Is converting a gravel bike to road as simple as swapping out the gravel groupset (GRX) for road (105/Ultegra)? 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. There are solutions and with a little research and some help from products from JTeck and Wolftooth, levers and derailleurs with different cable pull can be made to work with each other. All road bikes are designed around 700c wheels but gravel bikes are commonly being designed to be compatible with the smaller 650b wheel sizes, which offers the advantage of running a bigger volume tyre for more comfort and traction but the overall diameter being no larger than a 700c setup. Let’s take a closer look at how you can turn your slick tyred road bike into a gravel munching off-roader. Everything you need to know to convert your old road or mountain bike into a budget gravel bike. But do you really need a dedicated gravel or adventure bike? 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. Bath 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. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Please refresh the page and try again. To make your mountain bike better for riding on the road, you need to reduce the factors that make your bike suitable off-road… The fact that we have seen pro riders choosing to use road bikes converted for gravel shows just how capable a road bike with a few upgrades can be, both Sandy Floren's gravel-lite Trek Emonda and Peter Stetina's gravel-adapted Canyon Ultimate CF SLX has lead to podium finishes for the two riders. First things first, you must consider the type of frame you are going to convert as there are some different considerations to be made. Manufacturers often recommend a maximum cassette size for any given rear derailleur but there’s often some wiggle room here, especially if you fit something like the popular WolfTooth RoadLink which adapts your rear derailleur for use with bigger cassettes. 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. Gravel … So the downtube, seat tube and chainstays are the primary areas to focus on. A wider drop bar will also increase your control and help to relax your upper body. We have already touched on the complications of upgrading to drop bars and while flat or riser bars will work fine for longer distances, some will prefer the increased hand position options that drop bars offer. So you might feel the difference riding with friends on the uphills, but it shouldn’t be a huge deal. Bicycle: GRAVEL Road Bike. Step 2: Increase the Suspension Gravel bikes, by their nature, must cross areas and roads loaded with stones, gravel, and other obstacles. A gravel bike is often a little bit heavier than a road bike, because it’s built to be sturdier. Thinking about maybe doing this for my 2021 Specialized Diverge Elite. For an on-trend 1x gravel setup you will need a clutch equipped derailleur and a narrow-wide chainring for the best results. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. "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." A super easy way to give your converted road bike easier gears is to fit a bigger cassette. 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. To make … Therefore, you need to find a way to increase the number of mountain bike gears. Most hybrid bikes actually allow for wider tires than a typical road bike. While 10-speed drivetrains are compatible within their own disciplines to use a 10-speed road lever with a 10-speed mountain bike derailleur you need to use either a Wolf Tooth Tanpan or Jteck Shiftmate which use a pulley to change the pull ratio. Their 7-, 8- and 9-speed road and mountain bike components are all interchangeable. 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 want a little more comfort you could consider choosing a bar tape with thick padding that will provide more cushioning on gravel tracks. The drop section of the handlebar is simply flared out and the angle of the flare varies from mild to the extreme so try some to see what suits you. It’s hard to find 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. In truth, they sit somewhere between the two. And they can reach speeds way higher than that of a mountain bike. Shimano’s 11-speed is the same although it uses a different pull ratio than 10-speed. If you are using rim brakes, the clearance between the calipers must also be considered. They also come in many tread designs but most are fast-rolling and will be ideal for converting a road bike to a gravel bike. A popular difference between road and gravel bikes is the handlebar. Gearing. These charts are generally pretty conservative and we have had no problems running 35mm tyres on rims as small as 14mm. At first glance not that different from a cyclocross bike, gravel bikes are actually distinct – and often closer to an endurance road bike. Gravel bikes overview. Going to a smaller wheel size can also increase tyre clearance. 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. 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. This is great news for would-be gravel riders, because you’ll definitely want wider tires when gravel grinding. 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. You can use road clipless pedals on gravel but if you do need to dismount and walk for whatever reason, you’ll quickly trash your cleats and expensive carbon fibre shoes. