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Is anyone using carbon aero drops for gnarmac? I find myself drawn to carbon for the vibration damping, but the idea of a flat top bar for comfort rather appeals. Not for aero, obviously! Rides are either 60/40 or 70/30 road/trail or vice versa, usually.
Something like these;
Was thinking the exact same thing myself earlier this week. Bookmarks for later response reading
hired a gravelenturecross bike last week and it had flat top bars like this, made a lot of sense for riding on the tops but they had a deep square drop that was less favourable.
If you'e not looking for flared drops then it sounds like a splendid idea.
Why wouldn't you?
I much prefer 'aero' bars cos the flat part is comfier.
They're not carbon but I've got Deda Superzero bars on the Bokeh that have got the aero flat tops. As others have said above, the flat tops are very comfortable on gravel.
I've got the same bars but the carbon version on my road bike and they were fantastic for the rough bits of Tour of Flanders this year, not sure how much was down to the flat tops end how much was down to the carbon soaking up some vibration.
I took the aero bars off my gravel bike when I needed more space for the light and wahoo mounts.
They may not be aero, but Salsa do carbon versions of the Cow-Bell and Cow-Chippers.
I don't really care for them but if you like it, go for it. I wouldn't count on "carbon for the vibration damping" particularly though. What about 3T SuperGhiaia, flared with a bit of a flatter top and designed for this sort of thing. Obviously they're a bit spendy but so are s-works carbon bars
You won't break them, if that's a concern.
As Atlaz has already suggested, the 3T SuperGhiaia is everything you've asked for.
I've been using them for a few months now and really like the shape. Never been a fan of the wonky hood position a lot of flared bars feature, so the straight ahead hood setup works a treat for me.
They'll also make your wallet lighter!
My Canyon Endurace has some Ritchey WCS Evo Curve handlebars which, while not aero, do have a flattened top which sweeps back slightly. They're super comfy and available in carbon and the drop is not very deep, which aero bars tend to be.
those 3T bars look perfect but... how much? Do they do an alloy version for cheapskates?
Good point about the aero section and compatibility with accessories. I'll probably stick with my Deda bars for the time being.
edit - speaking of which, these look promising:
http://www.dedaelementi.com/en/product/gravel-100/
I don't know if I'd want aero. I'd want to wrap my thumbs round the back, can't see that that would be comfy with a pointy-backed aero bar?
I'd have a carbon coo-chipper if someone wants to give me one, though! the ally ones are pricey enough, but the carbon ones? zomg.
The Brand-X carbon ones are really bendy (you can feel it in the drops) and are flattish at the top.
Ive got them on my road bike and am considering them for my gnarmac adventure gravel bike.