Converting my old mountain bike to a cyclocross (2023)

FAQs

How do I convert my mountain bike to cyclocross? ›

To convert a touring bike to a cross bike, just install a set of cyclocross tires and remove any seat bags, racks, water bottle cages or frame pumps. Pros: Very similar to a cross bike. I raced my first two seasons on one and had a blast.

You can enter a cyclocross race and ride on a mountain bike - but a cyclocross bike will be lighter and will give you the drop handlebars that you'll want to race in a more aggressive position.

Older mountain bike hardtails can be great starting points for gravel bike conversions. The geometry is often not far off from modern gravel bikes, there's usually very inexpensive, and they're generally in plentiful supply.

It is very possible to put drop bars on your mountain bike. Many mountain bikers do exactly this, for a number of reasons (which I'll go into in a moment). To put drop bars on a mountain bike, you will first need to select the ideal drop bars for you.

Just because you're riding a road bike, it doesn't mean you're stuck riding road tires. Swapping in a set of wider gravel tires can increase the capabilities of your bike so you can explore more roads.

Cyclocross could be the most fun you've had on two wheels

Compared to a mountain bike a 'crosser is not particularly capable and your road bike will be much faster, more efficient and probably weighs less too. But that's part of what makes these burly drop bar bikes so much fun.

On flat surfaces, a road bike is faster than a cyclocross bike. You can hit speeds of around 55 kph on average while riding a road bike whereas a cyclo-cross bike mostly stays in the range of 48-50 kph. However, of course terrain will have a big impact on the speeds of the two types of bike.

They are typically differentiated by their greater tire clearances, lower gearing, stronger frames, cantilever brakes or disc brakes and more upright riding position. They also share characteristics with mountain bicycles in that they use knobby tread tires for traction and, increasingly, disc brakes.

Mountain Bikes: Which One Is Faster? The average speed for a gravel bike is about 15 to 16 mph on a paved roadway, while a mountain bike can travel at an average of 30 mph on rough, downhill terrain. For uphill riding, a gravel bike is faster, but for downhill riding, the mountain bike will be faster.

Why is a gravel bike better than a mountain bike? ›

That's why a gravel bike is more aero (in terms of frame and rider position), allowing you to ride big days, across varying terrain, with low aerodynamic energy losses. Mountain bikes are less aerodynamic, and the rider position is biased toward descending technical terrain.

Sure! Although I've done plenty of it and get tired of the flats. I've done the epic long rides over gravel with my skinny tire road bike, but the pace is slower and caution is higher. …

Yes, you can ride a mountain bike on the road. Many people like to have a mountain bike instead of a road bike or hybrid because they like the option of being able to ride off-road should they choose.

A road bicycle is 10 to 30% faster than a mountain bike and is 15% faster on average at the same power output on smooth, paved surfaces. Riding posture, rolling resistance, frame geometry, and weight are the main reasons for road bikes being faster with the same level of effort.

Drop bars require road brakes/shifters, and your flat bar brake and shift levers won't fit (different bar diameter and some obvious ergonomic issues). You're going to need new brake and shift controls.

Designed for Dirt (and Drops)

Yes, drops can be slapped on any mountain bike, but they shouldn't. For instance, most MTBs have a geometry with a much longer reach, and generally don't fit as well with drop bars.

In the list of pros for bar ends is the argument that they give your hands another position and increase leverage when climbing by recruiting more muscle groups, primarily the triceps, shoulders, and latissimus dorsi in your back.

This is also my experience but my road and gravel have different geometry and positions. I can still ride similar speeds on my gravel however I have to put more effort. The difference is 1-2mph is accurate assuming your tires are the same.

Gravel vs cyclocross bike geometry

Most gravel bikes feature a more relaxed geometry than cyclocross bikes, designed for days of riding rather than an hour or so, and for tackling rougher trails. This enhanced emphasis on comfort tends to give a shorter reach and more upright body position.

Schwalbe present the latest model to join their gravel tire family, and promise 20% less rolling resistance and uncompromising speed for races like the Unbound Race.

Why are cyclocross bikes so expensive? ›

Gravel bikes are expensive because they combine premium engineering and expensive materials together. From a design perspective, they are both comfortable, durable, and versatile. In the materials, they are made from carbon fiber, aluminum, and sealant tires, all of these being costly.

