwise it will creak, and two the front adjuster has already rubbed against the inner edge of the cutout. A bit surprised by that, whilst I run my saddle 0.5 degrees nose down I wouldn't expect it to come into contact with the knurled adjuster.

As to the bar I can't tell the difference either and I'm usually pretty sensitive to minor cockpit changes. I'm finding it really comfortable, particularly the skinny tops. Noticeably less hand numbness. It hasn't solved it but it's better.

Mudguards going on tomorrow.

Ah, thanks, good to know about the fork. I'd like to think its in the proper place as the RGX guards have an angle bracket for the front mudguard - and they're not shown as being compatible with the Revolt. 

I get that there's mahoosive clearance anyway on the Revolt but that seems to be a bonkers solution. It's a complete pain when setting up 'guards - my old Merida CX used the same system. Also sucks for fitting dyno lights.

Had a look around and so far confirmed that 2020 Defys and newer have the hole on the back of the fork, so that should help with clearance