Originally Posted by
FlashBazbo
Salsa Cowchipper with fancier stickers . . . but WOW, how much more expensive!
If you compare the profile of the bars you can see there are significant differences - the tops are Ergo on the Enve as are the bends toward the hoods. The Enve has a smaller radius down portion to help absorb vibration (their comments not my observation) and has Di2 wire routing. The Salsa on the other hand has a 140mm clampable area for aerobars, lights and bags etc where the Enve is just under 120. The Enve is about 50grams heavier.
Another Carbon Gravel specific bar which is profiled that is similar is the Pro Discover Gravel Carbon Handlebar. Di2 routing, similar flare but it is designed to keep the levers more vertical, ergo tops, lighter than Cowchipper Carbon, has back sweep also (neither Enve or Cow Chipper has this) and similar flare to the Enve and Cow Chipper. Shimano reps told me it has 150mm of clampable area (which I have a hard time visualizing with the back sweep and profile) and it's also designed to work perfectly with the GRX groupset including the sublevers.
For me, there are advantages of all 3 of these but would choose the Discover over Enve due to the wider clamping and the back sweep if money wasn't a consideration, and the Salsa cow chipper carbon would be last due to no back sweep or profiled top. I run Di2 but the interior routing isn't that important to me so wouldn't be a deal breaker or maker. Any of these can be found on sale at 20% off if you shop around. I'm acutally considering getting the Discover bars though. I have Ritchey Evo Max on my gravel bike now and they feel great, but would like something with more flare for more technical gravel like DK.