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How to customize a gravel bike with MTB wheels and how to choose
Gravel bikes can also enjoy MTB-like riding with fat tires. If you are going to enjoy riding on rough roads, one way to have fun is to customize it with MTB wheels to make it more MTB-like.
Modified at: 2023.11.24Posted at: 2022.9.19
Table Of Contents
What are the advantages of using MTB wheels on gravel bikes?
Gravel bikes are usually equipped with 700C road bike compatible wheels. Most road bike compatible wheels have a maximum tire size of about 32C, which can be a bit uncomfortable when trying to ride gravel roads on rough terrain such as those ridden by MTBs.
Recently, gravel-specific wheels that can fit 45C or larger have been added to the lineup, but the reality is that there are few options.
In other words, if you consider MTB wheels as replacement wheels, you will have the following advantages.
- fitting larger tires is possible.
- a wider choice of wheels
On the other hand, if you don’t need fat tires, it is easier to use wheels for road wheels around compatibility on gravel roads.
Know the difference between road wheels and MTB wheels
Gravel bikes with wide tire clearance and disc brakes are highly customizable road bikes that can use MTB wheels as well as road bike wheels.
However, the standards for road bike wheels and MTB wheels are quite different, so you need to have a good understanding of the differences to be able to use them.
There are three main differences between road bike wheels and MTB wheels
- difference in end width
- difference in shaft diameter
- difference in free body
Differences in End Width
The width of the rear end and front end, where the wheels are fitted, called the end width (OLD), differs for each model of sports bicycle.
The following four types of end widths are the major types of end widths.
- 130mm (Road bike, quick release)
- 135mm (Road bike, MTB, quick release)
- 142mm (Road bike, MTB, through-axle)
- 148mm (MTB, through axle)
Of these, 142mm end width is the major end width for gravel bikes, but 148mm models are available for MTB, so wheels for 148mm end width cannot physically be mounted on gravel bikes.
Some products may come with adapters to adjust the end width, but if not, or if adapters are not available, assume that they cannot be used.
Shaft Diameter Differences
Bicycles use a shaft to secure the frame to the wheel, and there are differences in the diameter of the shaft here as well.
For quick release type, 9mm is the most common, but for thru-axle type, 12mm is the most common. 9mm and 12mm can be used for MTB wheels on gravel roads, but there are also 15mm thru-axles, so be careful about the shaft diameter.
Freebody Differences
Surprisingly, freebody differences are often overlooked.
Shimano, Kampa, and Sram all have different types of free bodies. Furthermore, in some cases, even the same Shimano freebodies are not interchangeable between road and MTB. Specifically, 12-speed road bikes have either 12-speed-specific HG splines or 11-speed splines, while those for MTB use have a special freebody called a microspline.
Kampa can only be used with Kampa, and Sram has its own freebody standard called XD and XDR.
If you buy MTB wheels with a freebody that is different from the freebody you are currently using, you will either not be able to use them or you will have to replace the entire component set.
How to choose gravel bike wheels
This section explains gravel bike wheel customization, including whether gravel bike wheels should be specially designed for gravel bikes, whether road wheels are acceptable, and whether MTB wheels can also be used.
Which wheel is better for a gravel bike, 700C or 650B?
When choosing gravel bike wheels, a common concern is whether to go with 700C or 650B. 700C or 650B is better, and we summarize the advantages and disadvantages of both, as well as how to choose.
What is the best rim width for gravel bike wheels?
One of the standard customizations to improve the performance of a gravel bike is to replace the wheels. And when choosing wheels for gravel bikes, the inner width of the rim is the most important factor to consider.
Summary of the best 650B wheels for gravel bikes
The 650B wheel, which is slightly smaller than 700C, is slowly gaining popularity in the gravel bike community. 650B wheels are a great way to enjoy larger tires on a 700C bike.
Current Article
How to customize a gravel bike with MTB wheels and how to choose
Gravel bikes can also enjoy MTB-like riding with fat tires. If you are going to enjoy riding on rough roads, one way to have fun is to customize it with MTB wheels to make it more MTB-like.
Deep Rim Wheels - Yes or No? Advantages and disadvantages of using them on gravel bikes
Deep rim wheels are a favorite of many road bike users because of their light weight and excellent aero effect. The following is a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of using them on gravel bikes, which are often used for adventure purposes.
Customization for comfort on rough roads
Gravel bikes on gravel roads, for example, are subject to more vibration and shock from the road surface than those on paved roads. Optimizing for rough roads can make riding more comfortable.
