Updated June 2022
With more and more people using “road” bikes for a variety of off-pavement pursuits, bike parts are quickly evolving to fit those needs. One such component—and perhaps the one experiencing the most fluctuation and innovation at the moment—are drop handlebars, aka flared drop bars, gravel bars, or dirt-drops. This style of handlebar is quite useful, and the range of options and variations can be mind boggling. In this Gear Index guide, we’ll outline the terms that define these bars, how to differentiate among them, and the relative advantages of each. We’ve also compiled a full list of gravel bars with complete specs and loads of photos, including some that have been reviewed.
Why Gravel Bars?
The most convincing reason to upgrade from a traditional road handlebar to a more specialized off-road drop bar is control and stability. In short, the consensus is that having wider bars with drops that flare outward (among other tweaks) provides more control compared to bars designed for standard road cycling, which were originally engineered for speed and efficiency. Additional width creates a more natural position for most people (especially mountain bikers) and adds stability and leverage while climbing and descending in the hoods. And considering that most people keep their hands in the drops while negotiating steep, loose, off-camber, or more technical surfaces, shallower, flared, and outswept drop extensions offer more control in this position.
A Brief History of Dirt Drops and Gravel Bars
Who came up with these types of bars? It all started back in the 1980s when early mountain bikers began retrofitting and modifying their road bikes to ride off-road. They added bigger tires and rode drop bars in the hooks (or drops) because the old road hoods weren’t that comfy or stable. They were also quite narrow, so early visionaries started bending the hooks on road handlebars outward to provide more leverage and stability. Thus, flare was born.
Fast forward a few years, and WTB collaborated with Specialized Bicycles to create the RM-2, a wing-shaped, dirt-drop handlebar that became one of the first production bars in this genre. Due to lack of mass adoption, they were discontinued in the early 90s and became sought after by diehards. Those who happened to find one had to pay an arm and a leg for it. Later, UK-based On-One released the Midge Bar, which kept this oddball niche alive for a few more years.
Fast forward to 2009, and the Salsa Woodchipper would usher in the second and most significant wave: gravel bars, which are technically more of a happy medium between the dramatically shaped dirt-drops of old and modern road handlebars. Over the last few years, the floodgates have opened, and there are dozens of options on the market with new innovations and tweaks appearing almost monthly.
Measuring Flared Drop bars
Flare is a term used to define the predominant feature that distinguishes dirt and gravel drop bars from traditional road handlebars. Technically speaking, flare represents the angle at which the bottom of the drop is flared outward from the top of the bar at the bend that forms the drop. For example, a 29° flare (as used in the diagram) has a pretty dramatic outward angle to the drop. In contrast, traditional road handlebars mostly have 0° of flare and the drops fall in a vertical and perpendicular orientation to the horizontal bar at the top. All of the bars discussed here will have some amount of flare. Another term often confused with flare is outsweep. While flare is created by rotating the entire drop outward, outsweep is created by angling the drop extension vertically outward just below the brake perch.
Bar Width
Drop bar widths are almost always referenced as the width from hood to hood. This may vary slightly, but is often the top of the bend at the drop transition. Most manufacturers specify the full width as well, from end to end, but for comparison and standardization, we’ll focus on the width between the hoods. When available, we’ll also specify the end-to-end width as Full Width.
Drop
Drop is the vertical distance from the horizontal stem clamp area to the bottom of the bar’s drop extension. A larger drop (>120mm) pulls the rider downward into a more aero position. A shallower drop (<120mm) might be considered more comfortable and easier to transition in and out of. Also note that many modern gravel bars have a less rounded "hook" shape to create a dominant drop grip.
Reach
Reach is how far the handlebar extends forward from the stem clamp area. When in the drop position, a longer reach (>80mm) pulls the rider forward into more of an aggressive and speedier aero stance. A shorter reach (<75mm) might be considered more comfortable and provides more control when riding on off-road and dirt surfaces.
Backsweep and Rise
Sweep and rise aren’t as prevalent in gravel drop bars, barring a few of the more creative options. For example, the Curve Walmer offers a 3° sweep, angling the bars back to make their wide stance more accessible. The Crust Towel Rack also adds both an upsweep and rise, making them one of the more eccentric options on the market.
Ultra-wide Drop Bars
If it had to be named, the latest chapter in the evolution of off-road drop bars would probably be called the widening. There’s no doubt that gravel bars (and drop bars in general) have been getting wider for a while. Just as trail mountain bike bars are inching up to 820mm in width these days, drop bars are also pushing new limits—upward of 750mm!
There’s a lot to love about this trend. For one, wider means even more leverage and control. Wider drop bars also allow more room for mounting accessories and create more packing space between the drops for handlebar bags—a big reason why standard width bars are limiting for bikepacking. Widths over 440mm are crucial, and widths over 460mm are becoming the norm.
How about Ultra-wide? There are a handful of new off-road drop bars that measure over 500mm at the drops. One of the founding fathers of this new trend is Ultraromance, who quietly announced his 666.666mm “leather bar” back in 2015. It was later reworked and released as the Crust Towel Rack with a max width of 675mm at the drops. More recently, the Curve Walmer Bar hit the streets with the largest size measuring in at a whopping 750mm at the drops, giving it the “widest drop bar in the world endorsement” from Ultraromance himself. As he put it, “Narrow drop bars will only be a memory for riders like us in a few years.” After riding some of these bars, we think he might be right.
List of Gravel Bars and Flared drop bars
Now that we’ve covered the ins and outs, here’s our complete list of gravel bars and flared drop bars. Note that all of these bars have a little bit of flare or something unique that makes them well-suited for off-road use. Like our other Gear Index lists, find the ones we’ve tested toward the top of the list with a “T” icon. You can then expand each one to find more specs, photos, weights, links, and details.
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$125
Crust Shaka Bar (Wide Gravel Bars)
- Width: 530mm
- Flare: 14°
- Drop/Reach: 135mm / 90mm
- Full width: 560mm
Crust Bikes and Ultraromance started the ultra-wide drop-bar trend just a few years ago—the Towel Rack bar was first—so it was only fitting that they added a second option to the Crust catalog. For the Shaka, Crust collaborated with Nitto to create a slightly more reasonably wide gravel bar. The Shaka Bar measures 530mm at the hoods and 560mm at the drops. It’s not quite as unconventional as the Towel Rack, in favor of a more classic profile with just a small amount of (unspecified) flare. The Shaka has a 31.8mm clamp size—vs Towel Rack’s 26mm clamp area—with 78mm of reach and 128mm of drop.
Logan’s Take: I’ve been quite impressed with these bars so far. The width is spot on for me and they are nice and lively feeling. I was also impressed with how light they felt. Unfortunately, I failed to grab a true weight before taping them, so I’ll have to update that down the road. I would probably prefer a little more flare, and a shallower drop, but overall I really like these bars.
The Shaka was my first experience with ultra-wide bars, which I am really digging. As Ultraromance put it, “Narrow [normal] drop bars will only be a memory for riders like us in a few years.” After riding these bars, I think he might be right.
