Choosing handlebars for a Sonder Camino Ti gravel touring build and would appreciate input from anyone who's ridden flared bars on longer distances.
An older bike (10-15 years ago) had 440mm traditional drops with no flare, which I liked, but more recently I've been riding an upright hybrid ebike with flat bars. This build is for gravel touring and relaxed rides, so definitely comfort and control over speed.
Sonder's options: Hurricane (no flare), Spitfire (16°), Bomber (45°), and Crest/Crest Cargo (30°, shallow drop, Cargo adds an accessory loop).
My shoulders are ~500mm, so 44–46cm at the hoods seems right. I'm torn between the Crest Cargo 440 and the Spitfire 460. The Crest's shallow drop and accessory loop suit touring, but 30° flare puts the drops at ~58cm wide — much wider than I'm used to. The 480 version would be ~62cm, which sounds even more excessive.
Is 30° flare actually comfortable for touring, or is something milder like 16° the safer bet?
(Also working out frame sizing for the same bike here.)
by rhinodakid