10 Super-Comfy Handlebars for Long-Distance Touring and Bikepacking

Last Updated on 23 May 2024 by Cycloscope

Bikepacking handlebars + the most comfortable bar-end & aero bars

The very best handlebars for touring: long-distance, trekking bikes, butterfly, multi-position, drop bars & more!

Handlebars are an often overlooked element of bikepacking and cycle touring, especially by those starting out in the sport. However – second only to your legs – your arms and hands take on a lot of stress when touring and can easily get injured if you have the wrong setup.

It’s important to carefully consider the type of cycle touring you’ll be doing and the correct handlebars to suit your needs.

Long-distance bikepackers often complain of numbness in their hands after long rides, which can lead to nerve damage if they continue getting numb day after day. To avoid this, it’s critical that you use suitable bikepacking handlebars with adequate hand positions, length, stability, and design to suit your riding style and daily distance. 

Check out our list of the 10 best bikepacking and cycle touring handlebars available today, separated into convenient categories to suit your needs.

You know what else makes a difference?
> The best saddles for cycle touring and bikepacking

Top 10 Handlebars for Touring & Bikepacking in a Nutshell

1. Surly Moloko Bar – Best Multi-Hand Position Bikepacking Bar
2. Nukeproof Horizon V2 Carbon Riser Bar – Best MTB-style Bikepacking Handlebar
3. Velo Orange Crazy Handlebars – Best Introductory Bikepacking Bar
4. Dimension Trekking Handlebar – Best Long-distance Trekking Bar
5. Ritchey WCS Venturemax Handlebar – Best Bikepacking Drop Bar
6. Salsa Cowchipper Drop Handlebar – Best Long-distance Trekking Drop Bar
7. Jones H-Bar Butted Aluminum Loop – 710mm – Best Overall Bikepacking Bar
8. Surly Terminal Handlebar – Best Bikepacking Bar for Stability
9. Ergon GP5 BioKork Grip – Best Add-on Grips for Touring
10. Deda Parabolica Zero Clip-On Bars – Best Aero Bars for Bikepacking

Top 10 best Handlebars for Bikepacking

Best Handlebars for Bikepacking

For bikepacking over rough terrain, most people prefer handlebars that are slightly wider and a bit more swept-back than typical MTB bars – preferably with added space to attach devices and bags.

1. Surly Moloko Bar [~ 110$]

Best Multi-Hand Position Bikepacking Bar

There are few brands in bikepacking that command more respect than Surly and when it comes to handlebars, it’s no different.

The Surly Moloko is consistently voted as one of the best handlebars for bikepacking, utilizing a popular style that provides multiple hand positions plus adequate bar space to attach bags, mirrors, and devices.

Forged from the same CroMoly steel that made Surly bikes famous, these bars will survive the harshest conditions.

The sweep angle is 34 degrees with a bar length of 735mm, making for a comfortable upright riding position and easy control around tight corners or on bumpy surfaces. For cyclists who prefer more narrow bars, Surly includes cut marks at 685mm on either end.

• Clamp diameter: 31.8mm
• Weight: 709g
• Width:  735mm

2. Nukeproof Horizon V2 Carbon Riser Bar 31.8mm [~ 100$]

Best MTB-style Bikepacking Handlebar

For many traditional bikepackers, you just can’t beat a good old straight MTB handlebar – especially if it’s a lightweight carbon riser bar from Nukeproof.

Available in three different widths each with a choice of three rise heights, the Nukeproof Horizon is a highly flexible bar that can fit the requirements of almost any bike and rider.

The simple design belies a highly capable bar that provides exceptional control at high speed in rough conditions, making it perfect for both technical trail riding and heavily weighted bikepacking. The newly updated design is built from unidirectional carbon and features a unique offset profile that reduces the overall arc by 10mm for better handling.

