Rigid MTB to gravel bike conversion

I’ve got a rigid Planet X Whippet that’s a few years old now and thinking about converting it to a gravel bike but just need a bit of advice.

It’s currently got a full SRAM GX Eagle and would like to convert to an AXS mullet build. Currently thinking of Rival Shifters:
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/sram-rival-etap-axs-disc-brake
With an Eagle AXS derailleur:
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/sram-gx-eagle-axs-12-speed-rear-derailleur

Would the existing cassette work? Would I need anything else other than handlebars?

Thanks!

you know the bike should be approx 50mm shorter to take drop bars? as the reach will end up being much longer? assume you’ve considered that

Yes I’ve done lots of measuring and the fit should be fine

A mechanical option here https://ratiotechnology.com/products/upgrade-kits/

Just incase you weren’t aware 🙂

Are MTB & Road (Gravel) hydraulic brakes compatible?

^^ Good Point
MTB calipers are generally post mount
Road/Gravel Flat
you can run post on flat with adaptoprs, but im not sure about the other way
So, if you cant find adaptors youd want to be plumbing road levers to mtb calipers i guess

I knew you guys would think of something I hadn’t considered!

I was planning to use the calipers that come with the shifters but hadn’t considered the post/flat issue.

Could you even put the SRAM Level’s into Rival shifters?

Could you even put the SRAM Level’s into Rival shifters?

It works the other way round so I don’t see why not.

Could you go full hybrid instead? Slammed stem, flat bar, bar ends – then skinny wheels and tyres.

Could you go full hybrid instead? Slammed stem, flat bar, bar ends – then skinny wheels and tyres.

Yes, this is looking like the better option with a decent set of wheels

I was considering the similar for my onone v2 Scandal 29er….still am, more out of curiosity. Its fairly short in modern terms so wasn’t too concerned by drops lengthening. However in the end this at the moment…

Could you go full hybrid instead? Slammed stem, flat bar, bar ends – then skinny wheels and tyres.

Normally run it rigid in winter anyway, already have flat bar and bar ends plus run the stem flipped so negative rise so really its just narrower more gravel specific tyres.

Yes, this is looking like the better option with a decent set of wheels

I know there are good arguments around drop bars for hand position and getting all aero. Which is fine if speed, speed, speed is your goal.
For ‘ooh, look at the view’ while churning out miles on and off-road, I do think flat or alt bars are great.

Light wheels and good tyres, with perhaps a higher gearing, would transform a bike.

Inner as well as outer bar ends are good for that type of bike I’ve found. I fitted them when I did the SDW on my rigid Whippet back in July.

What about those weird bars that have a kind of flared “drop” that you can mount the brakes on?

This
Surly Corner Bar Review

I considered the corner bar but was looking at the knock off Ali Express version

As long as you don’t want to play about with stem length

Post to flat adapters and you should be all good, GX AXS mech and cassette work perfectly with Rival AXS drops

Yeah, I like your original plan. Adapters are available.

matt_outandabout

Full Member

Could you go full hybrid instead? Slammed stem, flat bar, bar ends – then skinny wheels and tyres.

And some tri bars for aero.