Transforming your old mountain bike can be a great way to extend its life. Whether you’re looking for additional travel, more progressive geometry, or mixed wheels, these picks just might do the trick!
Of course you’ll want to do your homework before you decide to make a major modification to your bike. Read our guides to mixing wheels, running a longer fork, and adjusting angles to understand the pros and the cons, and to avoid any pitfalls.
Wolf Tooth 2 Degree Geoshift Headset
$104.95
Update your geo! Slack head tube angles are a hallmark of modern MTB geometry, and this angle-adjust headset promises to make your bike’s head tube angle up to 2° slacker. Not only that, you’ll get a steeper seat tube angle too. Or, if your bike is already too slack, you can flip the Wolf Tooth Geoshift headset around to go 2° steeper. Read more.
Buy from Wolf Tooth
Maxxis Minion DHR II 27.5×2.4
$77.00 | $70.00 sale
Go mixed wheel! If you’ve got a 29er that feels ungainly on technical trails, swap out that rear wagon wheel for a 27.5 carver. You’ll need a wheel and tire, and the Maxxis Minion DHR II is one of our favorite rear tires. Additional sizes/configurations are available and on sale for 10% off at Worldwide Cyclery right now. Read more.
Buy from Worldwide Cyclery
Marzocchi Z1 Bomber 29er Fork (170mm)
$779.00 | $379.00 sale
Want more travel? Converting your 27.5 bike to mixed wheel? Either way, check out these 29er fork deals! The Marzocchi Bomber Z1 is a hard charging and affordable favorite, and the DVO Onyx (160mm) is a feature-rich fork that’s ready for your all-mountain/enduro build.
Buy from Jenson USA
Origin8 Gary Sweep Bar
$67.99
In a recent survey, over 100 readers reported converting a mountain bike into a gravel bike. The Origin8 Gary Sweep bar is a great choice for getting started; just add controls and bar tape!
Buy from Amazon
DT Swiss XM 1700 27.5 Rear Wheel
$616.00 | $339.00 sale
In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s hard to find 27.5″ rear wheels for sale, no doubt because mixed wheel conversions are so popular. The Pro’s Closet has a few options on sale right now so grab one while you can! And if you’re looking to convert AND upgrade to a carbon rim at the same time, the $520 Bontrager Line Elite 30 could be the right choice.
Buy from The Pro’s Closet
Santa Cruz Bikes on Sale
Not interested in a bike conversion? Check out the Santa Cruz mountain bikes on sale at Competitive Cyclist, like the mixed-wheel Bronson CC with X0 Eagle Transmission for $5,599 (regularly $7,999).
Buy from Competitive Cyclist
Specialized Purgatory Grid Trail 2Bliss Ready T7
$70.00 | $39.99 sale
The Purgatory is one of our favorite Specialized MTB tires. Whether you need a 27.5 for the rear or 29 for the front, both are on sale. Read more.
Buy from Specialized
Surly Moloko Handlebar
$0.00
One of the simplest mountain bike conversions is to turn your trail bike into a bikepacking rig. The Surly Moloko handlebar provides multiple hand positions and extra real estate for attaching a light, bag, and GPS unit. Another slightly less popular (but way fun!) conversion is to convert your MTB into a cruiser/klunker-style bike with a bar like the Ridefarr Supa-Riser.
Buy from REI
Forte Single Speed Kit
$34.99 | $27.99 sale
Is it underbiking, or just under-gearing? Either way, a single speed mountain bike WILL change the way you ride, and this kit should have everything you need to make the switch. Or roll your own with this simple chain tensioner and freehub spacer kit (cog not included).
Buy from Performance Bike
20% Off Escape Camper Van Rentals
Maybe one day you’ll buy that Sprinter van and convert it into a camper. Until then, get a feel for what it’s like to hit the open road with 20% of an Escape Camper Van Rental for travel through November 2024. Offer ends today!
Buy from Escape
Want to find the best price on your next mountain bike? Try our comparison shopping tool and don’t miss our Weekly MTB Deals for the biggest savings on mountain bikes, gear and more.
