If you’re shopping for your first gravel bike and trying to make sense of tire clearance specs, here’s the first thing to understand: the number on the spec sheet isn’t the full story. I recently tested this on the Specialized Crux. The stated max clearance is 47mm — but I mounted a 50c tire in the rear and a 2.1" up front to see what the frame could actually handle. Watch the full video here. ...
Upgrading a hardtail mountain bike into a gravel beast with a drop bar setup is easier than ever with SRAM’s AXS wireless components. Here’s the complete list of parts needed to pull off a clean and functional hardtail gravel bike drop bar conversion. Choosing the right parts ensures your bike remains fast, durable, and comfortable across all kinds of terrain. Essential Parts Needed for a Hardtail Gravel Bike Drop Bar Conversion SRAM Force eTap AXS Drop Bar Shifters (wireless) SRAM GX Eagle AXS Rear Derailleur SRAM GX Eagle Boost Crankset - 170mm, 12-Speed, 32t Sram XG-1275 GX Eagle 12-Speed Cassette SRAM AXS Batteries and Charger Gravel handlebar: Zipp SL 70 XPLR Drop Handlebar - Carbon 31.8mm 40cm Matte Black Shorter Stem (60-80mm for ideal reach and handling) SRAM Hydraulic Brake Calipers Handlebar Tape Brake Hose/Cable Routing Supplies (if reconfiguring brakes) Choosing Brake Calipers for a Post Mount Frame Most mountain bike frames, including hardtails, use post mount brake calipers. This is an important detail when selecting brakes for your drop bar conversion. You have three solid options: ...
Hardtail gravel bike conversion Gravel bikes are all the rage—but what if you already have a capable hardtail mountain bike frame sitting in your garage? That’s the question I asked before starting a hardtail gravel bike conversion using a Cannondale Scalpel HT. Spoiler: with the right parts, it might be better than a dedicated gravel frame—especially for mixed terrain, chunkier fire roads, or long-distance bikepacking. Why Convert a Hardtail to a Gravel Bike? The Cannondale Scalpel HT is a lightweight, progressive XC race hardtail, and it turns out to be an ideal platform for a hardtail gravel bike conversion. Here’s why: ...
Why the 2025 Cannondale Super X Is the Ultimate Gravel Race Bike The 2025 Cannondale Super X is here, and it’s better than ever. With a sleek aerodynamic frame, improved tire clearance, and long-overdue design changes, Cannondale has taken an already legendary cyclocross and gravel race bike and made it even more versatile. If you’re wondering what makes this bike so special, here’s why the 2025 Super X stands out from the competition. ...