Most cyclocross riders won't use their road pedals and shoes, instead borrowing clipless pedals and shoes from the mountain bike world.

In general, cyclocross purists will not have suspension on their bikes if they are used for competing. However, there are many cyclocross bikes available with suspension, and these are excellent for longer rides or more relaxing leisurely off-roading.

You can absolutely ride road on a cx bike. Many of the components are actually road components, including the wheels, so slap a pair of 700x23's on the stock wheelset and off you go.

Tour de France riders in the early 20th century invented cyclocross as a discipline to help maintain shape during the off-season. The thrilling autumn and winter sport includes sharp turns, steep banks, hurdles, tree roots and other obstacles. Riders are often forced to dismount and run with their bikes.

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. 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.

Riding a different bike on different terrain keeps training fresh, and the variety of obstacles, mud, and grass help build bike handling skills that racers can apply during Spring and Summer road races.

Cyclocross racing is great. With a few adaptations a cyclocross bike can do everything from road riding to touring.

A gravel bike can be the ideal bike for a cyclocross course. It could have better mud clearance and could track better in the sand. On a bumpy course, fat gravel tires that might not fit into your cyclocross bike could even add some speed.

Most gravel bikes do not have suspension because it adds weight to the bike, slows down your road performance, makes it harder to accelerate in a race, and requires extra maintenance.

Why are gravel bikes so popular? ›

It's easy to see why, with gravel bikes offering versatility in abundance and the opportunity for riders to get off the beaten track. A gravel bike has a lot to offer the everyday rider looking to mix up their riding on a machine capable of handling the rough stuff, without handicapping itself much on the tarmac.

Gravel bikes with larger chainrings (46-48T for example) in the front will result in higher gear ratios, making it easier to accelerate down hills. Bikes with smaller chainrings in the front (31-34T) will make it easier to climb steep hills, but will spin-out more quickly while descending.

Speed and efficiency

And the harder gearing is better for high speeds. Fitness is a big factor, but it will always be easier to keep up with a fast gravel group ride while on a gravel bike. Mountain bikes will, of course, be faster than gravel bikes on true mountain bike terrain like technical singletrack trails.

Gravel bikes or adventure bikes are essentially road bikes that are moderately fast. They can travel up to approximately 25mph on a flat road. On terrain such as gravel or dirt, you could reach a speed of 12-15mph. Gravel bikes can handle a variety of roads and surfaces, and they carry additional gear.

Can you jump a gravel bike? Gravel bikes ultimately should not be jumped, as they are not equipped with front suspension, and are not built to be able to handle that kind of impact.

Adventure Road Bikes

Adventure Road Bicycles are one of the newest categories of bicycle. They are sometimes called all-road bikes, any-road bikes, or gravel bikes, and are the most versatile sub-category of road bike. Similar to cyclocross bikes, they have drop handlebars and the ability to use wider tires.

A “slack” angle is anywhere from 63 to 66 degrees. This means the fork of the bike is going to stick out farther, creating a more stable ride at high speeds, but also be slower handling.

The answer is yes, by all means, on almost any bike, you can choose tires that are best for the type of terrain that you ride.

Mountain bikes are harder to pedal and slower on pavement. But they have a cushy ride, an upright riding position, and can travel easily on a wide variety of surfaces. Hybrid or cross bikes are almost as fast and easy to pedal as a road bike, while being almost as comfortable and versatile as a mountain bike.

How much does it cost to convert a mountain bike to single speed? ›

The nice thing about singlespeeding is you may be able to do it for cheap by converting a bike you already own for less than $30! You could spend a lot more, but the basic conversion will get you rolling with only one gear and is perfect if you just want to try singlespeeding out.

Does Pavement Ruin Mountain Bike Tires. Typically riding mountain bike tires on the road won't cause you any issues. It will cause them to wear unevenly though, and you will find yourself with a smooth patch down the center on your tires after lots of road miles.

However, the interpretation is clear - it's not legal for a cyclist to ride their bike on the pavement. The Highway Code also states: “You must not cycle on a pavement.”

