Gravel bikes have really changed cycling. It was the do it all bike we never knew that we needed. Going out on a ride and being able to go wherever you wanted made it all so much more exciting. You could take shortcuts home through muddy trails or stick to the road and keep up with the roadies.
We often get asked if it is possible to turn a mountain bike into a gravel bike. You can, and the process of doing it is actually quite fun. In this article, we’re going to be speaking about:
Table of contents
Mountain Bike Vs Gravel Bike: Understand The Differences
Before we start, it’s important to understand the difference between a mountain bike and modern gravel bikes. Here’s what you need to know.
What is a Mountain Bike?
Mountain bikes come in all shapes and sizes. They are designed for off-road riding on trials and to easily go over rocky terrain. They have different disciplines, such as cross country, enduro, and downhill.
The unique characteristics of mountain bikes are their flat handlebars, suspension, and geometry made for control. They come in multiple tire sizes, such as 27.5” and 29”. They are also equipped with large knobby tires.
What is a Gravel Bike?
A gravel bike is a bike that is designed to be ridden on multi terrains but is most efficient on gravel. They look a lot like road bikes with larger tires but have a much more relaxed geometry. Gravel bikes are known as a do it all bikes, and many people buy them for light trails and road riding.
What’s unique about a gravel bike is that it uses drop bars like a road bike but sports bigger tires. They can be ridden on many different types of terrain and are used heavily for adventure riding and bikepacking.
Related Reading: Gravel Bike vs Road Bike
Are mountain bikes good for gravel roads?
Mountain bikes are good on gravel roads. They have tires that are big enough to tackle the rough terrain, and the suspension will take the bumps out of the road. The only issue is that they are over engineered for gravel riding and almost have too much ability. The weight of the extra components will slow you down.
Which is faster, the gravel bike or the mountain bike?
It really depends on the terrain. The mountain bike would be better if you were taking on a technical trail where you needed to work around obstacles such as tree stumps and rock gardens. If you rode on gravel roads or tarmac, the gravel bike would be much better and faster.
Related Reading: Do I Need a Full Suspension Gravel Bike?
Considerations When Taking A Mountain Bike To A Gravel Bike
When it comes to changing that mountain bike into a gravel bike, there are some considerations you will need to make.
Geometry Will Be Different
Mountain bikes have very different geometry from gravel bikes. When you make the conversion, it will most likely feel very different, and you won’t get the same experience compared to a proper gravel bike.
Weigh Up The Cost
Before ripping up your mountain bike to make it a gravel bike, weigh up the cost. Make a list of everything you’ll need, and even consider your time. Sometimes it can be more beneficial to sell your mountain bike and put the money towards a gravel bike.
Modern Hardtail Mountain Bikes Are Better
If you are going to make the conversion, you will have a much better result from a more modern mountain bike compared to an old mountain bike. A hardtail is your best bet, not a full suspension. Modern mountain bikes have disc brakes, a better geometry for the conversion, and parts are much more readily available.
Our Step By Step Guide On Converting A Mountain Bike To A Gravel Bike
So you have decided to take on a gravel bike conversion. Here are the parts you are going to need:
- Set of drop bars and a shorter stem
- Shifters to match gearing and brakes (Brand, Speed, and Hydraulic or Cable)
- Bar tape
- New cable inners and outers
- Rigid Fork (Optional)
- Gravel bike tires (Optional)
Step One: Break The Bike Down
The first step is to break down the mountain bike. We recommend using a bike stand if you have one and keeping all the parts in a box safely in case you ever decide to change it back to a mountain bike.
You will need to remove the handlebars, shifters, brake levers, and cabling. If you are swapping the forks to rigid, you must do it now. We recommend rigid forks as they are much lighter and require much less maintenance.
Step Two: Add the Handlebars and Shifters
Now it’s time for the fun bit of adding the parts. The first place you will want to start is at the handlebars. You will want to install the gravel bike handlebars (Drop bars) at the front and use a shorter stem. We use a shorter stem to keep the geometry as close as possible to a gravel bike, while using a mountain bike frame.
Then you will need to add the shifters to the handlebars. Don’t worry too much about their position just yet. We are going to adjust them later. Just make sure they are roughly right and done up fairly tight.
Step Three: Plumb The Cables
Now you are going to need to plumb the cables in. If you are using hydraulic brake shifters, these are going to need to be installed using a bleed kit. We recommend checking out some Youtube videos if this is your first time using a bleed kit.
Then you will need to do your shifters. These will more than likely be cables. Cut the outer to the correct length, then plumb the cables to the derailleurs. Ensure the cables have a good run and move nice and smoothly.
Related Reading: Gravel Bike vs Hybrid Bike
Step Four: Make the Adjustments
Now you’re going to need to adjust your gearing. This shouldn’t need too much work. The only thing to do is get the cable at the right tension. Ensure the gears shift smoothly and they don’t feel tight. The chain shouldn’t fall off at the top and bottom of the cassette.
Once all is adjusted, get the bike from the rack and drop it on the floor. Just take it for a quick spin in a safe area to ensure it works properly. When you’re happy, adjust the shifters to where you need them, tighten them up, and add bar tape.
Step Five: Change The Tires
Now the bike will look much more like a gravel bike than a mountain bike and feel much lighter. You will find that the tires will still be from the original mountain bike. Mountain bike tires are ok to use, but you might find them too big for gravel riding and very laggy.
If you have some gravel tires, now is a good time to get them on. We highly recommend setting them up with sealant if they are tubeless, as this is much better for gravel riding than inner tubes. You might also want to invest in clipless mountain bike pedals as these are great for gravel riding.
Step Six: Test
Finally, the last thing you must do is take it out for a test to ensure it works properly. Over the first couple of hundred miles, you will find that the gears will need adjusting as the cables bed in and stretch.
Related Reading: What is a Gravel Bike Frame?
A Final Note
Well done. You should have successfully converted a mountain bike to a gravel bike. We hope you get a lot of happy miles out of the new gravel bike and enjoy the capabilities of a multi terrain bike. If you enjoyed this, consider building your own gravel bike. We have an article about how to do that here!