Why Gravel Riders Are Turning to the Mullet Drivetrain for Steep Climbs and Challenging Terrain

When it comes to gravel riding, having the right gearing can make all the difference. Gravel riders are no strangers to a variety of terrain—everything from smooth, well-maintained gravel paths to steep, punchy climbs and rugged, technical trails. As 1x drivetrains have become the go-to setup for gravel bikes, offering simplicity and ease of use, the mullet drivetrain is starting to make waves as the ultimate solution for riders who want a wider gear range for tougher climbs and varied terrain.

If you’re wondering what exactly a mullet drivetrain is and why it’s getting so much attention, don’t worry. Let’s break it down in a more casual way and talk about why adding a mountain bike cassette to your gravel bike might just be the game-changer you need.

In essence, it’s like giving your gravel bike a mountain bike upgrade—without the hassle of multiple front gears and derailleurs.

Why Would Gravel Riders Need a Mullet Drivetrain?

Gravel riding isn’t one-size-fits-all. In places like Jersey and the UK, we often face short, steep climbs that require serious gearing to keep going. Traditional gravel-specific drivetrains, like those found in SRAM’s XPLR range or Shimano’s GRX Di2, work great on moderate gradients and smoother gravel paths, but they fall short when the going gets tough. On steep climbs, you’re often forced to rely on pure power, which can leave your legs burning and your cadence dropping.

This is where the mullet drivetrain comes into play. By adding a mountain bike cassette (which offers much larger cogs, like 50t or 52t), you suddenly get access to lower gears that let you keep a high cadence—even on those 20%+ climbs that seem impossible on a traditional gravel setup. It’s the perfect solution for gravel riders who need that extra range to handle all sorts of terrain.

There are so many ways to make your Mullet! Let your creativity lead the way! 

The Benefits of a Mullet Drivetrain

1. A Wider Gear Range Means Easier Climbing: With a mullet drivetrain, you get lower gearing that makes steep climbs feel much more manageable. Whether you're tackling short, sharp inclines or technical gravel paths, you’ll be able to spin your way to the top without losing your breath or burning out. The wider range gives you more gears to choose from, so you can always find the perfect ratio for any situation.
2. Maintaining a Higher Cadence: For most gravel riders, cadence is key to staying efficient on long rides. Traditional gravel gears might leave you having to grind away in too-high a gear, forcing you to shift into your lowest gear and lose momentum. With a mullet setup, you get the ability to shift into a super-low gear, allowing you to spin up those climbs, maintain a smooth pedal stroke, and avoid the dreaded "grinding" feeling.
3. Better Performance on Mixed Terrain: Gravel isn’t just one kind of surface—it’s everything from smooth dirt roads to rocky trails. The mullet drivetrain’s wider range of gears makes it much easier to handle a variety of surfaces. Whether you’re cruising on smooth gravel or navigating technical MTB-style trails, the mullet drivetrain lets you switch gears quickly to adapt to changing conditions. You’ll never feel like you’re out of your depth, no matter what the trail throws at you.
4. Simpler Than a Double Chainring Setup: A major benefit of running a 1x drivetrain (with or without a mullet) is the simplicity—fewer components means less maintenance and fewer things to worry about. With a mullet drivetrain, you still get the benefits of a single front chainring—no front derailleur, no complicated shifting system—while enjoying the wider gear range that a mountain bike cassette offers. It’s the best of both worlds: simple, lightweight, and still capable of handling tough climbs.

1. More Versatile for Long Rides: Gravel rides are rarely just about flat, easy paths. Having a mullet drivetrain gives you the flexibility to handle long rides that switch between flat, fast gravel roads and short, sharp climbs. You won’t have to stop and push your bike up a hill or struggle with gears that are too hard to make it to the top. Whether you're biking across smooth roads or tackling off-road sections with steep gradients, the mullet drivetrain ensures you’ve got the right gear for every situation.
2. Perfect for Riders in Tougher Terrain Areas: Living and riding in Jersey and the UK where the gravel paths are often interspersed with mountain-bike style terrain, the mullet drivetrain becomes almost a necessity. Short, steep climbs and technical descents are the norm, and traditional gravel gearing just doesn’t cut it. The mullet setup gives you the flexibility to tackle these climbs and ride efficiently without feeling like you're constantly fighting against your gears.
3. You Can Build Your Own Setup: If you’re a Shimano rider and want to experience the benefits of a mullet drivetrain, you’re in luck. While SRAM’s mullet-specific offerings are already well-established, and personally have ridden the sram offering for over 4 years, Shimano riders can easily build a mullet drivetrain too—thanks to aftermarket cassettes from companies like Garbaruk, which allow you to put together a wider gear range even on an 11-speed GRX Di2 setup. This means you can enjoy the same low-end gearing and smooth shifting that mountain bike cassettes provide, without switching to a completely new drivetrain.

Conclusion: Is the Mullet Drivetrain Right for You?

If you’re a gravel rider who loves the idea of streamlining your bike setup while still having the gears you need for steep climbs and mixed terrain, the mullet drivetrain could be the perfect fit. By adding the wide range of an MTB cassette to a simple 1x gravel setup, you get the best of both worlds: easier climbing, better cadence control, and effortless shifting for all types of gravel rides.

Whether you're riding in Jersey, or any other challenging gravel environment, the mullet drivetrain gives you the versatility and performance you need to tackle any terrain with confidence. So, if you’re looking for a gear setup that’s as adaptable as the trails you ride, it might just be time to go mullet!