How to convert a road bike to a gravel bike? Is that even a good idea?

Can you turn a road bike into a gravel bike? And if that is possible, is that actually a good idea? Gravel bikes have hit the cycling scene like no other. Who knew we needed a do-it-all bike which one minute could be flying down a trail, another pushing 20mph plus on a road? They are fantastic to ride and are sought after by many. 

We often get asked here at buycycle: "How to convert a road bike to a gravel bike?” In this article, we are going to discuss just that. We will discuss what makes a gravel bike, the components you need, and much more. 

Can you turn a road bike to a gravel bike?

Can you turn a road bike into a gravel bike? Yes, but it has to be the right road bike. A road bike with minimal tire clearance, rim brakes, and lots of classic parts you might struggle. It has to have ample clearance, and disc brakes are a good start, and it can be done.

It’s important to understand that you will struggle to change some things. Such as tire clearance, and you also cannot change a rim brake bike to a disc brake bike. Understanding the limitations before you start taking a bike apart is good. 

Road bike to gravel bike conversion: First, what makes a gravel bike?

Before telling you how to convert a road bike to a gravel bike it’s important to understand what makes a gravel bike. Here are the defining characteristics of a gravel bike that we will need to achieve from our road bike.

Wider tires for better traction

Gravel bikes generally come with wider tires compared to road bikes. They are also run at lower pressures and often on wheels that are wider. You will find gravel bikes ranging from 35c to 52c. 

Relaxed geometry for enhanced comfort

Gravel bikes are less aggressive than road bikes when it comes to geometry. They have a much more upright riding position and are designed more with control in mind than anything else. 

Reliable disc brakes for any conditions

Gravel bikes have disc brakes to ensure that they can stop quickly and will work better in poor conditions. These can be either mechanical, using a cable, or hydraulic, using fluid inside the cables. 

Flared handlebars for extra control

Another part of a gravel bike is flared bars. These are like typical drop bars on a road bike but they flare out at the bottom to help control on technical sections of riding.

Low gearing for easier climbs

Finally, we have low gearing. Gravel bikes are geared much lower to ensure that they can go up steep climbs and on looser terrain. Road bikes generally have gearing, which is fairly high compared to gravel bikes. 

What is a gravel bike? | buycycle blog US

What exactly is a gravel bike? While looks like a road bike, a gravel bike is its own unique breed - So, what sets it apart?We explain you everything!

buycycle BlogRobert Ferri

Converting road bike to gravel: A how-to-guide

Now, for the exciting part, let’s discuss how we will convert road bike to gravel bike. You are going to need these for the road bike to gravel bike conversion.

• Gravel bike tires and inner tubes to match.
• Flared bars
• A shorter stem
• Smaller chainrings and larger cassette
• Smaller wheels (Optional)

Step one: gravel bike tires and wheels

The first step to getting your road bike to a gravel bike is to get those bigger, chunkier tires on. You first need to remove the wheels and replace the old tires with new gravel tires. You will need to change the inner tubes for larger inner tubes to match or go tubeless.

To ensure that the tires will work, it’s good to have around 5mm clearance on either side of the chain stays. You can even reduce the wheel size to 650b on disc brake bikes, which have a smaller diameter, meaning you can fit a larger tire into it.

Once in, get a nice amount of tire pressure, preferably much lower than you had on the road bike, and it’s good to check everything is nice and tight by the time you finish up.

Step two: flared bars and short stem

Next, we are going to want to remove the handlebars and stem. You can do this by taking the shifters off the front, removing the bar tape, and then undoing the stem. Once these are off, put them to one side.

Now, we need to insert the new stem with shorter and flared handlebars. The shorter stem pointed upright will relax the geometry and help make the bike have more agile handling. Then, after, attach the flared bars. 

After all the new bars are in, then add the shifters back, hide the cables where you need them, and make sure all the cables are tight, and so are the bolts, too. This will feel much more upright when being ridden, but it makes a big difference.

Step three: lower gearing

Then we have lower gearing. This is vital for gravel bikes and quite an easy conversion to do for a road bike. If you have a 1X system on your road bike, you can quite simply use a smaller chainring. If you are on a 2X system with two chainrings at the front, you can go from road chainrings to either cyclocross chainrings or gravel chainrings. 

Once this has been done, you could go as far as changing the cassette too. Providing the derailleur will allow it to take a bigger cassette; you could use one with larger cogs, meaning you get lower ratios. 

After all this is done, you will need to test the gearing to ensure the chain is the correct length, but if you are going to the trouble of changing the cassette and chainrings, you might as well do the chain simultaneously. 

The pros and cons of converting a road bike to a gravel bike

When it comes to converting road bike to gravel, there are some advantages and disadvantages that you need to consider. Here's what you need to know when it comes to the convert road bike to gravel bike process.

Pros

• Cost - Converting a road bike you already have to a gravel bike can save you money overall. Once you have bought the parts required, it’s pretty easy to swap everything over, and then you have something close to a gravel bike.
• Familiarity - If you have converted a bike that you are already used to, then you know exactly what to expect from that bike just being adapted for gravel. 

Cons

• Limitations - There are big limitations when it comes to converting a road bike to a gravel bike. You will never get the tire clearance, the geometry will never really be perfect, and it’s not the same experience.
• Durability - Gravel bikes are less durable than road bikes. They are just not made as strong as you will always have that worry that something will break on a trail when you are in a remote place. 
• Cost - Although we have cost in the pros, it’s also still a con. The components that you will need to buy to convert over could be extra money that selling the road bike and topping up the funds could buy you a gravel bike.
• Time - Making the conversion to a road to gravel bike takes time. If you love working on bikes and have all the tools, then great, but if you just love riding and have no interest in working on bikes, you either have to pay a bike mechanic or spend time getting your hands dirty on the tools. 

Should you convert your road bike to a gravel bike?

When it comes to converting a road to a gravel bike, most people will tell you it is not worth doing. It is a lot of time and energy, and it does come with a cost, which doesn’t always give you a great gravel biking experience. 

If you love working on bikes, have the right road bike with disc brakes and good clearance, and fancy a project, then go for it. It will be a great learning experience, and you will have a lot of fun doing it. 

If you have no interest in working on bikes and want to get out on the gravel, you will probably be bestselling the road bike and putting the money towards a gravel bike for the full experience instead of the process to convert road bike to gravel bike. You can also read our guide on How to choose a gravel bike.

How to make a gravel bike faster on the road

Yes, you can do it the other way around. Before we go we want to touch on how to make a gravel bike faster on the road. Well the easiest way to do this is by simply using smaller tires and lighter thinner wheels. Quite often cyclists have two sets of wheels for their gravel bike.

buycycle has you covered!

Whatever route you choose to go down converting road bike to gravel bike, buycycle has you covered. If you want to sell your old road bike and want to buy a gravel bike, we can help you either way. buycycle is one of the biggest online marketplaces for bikes, with over 20,000 more to choose from.