MTB to Gravel Conversion Build | Cannondale Scalpel HT + Garbaruk 10-52

Can a mountain bike make a good gravel bike? I converted a carbon hardtail into a drop-bar gravel bike with SRAM XPLR and the new Garbaruk 10-52 13-speed gravel cassette to find out. This video covers the full gravel conversion: solving post mount vs flat mount brakes, setting up a drop-bar cockpit on a mountain bike frame, the Garbaruk derailleur mod, SRAM Full Mount chain length and setup, and the final weight. At the end I explain what you gain and what you give up by starting with a mountain bike frame instead of a gravel frame. Final weight: 18 lb 7 oz (8.36 kg) with pedals 🔧 THE BUILD Frame: Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod Fork: Niner RDO carbon (Boost, tapered, post mount) Cassette: Garbaruk 10-52, 13-speed (XD/XDR) → https://global.garbaruk.com/shop/13-s... Chainring: Garbaruk direct mount (Cannondale) → https://global.garbaruk.com/shop/dm-m... Rear derailleur: SRAM Rival XPLR AXS (13-speed, Full Mount/UDH) → https://link.amazon/B0fpfcqkT Front brake + lever: SRAM Rival AXS front disc brake set → https://link.amazon/B0crrRz9w Rear brake + lever: SRAM Rival AXS rear disc brake set → https://link.amazon/B0igoy5WM Chain: SRAM Rival Flattop 12/13-speed (cut to 118 links) → https://link.amazon/B06gNw4um Crankset: Cannondale Hollowgram SI SL Bottom bracket: Cannondale PF30 Wheels: BTLOS WM-i30AS carbon (XC) on DT Swiss 350 hubs, 1,255 g → https://btlos.com/mountain-bike/mtb-x... Tires: Schwalbe Thunder Burt 29 x 2.25" → https://www.schwalbe.com/en/Thunder-B... Brake adapters: Wolf Tooth post to flat mount, +20mm → https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/p... Rotors: 180mm Handlebar: Zipp Service Course SL-70 XPLR, 40cm → https://link.amazon/B08PLa4ef Stem: 70mm Final weight: 18 lb 7 oz (8.36 kg) with pedals KEY TOOLS Park Tool CSB-1 carbon cutting blade → https://amzn.to/4r8tQ6H Park Tool SG-8 threadless fork saw guide → https://amzn.to/4xdp1dD Park Tool CT-3.3 chain tool (Flattop compatible) → https://amzn.to/3TjbrYi SRAM hydraulic hose cutter → https://amzn.to/4ddBlDx BUILD SPECS Frame: Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod Fork: Niner RDO carbon (Boost, tapered, post mount) Groupset: SRAM Rival XPLR AXS 13-speed (Full Mount derailleur) Cassette: Garbaruk 10-52 13-speed Chainring: Garbaruk direct mount Crankset: Cannondale Hollowgram SI SL Bottom bracket: Cannondale PF30 Wheels: BTLOS WM-i30AS carbon (XC) on DT Swiss 350 hubs, 1,255 g Tires: Schwalbe Thunder Burt 2.25" Brake adapters: Wolf Tooth flat mount to post mount Rotors: 180 mm Stem: 70 mm Chain: SRAM Flattop, 118 links CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 0:53 What a drop-bar conversion takes 1:07 Fork and brake mounts 2:09 Cutting the carbon steerer 2:42 Rear brake hose routing 3:23 Cockpit and shifters 4:01 Brake hoses and bleeding 4:52 Why the Garbaruk cassette 6:17 Garbaruk derailleur modification 6:45 Pairing SRAM AXS 7:25 Bottom bracket and crankset 8:01 Chainline and chain compatibility 8:32 Wheels and tires 9:21 Cassette and rotors 9:59 Full Mount chain length 10:30 Rear wheel and brake alignment 10:50 Full Mount derailleur setup 11:40 Front wheel and final fit 12:20 Wrapping the bars 12:35 Final weight 12:51 Would this make a good gravel bike? 14:04 Closing thoughts Some links may be affiliate links, which support the channel at no extra cost to you. A full ride review is coming. Subscribe if you want to see how this holds up off road. If you've built something similar, or would have done it differently, let me know in the comments.