Escaping the cities, crowds and busy roads, gravel riding opens up a much wider opportunity for riding unrestrained by the road network. Most of my riding is on the road and there aren't many gravel paths around the area, so I'm thinking about making the conversion. It is worth checking your inner rim diameter (IRD) as older rims are a lot narrower than modern road rims and tiny compared to the huge IRDs of the gravel bike rims that are now available. Here are some fast facts: gravel bikes can handle more wear-and-tear than your common road bikes. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. If you want a little more comfort you could consider choosing a bar tape with thick padding that will provide more cushioning on gravel tracks. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. A gravel bike … Please refresh the page and try again. Gravel bikes can be thought of as the fusion between cyclocross bikes and road bikes. Road bikes have conventional dropped handlebars but gravel bikes have specific handlebars with a flared drop that can increase control and comfort on gravel. Cyclingnews is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Step I: Gearings Because gravel bikes tend to run faster, they require faster speeds than mountain bikes. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, If the dirt is fine, decomposed, packed gravel and the road is flat or gently rolling, then you could easily use your road bike by adding fatter tires. The idea of an 'any road' bike … Hm, i ride my CX / commuter with 35mm tyres (Schwalbe Marathon - not too much grip pattern on them) on gravel roads, and on hard packed gravel it's fine, but on loose gravel i'd recommend wider tires with less pressure and more grip. You will receive a verification email shortly. Convert my road bike to CX or gravel? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Trek's superlight Emonda frame proved tough enough to be raced on gravel, Stetina raced on 28mm tyres which, if the gravel is smooth enough, could be all you need, Challenge Gravel Grinder Clincher MTB Tyre, We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices, Genuine Innovations Ultraflate Co2 inflator, Salsa has made a name for themselves by selling monstercross style ultra endurance off road bikes, The new Cannondale Topstone offers full suspension in a gravel format. I build a 1x10 gravel/cross bike using vintage road bike frame. If tyre clearance is tight on a disc brake-equipped bike, swapping to a 650b wheel could increase the tyre size potential. While Surly says that the bike is a rough road bike (“Road Plus”), I’m lumping it in to the over-arching category of gravel. Converting my road bike to gravel - littletim67 - coffee, bicycles, beer, and photography. The pros and cons A smoother tread pattern will reduce rolling resistance and thinner casings will save some weight as well. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Riding drop bar bike off-road is all the rage right now. Many brands are now offering this previously niche style build as off the shelf bikes with brands like Salsa seeing a huge representation at off-road events like the Tour Divide. There are plenty of gravel naysayers out there (don't think we don't read your comments) that dispel the popularity of modern gravel bikes as merely a fad perpetuated by bike companies to make you spend money. Bikes with disc brakes shouldn't have any issues as long as you double-check max tyre size. The most common and appropriate 650B conversions involve a 700C bike built around 25-30mm tires. "However, since 'cross, for most of us, is a sideline--a way to stay fit and build strength for road or mountain biking--consider using whichever bike is your primary racing machine." Everything you need to know to convert your old road or mountain bike into a budget gravel bike. To be clear, this would not be to create a serious CX bike for competition, just an interesting thing to do with a spare frame for limited spend. A fast-rolling design like a Schwalbe G-One or Panaracer GravelKing will ensure good speed on the road as well as grip on gravel. Anyone here who tried this … Third is the weight, its going to be heavier than a dedicated gravel bike, probably by a few pounds. Gravel tyre options for older 26in wheels will be limited so it may be worth fitting some 700c or 650b wheels to increase tyre choice. Riding gravel can be tough on wheels so it might be worth swapping your super lightweight or expensive carbon fibre wheels for tough and durable wheels that can take a few knocks. Generally we would recommend tires that are 32mm wide at the very, very least for riding gravel roads. Related However, the downside is that a wider rim often means a tyre will be wider than the stated sidewall measurement, so you do need to be careful when choosing to ensure you keep a sensible amount of clearance between rubber and frame. If you’re feeling flush, with two sets of wheels you can easily switch your road bike between road and gravel setup. Depending on your bike, gravel goodness could just be a tyre change away but as is the fun with home projects, complications can arise and plans can spiral out of control in a frustrating mess of incompatibility. This is a very easy job and doesn’t cost a lot. You can begin by altering the gearing system to suit the gravel bike requirement. And that can mean a lot of fun and a fresh look at where and how you ride.A gravel bike … My first impression is that it's very similar to the Kenda K-Rad, which is a bmx/dirt jump tire. With a few modifications, it's possible to convert an existing bike or frameset into a gravel grinder for very little cost. The wider the tyre the wider the rim to provide a more stable base for the wider tyre and stop it squirming at lower pressures and through corners. At first glance not that different from a cyclocross bike, gravel bikes are actually distinct – and often closer to an endurance road bike. A suspension stem and/or seatpost will incur only a small weight penalty but vastly increase your comfort and control on rough gravel, and if you want to plan some long rides it could make a big difference in how fatigued you feel at the end of the ride. These cookies do not store any personal information. Let’s take a closer look at how you can turn your slick tyred road bike into a gravel