There is no shortage when it comes to drop handlebars, but as road and particularly gravel bikes continue to evolve riders are looking for more options. Salsa already offered two fairly popular dropbars – the Cowbell and the Woodchipper. Where the Cowbell is a slightly flared (12 degree) bar, the Woodchipper takes that flare to the extreme at 26 degrees.
To add another possibility to fill the void between road and gravel bikes, Salsa has just released what could be considered a happy medium between the two. Called the Cowchipper, the new bar combines nearly the same flare of the Woodchipper with the shape of the Cowbell…
As Salsa puts it, the Cowchipper can be thought of “as a Cowbell with increased flare OR a Woodchipper with decreased flare and less backsweep.” Made from 7050-T6 aluminum as is common with most of their bars, the Cowchipper retains aerobar compatibility which could be important for certain endurance events.
Created with the same drop shape as the Cowbell for running STI road levers in a familiar position, the 24 degree flare of the Cowchipper puts it just slightly narrower than the 26 degree Woodchipper. At 79.2mm in reach with a 129mm drop, the numbers are just slightly more than the 76mm reach and 126mm drop of the Cowbell. the The 31.8mm clamp diameter extends for 120mm and the bars are offered in 40, 42, 44, and 46cm sizes. Available now with a retail price around $75.
