If you plan to buy a gravel bike and think narrowing the search to flat handlebars would reduce your options, you’re wrong. Given the advantages that flat handlebars offer for gravel biking, most known bike brands have started making flat handlebar options in the gravel bike segment. The result is that there are hundreds of options to select from when it comes to drop handle gravel bikes.

A flat handlebar bike puts you in a more upright position. This is an advantage for beginners as it requires less flexibility. It can also be more conducive to riding with a backpack. The drop handlebar is different from the flat handlebar because the former has to get longer and lower at the front. This is more aerodynamic, meaning that it allows riders to go much faster than they otherwise could.

Apart from giving an advantageous aerodynamic position, the upright position that a flat handlebar gives to a rider is also good for riders. If you are someone who has back pain and want to avoid it in the future, a flat handlebar is what you should be using. Flat handlebars are also wider than those of other shapes and types, making the bike’s handling and changing its direction much more straightforward. At the same time, you can cut straight handlebars and make them shorter according to your needs. That option is not available with various other types of handlebars available in the market.

Let’s Look At The Ten Best Flat Handlebar Bikes

Marine DSX 2

• The bike has been built for adventure and offroading.
• It is equipped with hydraulic disc brakes.
• It comes in four sizes – small, medium, large and extra-large.
• The bike has an aluminium frame.
• It has on-road descending stability features.

• Fork: Marin Full Carbon with Tapered Steerer
• Rims: Marin Aluminum Double Wall
• Hub: Shimano Forged Aluminum 142x12mm
• Spoke: 14 gram Black Stainless Steel
• Tires: WTB Riddler, 700 C x 45 mm
• Derailleur: Shimano Deore 12 Speed
• Crankset: Forged Aluminum, 42T Steel
• Stem: Marin 3D Forged Alloy

As it is clear from the main features and the technical specifications of the bike, it has been made as a gravel bike from scratch. It has been conceptualised as a flat handlebar bike ever since it was being designed. It is not a modification of a mountain or a road bike, adopted to serve as a gravel bike. The bike is equipped with the best parts available in the market in the given price range.

Summary

Marine’s DSX 2 comes packed with the rich heritage and the leading technological heft associated with the company, which has been in the market for a very long time. The bike is perhaps one of the best gravel bikes in the segment, and its flat handlebar has a lot to do with it. It scores highly on handling and aerodynamics.

Narcos Search XR Flat Bar

• The bike has been designed and built to thrive off the beaten path.
• Its versatility adds to the bike’s appeal.
• It has efficient pedalling and power transfer mechanisms.
• It comes with more clearance at the bottom compared to other bikes.
• The bike has dedicated space to stash your kit for long off-road trips.

• Shifter: Shimano Deore SL-M5100 11spd
• Crankset: Alloy 2 Piece Narrow Wide
• Brakes: Tektro HD-R280 Hydraulic Disc
• Seatpost: Aluminum, 27.2mm
• Saddle: Selle Royal Vivo, Mag Rails
• Hub: Alloy 12x142mm
• Tire: Vittoria Terreno Dry 38mm
• Rim Tape: Nylon

Search XR Flat is a light aluminium frame gravel bike built for high-speed riding. While speed is not the first thing one thinks of when talking about gravel bikes because stability is the key, it is increasingly becoming an important consideration for many. If you’re one of those who want a fast gravel bike, this is for you.

Summary

Narcos is a brand that does not need an introduction. It has been in the market for decades, setting the standards for gravel bikes and other types. It is a leading maker of adventure bikes, as its name suggests. The Search XR is a dedicated flat handlebar gravel bike for those who need a gravel bike but also require versatility. The bike blurs the traditional differences between gravel and mountain bikes. 

Surly Bridge Club

• The company says that the bike has been designed with simplicity in focus.
• It comes with two build options – pavements and off-road.
• It has single vertical rear dropouts.
• It has clearance for 700 x 47 mm tires.

• Frame: Surly Bridge Club
• Seat Post Clamp: Surly Stainless 3
• Brakes: Tektro HD-M275
• Shifters: Shimano Deore
• Stem: Promax, 31.8mm
• Saddle: WTB Volt 142
• Crankset: Shimano Deore

If off roading adventures excite you, and your stamina allows long riding adventures that last days and even weeks, this is the bike you should be looking at. The simplicity with which it is fitted makes the requirement of maintenance minimal, allowing riders to take long rides without the worry of the bike being stuck or jammed.