- Weight: 440 grams (15.5 oz)
- Price: $125
- Place of Manufacture: Japan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$199AUD
Curve Walmer Bar (Widest Bar Out)
- Width: 460, 500, 550, 600mm
- Flare: 29°
- Drop/reach: 110mm / 60mm
- Backsweep: 7°
- Full Width: 610, 650, 700, 750mm
Named after a narrow pedestrian/cycle bridge on the Yarra River in Melbourne, the Walmer Bar is an ultra-wide, off-road-specific drop handlebar. The Walmer Bar is now the widest drop bar on the market and has some interesting angles. According to Curve, “There’s little room for anything else if Walmer Bars are crossing.”
The Walmer Bar comes in four widths: 460, 500, 550, and 600mm (at the hoods)— 610, 650, 700, 750 at the drops. Each features 7° of sweep in the flat section, which shortens the reach to the hoods and counteracts the wide grip. The Walmer Bar is constructed from Curve 6066 alloy with a 31.8mm clamp and retails for $199AUD (about $140USD).
- Price: $199AUD
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$60
Dajia Far Bar
- Width: 440, 480mm
- Flare: ~35°
- Drop/Reach: 110mm / 76mm
- Full Width: 585, 625mm
- Outsweep: 21°
While they look and feel much more pronounced, the Dajia Far Bars are specced with 21° of flare, which seems a little off to us. EDIT: apparently that’s the outsweep and the flare is closer to 35°. They appear and feel closer to the Salsa Woodchipper. The listed width (44 or 48 cm) is measured between the center of the hoods. The overall width is 585mm for the 44cm model and 625mm for the 48cm model. The Far Bar is available in Silver and Noir.
TJ Kearns’ take: The main reason I bought the Dajia Far Bar for my Salsa Fargo is that they came in a 480mm width, which was one of the widest options at the time. And while I got them to replace my 460mm Woodchippers, it turned out that they measure pretty much the same when placed side by side. The one huge plus I found with these bars is the large flat section in the drops. This was extremely useful when riding rough terrain. It gives your hands a large flat contact point to hold on to. Other than that, I’d say they ride and feel very similar to the Salsa Woodchippers. In a perfect world, I would have a 56cm Far Bar with Vibrocore tech inside!
- Weight: 292 grams (10.3 oz)
- Price: $60
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$400
Enve Gravel Bar
- Width: 420, 440, 460, 480mm
- Flare: Unspecified
- Drop/Reach: 120mm / 80mm
- Full width: 540, 560, 580, 600mm
Logan’s review: I love this handlebar. I can’t say that everyone will, because it’s insanely expensive. Like $400-expensive. But it’s hands down (no pun intended) been my favorite drop-handlebar for 2019. And that’s considering the fact that I had about a dozen on hand while working through this Gear Index.
What makes it special? First off, the width. This is one of the only gravel bars out there that comes in a properly wide 48cm width—60cm at the drops. It’s also super comfortable. The second standout benefit of the G Series bar is comfort. It features flattened curves at the top-bend transition. This makes a palm-friendly, ergonomic hand perch just behind the hoods, which is my preferred position on drop-bars when riding long and relatively flat stretches. This, in tandem with a well-designed ergonomic shape, the perfect amount of flare (unspecified angle, but 12cm wider at the end of the drops than the hoods), and the chatter absorption and compliance of carbon makes it the most comfortable drop bar I’ve ridden to date… and perhaps one of my most prized components.
The Enve G Series bar is available in four widths that measure 42, 44, 46, and 48cm center-to-center at the levers, which translates to 54, 56, 58 and 60cm at the drops.
- Weight: 281 grams (9.9 oz)
- Price: $400
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$49
PNW Coast Drop Bar
- Width: 480, 520mm
- Flare: 20°
- Drop/Reach: 105mm / 65mm
- Full Width: 564, 604mm
PNW Components describes their Coast Drop Bar and Stem as “not your average road bike handlebars”. Their team took body geometry and mountain biking theory to address pain points and discomfort they have experienced while riding gravel bikes. This starts with a wider bar with generous flare, adding control and stability to your gravel bike setup. The new bar is constructed from 6061 alloy for its weight, snappiness, and ability to soak up vibrations. Find specs on the Coast Drop Bar below.
- Price: $49
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$58.95
Ritchey Beacon XL
- Width: 520mm
- Flare: 36°
- Drop/Reach: 80mm / 65mm
- Backsweep: 4.5°
The Ritchey Beacon XL is an ultra-wide version of their popular Beacon handlebar. It’s 520mm width (from hood to hood) and 36° flare equate to a massive 667mm width from end to end. Compared to some other similarly shaped bars, the Beacon XL manages to offer a unique set of angles and measurements. Mainly, its drop (vertical distance from the horizontal stem clamp area to the bottom of the bar’s drop extension) and reach (how far the handlebar extends forward from the stem clamp area) numbers set it apart from the others. I consider anything under 120mm to be a shallow drop, and the Beacon XL’s is just 80mm—one of the shortest out there. I’d be happy to see a carbon version of the Beacon XL, but for now it’s offered as the Beacon Comp (double-butted 6061 alloy) and the WCS Beacon (triple-butted 7050 alloy). The latter being stronger and lighter than the Comp model we tested.
- Weight: 325 grams (11.5 oz)
- Price: $58.95 (Comp)
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$109
Ritchey VentureMax Handlebar
- Width: 400, 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 24°
- Drop/Reach: 102mm / 75mm
- Backsweep: 4.6°
- Full Width: 527, 547, 567, 587mm
The VentureMax is Ritchey Logic’s take on an off-road drop-bar. The triple-butted 7050 alloy VentureMax comes in five widths and is measured at the initial bend rather than at the hoods. While it boasts a number of interesting attributes, including multiple hand positions, it’s the “Bio-bend” in the drop that adds to the signature look and feel of this bar. The VentureMax also comes in a heavier and more affordable ~$54 Comp version, as well as a lightweight carbon version for $314 with fully internal cable routing, drilling for a Shimano junction box, and a 38x20mm aero top wing section for more comfort.
- Price: $109
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- We highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at: Amazon (comp) Jenson
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$55
Salsa Cowchipper (Alloy Gravel Bar)
- Width: 380, 400, 420, 440, 460, 480, 500, 520mm
- Flare: 24°
- Drop/Reach: 116mm / 68mm
- Outsweep: 12°
- Full Width: 555, 577, 596, 615, 635, 655mm
The Salsa Cowchipper was one of the first gravel bars on the market that did a great job at blending the aesthetics of road bars with a pronounced 24° flare in the drops and an additional 12° drop angle (or outsweep). Until the recent influx of choices came to market, this was our go-to favorite because of its well executed shape and size. It’s quite comfortable and seems to have nailed all the perfect angles and curve to make a highly versatile gravel and mixed terrain handlebar.
The aluminum alloy Cowchipper is available in the $75 7050-T6 series aluminum Deluxe model (440mm 287g) or the regular 6061-T6 aluminum version that weighs 322g and retails for $55.
