Flared drops make more sense the longer you ride mixed surfaces, and the WCS Ergo Max from Ritchey lands in a spot that works for both gravel duty and long-day road riding without going to the extremes you see on dedicated adventure bars. The triple-butted 7050 alloy construction runs a compact bend with a flat top section, 128mm drop, 73mm reach, 12° drop flare, 3° flare out, and a 5° backsweep, with the 31.8mm clamp diameter matching current road stems. The bar is finished in Blatte, Ritchey's matte black treatment that pairs cleanly with most cockpits.

The shaping is where this bar earns its keep. The bar tops employ a 10mm rise at the clamping area for a slightly more upright riding position, and they're ovalized with a rearward sweep to more evenly distribute the weight of your hands and wrists. That combination takes pressure off your palms on long tops-riding sections and puts your wrists in a more natural alignment than a traditional round top allows.

Down in the drops, the 12° flare keeps your hands in a comfortable and confident position while opening your chest and widening your grip for stability on loose surfaces or fast descents. The compact 128mm drop keeps the lowest hand position accessible without forcing you into a deep, closed hip angle, which matters on endurance road rides where you actually want to spend time down there instead of just tucking for a sprint. Pair the Ergo Max with a stem 10 to 20mm shorter than your usual road setup if you're coming from a non-flared bar, since the flared drops effectively extend reach at the hoods.... Read More