Mountain

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: ...

2025 Specialized Stumpjumper 15 Alloy frame in raw aluminum finish, ready for component swap in workshop setting Wondering how to plan a mountain bike frame swap without replacing all your components? I’m preparing to swap my Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Alloy over to the 2025 Stumpjumper 15 Alloy—and I’m sharing exactly what will carry over, what needs replacing, and what to look out for, especially if you’re running a mullet setup. ...

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: ...

2025 Specialized Turbo Levo 4 Meta Description: Explore the full 2025 Specialized Turbo Levo 4 e-MTB lineup. Compare features, motor power, and pricing across the S-Works, Pro, Expert, and Comp models to find the best Levo for your ride style. The 2025 Specialized Turbo Levo 4: Power, Range, and Ride Quality The 2025 Specialized Turbo Levo 4 lineup represents the next evolution in full-power electric mountain bikes. With redesigned geometry, advanced electronics, and suspension tech like Genie shock across the board, every Levo 4 model is built to deliver high performance and confidence across all types of trail terrain. ...

Learning to fix your bike at home is easier than you think. With a few beginner bike repair tools, you can save money, skip unnecessary trips to the shop, and gain confidence in your bike maintenance skills. Whether you’re a new cyclist or just want to be more self-sufficient on the road or trail, this essential starter kit includes everything you need to tackle the most common bike repairs yourself. ...

Building your dream bike is one of the best parts of riding, and for me, that dream is based on the Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Alloy. I set this rig up to thrive on aggressive trail and enduro riding, with a mullet wheel setup and a dialed parts list built around performance, reliability, and fun while still keeping budget in mind. Here’s a full breakdown of my custom Stumpy EVO build and why each piece made the cut. ...

alt=‘SRAM Eagle Transmission 70 and 90 vs Shimano SLX, XT, XTR full drivetrain components side-by-side’ If you’re shopping for a new mechanical drivetrain in 2024, you’ve likely come across the new SRAM Eagle 70 and Eagle 90. These newly released groupsets bring modern mechanical shifting to a more accessible price point—fitting in just between SRAM’s GX and SX lines. But how do they compare to Shimano’s popular SLX, XT, and premium XTR drivetrains? ...

Today I’m unboxing a frame I’ve been genuinely excited to try — the 2025 Specialized Stumpjumper 15 Alloy. The real kicker? It’s on sale right now, marked down from $2299 to $1499 for the frame and shock. At this price point, it’s easily one of the best values in the trail bike world today. To be honest, I’ve always had a hard time justifying alloy frames priced north of $2000, so this discount made the decision much easier. ...

https://youtu.be/Fh0zcVl-7WA Is your bike in need of some repairs, but you’re shocked by the high price tag from the bike shop? I recently came across a $940 repair quote to fix my friend’s bike, and I knew we could do it ourselves for a fraction of the cost. In this post, I’ll walk you through the steps we took to complete the necessary bike maintenance, save hundreds of dollars, and keep the bike running smoothly. Doing bike repairs yourself isn’t just about saving money—it’s also a satisfying way to learn more about your bike and make sure everything is in top shape. ...

You want to start working on your own bike but are on a budget You have just made the decision to start working on your own bike, and there are many great reasons to do so. Some great reasons to work on your own bike are: Save time by not having to take your bike to the bike shop and wait for days for labor to be completed Save money by not paying for professional labor prices Increase self reliance: fix your bike on the road when an unforeseen mechanical comes up during a ride Quality, expensive tools will last for life, right? Yes it’s nice to own high quality tools and if you have the budget I would agree. Park tools makes great quality tools for about everything out there on a bike and usually you can’t go wrong with them. There are also a few companies that make beautifully crafted tools like https://www.abbeybiketools.com/ and https://silca.cc/ which will cost you, but they should last forever. A lot of these tools are for professional mechanics that wrench daily and as a home mechanic, your usage should be much less. So for getting started out on a budget, here are a few alternatives that can save you money and get you started on your way to becoming a mechanic. ...