Flat bars put your hands in a neutral grip position that some riders find more comfortable than swept-back riser bars, particularly on bikes where the cockpit geometry already accounts for proper reach and stack height. The Ritchey Comp Trail Flat Handlebar delivers this straightforward hand placement in a 780mm width that's become the sweet spot for modern trail riding—wide enough for leverage through technical sections without the exaggerated spread that makes tight singletrack awkward. The 31.8mm clamp diameter fits standard modern stems, and the 9-degree backsweep angles your wrists into alignment rather than forcing them into an unnatural straight-ahead position.

Construction uses double-butted 6061 aluminum, which puts material where stress concentrates at the stem clamp and tapers the wall thickness toward the ends where loads decrease. This isn't just about saving grams—butted tubing actually improves ride quality by allowing controlled flex in the grip area while maintaining stiffness where clamping forces could otherwise cause fatigue cracks over time. The result is a bar that handles aggressive trail riding without transmitting every root and rock strike directly into your palms.

The 5mm rise keeps the profile essentially flat while providing just enough vertical offset to clear cables and housing routed along the top of the bar. At 780mm, you've got room to run your controls and grips with space left over, and if the width feels excessive for your terrain or body geometry, aluminum bars cut down easily with a pipe cutter or hacksaw. Just mark your cut lines carefully and remember that you'll lose leverage proportionally—most riders find that anything under 760mm starts feeling twitchy on technical descents.... Read More