• Clamp diameter: 31.8mm
• Weight: ~242g
• Width: 780-800mm

3. Velo Orange Crazy Handlebars [~ 110$]

Best Introductory Bikepacking Bar

These aluminum handlebars from Velo Orange are another firm favorite in the bikepacking community due to their multiple hand positions and wide, swept-back bars. At a 35-degree angle with a 40mm rise, the outer bars provide excellent control on loose gravel, singletrack, and MTB trails. Tuck down and grab the horns when you hit the tarmac and you’ll get the feel of riding drop bars at high speed.

With the common 22.2mm MTB-size grip area on the main bars and 23.8mm road size on the horns, the Velo Orange Crazy handlebar is compatible with most standard components. While they lack the extra component bar found on similar bikepacking handlebars, weight-conscious riders will appreciate the lighter load they offer.

• Clamp diameter: 31.8mm
• Weight: 532g
• Width: 780mm

Best Handlebars for Long-distance Touring

For long-distance bike touring, you’ll want a handlebar with multiple hand positions. Moving your hands often during a ride helps to reduce the chance of cramps or repetitive strain injury (RSI).

4. Dimension Trekking Handlebar

Best Long-distance Trekking Bar

So-called ‘Butterfly Bars’ (due to their shape) are a favorite amongst long-distance cycle tourists who often find their hands cramping if they don’t alternate positions frequently.

The swooping design offers the comfort of swept-back bars, the control of straight bars, the speed of drop bars, and a multitude of places to attach components and devices.

With the Dimension Trekking handlebar in front of you, you’ll feel like the captain of a ship, safely navigating your vessel through rough seas. No matter how obscure the terrain, the Dimension Trekking handlebar has the correct hand position to take it on.

• Clamp diameter: 25.4mm
• Weight: 479g
• Width: 585mm

5. Ritchey WCS Venturemax Handlebar

Best Bikepacking Drop Bar

At first glance, this looks like a standard drop bar but the flared ends combined with multiple gripping points make the Ritchey WCS Venturemax ideal for long-distance touring and bikepacking on varied terrain, especially when paired with one of the best bar tapes.

Whether racing down smooth tarmac or attacking gravel trails, this lightweight triple-butted 7050 Aluminium bar will ensure you’re in perfect control at all times.

Long-distance tourers will also appreciate the flattened 38×22.5mm top section, which allows you to rest your hands while cruising along in a comfortable upright seating position.

For even more comfort and hand positions, consider attaching one of our handlebar add-ons from the accessories section below.

• Clamp diameter: 31.8mm
• Weight: 270g
• Width: 420mm

6. Salsa Cowchipper Drop Handlebar

Best Long-distance Trekking Drop Bar

Salsa is a leading adventure cycling brand and its Cowchipper drop handlebar has long been a popular choice by bikepackers the world over. The simple design incorporates a 24-degree flare on the ends that increases stability and comfort dramatically, making it ideal for long-distance riding.

Ex-road cyclists turned bikepackers will find these lightweight aluminum bars provide the perfect balance between speed, comfort, and stability.

The 120mm central area is ideal for use with the Salsa Anything Cradle or several other bikepacking handlebar bags, and at 31.8mm in diameter, it’ll easily fit an assortment of devices, add-ons, and aerobars.

• Clamp diameter: 31.8mm
• Weight: 453g
• Width: 460mm

Best Handlebars for Heavy Loaded Touring

Multi-seasonal bike touring often requires a lot of gear, making the bike unstable and challenging to control. If you plan on carrying a lot of weight, consider wider handlebars that help to ensure you stay upright and on track.

7. Jones H-Bar Loop

Best Overall Bikepacking Bar

The broad, swept-back style of the Jone H-Bar provides a comfortable and wide hand position that is ideal for long-distance riding with weight.

The design leverages small movements in your hands directly through the stem to the wheel without putting extra pressure on your arms.

When looking for comfort, stability, and convenience on long, heavily-loaded bikepacking trips, you simply can’t beat the Jones H-Bar Loop.

The 31.8mm inner loop clamps on and can be wrapped in tape to provide additional hand positions, while leaving the top bar free to attach devices and components.

For smaller riders wanting a tighter fit, Jones has also included cut lines to reduce the width to 660mm.

