The Complete Guide to Gravel Handlebars
Gravel bike handlebars are designed for stability and control over varying terrain. Learn about the different types of gravel handlebars and which bar is the right one for you.
As gravel bikes continue to shake off an identity crisis and further distance themselves from what they are not (road bikes with wider tire clearance, rigid mountain bikes with gear mounts, for example), gravel handlebars have captured the imagination because of their vast design potential. More comfort and discipline-specific performance underscore the design guidelines for gravel handlebars, beyond that it’s up to the design engineer to invent handlebars for the ever-evolving gravel rider.
Gravel bike handlebars are designed for stability and control over varying terrain. Your handlebar is one of three points of contact between you and your gravel bike. However, unlike your saddle and pedals, your gravel handlebar has a tremendous impact on how your bike handles. In addition to giving you different hand positions when you ride, one thing that’s certain is that it’s you who should be in control. Your gravel handlebar is key to literally putting you in that position.
When choosing a gravel handlebar, there are a few important things to consider:
- Size: width, reach, and drop are given in exact centimeters and/or millimeters, and it’s up to the rider to know what their preferred size is. Gravel bars feature top section widths that are typical to road cycling handlebars but then depart from so-called standards with drop flares. A gravel handlebar’s drop flare indicates the angle of the drops away from the center of the bar. By flaring the bars in the drops, the total bar width increases based on the degree of flare. That’s why you will often see gravel handlebars listed with two widths. The wider the drop flare, the wider your hands are positioned for more control and confidence when in the drops. Reach is the distance in millimeters from the center of the bar clamp to the end of the bar where your hoods would be. A bar’s reach influences how much you extend your upper body to reach the hoods. Drop is the distance in millimeters from the center of the bar’s top to the lowest point in the center of the drops. A bar’s drop influences the upper body’s position relative to the stem.
TIP: The smaller the bar size in terms of width, reach, and drop, the more compact it is, which puts the different hand positions closer to each other. The bigger the bar, the more distance between each hand position and the greater the possibility to change upper body position.
- Shape: gravel bike handlebars come in a variety of shapes, each with their own advantages. For example, the bar’s top section can be round, ergonomic, aero, or a combination ergo-aero. The bar’s bend shape also matters to aerodynamics, ergonomics, and stability, which Ritchey has defined in the following bend shapes.
- Traditional: classic drop bar shape noted for consistent radius curve that forces the hands closer to the front of the bar for a low, aggressive, and aero position.
- Compact: this shape is a variable radius that changes continuously as it curves, which is slightly more ergonomic for the natural curve of the hand. It boasts limitless hand positions.
- Anatomical: this shape offers two angles – an angled part and a straight part for fixing the hands in two optimized and more stable positions on the bar.
- Bio-Bend: a unique shape that delivers support for the cup/palm of the hand, ultimately offering three hand positions in the drops: up front, on the bump, and the back of the drops.
- Material: these days gravel bike handlebars are most often crafted from aluminum alloy or carbon fiber. Aluminum handlebars are more affordable and sturdy, while carbon gravel handlebars are lighter, can absorb vibrations, and possess more design potential.
You can see what we’re talking about in this video:
How to choose the right gravel handlebar for you
Size, shape, material, and price will all contribute to your decision, but there’s one more important thing to consider – arguably the most important thing: your handlebar should align with your riding preference. Your bar choice is intimately tied to your identity as a gravel rider. Ritchey has thoughtfully organized individual rider preferences into the following four categories:
- Performance: you’re a rider looking for the highest level of speed without compromise or sacrifice. When “faster” is always your priority, you might choose one of the Butano bars with the SuperLogic Butano Ridge being the fastest choice for its aerodynamic integrated handlebar/stem design with an ergo-aero top section and compact 17.5° flared drops rise in a monocoque construction.
- TIP: Internally routing carbon bars is an easier process because the holes through which the routing passes can be engineered into the design.
- Endurance: you cannot suffer fatigue when riding huge distances. If you’re in it for the long haul, the WCS Beacon handlebar is a popular choice among ultra-endurance gravel riders for its ergonomic top section, 36° drop flare, and its anatomical and super-flared bend shape. There’s also the WCS Beacon XL with a 52cm top section width for greater off-road control and space for bags, lights, and navigation devices.
- Comfort: you ask nothing more from your bar than to feel good. The Comp Buzzard Handlebar has been designed with a super compact shape specifically for a more upright riding position to give you endless comfort when touring or bikepacking.
- TIP: To increase your handlebar comfort, you can install handlebar tape that provides more cushion between your hands and the bar. Ritchey offers you the Pave with superlight EVA foam and gel backing for this purpose.
- Adventure: you’re the type of rider who demands a combination of performance and endurance qualities for mixed terrain riding and touring. For this type of gravel riding, choose the WCS VentureMax for its ergo-aero top section, short reach, shallow drop, and purposeful flare.
Alt gravel handlebars vs drop bars
Alt gravel handlebars currently refer to handlebars that won’t neatly fit descriptions for stock handlebars. More flare, backsweep, rise, or width are all indicators of alt bars, which defy tradition with their distinct sizes and shapes. This probably won’t start any turf wars on your next gravel ride — mostly because they’re used for different purposes. Alt gravel handlebars, like the Comp Kyote Handlebar or the Buzzard are more commonly seen on flat bar gravel bikes set up for multi-day touring or bikepacking where wider flat bars allow for more comfort and more space to mount bags, lights, and navigation devices. Drop bars enable the rider to ride more confidently when in the hoods and a little lower when in the drops to achieve a slightly more aerodynamic effect.
There’s certainly no rule about gravel riding with one or the other, but if you’re still debating over drop handlebars vs alt gravel handlebars, these key points might help you choose.
- Reach for drop bars when…You want several hand placement options that allow you to position your torso lower over the front end of your drop bar gravel bike, or you prefer to ride most of the time with your hands on the hoods.
- Reach for alt gravel bars when…Comfort, stability, and control are what you’re after. For example, alt gravel bars will help keep your loaded front end from swerving because of the greater control afforded by the bars. Alt bars will also allow you to ride in a more upright position, which can ease strain on your neck and back.
Watch part two of “How to Choose the Right Handlebar: what’s right for you?” for visual guidance.
What’s the best Ritchey gravel bar for you?
The best gravel handlebar for you is the one that fits your riding preference and meets your demands for ride quality, comfort, and control. Ritchey has put a lot of time and thought into creating gravel handlebars that you will want now and in the future.
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