Prepare for Gravel Season

Posted by Wolf Tooth · February 02, 2023

Gravel is coming. Unbound registration approval emails have been sent out and The Mid South is on the horizon. In California, the Grasshopper Adventure Series is already underway. There's anticipation in the air as the temperatures slowly rise and the days start to grow longer.

We think the best gravel rides consist of back roads, a little brutality, spontaneous weather conditions, and a dash of camaraderie. It's been said that gravel is the great equalizer: the unpaved climbs are slower and the rocky descents are sketchier. Gravel demands efficiency, durability, and grit from all riders, whether you're at the pointy end of a four hour sprint or 200 miles into your 350-mile journey.

Start your gravel season on the right foot (or pedal) with precision-engineered Wolf Tooth components designed to make your bike lighter, faster, and more versatile in all conditions. We've put together a list of our favorite gravel chainrings, bar tape, B-RAD System accessories, and multi-tools for long days in the saddle. These components and tools have been designed and tested for all-weather riding, from dusty gravel grinds to rutted and muddy doubletrack. Keep scrolling to learn more.

Wolf Tooth Components Gravel Chainrings, Bar Tape, B-RAD accessories, and multi-tools.

Wolf Tooth chainrings are the best-performing and longest-lasting wide/narrow chainrings on the market. Our patented Drop-Stop® design ensures the best wear life, chain retention, and mud clearance on all gravel terrains.

Riders from all over the world have confirmed that the Wolf Tooth Drop-Stop® design provides unparalleled performance. But how does it work?

We designed the Drop-Stop wide/narrow tooth profile to provide extra strength where you need it and less material where you don't. The right side of the tooth has been widened to maximize the amount of area in contact with the chain. Having more area in contact means the load is spread over a larger area, which in turn minimizes wear on the tooth. The left side of the tooth helps to guide the chain as it meshes with the chainring without having to transmit any load. We've removed excess material to narrow the tooth and create a channel for mud to flow away. More clearance means less friction and less chance of causing a dropped chain. Having the right gearing is crucial to a successful ride. Our gravel chainrings are sized from 38T - 46T to preserve the chainring's effectiveness on flat stretches, descents, and rocky climbs.

Drop-Stop also comes in three tooth profiles: Drop-Stop A, Drop-Stop B, and Drop-Stop ST. Each profile has distinct advantages for specific types of riding:

Drop-Stop B: Optimized for drop bar bikes and road/gravel drivetrains. It fits all 9-, 10-, and 11-speed chains, including 12-speed SRAM Eagle, Campagnolo, KMC, and SRAM AXS chains. This tooth profile is nearly identical to Drop-Stop A, with the exception of narrower teeth and the deeper valley between the teeth to accommodate the large rollers on a SRAM Flattop chain. The outside faces of the narrow and wide teeth touch the chain to guide alignment.
Drop-Stop ST: Designed for the Shimano Hyperglide+ chain only. It is not compatible with other chains. Drop-Stop ST features narrower teeth than Drop-Stop A. The narrow teeth's interaction with the chain is similar to Drop-Stop A and Drop-Stop B. The wide teeth on Drop-Stop ST use a Symmetric Trapezoidal (ST) shape to match the chain's extended inner edge, thus creating alignment.
Drop-Stop A: Optimized for MTB drivetrains. Drop-Stop A is the original Drop-Stop tooth profile. It fits all 9-, 10, and 11-speed chains, including 12spd SRAM Eagle, KMC, Connex, and Wippermann chains. The outside faces of the narrow and wide teeth guide the chain's alignment.

Our Drop-Stop chainrings are compatible with a variety of cranks, including Shimano, SRAM, 3T, Cannondale, and Easton Cinch. Level up from your bike's factory chainring with a durable Wolf Tooth chainring designed to optimize your gravel experience.

SHOP ALL GRAVEL CHAINRINGS

Wolf Tooth oval Chainring for SRAM Direct Mount 8 Bolt

SHOP ALL GRAVEL CHAINRINGS

One of the most noticeable aspects of gravel is that it creates a bumpy ride. It's no surprise that hand fatigue, numbness, and discomfort are prevalent throughout gravel cycling. Thick, cushy bar tape provides relief and excellent vibration damping by absorbing the abuse of bumpy roads, chunky gravel, and rocky trails. Wolf Tooth makes two kinds of bar tape for drop-bar adventures: Supple Bar Tape and Supple Lite Bar Tape.

At 5mm thickness, Supple Bar Tape is the thickest silicone foam bar tape in the world. It's extra wide, extra soft, and extra tacky. Supple Bar Tape was designed to keep your hands comfortable when the roads get extra rough. It's made from a 100% silicone foam compound and allows you to customize the feel of your handlebars with varying levels of overlap. With just one wrap, Supple Bar Tape has more cushion and comfort than multiple layers of traditional bar tape. Achieve maximum comfort by wrapping your bars as thick as you'd like. Supple Bar Tape comes with two rolls per package. It also comes in five colors: black, red, blue, brown, and orange.

Supple Lite Bar Tape is half as thick (2.5mm) and has a distinctly different feel compared to Supple Bar Tape. It is made from a soft, tacky EVA foam compound that conforms to your hands and keeps them from slipping, with or without gloves. Like Supple Bar Tape, Supple Lite Bar Tape also allows you to customize the thickness of your bar tape. Use both of the included 2.5mm-thick tape rolls to create 5mm of cushion (or less, based on your riding preference).

