Flared drop bars for Gravel; - edumacate me !!

[MichaelB]

OK, So the handlebars on my Slate are a bit wide, so am looking to change them.

Would prefer something with a flatter top (like my 3T Ergonova) and saw some PRO Discover Medium Flare bars at the TDU Trade stands.





I' 99% sure I'm not heading down the mega flared options like the Cow Chipper as I'm not that serious at bike packing etc, but trying to understand WHY the bigger flare is a good thing for gravel ?

Can someone please explain ?

[RonK]

Flared bars like the woodchipper, cowchipper are an alternative to flat bars for MTB use. They are part of complete a specialist geometry which places the drops at a similar height and reach as a flat bar.
Hence one of the pioneer drop bar MTB designs - the Salsa Fargo, has a very tall stack and a very short reach. The woodchipper bar was designed in conjunction with and specifically for the Fargo. The woodchipper intended to be ridden exclusively in the drops, and in fact the bend makes it very difficult to place the levers so they are workable from both the drops and the hoods.
The cowchipper is less extreme, and with a more ergonomic bend can be setup to ride comfortably in the drops and on the hoods.
For your gravel bike - cowbell, cowchipper maybe. The Pro Discover would be an excellent choice - medium or wide.

[uad782]

I think the flare gives you more leverage when the going gets rough.

[queequeg]

I have the 3T Superghiaia on my Gravel Bike. The tops have a similar profile to the Ergonova, but the flare is insane (on the wider of the to bars) and the drop is shallow. Unlike the Woodchipper etc, the levers still stay relatively straight. The bend on the top also has a nice rounded feel (on the wider bar), giving some extra hand positions to use on rough terrain.

This is the smaller width bar (40cm), with less flare


...and this is the wider bar (44cm), which is what I have



Oh yeah, “ghiaia” is Italian for “Gravel” lol

https://www.3t.bike/en/products/dropbar ... a-562.html

[MichaelB]

I have the 3T Superghiaia on my Gravel Bike. The tops have a similar profile to the Ergonova, but the flare is insane (on the wider of the to bars) and the drop is shallow. Unlike the Woodchipper etc, the levers still stay relatively straight. The bend on the top also has a nice rounded feel (on the wider bar), giving some extra hand positions to use on rough terrain.

This is the smaller width bar (40cm), with less flare


....

I like the 40cm ones, but the price is insane !! US$350

Is there a normal person price range version ?

Any other alternatives to the PRO Discover version. They are $85 at Pushys, so good price there.

Happy to maybe pay a bit more for a carbon version, but not in the 3T league, as musch as I like them ....

[queequeg]

I have the 3T Superghiaia on my Gravel Bike. The tops have a similar profile to the Ergonova, but the flare is insane (on the wider of the to bars) and the drop is shallow. Unlike the Woodchipper etc, the levers still stay relatively straight. The bend on the top also has a nice rounded feel (on the wider bar), giving some extra hand positions to use on rough terrain.

This is the smaller width bar (40cm), with less flare


....

I like the 40cm ones, but the price is insane !! US$350

Is there a normal person price range version ?

Any other alternatives to the PRO Discover version. They are $85 at Pushys, so good price there.

Happy to maybe pay a bit more for a carbon version, but not in the 3T league, as musch as I like them ....

Wow, that's a bit steep for the bars. I paid $360AUD 6 months ago. Unfortunately they only come in Carbon. I originally purchased some Alloy Ritchey Venture Max bars, but I hated the rounded tops and the lack of a cable channel, so I went these instead foe the same reason you mentioned. All my standard bars are 3T Ergonova's and I like the flats on them.

Another option might be the Deda Gravel 100 bars (https://www.bikebug.com/deda-gravel-100 ... 98717.html). They don't have an extreme flare on them, nor do they have the pricetag of the 3T bars.

[MichaelB]

Thanks, but I’d even bail at $360 Aussie pesos !!!

The Deda versions don’t have the flatter top of the PRO versions.

I’ll keep looking, but there doesn’t seem to be too many like the Discover bars

[queequeg]

Thanks, but I’d even bail at $360 Aussie pesos !!!

The Deda versions don’t have the flatter top of the PRO versions.

I’ll keep looking, but there doesn’t seem to be too many like the Discover bars

I think I was immune to the cost of the bars, as by the time I got to putting the bars on, the bike had already cost me $11k lol Another $360 after that didn't seem like much. They are very nice and comfortable bars though!

