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The Origin 8 Gary Sweep OS bars have been getting ridden now more on longer gravel rides which means now it is time to give a final verdict on these new alternative drops for the gravel or back road rider. You can go back and see the previous “Checkpoint” article for my previous thoughts on this bar. There you will find further back-links to the tech and intro articles. Check that out for the specs and more.
At The Finish: The Gary Sweep OS is a unique beast in the drop bar crowd and defies comparison to other previous “alternative” drop bars. In that sense it is a welcome addition to the choices we already have. The bad part is that it is hard to get any good ideas if you’d like it or not without actually having a chance to ride it. This bar is different enough that it would feel like a radical change from most any other bar, save maybe a Salsa Cycles Woodchipper, which is the closest thing out there to this rangy, swept drop bar. 
I’m impressed with this offering from Origin 8. It ticks a lot of the ergonomic boxes for a comfortable, versatile alternative drop bar. The ride quality is quite nice. Mounting levers in a useable way from the drops still yields a useable position on the hoods which adds to the versatility factor. The extensions sweep is not too radical, and by the way, bar end shifters will fit the ends of the extensions here, which is good. The extensions are long, which I like, but if you wanted shorter lengths you can always cut them down to taste. The ramps are maybe an acquired taste, but I am grew to like them.
In a world of limited “alternative drop bar” choices, the Gary Sweep OS is a welcomed addition, but the longer ramps, and the resulting longer reach, may require a stem change as well if you bite on this wide, curvy bar. The set up worked fine for me, but if you have to have level drop extensions, it may not play into your wheelhouse. Only one width available as well, which will limit out some folks right there. However, for a street price of around 50 bucks, you could afford to give this a try and flip it if you don’t get on with it.
NOTE: The Gary Sweep OS bar for this review was purchased by Guitar Ted and this review is not being subsidized, paid for, nor is a bribe from Origin 8. I will strive to give my honest thoughts and opinions throughout.
Discuss and share your questions, thoughts, and experiences about gravel riding by reading or contributing to the Riding Gravel Forum.
Ted, how would you compare / contrast the Gary Sweeps to the Ragley Luxy bar? I’ve been following your assessments of dirt drop bars, unfortunately not many of them are available. These look like a good option for my 2000 Bianchi cross bike.
Guitar Ted,
Love the forum and the podcast…
Question for you on the drop bars, I’m doing the crusher in the tushar. whats your thought on Woodchipper or cowchipper for this race…looking for another option for my cx bike that is setup to do this race. The descents are long and have speed bumps on them so when I’m going fast its hard to control by regular bars unless I’m in the drops. thanks
John
Thanks John!
I guess I would be looking at the Cowchipper for a safe, controlled feel.
Guitar Ted!
It’s been a few years now. Are you still using the Garys? Are you liking them? good/bad?
thanks
Richard
@Richard J Wagner – No- I’ve had so many handle bars come through here for review that they had to come off and I haven’t had the opportunity or need to put them on anything here. So, while I actually do still have them, they are not in use.