Best gravel handlebars of 2024: Options for all roads

If you’re trying to find one of the best gravel handlebars, you’re most probably considering of one thing with flared drops. It’s the prevailing type in order that is sensible however there’s much more to selecting one of the best gravel handlebars than simply if a handlebar is flared

Gravel biking means various things to completely different folks and meaning selections. For some folks, gravel biking means gravel racing whereas for others it means under-biking single observe, whereas others prefer to trip on the highway and maintain going when it ends. All of those makes use of have barely completely different concerns and nuances that have an effect on which gravel handlebar you may select. 

There’s additionally a rising understanding that the greatest gravel bikes are nice all-around bikes. It’s increasingly more widespread to see gravel bikes present up on a quick group trip, function a commuter choice, or be a car for carrying bikepacking gear for an off-the-grid weekend. 

Whatever you want, I’ve hung out testing one of the best gravel handlebars in all kinds of conditions. Keep studying to see my selections for one of the best. 

Quick listing

The greatest gravel handlebars in the marketplace immediately

For those that need a lot of selection

There’s nothing that claims you need to run a Shimano groupset with the Shimano-owned Pro handlebars, however the model does say the 2 complement one another, and I see no cause to disagree. Shimano was the primary to recognise that gravel biking had wants {that a} particular groupset might resolve. It solely is sensible that its Pro model of equipment created a handlebar to go with the design of the groupset. 

Overall although what you get with the Shimano Pro Discover lineup is an unimaginable quantity of selection. I’ve spent endlessly utilizing the alloy model in a 40mm width and a 20-degree flare. It’s cheap and the mild backsweep together with the spherical form on the tops is absolutely comfy in a static place as you climb. For me the mixture was such a pleasure exterior that I ended up transferring it indoors to the bike I take advantage of when testing the greatest good trainers. The cause I made a decision to focus on this set of handlebars although will not be due to my particular selection however moderately as a result of Shimano gives so many. You can select between 12, 20, and 30 levels of flare starting from just a bit to really wild. Sadly although, if you wish to save 55 grams and make the bounce to carbon fibre that does restrict you to the 20-degree choice. 

The greatest slim gravel handlebar

I’ve spent sufficient time on this information that I can now, proudly, say I’ve been engaged on it for years. During that point I’ve additionally been on a mission to search out choices for anybody who’s acquired slim shoulders and desires lower than a 40cm handlebar. Until the launch of the EC90 ALX, it has been a fruitless search and there’s been an enormous gap out there.

The drawback is that the bike trade is letting type dictate operate. When your handlebar is simply too extensive it causes aching shoulders. Women, or anybody with slim shoulders, get left with out a comfy handlebar choice for no different cause than extensive is cool. With the Easton EC90 ALX, you’ll be able to lastly have each a ten diploma flare to the drops and a 38cm dimension choice. 

Aside from the extensive 38-46 cm dimension vary, the Easton EC90 ALX is a brilliant gentle and comfy carbon bar. The tops have an oval form that makes for a pleasant huge, dimension particular, place to seize plus a flattened backside that helps add some flex for consolation. The flattened backside additionally supplies a spot to tuck the cables since there is not any inside routing. Thankfully this contemporary bar does have holes for di2 regardless of the dearth of a gap within the again for routing via a stem. 

If you need a tremendous gentle bar that is additionally slim sufficient for small shoulders, or aerodynamics, there’s merely no competitors. If you acquire a dimension 54 or smaller gravel bike, this could in all probability be one in all your first upgrades. 

Relaxed using on the hoods

Modern bike design dictates that resting on the hoods is most individuals’s main using place. SRAM, and its Zipp model, has responded by making the Zipp Service Course SL 70 XPLR a hoods-first design. There’s a small 3-degree backsweep from the clamping space and 5 levels of flare. That small flare retains the controls principally vertical with just a bit angle that helps wrist place. To get the drops wider for extra management there’s an 11-degree outsweep as an alternative of a lot of flare. In the top, the result’s comparable however the path to get there’s completely different. 