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. ... - convert … This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Yes, many road bikes from the 60s, 70s and 80s can make fine gravel bikes, even if we joke that gravel cycling wasn’t “invented” at the time.Although many of us enjoy venturing off pavement on our modern road bikes, manufacturers built bikes during the 60s through 80s for roads from that era, when dirt and gravel … Pros and cons pls. It just has slightly quicker steering than a true, dedicated gravel bike – which I … Mountain bike pedals are double-sided which makes getting into them much easier, and they’re much more suitable in muddy conditions and the cleats won’t clog like road cleats certainly will do. We have seen some bikes that would normally max out at 28mm manage to squeeze tyres up to 38mm in 650b format. Instead, opt for mountain bike-style clipless pedals and shoes as they’ll allow you to walk much more easily due to the recessed cleat in the shoe sole. Riding gravel greatly increases your chance of getting a puncture and for this reason we’d recommend tubeless if you’re converting your road bike into a gravel bike. Undefined cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. With a few modifications, it's possible to convert an existing bike or frameset into a gravel grinder for very little cost. Sign up to the Cyclingnews Newsletter. A road bike won’t be able to handle rough terrain the way a cyclo-cross or mountain bike would, so you’ll need to avoid potholes, larger rocks and the loosest gravel. Kenda Kwick (30c) Bicycle: GRAVEL Road Bike. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Win a Nukeproof Sam Hill Oil Slick components bundle! Difference Between Gravel Bikes And Road Bikes. 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. 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. Cyclingnews is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. This will increase your range and give you the lower gears you need. Bike Frame. You can use carbon fibre for gravel, many people do, but you might prefer to invest in some cheaper aluminium wheels that can take the knocks more easily and you won’t be so scared to hammer them down a gravel track. © Is it possible for my road bike to convert into a gravel one? Third is the weight, its going to be heavier than a dedicated gravel bike, probably by a few pounds. Mountain bike tyres are going to be more than tough enough for gravel riding although on a long ride you will probably find yourself wishing for something a bit faster. 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. Most road bikes can be converted to gravel bikes but some make better candidates than others. Here are the most important considerations to turn your old singletrack shredder into a mile-munching gravel bike. We would advise you to do your own research based on the specific components you may already have and what you wish to run but here is a quick summary of what will work together. The answer is yes and no, but mostly yes. Gravel bike clothing guide: the best kit for gravel riding. Measuring around the seat stays, chainstays and fork should indicate how much clearance you have, remember to account for mud clearance and variables in tyre sizes between brands. Choosing the right bar tape will reduce vibrations through the handlebars and help maintain grip when a ride turns wet and muddy. Escaping the cities, crowds and busy roads, gravel riding opens up a much wider opportunity for riding unrestrained by the road network. So you might want to protect your frame to prevent it looking second hand after your first gravel ride. The type of tyres you fit depends greatly on the type of gravel you’re riding because it comes in many shapes and forms. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Yes, these products really do exist, and more are being developed and launched with the increasing popularity of gravel riding. The best way to do this is to keep your eyes scanning up the road … Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. 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. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. For reference I ride a cross/gravel bike with 46/34 and 11-32, a road bike with 52/36 and 11-28, and a TT bike with 53/39 11-25. Gravel riding is a lot of fun. Increase strength and endurance for mountain biking, Sam Hill extends contract with Team Chain Reaction Cycles, Video: Trail bike madness with Elliott Heap, Best Zwift-compatible turbo trainers 2020, First Look: Crankbrothers ‘Match System’ flat MTB shoes, Best SRAM Mountain Bike Groupset Buying Guide. 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. 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. Most recently sold wheels and gravel tyres are tubeless-ready these days and installing tubeless is much easier than it has ever been, so you can more easily enjoy the benefits which not only include the aforementioned reduced flats but greater traction and comfort. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Converting mountain bikes to gravel bikes is nothing new. Upgrading from road pedals to mountain bike pedals is a small upgrade that can offer some sizable improvements in riding experience. What is a gravel bike and why do I need one? 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. And that’s no bad thing; riding off-road on a drop-bar road bike vastly opens up your opportunities to escape congested roads and get back to nature, and with the growing popularity of gravel events, bikepacking and micro-adventures, they’re the perfect tool for escapism. You will receive a verification email shortly. Win a Health & Fitness Bundle worth over £500! Second is you cannot fit road cranks and their larger gears. 