Originally Posted by
mechanicmatt
I think everyone is giving great advice here accept one. The handlebars. If this is your first time off road, gravel or not, I'd recommend either a flat bar or riser with bar ends. More stable and can handle a heavier load. I kinda think you will have enough thrown at you that you will want something more familiar but that's just me.
Not saying that drops aren't a better choice long term but to see if you like it I'd be more conservative the first time.
Disagree completely, mostly because VV has done a number of dirt drop conversions already. This is somewhat a matter of personal taste and I personally found dirt drops to be quite wonderful in the woods. I think they are just as stable, if not more so, than flat bars. Certainly more comfortable.