Best gravel handlebars: Options for all roads

If you are searching for the best gravel handlebars, you are most likely thinking of something with flared drops. It's the prevailing style so that makes sense but there's a lot more to choosing the best gravel handlebars than just if a handlebar is flared

Gravel cycling means different things to different people and that means choices. For some people, gravel cycling means gravel racing while for others it means under-biking single track, while others like to ride on the road and keep going when it ends. All of these uses have slightly different considerations and nuances that affect which gravel handlebar you might choose. 

There's also a growing understanding that the best gravel bikes are great all-around bikes. It's more and more common to see gravel bikes show up on a fast group ride, serve as a commuter option, or be a vehicle for carrying bikepacking gear for an off-the-grid weekend. 

Whatever you need, I've spent time testing the best gravel handlebars in a wide variety of situations. Keep reading to see my choices for the best. 

Quick list

The best gravel handlebars on the market today

For those who want lots of choice

There’s nothing that says you have to run a Shimano groupset with the Shimano-owned Pro handlebars, but the brand does say the two complement each other, and I see no reason to disagree. Shimano was the first to recognise that gravel cycling had needs that a specific groupset could solve. It only makes sense that its Pro brand of accessories created a handlebar to compliment the design of the groupset. 

Overall though what you get with the Shimano Pro Discover lineup is an incredible amount of choice. I've spent forever using the alloy version in a 40mm width and a 20-degree flare. It's inexpensive and the gentle backsweep along with the round shape on the tops is really comfortable in a static position as you climb. For me the combination was such a joy outside that I ended up moving it indoors to the bike I use when testing the best smart trainers. The reason I decided to highlight this set of handlebars though is not because of my specific choice but rather because Shimano offers so many. You can choose between 12, 20, and 30 degrees of flare ranging from just a little to truly wild. Sadly though, if you want to save 55 grams and make the jump to carbon fibre that does limit you to the 20-degree option. 

The best narrow gravel handlebar

I've spent enough time on this guide that I can now, proudly, say I've been working on it for years. During that time I've also been on a mission to find options for anyone who's got narrow shoulders and needs less than a 40cm handlebar. Until the launch of the EC90 ALX, it's been a fruitless search and there’s been a big hole in the market.

The problem is that the bike industry is letting style dictate function. When your handlebar is too wide it causes aching shoulders. Women, or anyone with narrow shoulders, get left without a comfortable handlebar option for no other reason than wide is cool. With the Easton EC90 ALX, you can finally have both a ten degree flare to the drops and a 38cm size option. 

Aside from the wide 38-46 cm size range, the Easton EC90 ALX is a super light and comfortable carbon bar. The tops have an oval shape that makes for a nice big, size specific, place to grab plus a flattened bottom that helps add some flex for comfort. The flattened bottom also provides a place to tuck the cables since there's no internal routing. Thankfully this modern bar does have holes for di2 despite the lack of a hole in the back for routing through a stem. 

If you want a super light bar that's also narrow enough for small shoulders, or aerodynamics, there's simply no competition. If you bought a size 54 or smaller gravel bike, this should probably be one of your first upgrades. 

Relaxed riding on the hoods

Modern bike design dictates that resting on the hoods is most people's primary riding position. SRAM, and its Zipp brand, 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 area and 5 degrees of flare. That small flare keeps the controls mostly vertical with just a little angle that helps wrist position. To get the drops wider for more control there's an 11-degree outsweep instead of lots of flare. In the end, the result is similar but the path to get there is different. 

As you look at the prices out there, you might find that Zipp ends up being a little more expensive compared to other aluminium bars. The brand is quick to point out that the reason is the upgrade to 7000 series aluminium compared to 6000 series for less expensive options. That change should mean a stiffer bar but I wasn’t able to tell a difference so you’ll have to decide if that matters to you. For most people, the choice is likely to come down to weight and the shape of the bar rather than the aluminium. To that end, if the design sounds great but you don't mind trading a little extra weight for more affordability Zipp also offers the Service Course 70 XPLR (non-SL) with the same design. 

Overall, this option from Zipp and the Pro Discover handlebars from Shimano are very similar. There are a couple of differences worth noting though. One of the biggest is the difference in drop which is part of the already mentioned "hoods first" design. Zipp also keeps the controls much more vertical in their design and the ends of the drops point away from the bike, while Shimano keeps the ends of the drops parallel. In case you are worried, even though Zipp is owned by SRAM the brand still pre-drills for Di2 junction boxes. 

Fast riding on the hoods

There’s a bit of nuance here. Both the FSA K-Wing AGX and the Zipp Service Course SL 70 XPLR are designed for riding on the hoods. Both of these bars have some similarities because of that but they are also vastly different. The FSA K-Wing AGX is a carbon handlebar with an eye on performance and racing. At 216 grams in a 40cm width, it’s one of the lightest bars on the market but similarly to the Zipp, the forward sweep is the special sauce. In this case, the FSA K-Wing AGX handlebar has a ten-degree forward sweep and there are also flat spots behind the hoods. 