- Weight: 287 grams (10.1 oz)
- Price: $55 (standard)
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- We highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at: Jenson (standard) Jenson (Deluxe)
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$230
Salsa Cowchipper Carbon
- Width: 380, 400, 420, 440, 460, 480, 500, 520mm
- Flare: 24°
- Drop/Reach: 116mm / 68mm
- Outsweep: 12°
- Full Width: 555, 577, 596, 615, 635, 655mm
Maintaining the same measurements and design as the beloved Cowchipper (see writeup above), Salsa introduced carbon versions of several of their bars in 2018. According to the engineer behind the project, Salsa designed these to save weight, reduce deflection, provide more vibration dampening, and add a little more room for mounting stuff. The Cowbell, Cowchipper and Woodchipper Carbon are each about 75g lighter than their aluminum counterparts. Not a huge amount of savings, really. However, it was the potential for vibration dampening that caught our ear. “While the carbon bars are stiffer under deflection, they do soak up a lot of the vibration from small impacts on surfaces like gravel. This is purely down to the combination of carbon fibers, the resin material, and the properties of carbon fiber. It’s kinda like taking 5 psi out of your tires,” said Pete Hall, Salsa’s engineer. We tested the 440mm version which weighed in at 215 grams.
In addition, Salsa made the 31.8mm clamping section 140mm wide instead of 120mm as specced on the aluminum bars. The idea being that you could add more stuff to the handlebars. This was specifically designed to run the EXP Series Anything Cradle and aerobars at the same time, according to Hall.
Having ridden on carbon drop-bars, these included, I can certainly vouch for these claims. They are quite dreamy. However, they aren’t cheap, and if you are looking to sling your bike on the back of a mini-bus in Nepal, they’re probably not ideal for some bigger touring applications.
- Weight: 229 grams (8.1 oz)
- Price: $230
- Place of Manufacture: China
- We highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at: Jenson USA
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$55
Salsa Woodchipper (Alloy)
- Width: 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 25°
- Drop/Reach: 114mm / 56mm
- Outsweep: 38°
- Full Width: 633mm (440), 653mm (460)
The Woodchipper was Salsa’s first drop bar for off road riding, and has since become somewhat of a classic in this space. Woodchipper Bars bend along three planes with a 25° flare angle and a 38° drop angle that add up to a compound flare that’s more pronounced than many other gravel bars. This shape was conceived to create extra-wide lowers while still maintaining a fairly shallow drop. Other features include a 120mm clamp area for attaching bags or aerobars.
Standard Woodchippers are made of 6061-T6 aluminum alloy and weigh 357g (44cm), but there’s also a carbon version that weighs 230g and retails for $215.
Note that the Woodchipper has a non-conventional shape and requires a unique setup for optimal comfort. The brake/shifter position should be canted downward slightly, resulting in a 20–25° downward angle of the drops. It looks a little odd, but it works. We’ve ridden thes bars all over and they are a good option, but given their eclectic shape, they might not be for everyone.
- Weight: 357 grams (12.6 oz)
- Price: $55 (standard)
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- We highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at: Jenson (standard) Jenson (Deluxe)
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$129
Spank Flare 25 Vibrocore Drop Bar
- Width: 420, 440, 460, 480, 500, 520mm
- Flare: 25°
- Drop/Reach: 110mm / 65mm
- Full width: 562, 582, 602,
The Spank Flare 25 is quite impressive. It looks a lot like the Cowchipper with similar curves and angles, but has a more shallow drop and shorter reach, making it slightly more off-road friendly. Similar to the Wing 12, the Flare 25 is filled with Vibrocore™ foam to reduce transmission vibration, and reduce hand fatigue life. Overall, this is one of the more impressive bars we’ve seen in the group.
TJ Kearns’ Take: I have to admit, the benefits of Spank’s Vibrocore technology was not immediately apparent. But after 5-6 hours of riding I noticed that I didn’t have to shake my hands out to get the blood flowing in them again. This is a huge plus for long rides. That said, I found them to be a little uncomfortable in the drops while descending fast and rough stuff. That top honors for that go to the Dajia Far Bar, in my opinion. Even so, they got the job done and left my hands less fatigued. Riding in the hoods and flats felt great. Spank is really on to something with the Vibrocore technology, I think.
- Weight: 355 grams (12.5 oz)
- Price: $129
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- We highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at: Jenson USA
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$129
Spank Industries Wing 12 Vibrocore
- Width: 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 12°
- Drop/Reach: 110mm / 70mm
- Full Width: 497, 517, 537mm
The Spank Industries Wing 12 Vibrocore is a “Zirconium Doped 7-Series Alloy” bar filled with comfort Vibrocore foam to dampen road chatter and prevent hand numbness. The bar features a 12° moderately flared with an aerodynamic shape. As seen on his 2019 Editor’s Dozen, Joe Cruz found the Wing 12 Vibrocore bars to be quite effective, and he noticed the difference immediately. “The sensation is somewhat difficult to describe, but it’s as if sharp quick ripples in the road are blunted.”
“Moreover, I completely get along with the shape of these bars. There is 12 degrees of flare, which is moderate but adequate, the 70mm reach is on the short end and perfect, and the 110mm drop is shallow just as I like it.” Find Joe’s full writeup of the 420mm model here.
- Weight: 350 grams (12.3 oz)
- Price: $129
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- We highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at: Jenson USA
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$100
Surly Corner Bar (Chromoly Drop Bar)
- Width: 460, 500, 540mm
- Flare: 41.4°
- Drop: 94mm
- Sweep: 65.2°
Sitting somewhere between a flat bar and a true drop bar, the Surly Corner Bar is a unique option for those looking to run standard mountain bike controls (brakes and shifters) but with the added benefit of drop bar functionality. The Corner Bar is made from custom-butted 4130 CroMoly steel, coated with an E.D. black finish, and is constructed out of three pieces of tubing. The Corner Bar comes in three widths: 46, 50, and 54cm. Similar to traditional drop bars, those measurements reference the width of the bars from hood to hood. That said, according to Surly, the Corner Bar was built for comfort and control in two primary positions: the drops and the tops. Unlike standard drop bars, it’s not really designed for putting your hands on the hoods.
- Weight: 737 grams (26 oz)
- Price: $100
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$375
3T Superghiaia (Carbon Gravel Bar)
- Width: 440mm
- Flare: Unspecified
- Drop/Reach: 110mm / 77mm
- Full Width: 560mm
The Superghiaia is 3T’s take on a flared gravel bar. It distinguishes itself from others by maintaining straight, un-angled, and un-flared hoods with a more dramatic flare (or outsweep) in the drop extensions. This keeps the levers straight while still offering more control.
The Superghiaia’s unique flare is size specific, making it optimized for smaller hands on the 40cm and bigger hands on the 44cm bar. Unfortunately, they don’t make it any wider than 440mm. All photos and specs here are of the 440mm model.
- Weight: 199 grams (7 oz)
- Price: $375
- Place of Manufacture: China
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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€399
Beast Components Gravel Bar
- Width: 400, 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 24°
- Drop/Reach: 110mm / 80mm
- Full Width: 510, 530, 550, 570mm
- :
The Gravel Bar from Germany-based Beast Components is their take on “the perfect gravel handlebar”. It is designed specifically for off-road terrain, to absorb vibrations, and minimize upper body fatigue. The bar is handmade in Germany, comes in four different widths, is made from carbon, and is offered in two different finishes.
