Gravel cycling handlebars, designed for the mixed-terrain riding, typically come in various shapes and materials, optimized for control and comfort over rough surfaces but also for keeping a more aero position on tarmac. These handlebars are often more versatile than those used in road cycling, offering distinct advantages for off-road rides.
DROP. Drop is the vertical distance from the stem to the bottom of the bar’s drop extension. A larger drop (>12 cm) means a more aero position. A < 12 cm drop is considered more comfortable.
REACH. It indicates how forward the handlebar extends. In the drop position a long reach (> 8 cm) puts the rider into an aggressive and speedier aero stance. A shorter reach provides more control on dirty surfaces.
Sometimes the bars are angled back to make their wide stance more accessible.
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Shape: two popular options are the drop bar and the flare drop bar.
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Drop Bars: These are similar in shape to traditional road bike handlebars but may have a slightly wider and more ergonomic design. They provide multiple hand positions for comfort on long rides.
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Flare Drop Bars: These handlebars have drops that flare outwards towards the ends, giving riders wider leverage. This design increases control and stability, especially when navigating loose gravel and technical descents.
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- Materials: Gravel handlebars are typically constructed from lightweight, durable materials, including aluminum, carbon fiber, and even some composite materials. These materials offer strength and shock absorption, making them suitable for the challenges of off-road riding.
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Advantages: Gravel cycling handlebars offer several advantages over traditional road bike handlebars:
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Control: The wider bars provide greater control, especially in technical sections where precise steering is essential.
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Comfort: The different hand positions reduce fatigue on long rides, and the materials used often absorb some of the vibrations from rough terrain.
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Versatility: The varied hand positions and flared drops allow riders to adapt to different riding conditions and terrain, making gravel bars ideal for a wide range of adventures.
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Stability: The flared design improves stability on descents and when maneuvering through tricky gravel sections, helping to prevent oversteering.
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Off-road Capability: Gravel handlebars are designed to handle off-road challenges and are better suited to rocky paths, dirt trails, and gravel roads.
- Wider drop bars also allow more room for mounting accessories and create more packing space between the drops for handlebar bags.
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In summary, gravel cycling handlebars are designed to enhance control, comfort, and stability on mixed surfaces, making them the preferred choice for adventurous cyclists who explore diverse terrains. Road cycling handlebars, on the other hand, are optimized for speed and aerodynamics on well-maintained roads. The choice between the two depends on your riding preferences and the type of terrain you plan to conquer.
Now let's talk about us. For gravel enthusiasts Repente has developed the light brown Corium ("Leather" in Latin) handlebar tape. It's a superior quality tape for cyclists who are after classic style equipment in natural colours for their bicycles. The two sturdy expander plugs caps with outside resin finish are perfectly colour-matched.
Corium is the result of the combination of three materials, selected for their special technical characteristics: the grip of water-based polyurethane combined with the strength of the microfibre and the high damping power of EVA.
The surface layer of the tape is washable and abrasion resistant.
Repente Corium bar tape
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GRAVEL BIKE HANDLEBARS: WHICH ONE SUITS YOU BEST?
Gravel cycling handlebars, designed for mixed-terrain riding, are generally available in various shapes and materials, optimized for control and comfort on rough surfaces but also for maintaining a more aerodynamic position on asphalt.
These handlebars are often more versatile than those used in road cycling, offering significant advantages for off-road rides.
DROP. The drop is the vertical distance from the stem to the bottom of the bar. A larger drop (>12 cm) means a more aerodynamic position. A drop < 12 cm is considered more comfortable.
REACH. It indicates how far forward the handlebar extends. In the drop position, a long reach (> 8 cm) puts the cyclist in an aggressive and faster aerodynamic stance. A shorter reach offers greater control on uneven surfaces. Sometimes the bars are angled backward to make their wide stance more accessible.
Shape: two popular options are the drop bar and the flared drop bar.
Drop handlebars: have a shape similar to traditional road bike handlebars but may have a slightly wider and more ergonomic design. They provide multiple hand positions for maximum comfort during long rides.
Flare Drop handlebars: these handlebars have lower sections that flare outwards at the ends, giving riders greater leverage. This design increases control and stability, especially on gravel and technical descents.
Materials: Gravel handlebars are generally made from lightweight and durable materials, including aluminum, carbon fiber, and even some composite materials. These materials offer strength and shock absorption, making them suitable for the challenges of off-road riding.
Advantages: gravel cycling handlebars offer numerous advantages over traditional road bike handlebars:
Control: the wider handlebars offer greater control, especially in technical sections where precise steering is essential.
Comfort: the different hand positions reduce fatigue during long rides, and the materials used often absorb some vibrations from rough terrain.
Versatility: the various hand positions and flared drops allow cyclists to adapt to different riding conditions and terrain.
Stability: the flared design improves stability downhill and when maneuvering through difficult gravel sections, helping to prevent oversteer.
Wider drop bars also allow more space for mounting accessories and create more space between the bars for handlebar bags.
Hand positions: gravel handlebars offer multiple hand positions and wider drops. Road bike handlebars primarily focus on aerodynamics and speed and offer fewer hand positions.
In summary, gravel cycling handlebars are designed to improve control, comfort, and stability on mixed surfaces, making them the preferred choice for adventurous cyclists who explore diverse terrains. Road cycling handlebars, on the other hand, are optimized for speed and aerodynamics on smooth roads.
Corium
Now let's talk about us. For gravel enthusiasts, Repente has developed the light brown Corium ("Leather" in Latin) handlebar tape. It is a superior quality tape for cyclists looking for classic style equipment in natural colors.
The two sturdy expansion plugs with an external resin finish are perfectly color-matched.
Corium is the result of the combination of three materials, selected for their special technical characteristics: the grip of water-based polyurethane combined with the strength of microfiber and the high damping power of EVA. The surface layer of the tape is washable and abrasion resistant.
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