I have been feeling pain in my elbows with flared handlebars on gravel bars. The bar is 42 cms with 16 degrees flare. I ride 40 cms bar on my road bike (3T Ergonova Road) and never felt such discomfort. It’s so comfortable on long rides.
This is not only happening on trails/gravel sections but also on smoother tarmac sections. Was thinking of getting a road bike handlebar or trying out 10/12 degree gravel handlebars in 40cms. Don’t want to invest in something which is not going to guarantee relief. Anyone else here felt the same discomfort with flared wider handlebars?
For reference: I am US Size ‘Small’ guy, 70kgs 174cms.
by vinayrawat
7 Comments
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Is your reach the same on your road bike…I’d generally associate elbow issues with that as opposed to bar width
Does this happen only on the drops, or also on the hoods? And also, let’s be honest, unless you are in some serious technical terrain, you don’t need massive flare – maybe try your road bars on your gravel bike and see how that suits you.
If I were you, I would try to swap the handlebar+stem with those in your roadbike. Need a bit of effort since i have to undo the bar tape and swap the shifter but definitely easier on the wallet.
If the problem still exists, then it might be something with the frame geometry
Why hoods turned so far inward? I imagine this also forces your elbows further out more to maintain neutral wrist?
How much time do you spend on your hoods? Those are crazy inwardly angled.
I would bet it’s more to do with saddle position making you put more weight through your hands. Do you feel like you prop yourself up by the handlebars more on the gravel bike than the road bike?