Summary

Surly’s Bridge Club is built for the harshest of the gravel surfaces – desolate stretches of desert dirt roads. Surprisingly, it still performs well on other surfaces, including paved urban roads. The bike punches high on technology and is one of the best-kited cycles in this segment of the gravel bikes market.

Specialized Sirrus X 5.0

• The bike has plenty of mounds for racks and fenders.
• The lightweight frames of the bike make its handling easier on long rides.
• It has been consistently rated as one of the safest bikes in this segment.
• The company says it can go “where you never imagined” a bike could.

• Brakes: Tektro HD-R280 Hydraulic Disc
• Seatpost: Aluminum, 27.2mm
• Saddle: Selle Royal Vivo, Mag Rails
• Seat Post Clamp: Surly Stainless 3
• Brakes: Tektro HD-M275
• Shifters: Shimano Deore

Specialized builds specialised bikes. That may sound like a cliche but it isn’t. Suppose you look closely at the specifications and the features of the bike. In that case, you will realise that it takes care of capabilities, speed and overall performance without compromising on aesthetics and comfort. What more do you need from a gravel bike?

Summary

Specialized’s two Cs focused on while designing and manufacturing this flat handlebar gravel bike are comfort and capability. A balanced combination of these two features makes the bike a choice for many, including many beginners. The bike pays special attention to aerodynamics by maintaining an upright posture for the rider.

Commencal FCB

• The bike has been designed for both urban and off-road adventures.
• It comes with a 640 mm narrow handlebar to improve stability.
• It allows the use of 50 mm tires, which provide incredible grip and comfort.
• The company says that it can “roll well” in all types of terrains.

• Frame: 700C, Alloy 6061, triple-butted tubes, T4, T6
• Disc Brake: SHIFTERS SRAM APEX 1
• Chain Guide: REAR MECH SRAM APEX 1
• Crankset: SRAM S350, 172,5 MM CRANK ARMS
• Hubs: FORMULA DHT-142 S – FRONT: FORMULA RX25
• Tyres: WTB VENTURE

Tyre size is the biggest factor governing a bike’s ability to perform on different surfaces. Some gravel bikes have clearance restricted to about 35 millimeters. Others allow you to fit tires up to 50 millimeters. But on rough terrain, you may realise that you need an even wider tire for comfort. Less tire clearance means the bike can feel a little unstable. That’s not the case with FCB, which offers multiple options.

Summary

Commencal has made a place for itself in the adventure biking market with consistent innovation and significant improvement in the quality of its bikes since it launched its first. Although it has started making gravel bikes relatively recently, it has excelled at it. The maker is known for its high-tech approach to bike making, which remains unmatched in the budget bike category.

Salsa Journeyman Sora

• The bike has been rated as quick and responsive.
• It comes in two different wheel/tire sizes.
• It also comes in two different handlebar styles – flat and drops.
• Warranty against manufacturing defects. For frames, the warranty lasts up to five years.

• Tire Size: 584/650b/27.5″
• Wheels: 47–57mm (1.85–2.2″)
• Seatpost:2mm
• Seat Collar:0mm
• Front Derailleur Mount:9mm OD, bottom pull
• Bottom Bracket: 68mm
• Crankset: 46t max, 2x
• Rear Spacing: 135mm Rear Axle Size 10 x 135mm
• Front Brake: 140–160mm

If you are doing long or even multi-day rides, you tend to want to be a little bit higher up and perhaps a little shorter to increase comfort. This is also true in the case of offroading as well. In that instance, it is less about comfort and more about improved control. When you buy a Salsa Journeyman, you don’t have to worry about it.

Summary

Salsa builds gravel grinding machines. The powerful bike offers an experience that is very different from what others on these lists do. It is not for nothing that both beginners and professionals sign praises of the bike in public. It has been one of the largest selling gravel bikes in the world.

Escape 1 Disc

• Escape 1 Disc comes with a high-quality composite fork.
• Its disc brakes perform well both in dry and wet conditions.
• It comes with Giant EasyRide tubeless tires designed to reduce the risk of flats.
• It has integrated mounts to give you the option of customising the ride with racks or fenders.
• It offers a balanced and efficient ride quality.

Sizes: S, M, L, XL

Frame: ALUXX-Grade Aluminum, disc

Fork: Advanced-Grade Composite

Handlebar: Giant Sport flat, 31.8

Pedals: Urban fitness

Shifters: Shimano Altus

Brakes: Tektro R280 hydraulic

Cassette: Shimano HG200

Crankset: Shimano Altus

Bracket: Shimano SM-BB52

When you look at gravel bikes, you will see that their geometries vary quite a bit from each other depending on the spectrum of gravel they are on. It would either be fast and racy or slow and relaxed. There are very few that provide both those things in the right amount and balance the negatives well at the same time. Escape does a good job on that front with its dedicated gravel bike 1 Disc.

