Planning on doing some Gravel riding in the off season and just wondering, those that are Gravel riding what is your go to Gravel Handlebar?
Looking to swap out the standard bar on my Specialized Crux.
I swapped out my bars for these:
https://otsocycles.com/collections/lithic/products/lithic-corundum-handlebar
If you haven’t ridden with flared handlebars you will question why you never did it before. They are very comfortable.
I would go with a Zipp XPLR the standard or the SL model. https://www.sram.com/en/zipp/models/hb-dbsc-70x-a2
Or this Specialized model. https://www.specialized.com/us/en/short-reach-alloy-flare/p/218331?color=352981-218331&searchText=21023-3242
What kind of gravel riding are you planning to do? Just fire roads and flowing stuff then whatever bar you use on your road bike. Same position as well. If you’re doing bike packing etc, then something with a wider flair.
Easton EC90AX is a really nice bar, 16 degree flare, ovalized ergo shaped tops, nice curve in the drops, really light.
EC90 AX Handlebar – Easton Cycling US
I have these on my gravel bike, and briefly on the road bike too, but just replaced the road bars with the new EC90ALX (just 10 degree flare) so have an extra set of like-new EC90AX in 42cm…
Dan wrote an article in the Gravel section late last year about the new Cadex GX bar. He found it extremely comfortable. Haven’t bought one yet simply because of the $$$. Also, have a look at the Coefficient bar. Another one that I am eyeing to replace my current bar.
What kind of gravel riding are you planning to do? Just fire roads and flowing stuff then whatever bar you use on your road bike. Same position as well. If you’re doing bike packing etc, then something with a wider flair.
This ^^. I have no desire to do much more than a long day ride on gravel, so I use the same bars on my gravel rig(s) as I do on my road bike(s). YMMV. Give some flared bars a try and see how you like them.
Dan wrote an article in the Gravel section late last year about the new Cadex GX bar. He found it extremely comfortable. Haven’t bought one yet simply because of the $$$. Also, have a look at the Coefficient bar. Another one that I am eyeing to replace my current bar.
Cadex. Wonder if you have to get a Giant / Cadex approved authorised dealer to fit it otherwise the warranty is voided 🤔
I’ve recently put Richey WCS Ergomax bar to my gravel bike. It’s got some flare to the drops, but not a huge flare as is seen on some.
One of the things I don’t like about heavily flared drops is the brake hoods have to be angled more (to avoid the brake lever/ shift paddle hitting the bar when braking and stopping proper braking). I don’t find hoods that are tilted / rotated like a Detroit gun user holding up a liquor store.
The ergo / ‘aero’ profile of the tops definitely reduce the pressure on my hands and are more comfy.
Only thing to be aware of with the ergo/aero portion (for any bar, not just this one) is that as its wider (in the fore-aft) if your knees are already mega close to hitting the bar when stood up climbing, that few mm can make a difference. (I’ve a long femur so my knees are always close to the bars on all my bikes when out of the saddle climbing)
I’ve recently put Richey WCS Ergomax bar to my gravel bike. It’s got some flare to the drops, but not a huge flare as is seen on some.
One of the things I don’t like about heavily flared drops is the brake hoods have to be angled more (to avoid the brake lever/ shift paddle hitting the bar when braking and stopping proper braking). I don’t find hoods that are tilted / rotated like a Detroit gun user holding up a liquor store.
The ergo / ‘aero’ profile of the tops definitely reduce the pressure on my hands and are more comfy.
Only thing to be aware of with the ergo/aero portion (for any bar, not just this one) is that as its wider (in the fore-aft) if your knees are already mega close to hitting the bar when stood up climbing, that few mm can make a difference. (I’ve a long femur so my knees are always close to the bars on all my bikes when out of the saddle climbing)
Could’ve done without the dog whistle racism in this discussion