Supple Bar Tape and Supple Lite Bar Tape fit all road/gravel drop bars and come with our standard Wolf Tooth Bar End Plugs. Scroll to see our full selection of bar tapes, or click the link below.

SHOP ALL BAR TAPE

Wolf Tooth Supple Bar Tape for dropbars black

SHOP ALL BAR TAPE

Our B-RAD System simplifies on-bike storage so you can carry exactly what you need for long-distance gravel rides and events. Add storage room for tools or tubes below a bottle cage, shift bottles away from frame bags, and provide space for a second bottle on sufficiently long downtubes. The B-RAD System keeps your hydration, gear, and tools safely secure and accessible during grueling gravel grinds.

The B-RAD System is composed of a B-RAD Base, an accessory or accessory-specific Mount, and the accessories being held by the Mount.

For example, you're getting your bike ready for The Mid South 100 and would like to have a water bottle mounted on your bike's seattube — but your frame bag is in the way, blocking access to both the bottle and the frame bag. Enter The B-RAD System. Mount a B-RAD 2-Slot Mounting Base to the bottle bosses on your bike's seattube and then use the included B-RAD bolts to move your bottle cage to a more optimal location (in this case, we would move it down to provide clearance for both the frame bag and the bottle). Once you've mounted your bottle cage to the B-RAD 2-Slot Mounting Base, simply add your bottle and your frame bag, and check to see if you need to make any minor adjustments.

Find which B-RAD System components fit your bike by printing our 1:1 B-RAD System Base Measurement Guide at 100%.

The B-RAD System can be utilized in many different ways depending on your needs and the goals you've set for your ride. For long voyages (such as the 350-mile Unbound XL), it's essential to carry extra water and have space to easily access your snacks, multi-tools, and necessities. The B-RAD Double Bottle Adapter is designed to hold two bottle cages next to each other, increasing space on your frame for other B-RAD System accessories. Our B-RAD Tek-Lite Roll-Top Bags (0.6L and 1.0L) can be mounted directly to your bike via the bag's accessory mount or strapped to your frame with the bag's silicone-backed strap. Scroll to see some of our favorite B-RAD System components and accessories, or click the link to learn more.

SHOP THE B-RAD SYSTEM

Wolf Tooth B-RAD Dogbone, B-RAD 2, B-RAD 3, and B-RAD 4 in a line

SHOP THE B-RAD SYSTEM

Flat tires, clogged valve stems, and broken chains - oh my! Wolf Tooth multi-tools are designed and engineered to remedy most trailside problems while also remaining lightweight, durable, and packable. Punctures happen — particularly on chunky gravel — and with some events offering no aid services, it's necessary to carry a range of multi-tools with different functions so you can address any issues that may arise.

For back-road journeys far from services and main roads, an effective multi-tool becomes a lifesaver. Wolf Tooth multi-tools are designed by cyclists for cyclists and offer many different functions depending on which tool (or kit) you purchase.

Our 8-Bit Chainbreaker + Utility Knife Multi-Tool (pictured above) can be purchased by itself or as part of our 8-Bit Kit One/8-Bit Kit Two. This multi-tool has four functions: chainbreaker, tire plug inserter, a retractable utility knife, and a 16mm head that can be used to tighten crank arms on the road or trail. When paired with the 8-Bit Kit One or 8-Bit Kit Two, the number of functions grows from four to 25.

The EnCase System Bar Kit One, a crowd favorite, can be stored inside your drop bars or easily carried in your jersey pocket. We've designed the EnCase System to meet the needs of almost any trailside repair. The multi-tools are stored in durable, flexible storage sleeves that can be slipped inside the ends of your handlebars. The System consists of two multi-tools: the Hex Bit Wrench Multi-Tool, and the Chain + Tire Plug Multi-Tool. The Hex Bit Wrench Multi-Tool has 14 functions and features a ball detent swivel head for hard-to-reach places. The Chain + Tire Plug Multi-Tool is compatible with all bicycle chains (including 12-speed), and contains an inserter tool and bacon strips for plugging holes in tubeless tires. Feel free to swap multi-tools between bikes — the EnCase System Bar Kit One is compatible with both drop bar and mountain handlebars.

All of our multi-tools have been designed to provide functions that other multi-tools don't. Choose the tool(s) that work best with your bike setup and your needs. View some of our favorites below, or click the link to see our full collection.

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Wolf Tooth 8-Bit Chainbreaker + Utility Knife Multi-Tool

8-Bit kit two, 8-bit system Pack Pliers, Tire Lever and Disc Brake Multi-tool, 8-Bit Chainbreaker and ulility knife Multi-tool

Wolf Tooth EnCase tool system, handlebar tool storage, hex wrench, chainbraker, tire plug, storage sleeves

Wolf Tooth Pack Pliers, Master Link Combo Pliers, Black with Red Bolt in open position

Wolf Tooth 6-Bit Multi-Tool orange bolt with keychain and bits

SHOP MULTI-TOOLS

We're committed to helping you achieve your best gravel season ever. Our precision-engineered and machined components, tools, and accessories are designed and tested by our team in all weather conditions. Have questions? We're more than happy to help. Feel free to reach out at sales@wolftoothcomponents.com anytime — no question is too big (or too small), and we love getting the chance to talk about our durable and versatile components.

You'll find Wolf Tooth at several gravel events this summer. Feel free to stop by and say hello!

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Prepare for Gravel Season