All bikes, no matter what they are conceived for, use bicycle handlebars. They can vary significantly in our ride experience, and the wrong type can make your trip a little bit of a hell for your wrists. They can influence your reliability, balance, comfort, control over the bike, and even the strength you can transmit into the pedals! Different handlebars can make a totally different bike. 

There are many types out there, so how would I know which one to choose without trying them all? Picking the right one for you is essential. 

After reading this short manual, you will learn and choose your preferred handlebar with more confidence, taking into account the different factors that will affect your experience.

Flat Bars

These are pretty standard types of bars. They are characterized as being flat. They are pretty popular on mountain bikes and trekking bikes for their versatility. I advise the Renthal Fatbar 35. It is aluminium-made, so it is pretty lightweight. Although not as light as its carbon competition. I would not recommend a carbon fibre handlebar if you intend to attach a handlebar bag, as it is counter-indicated by most of them. The reason is simple. It can break easily with weight and strain. 

The main advantages of a flat handlebar bar are:

• It’s easy to steer 
• Brake levers, bell…Everything is on hand in case of emergency.
• More comfortable, as flat bars make sure don’t put a lot of restraint on your back as the weight is distributed more evenly.
• They are lighter and cheaper. If you are on a budget, definitely go for this option!
• Usually, they are better for climbing. This is because, with flat bars, it is easier to lean on forwards, giving you leverage when you are going uphill. 
• Easier to install ergonomic grips than other bars

There is also main cons for these bars:

• It’s not so good for speed. There is a reason why road bikes don’t mount flat bars for the purpose of racing, and that is the speed. It is pretty tricky to tuck on a flat handlebar as you could do with another kind of bar, such as drops. 

Riser bars

They rise from the centre clamp area. They are pretty standard in mountain bikers. Also, they can be more comprehensive than the flat bars, giving you better leverage to steer, especially when on complex grounds. 

I recommend the Protaper 810 Alloy . After trying it, I can undoubtedly say that it improves resistance to fatigue and friction between the bar, grips, and controls to prevent component slippage. Absorbs trail buzz provides exceptional comfort through even the most challenging sections while maintaining the strength needed to withstand spills and heavy impacts.

The main advantages of the riser bars are:

• They are excellent for handling rugged terrains that you might encounter when mountain biking or going through very technical trails quite often.
• They are usually longer than the flat bars, giving more leverage when steering.
• As in the flat bars, everything from brake levers to the bell can be found quite handy.
• It puts less strain on your wrists and back. It allows you to sit in a more straight-up position.

There are also some disadvantages to these bars:

• They are usually heavier than the flat options. If you are after some weight savings, you can consider carbon-made or the flat bar option.
• They can be more expensive than their flat counterparts
• They are wider. Yes, this can be both an advantage when handling the corners, and a disadvantage when you are taking the whole forest with you when passing by, snatching in all the tree branches, leaves, etc.

Drop bars

Drop bars are quite popular among those cyclists who want a mix between versatility, speed, and great looks on their bike. 

Inside this category, there are even different types of drop bars, varying on their reach, the drop, or even the ergometry.

The Randoneur type of drops have a shallow rise from the middle and the drops flare out. These are normally better for long trips than other kinds of drop bars.

You also have the moustache bars, which are a kind of drop-bar with not much drop, good for the gravel incursions. 

Special mention gets the REDSHIFT Kitchen Sink, as is a drop-bar that allows even more hand positions on the top. 

The main advantages of the drop bars are:

• Good aerodynamics. It allows you to be in a lower position in order to better leverage the wind
• It allows you to have multiple hand positions, which give you multiple options in order to rest wrists, hands, shoulders and back and avoid numbness if cycling for the whole day
• Better leverage for pedalling. Usually, the lower position of your upper body allows you to stroke the pedals using your tights and the upper muscles of your legs, which usually puts less strain on your knees, allowing for a better cadence. This is especially important if you have knee problems or you are on route for several hours.
• They look cool. If you are not yet convinced, almost every bike loos nicer with drop bars. It´s not that you should forget the rest of the arguments, but check this one out!

