Tom Ritchey was riding drop bars off-road decades before anyone attached the word "gravel" to it, and the VentureMax platform is the direct product of those miles. The Classic VentureMax uses double-butted 6061 alloy with a bio-bend shape, a round top section, 102mm drop, 76mm reach, 24° drop flare, 6° flare-out, and 6° backsweep on a 31.8mm clamp . What separates the Classic from the rest of the VentureMax family is the visual treatment and the top profile — a high-polish silver finish paired with a traditional round top instead of the aero-shaped tops found on the WCS and Comp versions.

The bio-bend is the piece riders either love or need a ride or two to appreciate. It's a subtle kink in the drop that supports the natural curve of your palm when you're wrapped around the hook, which takes pressure off the ulnar nerve on longer efforts. Combined with the 24° flare at the drops, you get multiple hand positions and a purposeful shape that stays practical whether you're on tarmac between sectors or scrambling down a chunky descent. The 76mm reach and 102mm drop keep the hoods close and the drops accessible — not a bar that punishes you for spending time on the hook.

Width is measured at the initial bend rather than at the hood , which is worth flagging before you order. VentureMax bars ride wider than the number on the box because of the flare, so if you're on a 42cm road bar today, sizing down to a 40 on the VentureMax is often the right call — the flare adds width at the drops that you don't get from a traditional bend.... Read More