Overall, mountain bikes are best for endurance and muscle building while road bikes offer a better cardio and overall body workout. Your choice will depend on what workout you want to get out of the activity.

Values range from 3 mph for technical trails up to 15 mph for paved greenway paths. The average speed singletracks riders maintain on the trail is 6.98 mph so if a trail lists an average speed above this – it's fast. Otherwise, it's a bit slow.

If you're riding a mountain bike on a road with a flat elevation profile, 10-14 mph (16-23 km/h) is a good average speed. Technical trails, or those with sharp bends will force will decrease your average cycling speed.

Average speed for a mountain biker ≈ 10 mph (16 kph) during singletrack riding. Uphill sections average ≈ 8 mph (13 kph) with downhill sections averaging ≈ 12 mph (19 kph). The average speed is ≈ 17 mph (27 kph) with peak speeds upwards of 30 mph (48 kph) during downhill mountain bike riding.

Hybrids and touring bikes make excellent first-time cyclocross bikes, because they typically have the right wheel size (700c), right brakes (cantilever or V-brakes), and have sufficient clearance for cyclocross width tires and room for some mud.

There is, of course, no reason why you can't race cyclocross on your road bike, especially if it has disc brakes, which provide better braking in the wet and won't get clogged up with mud like regular rim brake calipers. The geometry of a road bike is close enough to a cyclocross bike to be more than workable.

Unless you're competing at a UCI-level race, in most cases using a gravel bike for a cyclocross race will be absolutely fine, even if you're running tyres over 33cm or bars wider than 50cm.

Why do they change bikes in cyclocross? ›

Changing wheels is slow, so in the event of a flat tire riders just change the entire bike! More sophisticated riders have multiple wheels with different tire tread shapes, so they can even change from a slick to a knobby tire to suit changing weather or course conditions.

Gravel bikes are expensive because they combine premium engineering and expensive materials together. From a design perspective, they are both comfortable, durable, and versatile. In the materials, they are made from carbon fiber, aluminum, and sealant tires, all of these being costly.

Frame geometry - Cyclocross bikes often have more relaxed geometry angles, to give them a more upright riding position than a road racing bike. This position helps with shock absorption off-road, but it also allows you to utilise the bike across multi-disciplines, such as touring and commuting.

Most cyclocross riders won't use their road pedals and shoes, instead borrowing clipless pedals and shoes from the mountain bike world.

In general, cyclocross purists will not have suspension on their bikes if they are used for competing. However, there are many cyclocross bikes available with suspension, and these are excellent for longer rides or more relaxing leisurely off-roading.

Cross-country mountain biking (or XC MTB for short) is one of the most popular types of cycling, and it's easy to see why. It gets its name literally because it takes place in the countryside, allowing riders to explore bridleways, trails and fire roads free from traffic, as well as the worries that come with it.

Cyclocross racers, however, have what's known as a pit, where they can exchange bikes/wheels. Of course, you need two bikes and/or spare wheels in order to take advantage of the pit. Most top riders have two (sometimes three) bikes for an important cross race.

The average speed for a gravel bike is about 15 to 16 mph on a paved roadway, while a mountain bike can travel at an average of 30 mph on rough, downhill terrain. For uphill riding, a gravel bike is faster, but for downhill riding, the mountain bike will be faster.

The primary benefit of a fat bike is that they're able to travel over diverse terrain, from snow to sand, better than regular bicycles. The wide tyres provide you with extra grip and traction, and combined with a low tyre pressure, you'll find that you're able to pedal over terrain that'd make conventional tyres sink.

As such, a cyclocross bike will have a higher bottom bracket height relative to a gravel bike, and even a road bike. A cyclocross bike will also have shorter chainstays and a lower stack height, both of which combine for a more aggressive riding position and significantly more agile handling than a gravel bike.

When should I start training for cyclocross? ›

As a result, some cyclists begin cyclocross training in the late spring or early summer. For others, cyclocross is a lower priority after a full spring and summer of road or mountain bike racing.

The frame is also slightly slacker, to allow for greater bike handling, while the bottom bracket is further from the ground to help avoid obstacles (both natural and artificial). Unlike say a sportive, gran fondo or a traditional cross-country race, a cyclo-cross race is completed on a closed circuit.