Flared Drop Bars On Road Bike

Afaik historically the drops on road bikes became un flared as road surfaces improved.

Flared drop bars on road bike.

They wanted something wider than any the found on the market to complement their gmx monstercross titanium off road bikepacking bike so they designed their own. Finally flare is the degrees that a drop bars drops protrude outward. Measuring flared drop bars flare is a term used to define the predominant feature that distinguishes dirt and gravel drop bars from traditional road handlebars. So they re not a radical development.

On the other hand gravel and adventure handlebars have a large flare to provide extra stability and control when you re using the drops. Technically speaking flare represents the angle at which the bottom of the drop is flared outward from the top of the bar at the bend that forms the drop. The flare is actually a compact bar in all but name with a 130mm drop and 80mm reach. Curve walmer wide flared drop bars tech details curve designed the walmer bars in melbourne australia to handle technical off road riding whether rough gravel or bikepacking.

Generally 85mm is considered a long reach 80mm 85mm is medium and less than 80mm is short. The flare adds 40mm to the width bar widths are measured at the lever clamp area. Flared angled bars are more comfy but you need to clamp them up. This distance is usually minimal around 6 degrees except on drop bars designed for gravel or singletrack use where a wider profile up to 24 degrees enhances control stability and leverage.

Flare is the amount that the drop section of the handlebar slopes outwards from the vertical measured in degrees. Flared shallow drop bars on a cyclocross bike different manufacturers will shape their bars their own way and you ll also find adventure road bikes gravel bikes and cyclocross bikes will sweep. Drop bars are not good for off road riding because you cannot as quickly or accurately turn narrow drop bars it is more difficult to avoid a stump or hole in your path when riding off road. Riding a gravel bike on the trail is kind of like eating cereal with a fork.

Drop bars with flared drops are available to make them a bit better for off road riding but they will never be as good as flat bars for this purpose. They are light do a great job at mitigating bumps and vibration and in turn make it easier to pilot a rigid drop bar bike over harsh terrain. The spank flare 25 vibrocore drop bars have been a wise move for my gravel bike.