Love the Ritchey VentureMax bar but wish it was just a bit wider? OK, a lot wider? The check out the new VentureMax XL. It’s a full 52cm wide… at the start of the bend!
While the current VentureMax WCS tops out at 46cm, the VentureMax XL comes in at 52cm measured at the initial bend before the hood. Once you factor in the 24° drop flare and the 6° flare out at the tip of the drops, you’re looking at an overall width of 647mm.
Why would you need such a crazy wide bar? Ritchey expects this bar will be popular with the bikepacking crowd for a number of reasons. A wider distance between the hoods makes it way easier to carry things in a handlebar bag or cradle without having to worry about your shifters not working because there isn’t enough room to push the lever inwards. The extra width also makes it easier to control while fully loaded or while riding in slow, technical terrain. Surely this won’t be for everyone, but for those who like it wide, the XL certainly lives up to the bill.
With a flat top extending the width of the bar, the XL has a ergonomic top with a flattened area for your palms that features a 4.6° backsweep. The bar has a 31.8mm clamping area that is 140mm wide to accommodate handlebar mounted accessories.
The drops feature Ritchey’s Ergo Bio-bend profile with a 75mm reach and 120mm drop.
Along with the recessed channel for brake lines, the bars are Di2 compatible with the EW-RS910 Junction Box.
The triple butted 7050 aluminum bars have a claimed weight of 325g, and are available now for $99.95.
