[Closed] Bar width for gravel bike

Hi there @jamster, welcome along! I’ve recently put 48cm Salsa Cowchippers on my Kona Sutra. Took some getting used to, bars on before were 44cm I think. I’d not go any wider than my 48’s but then I’m only 5’9”, average build. Also depends what sort of riding you’ll be doing, the gravel riding round me is pretty full on, more like mountain biking in many ways as not much proper gentle gravel in the eastern Peak.

The latest escapade comes with 46cm wide bars as a point of reference. I’m waiting on a new escapade frame to arrive in July and plan to go for a 46cm cowchipper.

I have Zipp Service Course bars on my road bike after a bike fit, which are 42cm centre to centre. To match the fit on the gravel bike I went for the Deda gravel 44cm (measured outside to outside).

They have a much more pronounced flare than the bars on the road bike but they still feel just right , and the width in the drops is great for control when descending.

If I went for something wider I’d be worried about comfort over longer rides.

I've just gone from a pair of Genetic Digest in 480mm at the hoods/620mm in the drops to a pair of Curve Walmers at 600mm in the hoods/750mm in the drops.

The extra width is amazing. I'm broad of shoulder anyway, but the tops are way more comfortable for general cruising and long climbs. Like a 90s flat bar.

The hoods are an insanely good place to be now, much more usable, especially in not so rough downs. The extra width really opens up my chest and makes breathing a whole load easier.

And the mega wide drop position is ace for descending. IMO, getting your width in the hoods to match or be a bit wider than your shoulders is the way forward.

This is on a drop bar 29er, so aero isn't really a consideration when your pushing a 2.25 tyre, but if and when I build a faster, proper, more 'road' gravel bike, then I'd definitely consider the size down. The future is wide!

Thanks all - very helpful

@tuboflard - how do you rate the Cowchippers. Would you buy them again?

I see your point @timmycee! This bike was meant to be my road-biased bike (also have a Cotic Soul for MTB) but every component decision I make is pulling towards offroad, and making aero less important anyway. Seems that is where my heart is.

I guess it's better to start wide and go inwards later if I wish... easy to trim cable, impossible to extend it. Anyone running anything around the 52 cm - 55 cm mark?

I recently changed the bars on my 2019 Arkose for Ritchey Beacons. They're 46cm at the top, with a shallow drop and a wide flare. I was a bit worried that 40cm to 46 was a big jump, and it did feel a bit odd for the first couple of rides, but I love them now.

I've probably lost a bit of top speed (nothing to shout about in my case) but they're a lot more comfortable and have better control. Recommended.

Cowchippers are great @jamster, I was expecting them to be a bit more flared to be honest but probably good that they aren’t as still makes riding on the hoods really comfy.

+1 for cowchippers I got a set on my gravel bike. They seem to have become one of the more common bars mainly due now neutral they are. Loads of different width and an average flare to accommodate the majority of riders.

I guess it’s better to start wide and go inwards later if I wish… easy to trim cable, impossible to extend it. Anyone running anything around the 52 cm – 55 cm mark?

I have 52s on my bike but im over 6ft with long arms. If I was of a more average height I wouldn't go that wide.

Coming from a mountain bike background 50cm drop bars (across the hoods) feel quite narrow, and I'm glad I didn't get anything smaller.

Set of 52cm Cowchippers on the classifieds 😉

I've 46cm On One Brian's on my older gravel bike, really like them - 35 degree flare. Now unavailable.

On my new bike it came with 44cm Selcof bars with a 10 degree flare - after two rides I'm looking to change them.

Considering:
Ritchey Beacon at 46cm and 36 degree (only 80mm drop)
Ritchey VentureMax XL's at 52cm and 24 degree
Salsa Cowchippers - unsure of width, but at least 46cm

I’ve got Sonder Bonbers on my Camino (I think they are 56cm at the drops, not sure) and they are an absolute revelation.

Roomy on the tops, comfy on the hoods and ace control in the drops.

Hmm, maybe I should try some wider bars myself. My gravel bike (a Mason Bokeh) is set up in 'road-ish' mode anyway with 700c Gravel King SK 35s on. Perfect for getting from west London to the run stuff, but I must admit I'm 650b curious.

Maybe if I manage to pull off this house move to the countryside...

Personally I didn't get on with wide bars or much flare for that matter, I think I've settled on one size wider measured at the levers and more 'classic' shaped bars with more room. The larger curve means the drops are in about the same place on my road and gravel bike, but the tops are higher on the gravel bike to give a nice cruisy position if I want it.

I've just fitted 50cm bars to my new GB. It came with 44cm but as I have broad shoulders I found they felt too narrow. Already had the 50's and it feels much better and more like my arms are inline.

Based on responding to this thread I've just bought a pair of 46cm Ritchey Beacon's.

Same width & flare as the bars on my old bike, but less drop (only 80mm) and less reach (65mm) - hopefully I'll like them.

Hmm... I see most of the reviewers using 42cm Bucanos and 44cm in other brands. Before I decide to go wide, I'll see how they feel when they arrive (from Bike-Discount; not sure what the returns are like these days). Plenty of good suggestions on this thread to try instead - much appreciated.