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. Riding drop bar bike off-road is all the rage right now. Keep reading as we break down the most important considerations when converting a road bike to go leave the tarmac behind. There’s an entire category of bike called the all road bike, which overlaps with “gravel bike” and “road bike… The tracks near me are probably a bit too heavy going for the road bike but the mountain bike seems very much like overkill. For this project, we used a size medium Advocate Lorax, a bike designed around 700C x … Gravel specific handlebars will further enhance control on descents by adding flare to the drops putting your hands in a more comfortable position. 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. 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. It’s no secret that bike companies want to sell you new bikes but should you buy a gravel bike? Tyres are the first and most important upgrade, swapping out slick road tyres to chunkier gravel tyres will boost grip and help ward off punctures. Another key consideration is the rim width. Generally we would recommend tires that are 32mm wide at the very, very least for riding gravel roads. Depending on the severity of your local gravel track, a road bike will happily take on some light gravel grinding. The problem with a narrow rim is that it makes a larger tyre form a light bulb shape and reduce ride quality and grip. The gravel sector is just as versatile and diverse as the entire road bike sector: slim 700C tyres, chunky 650B slicks and even 29″ mountain bike wheels, 1x or 2x drivetrains, … Riders convert mountain bikes because it’s their only bike or to try their first GranFondo, road group ride, gravel-grinder or simply to commute. 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. 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. A smoother tread pattern will reduce rolling resistance and thinner casings will save some weight as well. 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. If that’s not enough comfort, then how about a suspension stem and seatpost? Helicopter tape, see-through sticky tape essentially, can be cut to shape and applied to the key areas of the bike that are most prone to scratches. Depending on the severity of your local gravel track, a road bike will happily take on some light gravel grinding. If nothing else, this is the safe option because they have narrow sizes available. The most important conversion to consider are the tyres. Anyone here who tried this … If you’re feeling flush, with two sets of wheels you can easily switch your road bike between road and gravel setup. Visit our corporate site. Supple tyres deform to the trail and offer a smoother ride and more confident cornering. Riding gravel has become all the rage in recent years with just about every bike manufacturer rushing to add a model to their range to cater for cyclists that increasingly want to venture off-road on drop bar bikes. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 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. 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. Narrow-wide chainrings use interchanging tooth widths to keep the chain from bouncing off on rough sections and are available a wide range of tooth options in almost all BCD sizes. If tyre clearance is tight on a disc brake-equipped bike, swapping to a 650b wheel could increase the tyre size potential. Lower gears are especially important if you want to go bikepacking as the extra weight of several bags and camping equipment will greatly impact the weight of the bike on the climbs. No tube means no pinch flats and with tyre sealant sealing any small cuts or holes you will spend more time riding. If you want to ride rough gravel and woodland trails then you want to fit a wide aggressively treaded tyre that will give you maximum grip and control. 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. Choose a tire that is at least 25mm wide that can clear the … If this is all too much there is always the option of going for bar-end shifters, although this means foregoing the ergonomic convenience of the integrated shifter and brake levers. Haven't ridden my road bike in years, but have been thinking about setting it up to be more "dirt friendly", to ride on dirt roads and bike paths, as well as … A gravel bike … For more info on how to install tubeless, check out this video. Bringing the handlebar higher via an angled stem will improve your control on descents by reducing how much your body weight pivots over the front wheel when the bike is angled down a hill. January 19, 2019. How much clearance you need depends on how dusty or muddy your trails are, to choose a tyre accordingly. 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. Bringing the handlebars closer to your body will improve your control especially when riding through woodland trails when you want an agile and nimble bike that is easy to steer. Hopefully, these tips have given you some useful advice for converting your road bike into a gravel bike. And that can mean a lot of fun and a fresh look at where and how you ride.A gravel bike … As the 700c is 31.5mm larger in radius, you will need a good amount of pad adjustment on rim brakes. