Gravel Bike Drop Bars

The bars slope upwards on either side of the stem clamp area before levelling out.

Gravel bike drop bars.

As mentioned in part one 650b gravel plus bikes bikepacking bikes come in all shapes and sizes. Often overlooked yet such a critical connection. There s a lot to love about this trend. Reach for the drops when sprinting or to gain maximum aero efficiency.

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. Most bars of this type are designed to increase the height of the front end for gravel use doing a similar job to a taller head tube a higher rise stem or a stack of headset spacers. There s no doubt that gravel bars and drop bars in general have been getting wider for a while. Riding drop bar bikes off road for nearly 10 years i ve never met a tape i really liked until now.

Your road cyclocross or gravel bike s drop bars function as your bike s command center. The tops of most drop bars sit level with the stem clamp but riser drop bars do exist. Steering and control is the no. Maybe even the most underrated of all equipment choices on your most capable bike.

Gravel specific handlebars will further enhance control on descents by adding flare to the drops putting your hands in a more comfortable position. 1 function but drop bars are also where key cockpit controls such as brake shift levers and gps head units are mounted. These feature a radical 24 degree flare that alters not only the drop. One of the first players in the flared bars game salsa s cowchipper bars are somewhat of an icon in gravel riding circles.

Choosing the right bar tape will reduce. In short riders find these bikes both comfortable and efficient.