- Weight: 233 grams (8.2 oz)
- Price: €399 (UD-Finish)
- Place of Manufacture: Germany
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$450
CADEX GX
- Width: 400, 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 16°
- Drop/Reach: 115mm / 70mm
- Outsweep: 5°
- Full Width: 466, 486, 506, 526mm
The CADEX GX is a high-end carbon handlebar with a 16-degree flare and a 5-degree outsweep/backsweep that weighs in at just 200 grams in the 460mm size. A 70mm reach and shallow 115mm drop help ease transitions between the tops, hoods, and drops, and the bar’s extended 40mm tails help add stability and leverage in the drops. The GX features a D-shaped top section for increased comfort and extra compliance over the rough stuff; Shimano Di2 Bar End Type Junction compatibility; and a one-piece, no-bond mold manufacturing that uses high-grade carbon fiber and CADEX’s precision layup technique to reduce weight and flex.
- Weight: 200 grams (7.1 oz)
- Price: $450
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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€319
Coefficient AR Bar
- Width: 380, 400, 420, 440mm
- Flare: 5°
- Drop/Reach: 120mm / 77mm
- Sweep: 12°
The oddly shaped Coefficient AR (All Road) Bar’s shape is designed after feedback from professional bike fitters and amateur and professional cyclists. The unique combination of slope and sweep provides what they describe as a “more comfortable and efficient ride that translates to improved performance, especially on longer journeys.” The AR Bar is made of carbon, the grip diameter is sized proportionally to the width of the bar, and a 12° sweep keeps things comfortable for long rides.
- Weight: 240 grams (8.5 oz)
- Price: €319
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$125
Crust Towel Rack (Ultra-Wide Bar)
- Width: 600, 630, 660mm
- Flare: 25°
- Drop/Reach: 115mm / Unspecified
- Upsweep: 5°
The Crust Towel Rack is at the forefront of the new “ultra-wide” crop of drop bars. It’s also one of the more eclectic bars out there. It’s made in Taiwan out of 7050 heat treated aluminum and has a 26mm clamp area (so you’ll need a shim for modern 31.8mm stems). It features a 15° backsweep and 115mm of drop, which, according to Crust, makes for some built in pre-loaded suspension (and why they kept it with a 26mm clamp). It also has a 10° upsweep and 25° of flare and comes in three widths.
Weight specified is the 660mm version.
- Weight: 414 grams (14.6 oz)
- Price: $125
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$55
Dajia Cycleworks Far Bar Handlebar
- Width: 440, 480mm
- Flare: 21°
- Drop/Reach: 110mm / 76mm
- Full Width: 585, 625mm
The Dajia Cycleworks Far Bar is a lightweight off-road touring bar designed to be used with road components. Unlike dirt drops of years past, these allow you to have a normal hood position in addition to an easy reach to the brake levers from the drops. The Far Bars have a 21 degrees of flare, drop of 110 mm, and reach of 76 mm. The are available in a silver or noir finish.
- Weight: 292 grams (10.3 oz)
- Price: $55
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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€118
Deda Gera Alloy Handlebar
- Width: 420, 440, 460, 480mm
- Flare: 24°
- Drop/Reach: 100mm / 55mm
- Rise: 10mm
Italy-based Deda Elementi has a few different flared drop bar options in their lineup, but the Gera Alloy caught our attention due to its unique shape and specs. It features a 5° backsweep and 5° downsweep that Deda claims to be appropriate for multi-day rides and bikepacking, as well as a 10mm rise to help increase the stack height. The 24° flare should offer lots of control and stability, and the four width options will fit a wide range of rider sizes and preferences.
- Weight: 310 grams (10.9 oz)
- Price: €118
- Place of Manufacture: Asia
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$54.99
Easton EA50 AX (Alloy Gravel Bar)
- Width: 400, 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 16°
- Drop/Reach: 120mm / 80mm
- Full WIdth: 468, 488, 508, 528mm
Easton’s AX series is a line of components designed specifically for the growing drop bar adventure and gravel segment. The alloy EA70 AX, EA50 AX, and carbon EC70 AX bar utilize the same top shape, reach, and ergonomic drop shape as Easton’s MCD road bars, but add 16° of flare. Why 16 degrees? According to Easton, “Based on extensive testing and rider feedback we determined that 16 degrees was the perfect balance of maximum bar flare that still allowed for efficient access and usage of the shifters and brakes in both the hoods and drops.” The EA50 is Easton’s affordable AX alloy model.
Weight specified in the 420mm model.
- Weight: 325 grams (11.5 oz)
- Price: $54.99
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- We highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at: Amazon JensonUSA
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$99.99
Easton EA70 AX (Alloy Gravel Bar)
- Width: 400, 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 16°
- Drop/Reach: 120mm / 80mm
- Full Width: 468, 488, 508, 528mm
Easton’s AX series is a line of components designed specifically for the growing drop bar adventure and gravel segment. The alloy EA70 AX, EA50 AX, and carbon EC70 AX bar utilize the same top shape, reach, and ergonomic drop shape as Easton’s MCD road bars, but add 16° of flare. Why 16 degrees? According to Easton, “Based on extensive testing and rider feedback we determined that 16 degrees was the perfect balance of maximum bar flare that still allowed for efficient access and usage of the shifters and brakes in both the hoods and drops.” The EA70 is their higher-end EA70 Alloy model.
Weight specified in the 420mm model.
- Weight: 290 grams (10.2 oz)
- Price: $99.99
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- We highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at: Amazon JensonUSA
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$249.99
Easton EC70 AX Carbon Gravel Bar
- Width: 400, 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 16°
- Drop/Reach: 120mm / 80mm
- Full Width: 468, 488, 508, 528mm
Easton’s AX series is a line of components designed specifically for the growing drop bar adventure and gravel segment. The alloy EA70 AX, EA50 AX, and carbon EC70 AX bar utilize the same top shape, reach, and ergonomic drop shape as Easton’s MCD road bars, but add 16° of flare. Why 16 degrees? According to Easton, “based on extensive testing and rider feedback we determined that 16 degrees was the perfect balance of maximum bar flare that still allowed for efficient access and usage of the shifters and brakes in both the hoods and drops.”
Weight specified is the 420mm version.
- Weight: 220 grams (7.8 oz)
- Price: $249.99
- Place of Manufacture: China
- We highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at: Amazon JensonUSA
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$299
Easton EC90 AX Handlebar
- Width: 400, 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 16°
- Drop/Reach: 125mm / 80mm
- Full Width: 468, 488, 508, 528mm
The EC90 AX Gravel Adventure Bar is a lightweight, flared, high-performance carbon version of their popular EC90 SLX and Aero bars. The EC90 AX bars feature a size-specific flattened ergonomic top section (with a graduated diameter and length) for more comfort and optimized positioning while on the bike. They weigh just 203 to 218 grams depending on size, feature a 16-degree flare, 80mm reach, 125mm drop, have Di2 bar-end routing, and are available in 40, 42, 44, and 46cm widths (measured at the hoods). Find the full press release here.
