Classic bend handlebars never really went away—they just got overshadowed by compact and ergo designs that promised better hand positions for riders who never learned to use the drops properly. The Ritchey Classic Butano brings back the traditional round bend that defined road cycling for decades, built from triple-butted 6061 aluminum that keeps weight reasonable while maintaining the stiffness needed for out-of-saddle efforts and sprint finishes. This is the bar shape that works when you actually ride in the drops, with a continuous curve that lets you adjust hand position incrementally rather than jumping between distinct grip zones.

The geometry follows Ritchey's interpretation of the classic bend: 128mm drop and 73mm reach create the deep position that racers from the steel-frame era considered standard equipment. Those numbers put your hands substantially lower than modern shallow-drop alternatives, which either works perfectly for your riding style or doesn't—there's no in-between with traditional geometry. The 31.8mm clamp diameter matches contemporary stem standards, so you're not hunting for vintage hardware to complete the build.

Triple butting in the aluminum tubing concentrates material at the stress points—where the bar clamps to the stem and where your hands apply force—while thinning the walls in lower-stress sections to reduce weight without sacrificing durability. The polished silver finish matches the aesthetic of classic steel builds and retro-modern projects where carbon components would look out of place. Ritchey machines subtle flats into the tops of the bar for more comfortable positioning during long efforts on the hoods.... Read More