Summary

Escape is known for building bikes that are fun to ride. It uses good quality body parts, which ensures that the bikes coming out of its factories set standards in bike making instead of bike booking. The bike has performed well on rough gravel tracks, successfully absorbing shocks and taking the vibrations.

Genesis Croix de Fer 20

• The bike comes with improved all-terrain capabilities with its 45 mm rear tire and 50 mm rear tire.
• It has a third bottle mount, rack and guards mounts.
• It also comes with fixings for Anything Cages on the forks.
• The bike is delivered to your house at a small cost of $30.
• Technicians perform safety checks after delivery.

• Brake Type: Mechanical Disc
• Fork: Chromoly
• Frame: Steel
• Bracket: Shimano BB-RS500
• Wheel: 700mm
• Brake: Shimano Tiagra ST-4700
• Cassette: Shimano CS-HG500-10 11-34T
• Chain: KMC X10

Not very long ago, gravel bikes had road groupsets on. They had some fairly low gears so you could have low gears for steep, off-road climbing. But for predictable, consistent braking, you need more. You can avoid this problem with Genesis’ Croix De Fer 20. If there was ever anything to stretch your budget for, then going for hydraulic disc brakes as opposed to cable-actuated disc brakes is it. They give you more power and modulation, making the riding experience significantly better.

Summary

Genesis is known for its direction changing innovation in the multi-terrain bikes segment. However, this is no longer limited to its multi-terrain bikes. Its latest range of gravel bikes draws from the best features of its best-selling road and mountain bikes to offer a unique riding experience to Genesis.

Octane One Grid Flat

• The bike comes with a custom formed and butted 6061 aluminium frame
• It has a one-by Shimano drivetrain for enhanced stability
• It has the much sought after fender mounts
• It can be used for a variety of purposes – gravel biking, commuting and fitness.
• The bike comes in four frame sizes-small, medium, large and extra-large.

• Headset: Octane One tapered, sealed bearing
• Stem: Octane One Road 31.8
• Handlebar: Octane One flat bar
• Saddle: Octane One Crit, synthetic cover, cromo rails
• Brake: Shimano MT-201
• Levers: Shimano MT-201

You know what to look out for in a frame in order to make sure it is tailored to your needs. It’s all about the material. It is difficult to decide between carbon, aluminium, steel or titanium. When you’re buying a budget bike, you mostly get aluminium. But in this case, you get carbon fibre on a budget bike. Can you ask for more?

Summary

No one in the adventure bike market can beat Octane when it comes to aesthetics and quality. Its latest range of adventure bikes, sold across the world, we’re out of stock soon after launch. It has received a similar response for its latest range of gravel bikes with flat handlebars, if not the same. Let’s look at the features and specifications.

Poseidon Flatbar X

• It is equipped to meet the unique challenges of gravel biking, especially those faced by beginners in the segment.
• The bike’s 38t narrow-wide chainring helps during climbing.
• The full carbon fork of the bike reduces its weight and gives vibration dampening.
• They are shipped free of cost within the continental US.
• The bike gives its riders a more upright position which prevents back pain.
• While the bike has been designed for gravel tracks, it can also be used on urban paved pavements and dirt roads without any significant changes.

• Frame: 6061 Double Butted Hydroformed Aluminum
• Shifters: MicroShift Advent X 10 Speed
• Handlebars: Poseidon Flatbars 720mm Wide
• Brake Levers: Tektro Flatbar Levers
• Rear Derailleur: MicroShift Advent X 10 Speed with Clutch
• Disc Rotor: Tektro 160mm F&R
• Chain: KMC 10 Speed
• Bottom Bracket: 68mm English Threaded
• Seat Post: Promax Alloy 27.2

Bosses, the little bolts that allow you to attach extra stuff to your bike can significantly improve your experience and will give you a comfortable ride. Riders often ignore these. When buying a bike, one should always look at these for a fun ride. If you’re buying Poseidon’s Flatbar X, you need not worry. It comes equipped with some of the best fitting bosses in the market. This is important given that the bike has been designed from scratch for long-distance off-road biking.

Summary

Podio’s Flatbar X may be the last of the ten best flat handlebar gravel bikes in our list, but it does not lack on performance in any form. It is one of the best budget gravel bikes available in the market and continues to remain a favourite for beginners. As the company says, the bike “grows with you”.