[baabaa]

Been happy with on-one midge bars for a while. Seems to be some new options about... https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/HBOOBB/on ... -handlebar
This bloke knows his off road bars better than most
http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/20 ... views.html
I also use woodchippers and salsa bell laps both in 46cm, I like wide bars and even more so off tar
Oh and OT here but I have had a good run on most surfaces with Clement XPLOR USH 700×35, they don't really like black soil plains mud but not many tyres do as it is so sticky, I would guess you will find them (Donnelly) a good all rounder for all things in and around SA.

[MichaelB]

Cheers baabaa - The on-one's are not my cup of tea as they don't have the flattened top section that I have really gotten used to. Also, I find this a key aspect that I like, as to get to some of the gravel/off-road stuff in my neighbourhood means some road riding as well.

Looks like the PRO Discover ones are my best bet (budget and shape) at the moment. Will do a bit more of a search for those tasty 3T Superghiaia, but doubt whether they'll fall into my price range.
EDIT : Quick google shows that Bikebug are at $30, and even the typical German shops are only a bit cheaper, but still over $400 landed


So the summary is that the 'flare' is all bout providing more control (due to increased width) when negotiating some of the rougher stuff as well as more hand positions than a traditional roadie dropbar.

[caneye]

..
So the summary is that the 'flare' is all bout providing more control (due to increased width) when negotiating some of the rougher stuff as well as more hand positions than a traditional roadie dropbar.

@michaelB - So .. which dropbar did you end up getting? the PRO?
how's the experience so far?

I'm building a gravel bike and looking at getting either the Pro Discovery Medium or Pro Discovery Big .. or Ritchey VentureMax .. or the Spesh Hover Riser Flare. The last one has all the combo of a riser and a flare bar.

[MichaelB]

Yep, got the Pro (42cm width by memory) and doing fine so far.

Been going well with no issues noted. I like the extra width from the flattened top section, but don't really notice the flare - good or bad.

Works for me

[baabaa]

I thought this was a good roundup but I have Midge and Woodchipper bars so really have no idea of these new models and brands

The Complete List of Gravel Bars and a Guide to Flared Drop Bars
https://bikepacking.com/index/gravel-bars/

[MichaelB]

Just watched a video yesterday of the Curve Walmer bars. I'm sure they suit some but they do look a tad ridiculous.
I keep envisioning someone coming up with 'bolt on drop bar curves' to convert MTB bars to drop bars !!

[owly]

..
So the summary is that the 'flare' is all bout providing more control (due to increased width) when negotiating some of the rougher stuff as well as more hand positions than a traditional roadie dropbar.

@michaelB - So .. which dropbar did you end up getting? the PRO?
how's the experience so far?

I'm building a gravel bike and looking at getting either the Pro Discovery Medium or Pro Discovery Big .. or Ritchey VentureMax .. or the Spesh Hover Riser Flare. The last one has all the combo of a riser and a flare bar.

Controltech does the CLS Gravel Riser (20mm rise). Alu or $$$carbon. BikeBug has them.

[baabaa]

I keep envisioning someone coming up with 'bolt on drop bar curves' to convert MTB bars to drop bars !!

kinda like...



from
https://twitter.com/Fritesenmayo/status ... 2883871744

[MichaelB]

[caneye]

Controltech does the CLS Gravel Riser (20mm rise). Alu or $$$carbon. BikeBug has them.

yes, i saw that. do you have any experience with this bar?

i'm about to pull the trigger on a Cowchipper bar. The Woodchipper flare looks a little extreme for someone who has never used flared handlebar before. And the Cowbell's flare looks really minimal (i.e. not sure if it would make a difference).

[caneye]

quick update.
i ended up with the Salsa Woodchipper handlebar. Installed it last week and have done 100kms on it, mainly on cyclepaths and roads.
what can i say?
absolutely love this handlebar.