- Weight: 218 grams (7.7 oz)
- Price: $299
- Place of Manufacture: China
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$119
Farr Aero Gravel Bar
- Width: 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 25°
- Drop/Reach: 80MM / 124MM
- Full Width: 530, 550MM
Farr is all about endurance-focused bike components, and you guessed it, riding far. The Farr Aero Gravel Bar is a unique, one-piece handlebar that incorporates more hand positions for long distance gravel riding. Not long ago they released their updated Aero Bolt-On handlebar extension, quickly creating additional hand positions and the potential for a tucked aero position. The Aero Gravel Handlebar builds on this design, but incorporates it into a one-piece package. The result is an Alloy 6061-T6 drop bar with 25 degrees of flare, plus an extended “aero add-on.” The bar is available in three widths: 420, 440, and 460mm, and weighs around 500g (460mm model). Find the full media release here.
- Weight: 500 grams (17.6 oz)
- Price: $119
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$285
Farr Carbon Gravel Bar
- Width: 420, 440, 460, 480, 500mm
- Flare: 24°
- Drop/Reach: 125MM / 80MM
- Full Width: 552, 572, 592, 612, 632, 652mm
Farr’s Carbon Gravel bar is designed for gravel and monstercross bikes, weighing just 180g and features a full carbon construction. The bar offers a healthy 25° of flare, and is available in five widths from 420mm (medium) to 500mm (XXXL). You’ll also notice cutouts along the bar, designed for internal routed cables for modern drivetrain components.
- Weight: 180 grams (6.3 oz)
- Price: $285
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$99
Farr Supa-Wide Gravel Handlebar
- Width: 500, 550, 600mm
- Flare: 20°
- Drop/Reach: 120mm / 65mm
- Full Width: 650, 700, 750mm
The Farr Supa-Wide Alloy Bar is constructed from heat-treated alloy with a standard 31.8mm bar clamp diameter, and comes in three different widths: 650mm, 700mm, and 750mm (measured from drop end to drop end). The bar has a short 65mm reach, 120mm drop, and a sporty 20 degree flare.
*weight specced for 750mm version
- Weight: 415 grams (14.6 oz)
- Price: $99
- Place of Manufacture: Japan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$102
FSA A-WING AGX Alloy Handlebar
- Width: 420, 440, 460, 480mm
- Flare: 15°
- Drop/Reach: 121mm / 88mm
- Full Width: 468, 488, 508mm
The FSA A-WING AGX Alloy Handlebar is designed for “adventure, gravel and cyclocross usage.” It features 15° flared drops, sculpted contact points at the hoods and drops, and the 420mm version weighs just 296g. The same bar is offered in a carbon construction for $336.
- Weight: 296 grams (10.4 oz)
- Price: $102
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- We highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at: Amazon
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$130
Funn G-Wide Gravel Bar
- Width: 480, 500mm
- Flare: 25°
- Drop/Reach: 130mm / 110mm
- Backsweep: 6°
- Full Width: 601.7, 621.7mm
FUNN G-wide Handlebar is made for more aggressive gravel cycling with 25° of flare and one of the widest profiles on the market. With 6° of added backsweep, G-Wides are designed for maximum stability and confidence on sketchy and technical terrain. It comes in two widths, 480 and 500mm at the drops, which translates to about 602 and 622mm at the drop-ends. We are currently trying out this bar, so stay tuned for a review.
Weight specced for 500mm option, which we are reviewing at the moment.
- Weight: 337 grams (11.9 oz)
- Price: $130
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- We highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at: Amazon
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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£40
Genetic Digest Off-road Drop Bars
- Width: 440, 480mm
- Flare: ~35°
- Drop/Reach: 110mm / 76mm
- Full Width: 580, 660mm
- Outsweep: 21°
The Genetic Digest bar offers a compound flare/outsweep design that appears to be fairly aggressive, despite it’s not-too dramatic flare angle. The bar is made of 7075 alloy and according to the Chris in the comments below, “the main reason I love it is because the lack of a hook shape in the drops, and that’s not something that’s pinned by numbers.” According to a commenter, this is the the exact same bar as the Dajia Far Bar, which is by OEM Satori (it’s the “Boondocks” bar in their catalog).
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$220
Lauf Smoothie
- Width: 400, 420, 440mm
- Flare: 16°
- Drop/Reach: 125mm / 80mm
- Backsweep: 3°
The Lauf Smoothie bar is designed specifically to eat up vibrations on rough terrain by using the same flexible glass fibres they use in their fork springs. It’s available in three different widths, features a nice 16° flare and 3° back sweep, and is said to be the most comfortable while riding in the most common hand positions; in the drops and in the hoods.
- Weight: 250 grams (8.8 oz)
- Price: $220
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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£250
Merit Rodla Carbon Gravel Handlebars
- Width: 440, 460, 480mm
- Flare: 25°
- Drop/Reach: 110mm / 75mm
- :
Featuring a similar design as the Farr Aero bars, the Merit Rodla Carbon Gravel Handlebars have a front aero loop for alternative hand positions or mounting computers/lights. They are made from a lightweight carbon fiber, come in four widths: 440, 460, 480mm, and have partially internal cable routing.
- Price: £250
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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£24.99
On-One Midge Handlebar
- Full Width: 553mm
- Flare: 43°
- Drop/Reach: 112mm / 65mm
The On-One Midge handlebar is designed in the “dirt-drop” style with a much more pronounced flare than most gravel drop bars on the market. This coupled with a somewhat shallow drop might be interesting for those who love the racy look, but want to maintain a more upright riding position. According to On-One, they’re meant to be ridden in the drops much of the time with full access to the brake levers. The Midge is 554mm wide at the ends and 375mm at the tops.
- Weight: 299 grams (10.5 oz)
- Price: £24.99
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$111
Origin8 Everland Adventure Bar
- Width: 460mm
- Flare: 35°
- Drop/Reach: 90mm / 95mm
- Full Width: 610mm
The Everland Adventure Bar is Origin8’s most flared drop bar, perfect for gravel adventures or multi-day off-road tours. It has a double butted AL6061-T6 construction, a flattened top section for increased comfort, and comes in a matte black finish. The Everland Race model features an extended 31.8mm bore section which provides more room for accessories and clip-on bars.
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$73
Origin8 Gary Ergo Sweep OS
- Width: 480mm
- Flare: 30°
- Drop/Reach: 110mm / 76mm
- Full Width: 620mm
The Origin8 Gary Ergo Sweep OS bars have a double butted AL6061-T6 construction, massive 30° flare, and a 5° back sweep that results in a pretty unique bar shape that looks comfortable for off-road use. It’s available in one 480mm width with a matte black finish. They also offer a non-ergo version with a 35° flare and 460mm width for the same price.
- Price: $73
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$65
Otso Lithic Corundum Handlebar
- Width: 400, 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 16°
- Drop/Reach: 130mm / 86mm
According to Otso Cycles, the “Lithic on and off-road compatible drop bars are durable and ergonomic for a comfortable ride. Perfect combination of sweep and flare.” They come in four widths, are made from 6061 aluminum alloy, and are fairly affordable at $65 USD.