If you've ever seen someone who has bent their controls way in, that's the idea here. The difference is that it's far more subtle. It's just enough to put your wrists in a neutral position as you grab the tops but not so much that it feels unnatural. 

This is great if you are the kind of rider who loves to brace against the tops of the controls for an aero position. In that configuration, it helps point your fingers towards the centre of your body. The flat spot behind the controls is also a great place to rest your forearm. At the same time, when you do sit up, that flat spot keeps pressure off the palm of your hand. 

Outside of those details, the FSA K-wing AGX is a progressive and modern bar design. The drop is a compact 115mm paired with a short 75mm of reach. These specs match well to modern bike fits with low head tubes and less spacers. Because this is a gravel bar there's a 25mm flare from tops to drops for control when you need it. 

As much as I love this design, what I don't love is the bump on the flats near the stem. There are other options on this list that I've included for exactly that feature but it makes less sense here. Although it's comfy when climbing, this is such a great bar for getting into the most aero position possible, forearms parallel to the ground, that I can't help but think FSA could simplify the design, and lower the already low weight, by ditching the comfort-focused bumps. 

Aerodynamic gravel riding

Almost every modern road bike is aero-optimised. When it comes to gravel bikes there has been less focus on aerodynamics but that's starting to change. As long gravel races gain in popularity, and as the differences between an all-road bike and a road bike shrink, aero optimisation becomes more important. Not only that but the winged shape of an aero handlebar inherently makes a lot of sense off-road. While it’s not the specific focus in this bar from 3T, there’s always more vertical compliance in a bar of this shape. 

Bottom line, the advantages exist for a bar of this style, but there are also very few options. The 3T Aeroghiaia takes the shape of a road-specific aero handlebar and adapts it with a flare on the drops. The controls remain vertical but after the initial curve of the drops the bars angle out. The angle continues through a short 110mm drop before coming back to parallel with the bike before the bars end. 

Not only is this a great option for anyone wanting to aero optimise off-road but these bars from 3T could also be a great choice for a road bike; as gravel-specific bars have gained in popularity a lot of people have decided they love having flared drops on every bike. The fact that the cables not only route internally but also have the option of exiting through a central hole into a stem makes them even more of a universal option. The only downside to this bar is that 3T doesn't have any integration with a computer mount system. There's enough room to mount an out front product at the sides of the stem but that can fill up fast in ultra-endurance gravel situations. 

Riding in the drops

Ritchey offers the WCS VentureMax handlebar in a carbon or alloy version. There are two main differences between the two. The Carbon fibre option adds partial internal routing and saves 42 grams of weight compared to the triple-butted aluminium alloy. Aside from those differences, there are some small differences in specifications but all the broad strokes remain the same: In both cases, the flats remain ovalized and the flare remains a generous but not exaggerated 24 degrees. You'll also find a subtle backsweep on the flats although the carbon version is a little straighter with only 4 degrees. The defining "bio bump" in the drops is there whatever material you decide on, and adds a little kink that aims to fill the void in your palms while in the drops and reduce pressure. 

Overall, these bars represent a balance between an all-out aero option like that from 3T and a round bar option. You get an ovalized top that’s comfortable for the hands, provides some vertical compliance, and some aero optimization, but you also get a lot of focus on comfort for the drops position. 

One challenge with any option that uses an ovalized top section is that it can limit the space for mounting accessories. The Ritchey WCS VentureMax isn’t actually not the worst offender as they’ve got a bit wider on the clamp area. Not only that but the oval section isn’t as deep as 3T so you might still be able to clamp to it depending on the accessory design. Also, if it does come up for you, then Ritchey offers the Universal Stem mount which solves the challenge by adding clamping space out in front of the stem. 

Lightweight gravel handlebar

Carbon fibre handlebars aren't typically built as a single piece. The exact construction will vary a bit between manufacturers but brands combine different pieces in the same way that carbon bike frames have different pieces. It's a system that saves money and produces a quality product but it does mean a slightly heavier end result. If you want to make handlebars as light as possible then that means as little material as possible. 

A single-piece construction uses less resin, and while it's more expensive to produce it is lighter too. There's an open question as to how important a few grams are but, if you are trying to optimise every piece of a bike, the Cadex AR handlebar is the lightest option on our list. It's also an option that's one of the closest to a standard road bike handlebar. If you are looking for an adventure bar for rough riding then you'll want to look elsewhere. If you'd rather add something light to a mixed-surface race bike then Cadex makes an excellent option.

The other reason you might want to consider the Cadex AR handlebar is that it’s incredibly comfortable across the tops. The design routes cables internally and doesn’t slim down from the clamping area, which means the tops feel really good in your hands. I don’t tend to ride on the tops a whole lot but anytime I do, these bars are a joy to do it on. It also makes clamping accessories easy since there’s no step down to negotiate. 