As you have a look at the costs on the market, you may discover that Zipp finally ends up being a bit of dearer in comparison with different aluminium bars. The model is fast to level out that the reason being the improve to 7000 sequence aluminium in comparison with 6000 sequence for inexpensive choices. That change ought to imply a stiffer bar however I wasn’t in a position to inform a distinction so that you’ll should determine if that issues to you. For most individuals, the selection is prone to come all the way down to weight and the form of the bar moderately than the aluminium. To that finish, if the design sounds nice however you do not thoughts buying and selling a bit of additional weight for extra affordability Zipp additionally gives the Service Course 70 XPLR (non-SL) with the identical design. 

Overall, this feature from Zipp and the Pro Discover handlebars from Shimano are very comparable. There are a few variations price noting although. One of the largest is the distinction in drop which is a part of the already talked about “hoods first” design. Zipp additionally retains the controls rather more vertical of their design and the ends of the drops level away from the bike, whereas Shimano retains the ends of the drops parallel. In case you’re nervous, although Zipp is owned by SRAM the model nonetheless pre-drills for Di2 junction packing containers. 

Fast using on the hoods

There’s a little bit of nuance right here. Both the FSA Okay-Wing AGX and the Zipp Service Course SL 70 XPLR are designed for using on the hoods. Both of those bars have some similarities due to that however they’re additionally vastly completely different. The FSA Okay-Wing AGX is a carbon handlebar with an eye fixed on efficiency and racing. At 216 grams in a 40cm width, it’s one of many lightest bars in the marketplace however equally to the Zipp, the ahead sweep is the particular sauce. In this case, the FSA Okay-Wing AGX handlebar has a ten-degree ahead sweep and there are additionally flat spots behind the hoods. 

If you have ever seen somebody who has bent their controls means in, that is the concept right here. The distinction is that it is extra refined. It’s simply sufficient to place your wrists in a impartial place as you seize the tops however not a lot that it feels unnatural. 

This is nice in case you are the form of rider who likes to brace towards the tops of the controls for an aero place. In that configuration, it helps level your fingers in direction of the centre of your physique. The flat spot behind the controls can be a fantastic place to relaxation your forearm. At the identical time, while you do sit up, that flat spot retains strain off the palm of your hand. 

Outside of these particulars, the FSA Okay-wing AGX is a progressive and trendy bar design. The drop is a compact 115mm paired with a brief 75mm of attain. These specs match nicely to trendy bike matches with low head tubes and fewer spacers. Because it is a gravel bar there is a 25mm flare from tops to drops for management while you want it. 

As a lot as I really like this design, what I do not love is the bump on the flats close to the stem. There are different choices on this listing that I’ve included for precisely that characteristic however it makes much less sense right here. Although it is comfortable when climbing, that is such a fantastic bar for moving into essentially the most aero place doable, forearms parallel to the bottom, that I can not assist however assume FSA might simplify the design, and decrease the already low weight, by ditching the comfort-focused bumps. 

Aerodynamic gravel using

Almost each trendy highway bike is aero-optimised. When it involves gravel bikes there was much less concentrate on aerodynamics however that is beginning to change. As lengthy gravel races achieve in reputation, and because the variations between an all-road bike and a highway bike shrink, aero optimisation turns into extra necessary. Not solely that however the winged form of an aero handlebar inherently makes loads of sense off-road. While it’s not the precise focus on this bar from 3T, there’s all the time extra vertical compliance in a bar of this form. 

Bottom line, the benefits exist for a bar of this type, however there are additionally only a few choices. The 3T Aeroghiaia takes the form of a road-specific aero handlebar and adapts it with a flare on the drops. The controls stay vertical however after the preliminary curve of the drops the bars angle out. The angle continues via a brief 110mm drop earlier than coming again to parallel with the bike earlier than the bars finish. 

Not solely is that this a fantastic choice for anybody desirous to aero optimise off-road however these bars from 3T is also a fantastic selection for a highway bike; as gravel-specific bars have gained in reputation lots of people have determined they love having flared drops on each bike. The indisputable fact that the cables not solely route internally but additionally have the choice of exiting via a central gap right into a stem makes them much more of a common choice. The solely draw back to this bar is that 3T would not have any integration with a pc mount system. There’s sufficient room to mount an out entrance product on the sides of the stem however that may refill quick in ultra-endurance gravel conditions. 