- Weight: 320 grams (11.3 oz)
- Price: $65
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$125
Oyster Bar
- Width: 420, 440, 460, 480, 500mm
- Flare: 60mm
- Drop/Reach: 120mm / 120mm
The Oyster Bar handlebar is marketed as a “Bicycle Handlebar for Long Rides.” This new steering apparatus claims to be ready for gravel and bikepacking, and blends flat bars with drops for even more hand positions. The Kickstarter funding was unsuccessful, so not sure if these will see the light of day. However, it appears to be on preorder at this website.
- Price: $125
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$60
Pro Discover 12 Degree Flare Bar
- Width: 400, 420, 440mm
- Flare: 12°
- Drop/Reach: 115mm / 65mm
- Full Width: 450, 470, 490mm
The Pro Discover 12 Degree Flare Bar is designed in the “all-road” aesthetic with a comparably modest 12° of flare. The bar is constructed from AL-6066 and features Shimano DI2 integration and an ergonomic top section for multiple hand positions.
Weight specced is for 440mm model.
- Weight: 275 grams (9.7 oz)
- Price: $60
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$60
Pro Discover 30 Degree Flare Bar
- Width: 420, 440mm
- Flare: 30°
- Drop/Reach: 110mm / 80mm
- Full Width: 555, 575mm
The Pro Discover 30 Degree Flare Bar features 30° of flare for even more control and stability than the Medium Flare option. It’s constructed out of AL-6066 with Shimano DI2 integration and a shallow bend for a comfortable ride in the drops.
- Weight: 255 grams (9 oz)
- Price: $60
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$139
RedShift Kitchen Sink Handlebar
- Width: 440, 470, 500, 530mm
- Flare: 25°
- Drop/Reach: 110mm / 70mm
- Backsweep: 12°
- Rise: 20mm
The Redshift Kitchen Sink Bars are available in 440, 470, 500mm, and 530mm widths (measured at the hoods) with either the integrated aero loop, or without. The Kitchen Sink bars have a 25° flare with 7° of backsweep, a 65-70mm reach, and a 20mm rise. Along with Redshift’s Endurance Dropbar Grip System—one pair of wing-style grips that fit under the tape on top of the bars and another pair that fit at the ends of the drops—these things offer a boatload of comfortable hand positions that might be of interest to Tour Dividers and other long-distance endurance cyclists.
- Weight: 497 grams (17.5 oz)
- Price: $139 (500mm with loop)
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$104
Ritchey Butano Off-road Drop Bar
- Width: 380, 400, 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 12°
- Drop/Reach: 118mm / 73mm
- Backsweep: 4°
- Outsweep: 2°
- Full WIdth: 440, 460, 480, 500, 520mm
Named for the mixed-use trails behind Tom Ritchey’s home, Ritchey claims the WCS Butano is an homage to the early days of off-road and mixed terrain riding. The WCS Butano handlebar has more of a shallow drop than the ErgoMax but retains the same 12° flare and 4° sweep. Like the other Ritchey gravel bars, the Butano also comes in a heavier and more affordable ~$61 Comp version, as well.
Weight specced is for 420mm model.
- Weight: 275 grams (9.7 oz)
- Price: $104
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- We highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at: Amazon
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$54.95
Ritchey Comp Beacon Handlebar
- Width: 400, 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 36°
- Drop/Reach: 80mm / 65mm
- Backsweep: 4.5°
With a massive 36° flare and big width, the Ritchey Beacon is all about rider comfort with a short reach and shallow drop. It features Ritchey’s trademark Evo-style flat top sections to help support your hands, as well as a gentle backward sweep for a more natural hand position when riding the tops. It’s constructed from triple-butted 7050 alloy, has a 4.5° backsweep, and comes in four different widths; 400, 420, 440, and 460mm.
For a lighter and high-end version, check out the WCS Beacon which retails for $109 USD.
- Weight: 300 grams (10.6 oz)
- Price: $54.95
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$54
Ritchey Comp VentureMax XL Handlebar
- Width: 520mm
- Flare: 24°
- DROP/REACH: 102MM / 75MM
- BACKSWEEP: 4.6°
- Full Width: 647MM
The Comp VentureMax XL Handlebar is Ritchey’s most affordable, ultra wide drop bar. At 520mm wide, with a 24° flare and 4.6° back sweep, it looks ideal for anyone looking to tackle some serious drop bar adventures but doesn’t want to fork out the funds for a more expensive option. It’s made from double-butted 6061 alloy, has Ritchey’s signature bio-bend shape and ergonomic top sections, and looks like a great budget-friendly option in a generously wide package.
- Weight: 350 grams (12.3 oz)
- Price: $54
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$109
Ritchey ErgoMax Handlebar
- Width: 400, 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 12°
- Drop/Reach: 128mm / 73mm
- Backsweep: 4.6°
- Rise: 10mm
- Full Width: 483, 503, 523, 543mm
The Ritchey ErgoMax was designed with long gravel rides in mind. It sets itself apart with a 10mm rise at the clamping area, which offers a slightly more upright riding position. The flat section is also ovalized for an ergonomic feel (hence the name) and has a slight 4° backsweep for a more natural hand position. The ErgoMax also features drops with a 12° flare and comes in a more budget-friendly “comp” version and a higher-end carbon version for $314.
- Weight: 270 grams (9.5 oz)
- Price: $109
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$109
Ritchey WCS VentureMax XL Handlebar
- Width: 520mm
- Flare: 24°
- Drop/Reach: 102mm / 75mm
- Backsweep: 4.6°
- Full Width: 647mm
Ritchey’s WCS VentureMax XL Handlebar takes the original concept of their WCS VentureMax bar…and makes it wider. With a width of 52cm (64.7cm total width), the WCS VentureMax XL is a full 6cm wider than the standard version, making it ideal for bikepacking, or those situations that warrant some extra stability. Unlike the majority of flared drop bars available, the WCS VentureMax XL features an ergonomic (flattened) top with a 4.6° back sweep, and Ritchey’s Bio-bend in the drop that is said to be both practical and comfortable when riding rough terrain. The bar is made from a Triple-butted 7050 alloy, has drilling for a Shimano EW-RS910 junction box, and uses a standard 31.8mm clamp diameter.
- Weight: 315 grams (11.1 oz)
- Price: $109
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$50
Salsa Cowbell
- Width: 380, 400, 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 12°
- Drop/Reach: 115mm / 68mm
- Outsweep: 12° drop angle
- Full Width: 433, 453, 473, 493, 513mm
The Cowbell is much more road oriented than either of the “Chippers” but still has a little flare with gravel racing in mind. The Cowbell bar feature a 12° flare and come in either aluminum or carbon. Weight specced for 440mm standard model.
- Weight: 314 grams (11.1 oz)
- Price: $50 (standard)
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- We highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at: Jenson (standard) Jenson (deluxe) Jenson (carbon)
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$215
Salsa Woodchipper Carbon
- Width: 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 25°
- Drop/Reach: 114mm drop / 56mm
- Outsweep: 38°
- Full Width: 633mm (440), 653mm (460)
Similar to the Woodchipper, the carbon version weighs 230g and retails for $215. The carbon version also has a wider clamp area (140mm vs 120). Weight specified for 440mm model.
