Wheels and tires are the most important pieces of equipment on a gravel bike. That said if you find yourself riding gravel often, a dedicated gravel bike with features to improve your comfort, traction, and speed can greatly enhance the experience. It’s fine to “run what you brung,” and nearly any bike can be modified in some way to perform better on gravel. Ricky will still drop me riding his road bike with 30mm tires on all but the gnarliest gravel roads. Only then did I finally make the switch to a more gravel-specific bike that was lighter and more agile. It was only when I began doing more races that I felt limited due to the bike's gearing and position. I ran fast-rolling, lightweight cross-country tires and even swapped in a rigid fork to make it more gravel-focused. Before I purchased my current gravel bike, I rode my hardtail 29er mountain bike.
#Mtb ride supplies full#
If I get more into gravel riding it will definitely be better to get on a full gravel bike that can fit even bigger tires and have disc brakes, but I’m making do for now.” If you’re going to ride a road bike, try to fit the widest tire you can, ideally one with some puncture resistance built-in too. “I just swapped tires because they’ll make the biggest difference on gravel roads. This small change has allowed him to join other riders in the shop on some fast gravel rides. Ricky made it more gravel-capable by fitting wider 30mm tires. The Allez Sprint is an extremely stiff and aggressive road racing bike with rim brakes. He isn’t ready to buy an actual gravel bike just yet so he uses his Specialized Allez Sprint to tackle mellower gravel roads. What defines a “proper” gravel bike isn’t very firmly established, and it’s possible to enjoy riding gravel on the bike you already have.įor example, Ricky, who works in The Pro's Closet's merchandising department, is a road racer who decided to mix things up and add some gravel roads to his training. But Spencer is skilled and experienced enough that he’s found he can make almost any bike work in a pinch. The ideal gravel bike will vary wildly based on a rider’s terrain, skills, and budget. Spencer is one of the most experienced riders in the shop when it comes to riding bikes on dirt. “I have ridden gravel on everything from a road bike with 28mm slicks to a 650b gravel bike with 2.1-inch knobbies,” says our content marketing manager, Spencer. But does that mean you have to buy the latest and greatest gravel rig to enjoy gravel roads? Absolutely not! New gravel bikes are released every year with designs and features intended to make them faster, more comfortable, and more capable off-road. The gravel bike segment has seen huge growth in the last decade. If you’re buying a gravel bike for the first time and want to learn more about gravel-specific bike technology and terminology, you can also check out our detailed Gravel Bike Buyer’s Guide.
#Mtb ride supplies how to#
It will explain the basics of how to set up your bike and gear, how to handle your bike on gravel surfaces, and how to discover what gravel riding is all about.
#Mtb ride supplies plus#
This gravel riding guide will provide the necessary knowledge plus some advice and tips from some of our shop’s experienced riders to help you ease into the world of gravel riding with confidence. Mountain bikers are always playing in the dirt but may want some guidance for entering the drop-bar world. Gravel riding is easy to get into, but road riders who are used to riding pavement might be hesitant about the new challenges that come with rough terrain. So, it’s no surprise that gravel riding has become so popular.
It’s easy to fall in love with the sense of freedom and adventure that comes from leaving the pavement behind. I hunt for it, trekking through back roads and exploring singletrack trails to satisfy my gravel addiction. The crunch of gravel beneath bike tires is now one of my favorite sounds.
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