(i have been riding on dropbars for the longest time and have dropbars on all my roadbikes but could never find one that my hands felt comfortable in. it's always a 70-80% comfort. that together with my 40-something dodgy back means i can only ride on the drops for a short duration.)

i installed the woodchipper with very conservative angle and high stem height. when on the bar, it feels almost like a riser bar.
the angle of the flared drop is just perfect for me. i can lean forward and place my palms on the drops comfortably. (no issues with brake levers too). when riding on trail, if i'm going through a rough or sandy patch and need more control, then i simply re-position my arms on the flared bars.
it just makes you feel so confident to be in that position especially when descending. i cannot wait to take it offroad.

with its wide flared drop, i can position my zefal spy mirror on the inside of the drop.
however, i was really nervous going through the narrow Cooks River Cycleway underpass at Canterbury Road. wall on one side, fence on the other. close call.

why you wouldn't want it ..
- whilst you are in the drop, you're not in the most aero position (ie not super-tuck). so this is not the best handlebar if you're doing a TT or fast group rides. speaking of which, the flares probably make it peloton-unfriendly too.
- would be even more comfortable if the top of the bar had a wider area for resting the palms but this is being nitpicky
- heavy. the carbon fiber version is 75g lighter with better vibration dampening but 3x the price so pick your poison ..

alternatives .. have a look at the Specialized Hover handlebar - a combo of riser bar with flared bars.

[Bentnose]

I have a set of Ragley Lux bars which I'm finally going to install at the end of this year. Been holding off till I need to replace bar tape and cable outers. I bought them for $50 of a Forum member a few years ago

Is anyone using alt bars with MTB controls on their gravel bikes?

[warthog1]

I am looking at going narrower on my gravel bars.
Something a local female racer said rings true with me.
I noticed at a local gravel ride a while back she had very narrow bars. I said "You don't like the wide bars either" (I had swapped mine out too). She responded "People say you need wide bars for gravel." "I'm like when and where am I going to need them."
She can ride a bit. Multiple national titles in various disciplines.
I have to agree. I have ~15k km of gravel on my 40cm at the hoods and 45 in the drops, alloy bars. Certainly don't want extra width.
Thinking of some of these at 38 hoods and 43 drops.
https://whiskyparts.co/handlebars/no7-12f-drop-bar#/
Have to work out if they'll ship them over here.

[Mr Purple]

Well allegedly we need wide bars for 'leverage' and 'techy descents' but I'm with you in that it seems to be one of those 'facts' repeated verbatim which may have no basis in reality.

I'm at 380mm on the road and currently still running the 420mm bars the Checkpoint came with. They're comfortable enough but I might go down to 400mm carbon aero flat tops at some stage, there's got to be some speed gains there and it's what I'm used to.

All of the Whiskey products look pretty decent. Fairly sure they shipped to Australia when I was considering one of their seatposts a while back.

[open roader]

I don't nec. think edumacation is required, it's more a case of preference.

The Zipp SC70 XPLR alloy bars are great. I swapped them in for the OEM 44cm bars.

I have a pair of the narrowest size which I think is a 42cm at the drops. Ultra short reach at 70mm, slight flare at 11 degrees and very short drops too which I find easier to switch hand positions whilst the bike is bumping and sliding over less than perfect surfaces. Never spent a calorie thinking about anything that I might be missing out on .... like leverage. The narrow bars steer perfectly.

I was even tempted to fit another pair to my Colnago roadie but conventional snobbery got the better of me!

[WyvernRH]

I am looking at going narrower on my gravel bars.
Something a local female racer said rings true with me.
I noticed at a local gravel ride a while back she had very narrow bars. I said "You don't like the wide bars either" (I had swapped mine out too). She responded "People say you need wide bars for gravel." "I'm like when and where am I going to need them."
She can ride a bit. Multiple national titles in various disciplines.
I have to agree. I have ~15k km of gravel on my 40cm at the hoods and 45 in the drops, alloy bars. Certainly don't want extra width.
Thinking of some of these at 38 hoods and 43 drops.
https://whiskyparts.co/handlebars/no7-12f-drop-bar#/
Have to work out if they'll ship them over here.

You know, it all depends on the person riding the bike... Me - I use 44cm at the hoods on the road, 44 cm at the hoods on gravel. Short drops a bit wider is nice. That's what works for me. Someone smaller in shoulder width, well they need less - and wider than me - then bigger as appropriate.

Seeing folk traveling around with their arms spread out like they are trying to fly seems weird...

Richard

[warthog1]

Narrow bars are twice the drag reduction of deeper wheels.


Got bars on the Revolt now that are 38 at the hoods and 41 in the drops.
Control is still fine and they are simply faster for a given wattage.