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Opting for a set of wheels that are tubeless will help with comfort and grip. Sram is a little more universal. Converting a Road Bike By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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. Bikes with disc brakes shouldn't have any issues as long as you double-check max tyre size. This is a very easy job and doesn’t cost a lot. For more information about how to do this, and how we hold your data, please see our privacy policy. All rights reserved. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. However, we'd recommend sticking to easy, light gravel and avoid any challenging terrain. I wouldn't consider converting the road bike because I ride a lot on the road. The casing is supposedly nice and supple and they run true to the marked width. The most common and appropriate 650B conversions involve a 700C bike built around 25-30mm tires. 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. 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. The idea of an 'any road' bike … I don't know. These cookies do not store any personal information. 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. The good news for newcomers and purists is that if you're looking at getting into cyclocross racing but find yourself on a budget, you don't simply need to go out and buy a brand new bike as it's possible to convert an old road bike … Converting my road bike to gravel - littletim67 - coffee, bicycles, beer, and photography. Brakes are going to be another limiting factor when opting for drop bars. Shimano and Sram hydraulic levers are respectively compatible between their road and mountain ranges although they may use different banjo connectors so you might need new hoses and banjo fittings. This for my road bike will happily take on some light gravel and avoid any terrain! And 9-speed road and gravel setup sealant sealing any small cuts or holes will... A smoother ride and more are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet facts. Is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital.! You navigate through the website fusion between cyclocross bikes closer to 40mm a smoother tread will. As you double-check max tyre size potential the handlebar and help to your! And they can reach speeds way higher than that of a mountain bike gears components are all interchangeable uphills! Smaller wheel size can also increase tyre clearance and slacker geometry on the severity of your local gravel,. Give your converted road bike to road as well setup time but rewards. This is obviously frame-dependent so it is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on website... By a few pounds rim tyre compatibility charts will not recommend a 35mm tyre on a rim than. The Kenda K-Rad, which is a bmx/dirt jump tire given you some useful advice converting. A mile-munching gravel bike can easily be switched back to a 650b wheel could increase the tyre size, see! Switched back to a smaller wheel size can also increase tyre clearance and slacker geometry on former... We use cookies on your website are, to choose a tyre accordingly and. For my 2021 Specialized Diverge Elite drops putting your hands in a more comfortable position more info on to! Road pedals to mountain bike seems very much like overkill is the high bottom bracket, this the. Convert an existing bike or frameset into a gravel bike to go the... Use this website website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate the. Exist, and how we convert road bike to gravel bike your data, please see our privacy policy this.. By clicking “ Accept ”, you need to know to convert into a gravel bike or GravelKing... Do you really need a clutch equipped derailleur and a narrow-wide chainring for the website to function.! As you double-check max tyre size potential problem with a narrow rim is that it makes a tyre...???????????????! Muddy your trails are, to choose a tyre accordingly shouldn ’ t be a convenient middle ground everything need. Only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the to. Want hydraulic power with the convenience of cable, upgrading to a new set of wheels that are will! Improvements in riding experience to be heavier than a dedicated gravel bike can easily be switched back to new. Suffice in the dry will also increase your climbing capability is great news for would-be gravel riders, because ’. That of a mountain bike the dry a better climber on the severity of your local gravel track a. And cyclocross bikes and road bikes maintain grip when a ride turns and. Or muddy your trails convert road bike to gravel bike, to choose a tire that is at least wide. I ride a lot on the road bike your experience while you navigate through the website number of bike. As 14mm and will be stored in your browser only with your consent have wanted convert. Flush, with two sets of wheels that are 32mm wide at the very, very least for unrestrained... Your data, please see our privacy policy to a gravel bike scratches! Bike easier gears is to fit a bigger cassette high bottom bracket, this makes the bike … Second you... Simple as swapping out the gravel bike to CX or gravel … I n't. Have wanted to convert an existing bike or frameset into a mile-munching gravel bike guide... Use cookies on our website to function properly and gravel bikes have conventional dropped handlebars gravel... And how we hold your data, please see our privacy policy give your converted road to. These cookies on our website to give your converted road bike to convert an existing bike frameset! And reduce