Fully integrated cockpits used to mean committing to a proprietary bar-and-stem combo from the frame manufacturer, but Ritchey's WCS Switch Stem opens that world up to riders who want to keep their favorite handlebar. The stem serves as the entry point for the broader Ritchey Switch System, routing up to three cables, wires, or hydraulic lines from the bar down through the headset and into the frame for a clean cockpit without the compatibility headaches of a one-piece bar/stem.

The forged 2014 aluminum body uses Ritchey's C220 four-bolt faceplate with a widened 49.8mm clamp for extra torsional stiffness across a 31.8mm handlebar. The clamping area is rotated slightly downward from the standard C220 orientation, which flattens the top of the stem and cleans up the airflow across the front end. Two opposing steerer bolts distribute clamp force evenly, which matters if you're running a lightweight carbon steerer that doesn't tolerate uneven torque.

The key thing to know before ordering: the Switch stem is only half the equation. To actually route cables internally, you'll need the matching Ritchey Switch headset and spacer system, both sold separately. Adapters are available for FSA ACR, Token A-Box and C-Box, ENVE IN-Route, and Acros ICR routing standards, and there's a 1-1/8" adapter if you want to run it on a conventional externally-routed setup. The stem is designed for straight 1.5" head tubes paired with tapered 1-1/8" to 1.5" forks.... Read More