Most people spend a lot of their time on the hoods when riding.

The simplest way to think about flare is the way it creates the option for two widths. If the bottom of the drops are farther from the center of the bike than the first bend at the end of the tops, that's flare. Flare is the width of the back of the drops compared to the beginning of the drops. If the bar plugs point away from the bike, that's outsweep. Outsweep is the angle of the bar plugs compared to the rest of the bike. If it angles towards the rider, that's backsweep. Backsweep refers to the angle of the tops as compared to the clamping area. The numbers you tend to see only with gravel-specific handlebars are backsweep, outsweep, and flare. Bigger numbers for these mean a more aggressive riding position. Reach is the distance from the clamp area to the front of the bar in the drops. Drop is the distance from the clamping area to the bottom of the drops. Narrower is more aero, while wider is more stable, provides greater leverage, and allows for a bigger handlebar bag.ĭrop and reach are also numbers you'll see on all drop bars. An aero road bike might mean an extra narrow bar, while a big tire gravel bike might mean an extra-wide bar. Modern bike fitting recognizes it's far more complicated than that, and different types of bikes make it even more complicated. Old-school bike shop wisdom is to measure your shoulders and use that width to match up a handlebar. Once you understand how the measurement is defined, you have to decide what to get. Some companies mix things up and do it differently though. With gravel bars, that doesn't typically make sense due to the flare, so it might be center to center at the hoods. Sometimes it means center to center from the end of the drops. One of the things to check with handlebar width is how the company you are researching measures it. The first set of numbers you'll need to make decisions about are the same as road handlebars. Best mountain bike stems : the best stems to sharpen up your steeringīest gravel handlebars: what you need to knowīefore you can start to decide which set of handlebars make the most sense for you, it's important to understand what the numbers mean.Best MTB grips : the best mountain bike grips available for all disciplines.Best MTB handlebars : the best mountain bike handlebars we've tested.Whichever one you choose, it's the kind of bar that kicks around your bike parts bin for years and never feels wrong when it's in use. If you do want a bigger flare, there is also a 30-degree flare option. It doesn't cost much, it's easy to get, and with a 12-degree flare it's enough for stability but not so much that it puts your arms in an awkward position. If you like the idea of a perfectly straightforward option, then Shimano's Pro brand has something for you. Not everyone needs a wacky, expensive and weird handlebar.

Fsa wing pro handlebar