CrankSmith Blog
Deep dives into gravel bike builds, tire compatibility, drivetrain gearing, and component standards. Real data from the 2026 scene.
45mm Is the New Minimum Gravel Tire — Here's Why
Every 2026 frame clears 50mm+. Riders are pushing past 40mm and never looking back. The data backs it up.
The Gravel Mullet: Road Shifter + MTB Derailleur — Every Combo That Actually Works
SRAM AXS (native), Shimano GRX × XT/XTR (cable pull ratios), Wolf Tooth Tanpan. Full compatibility matrix.
1x vs 2x on Gravel in 2026: The Actual Numbers
Gear range percentages, cadence gap sizes, chain drop risk, and who really needs which setup.
How Your Bigger Gravel Tire Changes Your Actual Gear Ratio
45mm vs 35mm changes your effective gear inches by ~6%. CrankSmith calculates this automatically.
Unbound Gravel 2026: The Ultimate Tire & Gear Setup Guide
World's most iconic gravel race. May 28-31, Emporia KS. What pros ran vs what works for the rest of us.
Gravel Tire Pressure by Width: The Definitive Guide (40mm to 2.25")
Optimal PSI for every width at different rider weights and terrain. Hookless rim max pressure limits. Tubeless minimums to prevent burping.
Every 2026 Gravel Frame That Fits 2.25-Inch Tires
Allied Able (57mm), Lauf Seigla (50mm), 3T Extrema (54mm), Specialized Diverge 4 (55mm) — definitive list.
Hookless vs Hooked Gravel Wheels: The Safety Guide That Actually Matters
ETRTO standards updated. 28mm tires on 25mm internal hookless = non-compliant. Max pressure 72.5 PSI. When hooked is non-negotiable.
RockShox Rudy vs Rigid Fork: Is Gravel Suspension Worth It in 2026?
800g heavier but elite racers pair it with narrow tires instead of wide + rigid. The full trade-off analysis.
Gravel Tubeless Setup: What Seals, What Tapes, What Goes Wrong
Tape layers by rim width. Sealant ml by tire volume. Burping fix on hookless: lower pressure + sealant boost.