Flared drops have become the default for gravel handlebars, but the degree of flare and where it starts in the bend makes a significant difference in how the bar actually handles. The Ritchey WCS VentureMax XL takes the original VentureMax platform and pushes the flare angle to 24 degrees—substantially wider than the standard version's 12 degrees—which opens up your hand position in the drops by nearly 50mm compared to the hoods. This isn't a subtle adjustment; it fundamentally changes how the bar behaves when you're descending technical terrain or muscling through loose corners where a wider grip provides more leverage and stability.

The XL designation refers specifically to that increased flare angle, not the bar width at the hoods. You still get a 46cm or 48cm measurement at the clamp area, maintaining familiar reach and hood spacing, but the drops fan out dramatically to create what amounts to two different steering geometries depending on where your hands sit. On smooth pavement, you ride from the hoods with standard road positioning. When the terrain deteriorates, dropping into the flared section widens your base of support without requiring a different bar or sacrificing aerodynamic positioning for efficient road transfers.

Ritchey builds the VentureMax XL using their Butano shaping, which translates to an ergonomic top section with a slight flat spot for palm comfort during long stints on the tops. The WCS-grade 7050 aluminum construction keeps weight reasonable for an aluminum bar while providing the stiffness that confident descending demands. Internal cable routing maintains a clean cockpit appearance and protects housing from trail debris—a practical consideration when bars frequently brush against vegetation or get buried in frame bags.... Read More