How I ruined a perfectly good MTB for gravel riding

[mtechnica]

I did this to try it out for bikepacking and fooling around on fire roads. Next is to test fit all the bags and put these:

https://widefoot.com/product/literca...BoC6qEQAvD_BwE

on the fork mostly because I think it would be funny looking.

To answer your question yes the sqlabs inner bar ends:

https://sqlab-usa.com/products/inner...t-innerbarends

are amazing and 100% the best thing I've done to this bike.

Since you also asked it weighs 19.4lbs but it weighed 20.7lbs with the reba so not a huge difference. The whisky fork feels very surprisingly compliant but I haven't really taken it off road yet. I'm prepared to put the suspension fork back on but I wanted to try rigid.

The tires feel fairly fast

[Spoker]

Rigid mtb,s make the best gravel bikes as soon as the pavement stops.

[lavi]

This looks great. I bet it’s a hoot to ride. I like the added bits with the large cages and inner bar ends.

[mtechnica]

Originally Posted by lavi

This looks great. I bet it’s a hoot to ride. I like the added bits with the large cages and inner bar ends.

It rides good, very comfortable and fast. My SO and I have a few bikepacking trips planned soon so we'll see how it does.

[mwynne]

Looks like it would be an absolute blast to ride!

[joevers]

Those grips make it look like a hybrid. I bet it's a blast to ride.

[Blue Jays]

Enjoy! You look all set for anything road or trail might send your way.

[mtechnica]

Originally Posted by joevers

Those grips make it look like a hybrid. I bet it's a blast to ride.

I know the grips are shameful looking but having the extra hand position is a game changer imo. You can even brake while holding them.

[fkslksj]

Wow that looks sweet!!

I'm guessing the answer is "a lot"... but how bad would it mess up the geometry if you put drop bars on your mtb frame?

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[mtechnica]

Originally Posted by fkslksj

Wow that looks sweet!!

I'm guessing the answer is "a lot"... but how bad would it mess up the geometry if you put drop bars on your mtb frame?

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I think I would need a way smaller frame for it to work. I’m not sure if it would be worth it since with flat bars it can still be used as a mountain bike.

[charliedid]

Good idea.

[d_douglas]

Originally Posted by mtechnica

I know the grips are shameful looking but having the extra hand position is a game changer imo. You can even brake while holding them.

Awesome looking bike but those bar ends are killin me. If they serve a purpose, they’re valuable though!

[spoonrobot]

Originally Posted by fkslksj

Wow that looks sweet!!

I'm guessing the answer is "a lot"... but how bad would it mess up the geometry if you put drop bars on your mtb frame?

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As long as you can get the stem length right it's not too bad. Done properly your hands are at the same (or very similar) height and forward extension, they're just turned sideways and closer together. The biggest thing is understanding it's a completely different skillset to ride as fast as a flat bar. A lot more muscling around the handlebars and body/hip english are required.

[sparky33]

Which extension grips are those? I gravel on my hardtail and would like another place to stretch out.

[mtechnica]

Originally Posted by sparky33

Which extension grips are those? I gravel on my hardtail and would like another place to stretch out.

sqlab inner bar ends.

I would give them a try for sure. People that race gravel have been using bar ends mounted inside of the grips (such as Lachlan Morton), that's what gave me the idea.