Flared drops change how your hands interact with a handlebar during descents and technical sections—the outward angle opens your chest for easier breathing and creates a wider, more stable platform when you're in the drops pushing through rough terrain. The Ritchey WCS Ergo Max Alloy Handlebar builds 12 degrees of flare into the lower section of the bar, spreading your grip approximately 40mm wider in the drops compared to the hoods without requiring you to run an oversized bar that crowds your cockpit during normal riding. The design makes particular sense for gravel racing and endurance road events where time spent in the drops increases and hand fatigue becomes a limiting factor.

The ergonomic profile extends beyond the flare angle into the shape of the drops themselves. Ritchey uses a compact drop geometry that shortens the reach to the lowest hand position, making it easier to access the drops without overextending your shoulders or lower back. The tops feature a flat wing profile that distributes pressure across a broader contact patch during long efforts out of the saddle or when cruising on easier terrain. WCS-grade 6061 aluminum keeps weight competitive with entry-level carbon options while providing the durability and crash resistance that aluminum delivers in real-world riding conditions.

The 31.8mm clamp diameter works with modern stem interfaces, and the bar ships in widths from 40cm to 46cm measured center-to-center at the hoods. Cable routing follows traditional external paths along the bar tops, maintaining compatibility with both mechanical and electronic shifting systems without requiring proprietary housing guides or internal routing channels.... Read More