Flared drops earned their spot on gravel bikes for good reason — when the trail gets loose and you're hunting for control through a fast descent, a wider stance in the hooks changes what your front wheel does. Ritchey's Comp Butano Alloy Handlebar V2 takes the shape Tom Ritchey developed for the mixed-terrain rides through Butano State Park and updates it with an 18-degree flare, internal cable routing, and an ergo-aero top section. The Ritchey Comp Butano gravel bar now features internal routing and a wider 18-degree drop flare.

Geometry sits in the compact camp with a 73mm reach and a shallow 115mm drop, which puts the hoods close and keeps the transition from tops to drops short enough that you'll actually use both positions. The bar uses a 31.8mm stem clamp, 23.8mm brake lever mount point, and comes in aluminum construction with a black finish, weighing 310g at 42cm. The 5-degree backsweep on the tops points your wrists into a more natural angle for long seated stretches, and the ergo-aero flattened top section spreads pressure across a wider contact area rather than concentrating it on a round tube.

Internal routing is the practical headline on the V2. Cable routing is full or partial internal — wider cable housing may interfere with routing — and the bar is compatible with the Shimano EW-RS910 Di2 junction box. An opening at the stem clamp area lets you drop cables straight into a routing-ready stem for a fully clean cockpit if your frame supports it. Worth noting up front: if you're running the Ritchey C260 stem, this bar is not compatible with it, so plan the stem choice accordingly.... Read More