Gravel Handlebars: Grippy in Every Terrain

Gravel handlebars are a variant of the classic road handlebars. The basic shape is the same, but the form and dimensions differ significantly. Subtle differences decide, whether a handlebar fits you perfectly or ends up being a poor compromise. This is why a bit of theory and thought is necessary before you choose your gravel handlebar. 

How do I find the right gravel handlebar? 

To perfectly pick your new handlebar, you should know the measurements of the currently mounted handlebar. Take the opportunity to also directly measure your stem. 
Since the mix of aerodynamics, control, comfort, and visibility can yield very different results, handlebars under the “gravel” category can vary significantly. Your choice of handlebar starts with your ergonomics: What's your size and build? The larger, wider, and heavier you are, the wider your handlebar should be. As a rule of thumb for classic road handlebars, it should align your shoulders, elbows, and wrists in one line. Whether you're holding the brake shifters or on the drop bar is irrelevant, as these are on the same axis for classic road handlebars. This isn’t the case with most gravel handlebars.

Reach: Between Stretched and Compact

The reach measures how far the handlebar's drop section extends forward from the top bar, determining the position of the brake-shift lever. The greater the handlebar's reach, the more stretched your riding position will be. Of course, the stem also plays a role here: a long reach can be ergonomically balanced with a shorter stem — and vice versa. Gravel handlebars generally have a shorter reach than speed-oriented road handlebars.
Tip: Our filters allow you to search specifically for the reach you want.

Backsweep: Good for the wrists 

The backsweep describes the bending of the handlebar towards the rider. This backward bend is felt by many to be more comfortable when holding the top of the handlebar compared to a straight top handlebar. Simultaneously, it's a trick in the entire handlebar design because the reach of the handlebar is shortened without changing the form and size of the handlebar's curve. Logically, the backsweep is also in relation to the length of the stem. The greater the backsweep, the longer the stem needs to be to keep the brake shift levers in the same position. 

Underbar Grip: Moving Away from the Round 

As early as the 80s, the first road handlebars were emerging, whose horns had an ergonomic bend instead of a constant radius. This shape is particularly relevant for gravel handlebars since the handlebar is held in this area once the terrain gets challenging or the ride gets faster. "Form-fitting" is the keyword from ergonomics that counts here: The more contact area between hand and handlebar, the more comfortable the grip, and the better the control during wild rides. A double S-bend in the bend, such as found on the VentureMax handlebars by Ritchey (picture on the left), has proven to be especially comfortable for many riders.

Bikepackers also think about luggage 

If you're starting a bikepacking tour with your gravel bike, then luggage transport becomes a topic in choosing a handlebar. A wider handlebar accommodates a wider handlebar roll. Drop flare also increases the "storage space" between the handlebar, as long as the bag doesn't sit directly under the top handlebar. However, a large flare out may lead to collisions between the brake shift levers or hands and the roll. In any case, you should check the harmonious interplay of handlebar and bag before the first tour. Keep in mind that brake- and shift cables or casings might collide with the bag when steering, then they need to be replaced with longer ones. 

Stem clamping: The same for all gravel handlebars 

One thing all gravel bike riders agree on: The stem clamp has a diameter of 31.8 mm. But it's also worth paying attention to the handlebar's clamp width, especially if you want to mount a time trial extension or multiple devices (GPS, battery light, etc.). For instance, Salsa's gravel handlebars feature an exceptionally wide clamping area. On the other hand, an aerodynamically ovalized top handlebar significantly reduces the space for such attachments. 
As mentioned before, there are interactions between the dimensions of the gravel handlebar and the stem used. Therefore, you should consider them as a unit: The perfect gravel handlebar is nothing if the dimensions of the stem put it in the wrong position. So, match their sizes. 
Some gravel handlebars have recesses for cables and wires, making them less bulky - this usually results in a more comfortable grip. Also, there are handlebars, like the Service Course 70 XPLR by Zipp, that are compatible with the electric junction EW-RS910 for Shimano's Di2. For gravel bikes, it's also worth getting extra thick handlebar tape like DSP 3.2 by Lizard Skins or simply wrapping two layers: Long-distance veterans with big hands often wrap two layers of handlebar tape.