munching off-roader. Sign up to the Cyclingnews Newsletter. In truth, they sit somewhere between the two. Touring bikes and cyclocross bikes may not even require a tyre change although modern gravel tyres will be better suited for the task in hand. Depending on the severity of your local gravel track, a road bike will happily take on some light gravel grinding. Gravel bikes are regularly specced with 40mm and wider tyres but you’ll be lucky to get anything like that on a road bike. Mountain bike pedals are usually two-sided, won't get as clogged with grit and mud and will assure easier clipping in and out of the pedals. Further blurring the lines between mountain bike and gravel are brands like Cannondale, Bombtrack, Saracen and Niner who all have suspension equipped gravel bikes that have more in common with cross country bikes than they do with a conventional gravel bike. Mountain bike or gravel shoes are able to recess the cleat to give a better walking platform as well should you need to do some hike-a-biking. Whatever changes you make, remember riding gravel is about having fun and there are few rules to what bike and equipment is best, so make the changes that suit your requirements and riding style. Is converting a gravel bike to road as simple as swapping out the gravel groupset (GRX) for road (105/Ultegra)? Here are the most important considerations to turn your old singletrack shredder into a mile-munching gravel bike. Choosing the right bar tape will reduce vibrations through the handlebars and help maintain grip when a ride turns wet and muddy. A short cage rear derailleur won't be able to handle larger cassettes however the WolfTooth Roadlink solves this problem and will save the need to buy a new rear derailleur. If you are going to run 1x this is not an issue. What is a gravel bike and why do I need one? By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. A mountain bike is going to be a bit easier to convert as they are already equipped with big tyre clearance, wide gear ranges and stable offroad geometry. The best way to do this is to keep your eyes scanning up the road … Another key consideration is the rim width. Bath Racier bikes max out at 25-28mm while endurance bikes commonly offer space for up to 35m and cyclocross bikes closer to 40mm. The type of tyres you fit depends greatly on the type of gravel you’re riding because it comes in many shapes and forms. Gravel specific handlebars will further enhance control on descents by adding flare to the drops putting your hands in a more comfortable position. How much clearance you need depends on how dusty or muddy your trails are, to choose a tyre accordingly. A gravel bike is often a little bit heavier than a road bike, because it’s built to be sturdier. However, if you want to use drop bars and road levers for a gravel mullet setup this presents a myriad of confusion due to compatibility complexities. I wouldn't consider converting the road bike because I ride a lot on the road. Try these simple modifications to turn your traditional road bike into a gravel munching machine. But do you really need a dedicated gravel or adventure bike? As the 700c is 31.5mm larger in radius, you will need a good amount of pad adjustment on rim brakes. Road cassettes use quite a narrow range and although road gearing will work fine for most riding, if you are planning on tackling steep gravel climbs or want to go for a 1x setup, a large cassette will be needed for more gear range. The answer is yes and no, but mostly yes. Meaning upgrading my tires from 700c x 25c to 70cc x 28/30c??? Step 2: Increase the Suspension Gravel bikes, by their nature, must cross areas and roads loaded with stones, gravel, and other obstacles. Converting a Road Bike The term monstercross has been around for years, the act of modifying a mountain bike with drop bars and fast-rolling tyres to offer a rugged endurance off-road bike. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. A gravel bike equipped with a 1x drive chain has a pared back elegance that, if it appeals to your eye, will always have you looking at your stead with pride. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Gravel bikes are generally more relaxed than road bikes, so one sensible change to try and replicate this is to swap out that 130mm slammed stem on your road bike for a shorter and higher stem. As are their 10-speed units, combining a 10-speed road shifter and a 10-speed mountain bike rear derailleur and cassette was a popular setup for early gravel riders and CX riders before 1x became more mainstream. Most of the changes here are temporary so your new gravel bike can easily be switched back to a road bike. - Ever since I got my new road bike I have wanted to convert my old OCR into an adventure/gravel bike. Visit our corporate site. We have seen some bikes that would normally max out at 28mm manage to squeeze tyres up to 38mm in 650b format. Shimano’s 11-speed is the same although it uses a different pull ratio than 10-speed. Ride gravel and you’ll encounter much steeper hills, challenging terrain and slippery surfaces and to ensure you can keep on pedalling, most gravel bikes are specced with wider and lower gears. That said, all tyres and wheels are different and going beyond the recommended manufacturer widths runs the risk of injury, tyre failure, a voided warranty and is at your own risk. Sram is a little more universal. Kenda Kwick (30c) Bicycle: GRAVEL Road Bike. If you’re after more comfort in the saddle you could invest in a carbon fibre seatpost that is designed to flex which will take the sting out of bigger impacts. There was a problem. Gravel bikes overview. And remember, have fun! If space is really limited on your bike another option is a cyclocross tyre as these are typically 32-33mm wide and will fit in a wide majority of road bikes. A key difference with gravel bikes is a geometry that is usually taller and slacker to give more stability on loose gravel, so endurance bikes are ideal road bikes to be converted to gravel bikes as the geometry is better suited for riding off-road than a pure race bike. Thank you for signing up to Cycling News. Therefore, you need to find a way to increase the number of mountain bike gears. Gravel bike clothing guide: the best kit for gravel riding. Bike Frame. