Flat handlebars come in countless variations, but the differences that matter most happen at the ends—where your hands actually grip during long climbs and technical descents. The Ritchey Comp Skyline positions your wrists through 9 degrees of backsweep and 5 degrees of upsweep, angles that reduce strain on your forearms and shoulders compared to bars with zero sweep. This geometry pulls your grip position slightly back and up, which translates to less fatigue on extended rides and a more natural alignment through your wrists when you're out of the saddle.

The 780mm width provides the leverage modern trail riding demands while the 31.8mm clamp diameter matches standard mountain bike stems. Ritchey uses 6061 aluminum construction with double-butted tubing—thicker material at the stress points near the clamp area, thinner through the mid-section to reduce weight without sacrificing strength where the bar actually flexes under load. This isn't their ultralight WCS carbon offering, but the Comp line delivers the same geometry and sweep angles at a more accessible price point.

Bar width is personal and terrain-dependent, but 780mm gives you room to trim if needed. Most riders cutting bars down find that removing equal amounts from each side maintains the sweep geometry correctly—just mark your preferred width before you cut. The black anodized finish resists scratches and corrosion, and the center section includes laser-etched graphics that won't wear off like decals tend to over time.... Read More