If you make this choice, just consider what you want. Cadex refers to these bars as the AR, or all-road, bars and the brand isn’t kidding. You could easily put these on a road bike and no one would question the decision.  

Rough gravel racing

The kind of riding I like is road riding, I just don’t care anymore if the road is paved or gravel. That mindset fits well with many American-style gravel races but it also means I trend towards liking narrow bars with minimal flare. It also means I should hate the Enve G Series gravel handlebar. Instead, it’s the opposite and this is one of my favourite options on the list. The reason is the split personality of the Enve design. 

Across the top you have a perfectly straight and flat design that ends in an abnormally tight bend. There’s plenty of room for lights, bags, phone, whatever you need to mount for long rides. There’s also a ton of room for resting your forearms if you like the UCI illegal, quasi TT bars position. The 90-degree bends at each edge make for a comfortable place to rest your hands if you prefer to ride on, or at least near, the hoods. They also provide a comfortable place if you like to take the most aero position possible with your forearms parallel to the ground and hands on the hoods. 

That kind of riding isn’t what Enve is known for though. Instead, Enve is all about rough and technical riding that verges on mountain bike routes and that personality starts to show as you move down to the drops. The controls themselves sit at a little more of an angle than I’d prefer but the flare gets big by the time you get to the ends of the drops. It’s great if you like to take a wide hand position on technical sections and it’s also comfortable to stay aero even after long hours in the saddle. The combination of the two designs makes this a great option for one bike that does it all.

One of the most unique things about all Enve bars is the bar end design. Instead of just an open hole, Enve comes to a closed point and has integrated rubber caps. It’s fantastic for wrapping your bars but if you want to use a Di2 junction box be prepared to get a hacksaw. It also means you can’t use things like the Dynaplug Covert system which puts tubeless plugs in your handlebar ends. 

Read more details in my full Enve G Series Gravel Handlebar review.

Intentionally add flex

The farther from round the top section of a handlebar is, the more the design will introduce flex. At least, generally speaking, that is what manufacturers will tell you. In reality, even the 3T bar which has the thinnest oval section of anything here is crazy stiff. I can't feel flex on that bar. The Whisky Co. Spano does things a little differently. 

Instead of just leaving flex as an added bonus, the design intentionally engineers it in. The top of the flats is flat but underneath you'll find two facets that create part of a triangle. You might recognize the design as being similar to seat posts designed to flex and in both cases it does work. I don't want to set expectations too high though, it's still subtle. It is there though and it's just enough to take the worst sting out of a big bump. 

Beyond that, the Whiskey Spano has the shortest reach on our list. It also almost matches the Surly Truckstop for drop but does so with a more traditional shape. There's some details that are reminiscent of the Enve bar too, like the tight curve on the ends of the tops and the long tail of the drops. It’s easy to move between the top, the hoods, and the drops and there's lots of room to comfortably hold the end of the drops or rest on the upper surfaces. The headline is the engineered flex but this is a bar for those who really want to move their hands around.

On top of all the great features, the price is lower than many of the other top self-carbon bars. It's hardly a bargain, but compared to Enve, 3T, or Cadex it might feel like one. The only odd detail is that while there is a hole for Di2, there's no internal routing. 

How to choose the best gravel handlebar for you

I touched on this briefly up above, but the first thing to think about is what kind of gravel cycling are you trying to find the best gravel handlebar for? If you are upgrading then there's probably a reason. Whatever it might be, at this point there's someone making a specialty choice for it. You don't have to settle, just consider what you need. 

Gravel racing is one big reason why you might want to upgrade. If that's why you are here then aerodynamics should be a consideration. That might mean an outright aero bar, it could mean a bar that runs the cables inside for better aerodynamics, or maybe the best gravel handlebar isn’t specifically aerodynamic but it lets you get into a more aero position. Any of those are solid ways to help shape the direction you want to go. 

Another consideration might be some kind of bikepacking. That could mean with a clock ticking or it could mean a casual weekend. Either way though it leads to considerations for the best bike lights and the best bikepacking bags and those are both things you might need to mount on the handlebars. Mounting considerations are another great way to narrow down your choices. 

The last thing to think about is fit. Fit is also the most important but you can usually start with a focus and then choose something that fits you. Sometimes not though and in that case, you might need to keep looking until you find what you need. When it comes to the best gravel handlebars, width is one big one that I struggle with personally and you may as well. 

Gravel bikes tend to come with wider bars because that's the style. If the bars don't fit you though, the style doesn't matter. People might also tell you that wider bars help with control but, again, it doesn't matter if they don't fit you. No matter who you are, although this is likely a bigger issue for women, keep looking until you find the handlebar that fits you. You deserve to be comfortable no matter what.