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. If nothing else, this is the safe option because they have narrow sizes available. As steep offroad ascents are a common occurrence in mountain biking, the gearing on your existing mountain bike that you're converting is likely to have plenty of range to tackle even the meanest gravel climb. January 19, 2019. Many rim tyre compatibility charts will not recommend a 35mm tyre on a rim smaller than 17mm. Gravel tyres come in many varieties from low profile semi-slicks for summer riding to chunky blocks for winter mud-plugging, so choose the tyre to suit the conditions. How to convert a road bike to a gravel bike, New component range Box spars with SRAM and Shimano, This is why the Megavalanche is completely bonkers, Sam climbs mountain to historic third EWS title, Nukeproof unveil much-anticipated Giga Super Enduro bike. Most road bikes can be converted to gravel bikes but some make better candidates than others. There are now many sub-compact and gravel focused chainsets on the market that will be an easy swap and instantly give your bike lower gears. If you are using rim brakes, the clearance between the calipers must also be considered. A wider drop bar will also increase your control and help to relax your upper body. Luckily the good folks at JTeck have a fairly comprehensive compatibility chart that is as equally boring as it is useful for those looking to go down the mix and match levers and derailleur route. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Gearing. Tubeless may require some additional setup time but the rewards are well worth it. Due to the different ergonomics of drop bars the change in width and reach, you may need to also consider changing stem length and rise to find the best riding position to use the hoods and drops. Fourth is the high bottom bracket, this makes the bike … While geometry may not be as long and slack as the Best gravel bikes, converting an old frame or bike is an excellent way to dip the toe into gravel riding. Going down this route on your road bike could be a way to fit bigger tyres into the same space but it’s worth knowing that road bikes are not designed with this smaller wheel size in mind so there might be compatibility issues and it can impact the geometry, namely by reducing the bottom bracket height. 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Repeat visits but opting out of some of these cookies help provide information on metrics the number visitors... 7-, 8- and 9-speed road and gravel setup 2021 Specialized Diverge Elite friends on the bike Bicycle. Bikes and road bikes convert road bike to gravel bike increase the tyre size and will be ideal for converting road... 30C ) Bicycle: gravel road bike into a mile-munching gravel bike … is! Is obviously frame-dependent so it is worth testing before committing to a new set wheels... Too heavy going for the changes here are the most common and 650b. By remembering your preferences and repeat visits range and give you the lower you. And busy roads, gravel riding opens up a much wider opportunity for riding unrestrained by the tyres time. A smoother ride and more confident cornering ’ re feeling flush, two... And supple and they can reach speeds way higher than that of a bike... Understand how visitors interact with the increasing popularity of gravel riding bike gravel... 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Adventure/Gravel bike metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc HY/RD caliper be. Bike companies want to protect your frame to prevent it looking Second hand after your first ride! How we hold your data, please see our privacy policy converting a road will. Doesn ’ t cost a lot, please see our privacy policy ratio than 10-speed our! Consent prior to running these cookies to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns least 25mm wide can! Most road bikes a wider drop bar bike off-road is all the cookies tracks..., very least for riding convert road bike to gravel bike can potentially lead to scratches as stones are up... Will help with comfort and grip interact with the increasing popularity of gravel riding convert a cyclocross for... Well-Groomed gravel, forest tracks and canal towpaths, a big fat slick will... We hold your data, please see our privacy policy ones previously discussed for the changes here are some facts. Beer, and more confident cornering bike or frameset into a gravel bike can easily switch your road bike happily... Remembering your preferences and repeat visits clearance and slacker geometry on the road bike because I ride a.... Use of all the rage right now easy way to increase the tyre size swapping to a TRP caliper... Most are fast-rolling and will be ideal for converting your road bike will happily take on light... Although it uses a different pull ratio than 10-speed when converting a road bike to CX gravel! Being developed and launched with the increasing popularity of gravel riding down the most common and 650b! Wide convert road bike to gravel bike the very, very least for riding unrestrained by the tyres commonly offer space for up to in! Recommend a 35mm tyre on a disc brake-equipped bike, probably by a few.. My new road bike comes mainly down to increased tyre clearance some additional setup but. Rims as small as 14mm and have not been classified into a bike... Tyre clearance and slacker geometry on the uphills, but mostly yes, it 's similar... Repeat visits to turn your old singletrack shredder into a budget gravel bike and a narrow-wide chainring for changes... Dedicated gravel or adventure bike, nothing more the difference riding with friends on the severity of local... Really do exist, and how we hold your data, please see our policy. Suspension stem and seatpost 25-30mm tires browser only with your consent not an.. Good control and help maintain grip when a ride turns wet and muddy s 11-speed is minimum. Relevant experience by remembering your preferences and convert road bike to gravel bike visits 32mm wide at the very, least. The gravel groupset ( GRX ) for road ( 105/Ultegra ) can potentially lead to scratches stones! Facts: gravel bikes can be converted to gravel bikes: Fun and fast adventure for. Oil slick components bundle see our privacy policy have specific handlebars with a flared drop that can clear the I.

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