Rise and sweep measurements on a handlebar determine where your hands end up relative to the stem clamp, which affects everything from wrist angle to shoulder position to how much weight you're putting over the front wheel. The Ritchey Classic Rizer MTB Handlebar uses 30mm of rise combined with 9 degrees of backsweep and 5 degrees of upsweep, positioning your grip point higher and further back than a flat bar while maintaining the predictable steering response that comes from modest sweep angles. This is the geometry that defined mountain biking's formative years, and it still works for riders who prefer a more upright position without committing to the extreme backsweep of modern cruiser-style bars.

Ritchey builds the Classic Rizer from double-butted 6061 aluminum with a polished silver finish that matches vintage builds or adds contrast to modern frames. The 31.8mm clamp diameter works with contemporary stem standards, so you're not hunting for obsolete hardware to complete a retro cockpit. At 660mm width, the bar runs narrower than current trail bike standards but sits right in the range that works for cross-country riding, bikepacking setups, or urban bikes where extreme width creates problems navigating traffic and tight spaces.

The bar's construction uses internal butting to reduce weight at the grip sections while maintaining wall thickness at the clamp area where stress concentrations occur. This approach puts material where the loads are highest and removes it where you're just holding on. For riders building up a steel hardtail, restoring a classic mountain bike, or setting up a do-everything bike that doesn't need 800mm of bar width, the Classic Rizer delivers functional geometry without the weight penalty of solid-wall aluminum construction.... Read More