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WANTED - Gravel Drop Bars

Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2020 8:51 pm
by schouten
I am looking for flared drop bars that some gravel bikes come with. Perhaps you bought a Gravel bike recently and don't like your bars? Ideally, something like the WCS VENTUREMAX HANDLEBAR from Ritchey, but other models okay.

Re: WANTED - Gravel Drop Bars

Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2020 11:13 pm
by rduncan
Ron

Skip Ritchey. All the gravel riders like Salsa. Oak bay stocks both the cow chipper and wood chipper.

https://salsacycles.com/components/cate ... oodchipper

You can have a look at them downstairs.

It’s a very popular bar with tour divide riders due to the small drop and wide flare. It makes it easier to ride for 18 hours a day for 2 weeks.

Re: WANTED - Gravel Drop Bars

Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2020 11:54 pm
by schouten
Those would do nicely too Rob.

Re: WANTED - Gravel Drop Bars

Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2020 11:16 am
by Scott Davis
I've got a set off a Kona Jake the Snake that I bought last year. They flare out quite a bit. You're welcome to have them if you like. No charge.

Scott

Re: WANTED - Gravel Drop Bars

Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2020 11:32 pm
by schouten
Nice to meet you Scott. How can I get a look at these puppies...

Re: WANTED - Gravel Drop Bars

Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 1:23 pm
by mfarnham
What are the arguments for/against flared bars?

Martin

Re: WANTED - Gravel Drop Bars

Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 4:56 pm
by rduncan
Hey Martin.

Briefly, dirt drop bars and gravel bars have a flare (drops are vertically bent away) and sweep (drop portion horizontally bent out). Reasons are:
- better on single track. Meant to be primarily ridden in drops where you have more control.
- a more natural hand position
- shallower drop allows for improved long-distance comfort

Bikes like the salsa cutthroat (designed specifically for the tour divide) have a geometry designed around the drops being in the same position as the hoods on a road bike.

The three disadvantages for road use are
- shallower drop and wider hand position means less aero
- awkward position on the hoods with some bars due to the flare
- the flare could be more dangerous when riding in tight groups

A bit of history of the bars.

https://www.cxmagazine.com/history-dirt ... n-severson

Re: WANTED - Gravel Drop Bars

Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 10:37 pm
by schouten
They are also way more bad-ass.

Re: WANTED - Gravel Drop Bars

Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 10:54 pm
by Rolf
Image

Totally badas...

Image

Re: WANTED - Gravel Drop Bars

Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2020 9:47 pm
by mashby
Seems like flares just keep coming back into fashion.
@ron. You looking for moreflare, or did something happen to your bike on the way up Skirt?

Re: WANTED - Gravel Drop Bars

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 2:44 pm
by rduncan

Re: WANTED - Gravel Drop Bars

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 4:07 pm
by schouten
mashby wrote: Mon Jan 06, 2020 9:47 pm Seems like flares just keep coming back into fashion.
@ron. You looking for moreflare, or did something happen to your bike on the way up Skirt?
I'm just satisfying my need to tinker... I mean, err yes, I found out I could have shaved a minute off the climb!!

Re: WANTED - Gravel Drop Bars

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 4:51 pm
by schouten
rduncan wrote: Tue Jan 07, 2020 2:44 pm Ron and Martin Great article here.

https://bikepacking.com/index/gravel-ba ... sXO0mgSjY8
I'm likin' them Cowchippers Rob... #dropgnar