You’ve probably noticed that gravel bike evolution seems to be echoing that of mountain bikes to some extent. Tires are getting wider, companies are experimenting with suspension, and geometries are changing to include shorter stems and wider bars. While they’re probably not the most aerodynamic, the wider bars offer better control and leverage. That makes them a welcome change for riders looking to take on more technical terrain on their gravel bikes.
Because of this, more brands are looking to get in on the wide bar trend. But as Farr found out, making crazy wide drop bars isn’t as easy as just widening an existing design. So they sought the help of Japanese handlebar masters, Nitto. But even with Nitto’s expertise, this wasn’t a quick project. Instead, the two entities have been working on drop-flare handlebar prototypes for the past 12 months. The result is the new Wide-R bars – and they’re certainly wide!
At their widest, the L handlebar measures a full 750mm at the ends of the drops. That same bar measures just 600mm at the hoods to give you an idea of how much flare these bars actually have.
That measures out to be a 20° flare for all bar sizes with a 120mm drop and 65mm reach. Each bar also has a 100mm wide 31.8mm diameter center section which can accommodate the Farr Aero Bolt-On V2 accessory or other accessories like handlebar roll mounts, aero bars, etc.
Each Wide-R bar is made from heat treated aluminum alloy and will be available in three sizes – 650, 700, and 750mm. Claimed weights are listed as 385g, 400g, and 415g respectively.
Available in May, the bars are available for pre-order at $110 each.