- Weight: 230 grams (8.1 oz)
- Price: $215
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- We highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at: Jenson USA
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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€30
Seido CX10 Handlebar
- Width: 400, 420, 440mm
- Flare: 10°
- Drop/Reach: 116mm / 75mm
- Full Width: 446, 466, 476mm
The Seido CX10 sits right between their road-oriented Beaufort bar and super flared Tackle bar. It has a 10° flare that is suited for gravel and cyclocross style riding, a 6061-T6 butted alloy construction, and flattened drops for a more comfortable hand position. The bar is also recessed for cleaner, more comfortable, cable routing.
Weight is specced from the 440mm model.
- Weight: 370 grams (13.1 oz)
- Price: €30
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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€52
Seido Tackle Bar
- Width: 380, 400, 420, 440mm
- Flare: 25°
- Drop/Reach: 128mm / 77mm
- Full Width: 490, 510, 530, 550mm
Bombtrack’s sister company Seido describes the Tackle Bar as their “take on a modern wide-flared gravel and bikepacking handlebar that provides a great amount of control as well as space for handlebar rolls through its enormous flare and width.”
- Weight: 366 grams (12.9 oz)
- Price: €52
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$109
Sim Works Wild Honey
- Width: 340, 360, 380, 400, 420mm
- Flare: 20°
- Drop/Reach: 120mm / 105mm
- Full Width: 410, 430, 450, 470, 490mm
The Sim Works Wild Honey Bar is updated from NITTO’s B135. It’s made from heat treated aluminum, features a 7mm upsweep, and is available in silver or black.
- Price: $109
- Place of Manufacture: Japan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$139
Soma Condor 2 Handlebar
- Width: 380, 400, 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 14°
- Drop/Reach: 100mm / 63mm
- Full Width: 440, 460, 480, 500, 520mm
- Rise: 50mm
The swoopy, 6061-T6 aluminum Condor 2 is quite the interesting drop bar. It features a massive 50mm rise, a shallow drop, and fairly short reach. Unlike the original Condor bar, the Condor 2 has zero backsweep.
- Weight: 330 grams (11.6 oz)
- Price: $139
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$109
Soma Gator Dirt Drop Bar
- Width: 505mm
- Flare : 20°
- Drop/Reach: 112mm / 65mm
- Full Width: 655mm
An alternative among alternative gravel bars, the Soma Gator Dirt Drop Bar is designed to use handlebar tape as well as mountain bike grips. The drops are so long that there’s enough room to run grip shifters and flat bar levers, if you so desire. They are made from 6061 butted aluminum, have a 20° flare, and comes in one wide 505mm width.
- Weight: 400 grams (14.1 oz)
- Price: $109
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$149
Soma Hwy 17
- Width: 380, 400, 420, 440, 460mm
- Drop/Reach: 130mm / 75mm
The Hwy 17 is inspired by Soma’s Highway One drop bar. It’s a compact road bar with a 130mm drop and 75mm reach, and a groove for clean cable routing. They are also made from aluminum, have a 31.8mm clamp, and come in five widths from 38cm to 46mm. The Hwy 17 bar features custom-designed extensions that can be angled up or down like regular bar-ends or rotated to fine-tune the setup and to create a loop-style extension like the Jones H-Bar. Soma says the extensions are great for additional hand positions and also work well for mounting lights, GPS devices, or bags. Read our full press release here.
- Weight: 610 grams (21.5 oz)
- Price: $149
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$89
Soma Junebug Dirt-drop Bar
- Width: 455mm
- Flare: Unspecified
- Drop/Reach: 112mm / 65mm
- Full width: 560mm
The Soma Junebug harkens back to the dirt drop days and the On-One Midge. The Junebug is made from 6061-T6 aluminum and is 56cm wide, measured center-to-center at the bar ends. The flats are approximately 340mm and the width at lever mounting area is about 455mm. The Junebug is available in polished black and silver. It’s also worth noting that Soma makes many other weirdly shaped bars.
- Weight: 300 grams (10.6 oz)
- Price: $89
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$49
Sonder Bomber
- Width: Unspecified
- Flare: 45°
- Drop/Reach: 120mm / 70mm
- Full Width: 560mm
With its massive 45° flare, the Sonder Bomber is definitely more in the “dirt drop” style. The bar is constructed from 60601 aluminum and designed for on- and off-road adventure riding.
- Weight: 275 grams (9.7 oz)
- Price: $49
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$49
Sonder Spitfire
- Width: 400, 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 15°
- Drop/Reach: 120mm / 70mm
- Backsweep: 5°
The Sonder Spitfire was made more in the gravel/all-road style with speed, comfort, and long days of pedaling in mind. According to Alpkit, the Spitfire is best suited for a road bike, but with a slight flare it seems like a good choice for a gravel bike, too.
Joe Cruz’s Review: The Alpkit Spitfires were on my gravel bike for the majority of ’18-’19 including on long trips in Japan, in the Alps, and in the Balkans. They’re reasonably priced alloy bars and might therefore seem ho-hum, but what sets them apart is that the bends are basically perfect. When riding in the hooks I want to be able to stay reasonably upright and comfortable to see technical terrain coming up, so the shallow sloping drop and short reach work both on and off road. The flat has a slight sweep for comfort and the flare is nicely between roadie none-at-all and silly.
- Weight: 310 grams (10.9 oz)
- Price: $49
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$55
Specialized Hover Alloy Gravel Bars
- Width: 380, 400, 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 12°
- Drop/Reach: 103mm / 70mm
- Rise: 15mm
The Specialized Hover Alloy gravel bars are constructed from 6061 butted aluminum. They feature a shallow drop and bend, and a 15mm rise to help accommodate a wide fit range. They also have a $55 Expert version made from 2014 Premium Butted Aluminum and a S-Works Carbon model for $275.
- Price: $55
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$70
Surly Truck Stop Bar
- Width: 420, 450, 480mm
- Flare: 12°
- Drop/Reach: 114mm / 68mm
- Rise: 30mm
- Full Width: 475, 505, 535mm
Designed to combine “all that’s good about drop bars with the benefits of a riser,” the Surly Truck Stop Bar features 12° of flare, three width options, and a more relaxed, upright riding position with 30mm of vertical rise. This aluminum bar is available in 420, 450, or 480mm widths and has a 12° flare. Find the full press release here, complete with a video…
- Price: $70
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- We highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at: Jenson USA
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$134
Thomson Alloy Dirt Drop Bars
- Width: 440, 460mm
- Flare: 25°
- Drop/Reach: 130mm / 90mm
- Full Width: 557, 577mm
Thomson Alloy Bars come in three flavors, one of which is the flared “Dirt Drop” version. The Dirt drop (HB-E130, HB-E131) is available in 440mm and 460mm widths, each with a 25° flare.