• Clamp diameter: 31.8mm
• Weight: 525g
• Width: 710mm

8. Surly Terminal

Best Bikepacking Bar for Stability

With the Terminal, Surly used a cruiser-style rise with a swept-back design for this extra-long straight handlebar.

The bar ends sweep back 34 degrees and can rise or dip up to 40mm from the clamp position, providing a comfortable upright position while maintaining exceptional control on long rides carrying a heavy load.

If you’re planning to take your existing mountain bike on a long tour, the Surly Terminal is the perfect upgrade to ensure you have excellent handling while carrying weight over rugged terrain.

With a 22.2mm diameter and  31.8mm clamp diameter, the Surly Terminal bar fits all standard mountain bike components and devices.

• Clamp diameter: 31.8mm
• Weight: 400g
• Width: 735mm

Best handlebar accessories
for touring & bikepacking

Sometimes to get more comfy you don’t really need a whole new handlebar, nice accessories like bar ends, aero bars, or so-called spinaches can make a hell of a difference to your riding position.

9. Ergon GP5 BioKork Grip

Best Bar-end Grips for Touring

Add-on grips are a great way to convert a mountain bike into a more comfortable bikepacking or touring bike.

These ergonomic grips allow you to rest your arms in a sideways position while cruising, imitating the relaxed style of riding the hoods on drop bars.

They also include an extra bend at the top to achieve a comfortable upright seating position for those long days in the saddle.

Built with 40% sustainably certified cork and fiberglass composite ends, these grips are both lightweight and environmentally friendly (non-cork version also available).

• Weight: 253g
• Width: 142mm

10. Deda Parabolica Zero Clip-On Bars

Best Aero Bars for Bikepacking

Aero bars are traditionally designed for use on triathlon and TT bikes but they make an excellent and comfortable addition to a touring bike. Not only do they take the pressure off your elbows on long rides but are convenient for attaching bags and devices.

These lightweight clip-on bars from Deda Parabolic are made from tough 6061 aluminum, making them strong enough to hold both you and your luggage.

Quick and easy to install, they’re fully adjustable with riser spacers and pads included.

• Weight: 396g
• Width: 310mm (max)

How to Choose the Best Touring Handlebars

There are four important things to consider when choosing a touring handlebar – the terrain you are going to be riding on, the speed at which you want to ride, the amount of time you’ll be riding each day, and the level of stability you’ll require.

Terrain

If you’re only planning to travel on paved roads, i.e.: tarmac, concrete, or asphalt, then you probably don’t need a wide handlebar that provides extra control in rough conditions. Many cycle tourists have no problem using a standard road or gravel bike with drop handlebars to tour paved roads. However, if you’re planning to get a bit more adventurous and head out onto wild, unknown trails, you’ll most likely need a wide, flat handlebar that provides more stability. 

Eg: Nukeproof Horizon / Velo Orange Crazy

Speed

Drop handlebars are not generally considered the best choice for bikepacking and cycle touring but they do offer one advantage over flat bars – speed. Drop handlebars are commonly used by professional bikepackers that aim to break records because they’re designed to put your body in the optimal position for moving at speed. However, this does mean you sacrifice a certain level of comfort and hand positions, which could become a problem after many hours in the saddle.

Eg: Salsa Cowchipper / Ritchie Venturemax

Duration

Speed and duration often tie in together because riders who are traveling fast tend to spend less time in the saddle, and therefore aren’t too worried about hand comfort. However, if you’re the type of cycle tourist who likes to ride for hours and hours on end, you’re definitely going to need a handlebar with lots of hand positions. Drop handlebars are not ideal for trips over 5-6 hours, whereas a butterfly bar or trekking bar is designed to maintain comfort for 10 hours or more.

Eg: Dimension Trekking / Surly Moloko

Stability

Bikepacking requires cyclists to carry more luggage than their bikes are usually designed for, which can often make stability a problem on rough terrain. Fortunately, there are a lot of extra wide handlebars that have been specifically designed to remedy this issue. Swept-back handlebars are particularly good at providing excellent stability while keeping your body upright and your hands in a comfortable position. 

Eg: Jones H-Bar Loop / Surly Terminal