If you already have a mountain bike but are interested in purchasing a gravel bike instead, it would be in your best interest to convert either your existing bike or the frameset of your mountain bike into a gravel grinder. This will allow you to keep the cost of the entire process to a minimum.
In this article, Bsxinsight is going to walk you through How to convert a mountain bike to a gravel bike. Take a look at this blog to find out the information you need now.
Mountain Bike vs. Gravel Bike: What’s Different?
Both gravel bikes and mountain bikes are designed to perform well off-road, but they are better suited to different activities.
Mountain bikes can easily handle pavement and urban environments, but they perform best on more difficult terrain, such as steep inclines and bumpy obstacles. Riding in the city can be awkward and cumbersome due to the thick tread on the tires and the low gearing.
Road bike geometry and specifications, on the other hand, serve as a source of inspiration for gravel bike design. Their tires perform admirably on off-road terrain while also rolling easily over smooth surfaces due to their increased wall thickness.
These bikes are ideal for experienced pavement riders who want to expand their route options to include more exciting gravel paths and dirt tracks.
However, if you intend to ride on steep and technical terrain with significant jumps and bumps, a mountain bike is still the best option.
How To Convert A Mountain Bike To A Gravel Bike?
Cycle Gears
You can get started by making adjustments to the gearing system so that it better meets the needs of your gravel bike. Gravel bikes are able to quickly and easily operate.
As a result, they would require a greater variety of equipment in comparison to their counterparts who live in the mountains. Upgrading the gearing of mountain bikes to make them suitable for gravel riding is necessary.
In addition to this, you can raise the total number of gears to an appropriate level. Even if you increase the total number of gears, you shouldn’t overlook the importance of preserving the appropriate ratio of 2:1.
The gear ratio on the mountain bike and the gear ratio on the gravel bike is identical.
Suspension
More than simply increasing the total number of gears will be required. After you’ve increased the top speed, you’ll need to raise the ride height by adjusting the suspension.
You’ll also realize it’s necessary because gravel bikes typically travel along trails and through areas with difficult obstacles like rocks and pebbles.
Because mountain bikes are only designed for rough terrain, converting one to a gravel bike will require more flexibility on your part. It is also possible to achieve the same result by increasing the suspension.
But how exactly would that work?
When you make such a change, you also ensure that there is enough clearance between the bike and the surface level where it will be riding.
Braking System
It is critical to make several improvements to the braking system when converting a mountain bike to a gravel bike.
Because of their lighter weight, gravel bikes are typically faster than mountain bikes. Mountain bikes, on the other hand, are well-known for their durability. Furthermore, gravel bikes necessitate a braking system that is both immediate and direct.
It will be resistant to wear and tear after having the appropriate disc brakes installed and will last for a very long time.
Because of the low weight of the bike and the reduced amount of wear and tear on the brake discs, gravel bike brakes can last for a long time. Furthermore, the brakes can withstand high pressure.
Shock Absorption
Gravel bikes require higher quality shock absorbers than mountain bikes due to the frequent trails on rugged terrain.
Because of this gravel conversion, it is critical to change the suspension or convert the mountain bikes to handle more uneven terrain.
Gravel bikes typically ride over rocks, gravel, dirt, and pebbles. A general mountain bike’s shock absorbers may not be able to withstand all of the roughness presented by such terrain.
One significant step toward converting bikes to grave grinders would be to replace or toughen the shock absorbers on mountain bikes.
Tires & Wheels
At long last, the time has come to switch out the worn-out tires for the new, proper ones. You are responsible for ensuring that new tires with a specific function have been installed.
Tires designed for mountain bikes are typically chunky, wide, and hefty. The form works wonderfully well for winding roads and paths. On the other hand, the tires used on gravel bikes are typically more nimble and narrow.
As a consequence of this, if you want the mountain bike to behave in a manner that is comparable to that of a gravel bike, you will need to make significant modifications to the components of the bike in order to achieve the best possible results.
In the same vein, you need to make sure that the new ones are on the narrower side in order to keep your agility while you’re moving.
In addition, the weight of the converted gravel bike needs to be reduced in order for it to be capable of overcoming obstacles such as rocks, pebbles, and gravel.
In order to make the mountain bike capable of handling rough terrain, you should also remove any accessories that are not necessary.
FAQs
Can you put gravel tires on a MTB?
Yes, you can surely put gravel tires on a Mountain Bike.
Can I use a hardtail as a gravel bike?
Yes. You can use a hardtail as a gravel bike by converting it into a gravel bike.
Can I use a hardtail as a gravel bike?
Sure! Although I’ve done plenty of it and get tired of the flats. I’ve done the epic long rides over gravel with my skinny tire road bike, but the pace is slower and caution is higher.
Conclusion
Changing over to gravel riding on a mountain bike should be a breeze. If you follow the instructions above, you should have no trouble succeeding at the do-it-yourself process. To guarantee success and a speedy outcome, you’ll need to put together the necessary resources.
Be a daredevil and take your mountain bike out on the street. Else, be a trailblazer by taking your gravel bike onto mountain bike trails. All you need is a willingness to try new things and an open mind.
Thank you for your time on Bsxinsight.com!
