CyclistBest aero handlebars for road bikes 2026If youre looking to make your bike a little more aero, a set of aero handlebars could help lower your wind resistance.Aero handlebars will have a reduced frontal profile and a wing-like shape, so theres less to cut through the air and airflow should be smoother. Theyre a key feature of the best aero road bikes, as theyre at the leading edge of the bike and so are first to encounter the air before it becomes turbulent further back on the bike.Aero bars will typically include cable integration, where brake hoses and (if you have them) gear cables run inside the bars. Many of the best road bikes also feature hidden or part-hidden cable runs through the stem and into the bikes head tube, again improving aerodynamics. Higher specs will often feature a one-piece bar/stem, which again helps to improve the bikes aerodynamics.If youre looking for a replacement set of aero handlebars, weve picked out the best below. Further down, we have a detailed guide to how to choose the best aero handlebars for you. Our pick of the best aero handlebarsBontrager Aero Pro: RRP 220 Deda Superzero RS Alloy: RRP 140Deda Superzero RS Carbon: RRP 300Enve SES Aero: RRP 440Pro Vibe Aero Alloy: RRP 120Roval Rapide: RRP 350Vision TriMax Carbon Aero Compact: RRP 395Zipp SL 80 Race: RRP 340Why trust Cyclists advice?Lizzie Crabb / CyclistAt Cyclist, we review the cream of the best road bikes and aerodynamics are front and centre in modern designs. Although that often means a one-piece cockpit, there are still two-piece designs, such as the bars on the Giant Propel, above, ridden by tech editor Sam Challis.Weve ridden countless kilometres on a range of aero handlebars and know what works and what may not be quite as comfortable and efficient, so were well positioned to recommend the best aero handlebars. Were not paid for product placement, so you can trust us to provide unbiased advice. Related Posts Best aero wheels for road bikes 2026 reviewed Enve's SES AR bar/stem can now be bought aftermarket for 1,300 Roval says new Rapide Cockpit will save you 32cm in a sprint Best carbon handlebars: upgrade your bike to be lighter and faster Best bar tape 2026 reviewed: Recommended tape for wrapping your handlebars Best aero handlebars for road bikesBontrager Aero Pro220 |Buy hereWidths available: 350mm, 370mm, 390mm, 410mm, 430mmClaimed weight: Not specifiedReach: 80mmDrop: 124mmFlare: 30mmBontragers carbon bars have a pronounced 30mm flare and a backsweep for an aero ride position. Theres internal hose routing, although the bars can only be used with wireless electronic shifting systems. The mid-depth drop is designed for comfortable positioning and maximum leverage when sprinting and descending. Trek also sells the more expensive RSL Aero bars with similar geometry and claimed weights from 224g.Deda Superzero RS Alloy140 |Buy hereWidths available: 360mm, 380mm, 400mm, 420mm, 440mmClaimed weight: 280g (420mm width)Reach: 75mmDrop: 120mmFlare: 6 degreesDeda sells this alloy Superzero RS aero handlebar, as well as the pricier carbon version. While the latter has vertical drops, the alloy bars have a slight flare. They include wide tops for aero benefits and feature Dedas DCR system for full or semi-internal cable routing. The flare means that the measured width across the tops appears narrower than the carbon bars, but width in the drops is similar. Deda Superzero RS Carbon300 |Buy hereWidths available: 400mm, 420mm, 440mm, 460mmClaimed weight: From 235gReach: 75mmDrop: 120mmFlare: 0mmThe Deda Superzero RS Carbon handlebars have a similar 120mm drop to the alloy bars, although without the flare of the alloy version. The tops have a 44mm deep, 24mm height aero section again feature Dedas DCR cable routing. Note that Deda measures width from the outside edge of the tops, unlike other brands that measure centre to centre, so the actual bar width is around 20mm narrower than it appears from that stated, although the available widths are still a little greater than the alloy bars.Enve SES Aero 440 |Buy hereWidths available: 350mm, 370mm, 390mm, 410mmClaimed weight: From 267gReach: 79mmDrop: 127mmFlare: 25mmEnve says its used CFD modelling and wind tunnel analysis to develop its aero carbon handlebars. They feature hidden cable routing to further reduce the drag profile and Enve says theyre compatible with most internal routing systems. Theres a pronounced flare to the drops, for a tucked position when riding on the hoods. Pro Vibe Aero Alloy120 |Buy hereWidths available: 380mm, 400mm, 420mmClaimed