There are carbon bars that are less expensive than the ones made of aluminum. The RXL SL Bar I bought is available for $30 on Amazon. I decided to try one on my carbon fiber bike at that price. I like the fact that the bar has flex in it, especially on rough gravel roads. I bought “Ergon” grips that were “suppose” to work with grip shifters. They do not seem to work with my SRAM GX Eagle grip shifters. I got them for about $10, during an Amazon sale so no great loss.

I am trying to figure out if there is some way to adapt my bike to drop bars, more typical on Cyclocross & Gravel bikes? The issue is SRAM apparently does not offer “hood” shifters for the new Eagle 12 speed group sets which I have switched my Focus Mares CX to. Apparently SRAM assumes the Eagle group sets will get used on MTBs, with flat/riser bars only. I find the rough, rutted, gravel roads I ride on test the limits of any bike without a suspension. Carbon frames & handlebars May help. The “thing” about riding in an area with lots of hills is most of those hills have a down side that one can build up considerable speed on, where an aero position may help. Keep in mind, I ride gravel & paved community roads.

I am currently “handling” the bar issue with a 110mm, 17 degree stem, upside down on my riser bar. I have found that I have to shift less if I go faster down the hills so I get further up the up side of hills. Yes, I ride the same roads regularly.

I might be able to get my Ergon grips on my current carbon riser bar if I switch to the microSHIFT shifters that come up on Amazon when I search for 12 speed shifters.