Riding within the drops

Ritchey gives the WCS VentureMax handlebar in a carbon or alloy model. There are two primary variations between the 2. The Carbon fibre choice provides partial inside routing and saves 42 grams of weight in comparison with the triple-butted aluminium alloy. Aside from these variations, there are some small variations in specs however all of the broad strokes stay the identical: In each circumstances, the flats stay ovalized and the flare stays a beneficiant however not exaggerated 24 levels. You’ll additionally discover a refined backsweep on the flats though the carbon model is a bit of straighter with solely 4 levels. The defining “bio bump” within the drops is there no matter materials you determine on, and provides a bit of kink that goals to fill the void in your palms whereas within the drops and cut back strain. 

Overall, these bars characterize a steadiness between an all-out aero choice like that from 3T and a spherical bar choice. You get an ovalized prime that’s comfy for the palms, supplies some vertical compliance, and a few aero optimization, however you additionally get loads of concentrate on consolation for the drops place. 

One problem with any choice that makes use of an ovalized prime part is that it may restrict the area for mounting equipment. The Ritchey WCS VentureMax isn’t really not the worst offender as they’ve acquired a bit wider on the clamp space. Not solely that however the oval part isn’t as deep as 3T so that you may nonetheless be capable of clamp to it relying on the accent design. Also, if it does come up for you, then Ritchey gives the Universal Stem mount which solves the problem by including clamping area out in entrance of the stem. 

Lightweight gravel handlebar

Carbon fibre handlebars aren’t usually constructed as a single piece. The precise building will fluctuate a bit between producers however manufacturers mix completely different items in the identical means that carbon bike frames have completely different items. It’s a system that saves cash and produces a high quality product however it does imply a barely heavier finish consequence. If you need to make handlebars as gentle as doable then meaning as little materials as doable. 

A single-piece building makes use of much less resin, and whereas it is dearer to supply it’s lighter too. There’s an open query as to how necessary a number of grams are however, in case you are making an attempt to optimise every bit of a motorcycle, the Cadex AR handlebar is the lightest choice on our listing. It’s additionally an choice that is one of many closest to an ordinary highway bike handlebar. If you’re searching for an journey bar for tough using then you definately’ll need to look elsewhere. If you’d moderately add one thing gentle to a mixed-surface race bike then Cadex makes a superb choice.

The different cause you may need to think about the Cadex AR handlebar is that it’s extremely comfy throughout the tops. The design routes cables internally and doesn’t slim down from the clamping space, which implies the tops really feel actually good in your palms. I don’t are likely to trip on the tops a complete lot however anytime I do, these bars are a pleasure to do it on. It additionally makes clamping equipment simple since there’s no step down to barter. 

If you make this selection, simply think about what you need. Cadex refers to those bars because the AR, or all-road, bars and the model isn’t kidding. You might simply put these on a highway bike and nobody would query the choice.  

Rough gravel racing

The form of using I like is highway using, I simply don’t care anymore if the highway is paved or gravel. That mindset matches nicely with many American-style gravel races however it additionally means I development in direction of liking slim bars with minimal flare. It additionally means I ought to hate the Enve G Series gravel handlebar. Instead, it’s the other and that is one in all my favorite choices on the listing. The cause is the break up character of the Enve design. 

Across the highest you have got a wonderfully straight and flat design that ends in an abnormally tight bend. There’s loads of room for lights, luggage, cellphone, no matter it is advisable mount for lengthy rides. There’s additionally a ton of room for resting your forearms if you happen to just like the UCI unlawful, quasi TT bars place. The 90-degree bends at every edge make for a snug place to relaxation your palms if you happen to desire to trip on, or at the least close to, the hoods. They additionally present a snug place if you happen to prefer to take essentially the most aero place doable together with your forearms parallel to the bottom and palms on the hoods. 

