Tom Ritchey was riding drop-bar bikes on dirt roads decades before the industry settled on the word "gravel," and the VentureMax handlebar is what came out of that experience. The Ritchey Comp VentureMax V2 refines the original with an aero-shaped ergonomic top section, a revised backsweep for a more natural hand position at the tops, and the return of the Bio-Bend curve in the drops that gives the bar its distinctive shape and multiple grip options.

The geometry is built around gravel riding realities. A 24-degree drop flare pushes the bar ends outward for a wider, more planted stance when the surface gets loose, while a 6-degree flare-out at the extensions adds space for a bar bag or aero attachment. The 102mm drop and 75mm reach keep the levers close and the drops usable, so you can move between hoods, tops, and drops without stretching or overreaching on long days.

Up top, the flattened 38 x 22.5mm Ergo-Aero profile spreads pressure across a larger contact area than a round bar, which pays off on the kind of ride where your palms sit on the tops for hours. A 4.6-degree backsweep angles the tops slightly toward the rider for a neutral wrist position. Down in the drops, the Bio-Bend gives you a forward hook for descending and a rearward hook for pulling on climbs, plus a 12-degree sweep that keeps your wrists in line with your forearms.... Read More