- Price: $134
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$279
Thomson Carbon Gravel Bars
- Width: 440, 460mm
- Flare: 25°
- Drop/Reach: 131mm / 87.5mm
- Full Width: 575, 595mm
Thomson’s line of carbon drop bars includes a more off-road focused gravel version with a 25° flare, lightweight carbon construction, and internal cable routing. All carbon fiber is produced by Toray and uses tailor-made Nano Epoxy Resin for very high impact resistance. Toray is the main supplier of carbon fiber for Boeing and Airbus.
- Weight: 249 grams (8.8 oz)
- Price: $279
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$70
Velo Orange Nouveau Randonneur
- Width: 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 12°
- Drop/Reach: 128mm / 85mm
- Backsweep: 5°
The Nouveau Randonneur Handlebar is designed for long days in the saddle with ovalized and swept back top. With a 128mm drop and minimal 12° flare, the bar leans toward gravel/all-road, but if that’s your preference, it looks like a nice touring bar. The Nouveau Randonneur Bar is available in three sizes and two finishes: High-Polished Silver and Smooth Noir. The weight specced is for the 440mm version.
- Weight: 301 grams (10.6 oz)
- Price: $70
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$78
Whisky No.7 24F
- Width: 400, 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 24°
- Drop/Reach: 116mm / 68mm
The Whisky No.7 24F has the same general specs as the Cowchipper Deluxe, but without the outsweep. There is also a 12F version with 12° of flare.
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$240
Whisky No.9 24F (Carbon)
- Width: 400, 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 24°
- Drop/Reach: 116mm / 68mm
For all intents and purposes, the Whisky #9 is nearly identical to the Carbon Cowchipper, aside from the fact that it doesn’t come in 38mm and doesn’t have any outsweep. For all we know, they very well could be made in the same factory with the same layup mold. There is also a 12F version with 12° of flare.
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$280
Whisky Spano Drop Handlebar
- Width: 400, 420, 440, 460, 480mm
- Flare: 12-20°
- Drop/Reach: 100mm / 68mm
- Full Width: 460, 480, 500, 520, 540mm
The Spano Drop Handlebar is an eccentric, full-carbon bar in Whisky Parts Co’s lineup. The Spano was made for gravel cyclists and features a unique design that utilizes flattened tops to promote bar flex and provide added comfort by cutting down on wrist and hand stress on rough surfaces. The Spano also has a progressive flare design that starts with 12 degrees at the hoods and ramps up to 20 degrees through the drops, which was intended to keep the levers at a more traditional position and provide a wide flare at the drops. The Spano has a relatively short 68mm reach with a 100mm drop, making it more of a modern-fit all-road bar. Find our first look here.
- Weight: 243 grams (8.6 oz)
- Price: $280
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$180
Wren Perseverance Adventure Dropbar
- Width: 530mm
- Flare: 29°
- Drop/Reach: 105mm / 70mm
The Wren Perseverance Adventure Dropbar is made from 6061 Aluminum, 530mm wide at the hoods, and a 29°flare. Just like the original, it’s finished in an Anodized Gold/Bronze with Black Decals. You can preorder the bar alone for $180 or as a kit with armrests and extra-long bar tape for $300 ($80 in savings!). The Perseverance Bar has a massive aero loop out front, offering more room for your hands and gear, while also providing better control while in a tucked, aero position.
- Weight: 754 grams (26.6 oz)
- Price: $180
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
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$118
Zipp Service Course 70 XPLR
- Width: 400, 420, 440, 460mm
- Flare: 5°
- Drop/Reach: 115mm / 70mm
- Outsweep: 11°
- Backsweep: 3°
The bar is available in two alloy models, the lighter Service Course SL 70 XPLR (shown here) and the more budget-friendly Service Course 70 XPLR. The bar’s name, XPLR, pretty much sums up the intention of this handlebar, but there’s a lot going on with the numbers behind it.
There are two metrics that set these bars apart from others in this list: outsweep and flare. Something that often bothers me about more dramatically flared bars is that the brake hoods sit at an awkward angle. It’s not always a problem as different bars are angled and tweaked differently, but sometimes the bend at the point of flare exaggerates the angle of the levers, making grabbing them from the drops a little awkward. At any rate, Zipp’s goal was to develop a bar with a hoods-dominant position at the forefront, in turn, solving some of these issues. I ride in the hoods much of the time, or with my hands resting on the bar curve just behind the hoods, so this piqued my interest. To accomplish this—and maintain control in the drops—Zipp landed on 5° flare and 11° outsweep.
The bar’s drop shape features 70mm reach, but the drop is a shallower 115mm. The service Course also features an ergonomic top with 3° backsweep, 100mm clamping area on top of bar, Di2 bar end junction compatible.
- Weight: 260 grams (9.2 oz)
- Price: $118
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- We highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at: Jenson (SL) Jenson (reg)
- Manufacturer's Details: Link
Extra Long Bar Tape for Extra Wide Bars
Most standard bar tape maxes out at around 2,000mm, which isn’t quite enough to properly wrap the latest ultra-wide handlebars. To accommodate bigger bars, some bar tape manufacturers have added longer versions for a proper wrap. Here are a few of the options we’ve found:
In this video, Neil shares some thoughts on the this growing trend, what features commonly found on these bars, why they work well for off-road cycling and bikepacking, and what factors you should consider when choosing gravel drop bars of your own.
Gravel Bars Wrap Up / Editor’s Choice
Having spent well over a year on this guide, I’ve had the chance to see, photograph, and try a lot of bars. There are definitely a few that rose to the top. My first love was the Cowchipper, which seems to hit a sweet spot with a shallow-ish 116mm drop, 68mm reach, and a well-thought-out blend of curves and angles. Prior to that, I simply found the Woodchipper to be a little too much. My three predominant hand placements (in this order) are just behind the hoods resting on the curves, on the hoods, and in the drops. The Woodchipper didn’t really work for me in any of those positions. That being said, I think one problem was that it simply wasn’t wide enough. Once I discovered wider bars, my tastes changed, and I quickly realized why it’s becoming a trend. Not only do wider bars offer much more off-road control, they open up your chest and provide additional hand real estate. Not to mention, the space between the drops allows a much wider berth for bags and gear.
So, now I have a few new favorites. One is the 48mm Enve G-Series bar, which is near perfect in its ergonomics, widths, and angles. I also really like the Curve Walmer and the PNW Coast, both of which are offered in a moderately wide option—550 and 520mm, respectively—with a shallow drop, plus they both have nice angles and ergonomics. Another is the Crust Shaka Bar. It has less flare and a deeper drop, but the width and feel of it are excellent. I haven’t tried the 520mm Salsa Cowchipper, but I’m guessing that would also rank highly.
Of course, there are a lot of others that we didn’t try. After all, if we were to mount, wrap, and review every permutation on the market, it could take a lifetime. With that, we tried to include as many bars as possible that fit into the gravel bars and flared category without overwriting on exact duplicates or including bars that are hands-down road-oriented. However, please let us know if you’ve come across any related bars that are standout options and we’ll consider them for the list.
Interested in alternative MTB bars, be sure to check out our Index of Comfort/Alt/Sweep Mountain Bike Bars.