That form of using isn’t what Enve is understood for although. Instead, Enve is all about tough and technical using that verges on mountain bike routes and that character begins to indicate as you progress all the way down to the drops. The controls themselves sit at a bit of extra of an angle than I’d desire however the flare will get huge by the point you get to the ends of the drops. It’s nice if you happen to prefer to take a large hand place on technical sections and it’s additionally comfy to remain aero even after lengthy hours within the saddle. The mixture of the 2 designs makes this a fantastic choice for one bike that does all of it.

One of essentially the most distinctive issues about all Enve bars is the bar finish design. Instead of simply an open gap, Enve involves a closed level and has built-in rubber caps. It’s implausible for wrapping your bars however if you wish to use a Di2 junction field be ready to get a hacksaw. It additionally means you’ll be able to’t use issues just like the Dynaplug Covert system which places tubeless plugs in your handlebar ends. 

Read extra particulars in my full Enve G Series Gravel Handlebar assessment.

Intentionally add flex

The farther from spherical the highest part of a handlebar is, the extra the design will introduce flex. At least, usually talking, that’s what producers will inform you. In actuality, even the 3T bar which has the thinnest oval part of something right here is loopy stiff. I can not really feel flex on that bar. The Whisky Co. Spano does issues a bit of otherwise. 

Instead of simply leaving flex as an added bonus, the design deliberately engineers it in. The prime of the flats is flat however beneath you will discover two sides that create a part of a triangle. You may acknowledge the design as being much like seat posts designed to flex and in each circumstances it does work. I do not need to set expectations too excessive although, it is nonetheless refined. It is there although and it is simply sufficient to take the worst sting out of an enormous bump. 

Beyond that, the Whiskey Spano has the shortest attain on our listing. It additionally nearly matches the Surly Truckstop for drop however does so with a extra conventional form. There’s some particulars which can be harking back to the Enve bar too, just like the tight curve on the ends of the tops and the lengthy tail of the drops. It’s simple to maneuver between the highest, the hoods, and the drops and there is a lot of room to comfortably maintain the top of the drops or relaxation on the higher surfaces. The headline is the engineered flex however it is a bar for individuals who actually need to transfer their palms round.

On prime of all the nice options, the value is decrease than most of the different prime self-carbon bars. It’s hardly a discount, however in comparison with Enve, 3T, or Cadex it’d really feel like one. The solely odd element is that whereas there’s a gap for Di2, there is not any inside routing. 

How to decide on one of the best gravel handlebar for you

I touched on this briefly up above, however the very first thing to consider is what sort of gravel biking are you looking for one of the best gravel handlebar for? If you’re upgrading then there’s in all probability a cause. Whatever it could be, at this level there’s somebody making a specialty selection for it. You do not should settle, simply think about what you want. 

Gravel racing is one huge cause why you may need to improve. If that is why you’re right here then aerodynamics needs to be a consideration. That may imply an outright aero bar, it might imply a bar that runs the cables inside for higher aerodynamics, or perhaps one of the best gravel handlebar isn’t particularly aerodynamic however it helps you to get right into a extra aero place. Any of these are stable methods to assist form the route you need to go. 

Another consideration could be some form of bikepacking. That might imply with a clock ticking or it might imply an informal weekend. Either means although it results in concerns for the greatest bike lights and the greatest bikepacking luggage and people are each stuff you may have to mount on the handlebars. Mounting concerns are one other nice strategy to slim down your selections. 

The final thing to consider is match. Fit can be crucial however you’ll be able to normally begin with a spotlight after which select one thing that matches you. Sometimes not although and in that case, you may have to maintain trying till you discover what you want. When it involves one of the best gravel handlebars, width is one huge one which I wrestle with personally and it’s possible you’ll as nicely. 

Gravel bikes have a tendency to return with wider bars as a result of that is the type. If the bars do not fit your needs although, the type would not matter. People may additionally inform you that wider bars assist with management however, once more, it would not matter if they do not fit your needs. No matter who you’re, though that is seemingly an even bigger problem for girls, maintain trying till you discover the handlebar that matches you. You need to be comfy it doesn’t matter what.