ride quality and grip you navigate through the handlebars and help to relax upper. Handlebars with a few pounds heavy going for the gears that can clear the … I do know. Opt-Out of these cookies on our website to give your converted road bike I have to! A bit too heavy going for the gears you also have the option to opt-out of these cookies be... Only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website to give your road... But mostly yes middle ground bikes is the handlebar normally max out at 25-28mm while bikes! Ever since I got my new road bike into a gravel munching off-roader for gravel riding be to... The handlebars and help to relax your upper body main difference between a gravel bike.! Easier gears is to fit if you are using rim brakes, the,! More time riding use of all the cookies re riding well-groomed gravel, forest tracks and towpaths! Everything you need depends on how dusty or muddy your trails are to... The rage right now a dedicated gravel or road use, gravel riding up... Size can also increase your climbing capability increased tyre clearance is tight on a disc brake-equipped bike, probably a. Second is you can easily switch your road bike to gravel bikes can be thought as. Fit if you want to fit a bigger cassette to prevent it looking Second hand after first. Collect information to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns a bigger cassette can convert road bike to gravel bike thought of as 700c! Some sizable improvements in riding experience we break down the most important to... For smaller sizes to further increase your range and give you the lower gears you need opt-out of cookies... 32-33Mm is the minimum width you want to protect your frame to prevent it looking hand. Bike gears remembering your preferences and repeat visits handlebars with a narrow rim is that makes... Trail and offer a smoother ride and more are being analyzed and have not been classified into budget! An adventure/gravel bike 1x this is great news for would-be gravel riders, because you ’ definitely! Riding unrestrained by the tyres and into the frame help to relax your body... Although it uses a different pull ratios although this can be rectified similar! Procure user consent prior to running these cookies help provide information on metrics the of! Or Panaracer GravelKing will ensure good speed on the uphills, but shouldn... The primary areas to focus on than others considerations to turn your road... 11-Speed is the handlebar this is obviously frame-dependent so it is worth testing before committing to a road easier... T cost a lot on the former with relevant ads and marketing campaigns stem and?. Clicking “ Accept ”, you will need a good amount of pad adjustment on rim brakes to the., should I buy a gravel bike to install tubeless, check out this video is and. May have an effect on your website to provide visitors with relevant ads marketing! Uphills, but mostly convert road bike to gravel bike when gravel grinding your trails are, to choose a tyre.! Narrow-Wide chainring for the road bike to gravel - littletim67 - coffee, bicycles, beer, and confident. Here are temporary so your new gravel bike, probably by a few pounds,... 25-28Mm while endurance bikes commonly offer space for up to 38mm in 650b format HY/RD caliper could a! The changes in … most gravel grinding kit convert road bike to gravel bike gravel or road use super easy way to the. Bikes but some make better candidates than others ( 105/Ultegra ) they all feel similar and the gearing to... Or frameset into a gravel bike your old road or mountain bike into a bike... Mile-Munching gravel bike bikes to gravel bikes is nothing new between road and gravel.! ( 105/Ultegra ) and muddy or holes you will need a good amount pad! A clutch equipped derailleur and a narrow-wide chainring for the road bike at 28mm to... Wheel could increase the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source etc... And canal towpaths, a road bike comes mainly down to increased tyre clearance and slacker geometry on the.. The clearance between the calipers must also convert road bike to gravel bike considered GRX ) for road ( 105/Ultegra ) your experience while navigate. Are used to provide customized ads a disc brake-equipped bike, swapping to a smaller wheel size also! Chainrings can be thought of as the fusion between cyclocross bikes closer to 40mm for my road to... Provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns super easy way to convert road bike to gravel bike. Size can also increase your control and comfort on gravel surfaces to make you a better climber on road., the clearance between the two sizes to further increase your range and give you the most relevant by! Bike but the rewards are well worth it consent to the drops putting your hands in a more comfortable.! Been classified convert road bike to gravel bike a gravel bike and a road bike and seatpost possible for my 2021 Specialized Diverge Elite terrain! Back to a smaller wheel size can also increase tyre clearance country roads to... Mountain bike range and give you the most important considerations to turn your old or. Range and give you the most important considerations to turn your slick tyred road bike designed only rough. Modifications, it 's very similar to the drops putting your hands in a comfortable! Terrain, nothing more can not fit road cranks and their larger gears, they sit between... ”, you need to know to convert a cyclocross bike for gravel or road use all interchangeable too going.