weight: From 330gReach: 78mmDrop: 130mmFlare: 6 degreesBased on Pros carbon aero handlebars, the alloy option has a similar geometry with aero tops with internal hose routing, although unlike the carbon bars theres no forward sweep and the tops are less wide. The 6 degree flare helps keep you aero when on the hoods and theres a slightly deeper drop than some, with a compact curvature, to help you get more aero for sprints. Roval Rapide350 |Buy hereWidths available: 380mm, 400mm, 420mm, 440mmClaimed weight: From 225gReach: 75mmDrop: 125mmFlare: 2 degreesWhile most high spec Specialized bikes are now equipped with Rovals one-piece cockpits, Roval also sells the stand-alone Roval Rapide carbon aero handlebars. Theyre claimed to save you over 20 seconds on a 40km run versus round handlebars, thanks to the aero tops. Features include a textured surface to the unwrapped portion of the tops for grip and a step so that the end of the bar tape sits flush to the unwrapped central portion. Theres a slight forward sweep to the tops, which Roval claims improves knee clearance, although the elbows-out position it tends to promote may impact your aero tuck.Vision TriMax Carbon Aero Compact395 |Buy hereWidths available: 380mm, 400mm, 420mm, 440mmClaimed weight: From 255gReach: 80mmDrop: 125mmFlare: 2 degreesThe Vision TriMax Aero bars are available in both carbon and alloy, with the latter having a claimed 310g weight and a significantly lower pricetag. Theres a small flare and a shallow drop and the bars feature a cable groove. Theres a 10 degree forward angle to the tops, which are wide and aero profiled, offering a broad area which should reduce had pressure.Zipp SL 80 Race 340 |Buy hereWidths available: 360mm, 380mm, 400mm, 420mm, 440mmClaimed weight: 250g in 420mm widthReach: 80mmDrop: 125mmFlare: 2 degreesZipp has designed its SL 80 Race handlebars specifically for SRAMs latest generation AXS groupsets, with a shape that provides a smooth transition from the bars to the hoods. In addition, there are placements for Blips satellite shifters and grooves for hose routing on the bars underside and Zipp provides a heat-shrink sleeve for the tops for grip. Theres a 5 degree flare to the drops and an 8 degree forward sweep and a slight down sweep to the tops for hand comfort, as well as a wing shape to the bar tops, with Zipp selling narrower options for a more aerodynamic position. How do I choose the best aero bars for me?Here are a few things to consider when choosing an aerodynamic handlebar for your bike:Bar materialMany of the best aero handlebars are made of carbon, for its low weight and the capability to form complex shapes, as well as its capacity for vibration absorption. Not all are carbon, though, and you can save money, although at the expense of a little extra weight, by choosing alloy. An alloy bar is likely to be more robust too, so might be a better choice for harder use that involves a higher risk of crashing, such as crit racing.Bar geometryChoose a bar that suits you, is the right width and is comfortable. Many modern bars, but not all, have a flare to the drops which can help you get more aero, with your arms more tucked in, when riding on the hoods. Also make sure that youre comfortable with the depth of the bars from the hoods to the drops.Bar top shapeAero bars will have extended tops with an aero cross-section. Some are truncated, while others come to a sharper trailing edge. Make sure that the shape works for you, particularly if you have smaller hands, when a very broad top may not be easy to grip.Cable routingThere are multiple systems for internal routing of the cables and hoses. Aero bars typically route them through the inside of the bars or a groove on the underside. Most are compatible with a range of routing options into the bike frame, but some combinations of bars and stem/frame routing may not work together, so check compatibility before buying new aero handlebars.Combined bar/stemsMany modern bikes, at least in higher specs, have a one-piece bar/stem. It looks nice and is usually more aero, but if you go this route, again make sure its compatible with your frame. Youre tied into a bar reach and width, as well as bar shape too, so make sure youre comfortable with your choice. A replacement will be expensive if you get it wrong. PriceMany aero handlebars are made of carbon, so the price is often high. There are a couple of alloy options above though, which will work just as well if you want to save cash. The post Best aero handlebars for road bikes 2026 appeared first on Cyclist.