There are also some disadvantages to these types of bars:

• They are not good for frequent hard turns. Like with other kinds of bars, these ones are not best suited for dealing with frequent hard turns. Especially so if you have bar-end shifters. My knees are poked with holes because of this
• Not very good for trail biking. You might have seen though, that a lot of gravel bikes are equipped with these sort of handlebars. Sometimes even modified and “open”. The problem of abusing trail biking with a drop bar is that it punishes a lot of the wrists. There are some ways to go around it, such as using extra tape or using a special gel insert.

Aero bars

I have seen some cyclists using these aero bars when travelling with panniers. It allows them a better aerodynamic position to leverage the headwind, and also some more positions in order to rest their hands. They are normally mounted on the top of drop bars.  I personally don´t recommend them as the cons outweigh the main advantages, but it´s up to everyone to see their comfortability with each set. I have met people who were happy with that set-up, and people who feel it´s a little dangerous on the road with the panniers.

The main advantages:

• Great aerodynamics, especially when hitting headwinds or if you are going fast. 
• Can be used to rest your hands. Some riders like to use them to rest their hands if they are all day en route. They allow you to put your hands in a T-REX position so you wouldn´t overstress your wrists. 

There are some disadvantages to these bars:

• Your hands will be far from the brakes at all times. This is even worse if you are loaded with panniers, as the balance and the braking distance can be compromised if there is a sudden obstacle on the road
• Not very good for climbing, as the rider´s position when on the aero-bars makes it quite difficult to apply force when climbing up the hill. 

Butterfly bars

These types of bars, the butterfly bars, are well-chosen for many cyclists in the touring community. Mainly because of its versatility in hand position. It also allows for plenty of space to put your gadgets. You can put your speedometer, GPS handset, horn, a picture of your grandma… and even have more space to place your hands all around the place. 

The main advantages are:

• It allows you plenty of different hand positions which is perfect for long days on the bike.
• It allows plenty of space for all your gadgets
• There are different ways to set this kind of bar to suit everybody’s cycling style-position. 

There are some negative points to these bars:

• There are usually quite heavy
• There are usually wide, so be aware of the use you are going to give them. They are not optimal for cycling through narrow spaces. 

Other categories of bicycle handlebars considered for touring

There are some bars we have tried that get out from what are the “usual or classical categories” and are great and fun for touring.

This is the classical example of thinking outside the box and mixing different options.

Velo Orange Crazy Bars

This is a flat bar with a bit of a rise, a pit of aero extensions… and a cruise bar. All in one!

To be honest, this is the most comfortable bar I have ever owned. Usually is designed as a touring bike and to spend hours on the road with it, but it can be useful for other kinds of cycling. 

It makes sense for gravel riding, as it makes the bike so easy to control and manage in the curves. Also, you can use the aero part of the bars if the terrain is not so challenging.

Also, the extensions can provide a very useful area to set up a handlebar bag in case you decide to go fully loaded.

On the negative side, there is the weight. This is the same issue we have found with the butterfly bars. 

Also, another negative point is its width. They are quite wide if you want to use them through narrow spaces, for example, in the city. I have taken many door frames with me because of this and pushed other cyclists away in many narrow passes, but this handlebar is totally worth it!

Moloko Bars

These bars, made by Surly e incorporated into some of their models, are very similar to the Velo Orange Crazy Bars. This bar also offers a multitude of hand positions and to be in control of your bike when being in mixed terrain. It also has plenty of spots to mount many of your gadgets.

All that metal makes for a heavy bar because that metal is the best quality Cromoly and not aluminium. A pair weighs a shade over 700g on my scales which I’m guessing is twice as heavy as a flat bar –

Conclusion

It is completely up to you and how do you enjoy your ride to have one handlebar or the other. Bicycle handlebars make the riding experience completely different.

Remember that an upright position will make you have better control over your bike, but every person is different, and the combinations can be endless, so if you doubt on with one is the best for you, do a bike fit and see it from the physical point of view.

I currently ride with drop bars with bar end shifters, but I have tested all of the above. My favourite and most fun were the Velo Orange Crazy bars and the drop bars. That ones are a kick ass bars!