Help Between 2 Gravel bikes

I am planning on purchasing  gravel bike.  My plan is to use it to rise gravel and some road.  I may do  local 50 mile gravel race.  I have narrowed my choices to the Giant 2017 Anyroad 2 and the 2017 Giant Revolt 3.  Any and all info between the 2 will help.

Same price... so... You get better components on the AnyRoad, a better frame on the Revolt.  The AnyRoad is a bit more for road/gravel/endurance/comfort (skinnier tires.  The Revolt is a bit more capable of venturing onto single-track and rougher stuff (huge tires, snappier steering, triple chainring).  So it depends on where and how you want to ride.  I'd say: get the AnyRoad if you're more of a beginner and have no real plans to bomb down single-track.  

Check out the new 2018's http://ridinggravel.forumchitchat.com/post/new-giant-slr-gx-8929135
I'm pretty sure the anyroad has less tire clearance than the revolt.

Curious as to why you don't have a Raleigh on your wish list. If you waited a couple of months they have the Corporate discount where you can get some smokin deals on their bikes.

Zman 

If you're at the entry-level price and so forth, here are a couple more bikes to consider.  Similar specs to those Giants, but cheaper: 
http://riderogue.blogspot.ca/2016/10/budget-adventure-bikes-from-motobecane.html

FWIW I haven't heard any good things about Giant anyroads other than they're cheap. If you can wait, I agree with Zurichman on Raleighs.

Yeah, but guys: those Raleighs have a very different price-point. 
http://ridinggravel.com/gravel-news/fresh-gravel-raleigh-introduces-2016-gravel-bikes/
The Willard is the cheapest and it's hundreds more than those Giants.  
I'd say for a beginner on a budget (if that's what he is) the BikesDirect bikes could be a nice way to get started.  Then, if all goes well, sell that budget bike in a couple years and move on up.  

Flydyl wrote:Yeah, but guys: those Raleighs have a very different price-point. 
http://ridinggravel.com/gravel-news/fresh-gravel-raleigh-introduces-2016-gravel-bikes/
The Willard is the cheapest and it's hundreds more than those Giants.  
I'd say for a beginner on a budget (if that's what he is) the BikesDirect bikes could be a nice way to get started.  Then, if all goes well, sell that budget bike in a couple years and move on up.  

I bought my $1799 2016 Raleigh Tamland 1 for $799 + $48 tax at Easter direct from Raleigh and I think they go on sale around Christmas time or early Fall.


Zman 

Per Zurichman's promo of the 2016 Raleigh  Tamland 1.  There's a 56cm one for sale in Hamilton (Ontario -- near Buffalo, nY) for just $850 Canadian dollars.  That's $677 US.  
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-road-bike/windsor-area-on/2016-raleigh-tamland-1-cyclocross-shimano-105/1291165336?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true 

A frame with wider tire clearance will be more flexible, but does that matter?  

On my last gravel Fondo I was chasing a guy on a road bike with wide (32c?) road tires.  My 40 and 36 mm gravel tires certainly were better in the sections of sand and soft gravel, but alas most of the route was on hard pack where the road tires would've been much faster (read: I had tire envy).  The point being - if you know the riding will be on well maintained roads then one can get by with much faster narrower tires. If OTOH you're not certain of the terrain and wide tires may be required, then I would suggest the frame with more clearance. 

If you're planning to ride with a group already riding gravel, definitely get their advice and consider a setup which is similar to what they're using.  Worst case, the entire group be suffering with the same "mistakes". :-)

Happy shopping,
Greg