Advantages and disadvantages of suspension and seat post on gravel bikes
When riding a gravel bike over rough terrain like MTB, you want suspension. An easy way to add suspension to your gravel bike is with a suspension seatpost.
How to add suspension to a gravel bike
Gravel bikes can be ridden on unpaved roads, but the basic standard is a "rigid fork" without suspension. In this article, we summarize how to add suspension to a gravel bike without suspension.
How should you decide on a position for a gravel bike, which is intended to be between a road bike and a MTB?
Why so popular on gravel bikes? Advantages and disadvantages of flared handles and how to choose
Flared handlebars are being increasingly adopted on gravel bikes. We will look at what flared handlebars are and why they are so popular, starting with their advantages and disadvantages.
Current Article
How to customize a gravel bike with MTB wheels and how to choose
Gravel bikes can also enjoy MTB-like riding with fat tires. If you are going to enjoy riding on rough roads, one way to have fun is to customize it with MTB wheels to make it more MTB-like.
The Perfect Guide to Choosing Gravel Tires
One of the most fun and most affordable customizations for gravel bikes is changing tires. However, gravel bikes, by their very nature, are also the most difficult to choose tires for. In this article, we will thoroughly explain how best to choose tires for gravel bikes.
Is tubeless the best? Which type of gravel tire is best?
Tire selection is one of the most enjoyable and difficult aspects of gravel bike customization. In this article, we will look at the differences between tire types and the types of tires to choose for your gravel bike, along with their advantages and disadvantages.
Ride more comfort! Ride gravel bike with proper air pressure!
There is a "proper air pressure" for bicycle tires. This section summarizes what the correct air pressure is, how to check it and how to get the correct air pressure, and the changes in riding that can be achieved by changing the air pressure.
What kind of road is gravel? The kind of riding a gravel bike is designed to do
What kind of "gravel" roads can gravel bikes be ridden on? We have compiled a definition and a summary of how the manufacturer expects you to ride it, and how it is not expected to be ridden.
Expand your gravel bike enjoyment!
「中途半端」とも言われるグラベルバイクですが、実はカスタマイズやセッティング次第でいろんな道を楽しめます。グラベルバイクの楽しみの幅を広げる方法を解説します。
Bicycle travel, which involves biking around a destination, is an activity that is growing in popularity. However, the type of bicycle you choose will greatly affect the enjoyment and safety of your trip. In this article, we will discuss the best types of sports bicycles for bicycle travel and how to choose the right one.
Is it a good idea to use a gravel bike for commuting to work or school? No?
Due to health consciousness and other factors, more and more people are commuting to work and school by bicycle. In this issue, we will compare and verify whether gravel bikes are a good choice for commuting to work and school, based on the characteristics of each bike type and the different routes to work and school.
Don't want a gravel bike? Will you regret buying one?
Gravel bikes are rapidly gaining popularity in the sports bicycle community, but some buyers say they don't need them and regret buying them. In this issue, we summarize why people say they don't need a gravel bike and how to enjoy such a gravel bike.
How should you decide on a position for a gravel bike, which is intended to be between a road bike and a MTB?
How to convert a gravel bike into a road bike
A gravel bike, a derivative of a road bike, can be ridden on paved roads without modification. However, when converted to a road bike, they can be "ridden more like a road bike.
How to choose gravel tires for those who just want to go fast
Gravel bikes are said to be slower than road bikes. If you want to go faster on a gravel bike! If you want to go faster on a gravel road bike, you can make it lighter and faster by simply customizing the tires.
Current Article
How to customize a gravel bike with MTB wheels and how to choose
Gravel bikes can also enjoy MTB-like riding with fat tires. If you are going to enjoy riding on rough roads, one way to have fun is to customize it with MTB wheels to make it more MTB-like.
Which type is best? Get to know the different types of gravel tires.
Gravel tires are in between the properties of road tires and MTB tires, and there is a lineup of tires with both properties. In this issue, we will introduce the different types of gravel tires and how to choose and customize them for different uses.
How to add suspension to a gravel bike
Gravel bikes can be ridden on unpaved roads, but the basic standard is a "rigid fork" without suspension. In this article, we summarize how to add suspension to a gravel bike without suspension.
What kind of road is gravel? The kind of riding a gravel bike is designed to do
What kind of "gravel" roads can gravel bikes be ridden on? We have compiled a definition and a summary of how the manufacturer expects you to ride it, and how it is not expected to be ridden.
