Deda Gera carbon gravel handlebar review: Does a short reach bar make sense off-road?

The Gera gets rid of the reach for gravel riders, but is that messing with an already tried and tested formula?

Deda Gera handlebars
(Image credit: Future)
Cycling Weekly Verdict

A very different bar to the norm, but not one that worked for me. The short reach felt odd and was too extreme. The sharp bend could be an issue too if you plan on running cable gears or brakes. If you're struggling with the reach on your bike, these may be worth considering, but I was happy to return to a standard bar shape after testing.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Well-finished, high-quality construction

  • +

    Light and stiff

  • +

    Back sweep on the top section is comfortable

  • +

    The central section can take tri bars and normal computer mounts

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    -Short reach did not work for me

  • -

    -Tight bend will make fitting cable gears or brakes difficult

  • -

    -Care needs to be taken when taping

  • -

    -Doesn't work well with bags

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Deda has been making handlebars since 1999, including my personal favourite bar shape of all time, the Italian shallow or classic bar, in 40 or 42cm (still the best shape when in the drops, in my opinion). The Gera carbon is nothing like the bar I lusted after in my twenties; in fact, it's not like any other bar I've used, but is that a good thing?

I fitted a set to my trusty gravel test bike and spent the winter largely on the Peak District's finest trails to see if the radically different position offered by the Gera is a blessing or a curse compared to some of the best 'regular' shaped gravel handlebars.

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.