Flared drop bars route your hands outward as you move into the drops, which changes the geometry of how you grip the bar during technical descents. The Ritchey Comp Corralitos takes this gravel-specific design approach and builds it into a 6061 aluminum platform with 12 degrees of flare in the drops, positioning your hands wider at the lowest grip point for increased stability when terrain gets rough. The flare also opens up your chest slightly compared to a traditional road bend, which some riders find improves breathing on long mixed-surface efforts.

The bar's 73mm reach and 115mm drop put it in moderate territory—deep enough for proper hand positioning when you're tucked on pavement sections, but not so aggressive that you feel cramped during all-day gravel events. Up top, the Comp Corralitos maintains conventional spacing for brake hoods and accessories, so your cockpit setup translates directly from whatever road bar you're currently running. The 31.8mm clamp diameter fits most modern stems, and the bar is available in 40cm, 42cm, 44cm, and 46cm widths measured center-to-center at the hoods.

Comp-level components in Ritchey's lineup use the same geometry and design principles as their higher-tier WCS parts, with material and finish differences accounting for the price separation. For the Corralitos, that means you're getting the identical flare angle and ergonomic shaping that Ritchey developed for their gravel racing program, executed in a more accessible aluminum construction. If you're building up a gravel bike and want to experiment with drop flare before committing to a carbon upgrade, this is a sensible entry point.... Read More