Ritchey WCS Carbon Venturemax gravel handlebar review - light and quirky

[@Futelemak]

Fantastic review. Your views on the bar during the ride, explanations and tones are exactly what a great reviewers and his review are. Smart rider, bold review.

[@trykpaa]

Got the alu version, but stopped using it as I find it overly flared resulting in a awkward hoods position. And I agree on the brake reach from the drops. I use WCS Butano now instead and I love it. Wish Ritchey would make a carbon version of this, maybe with integrated stem.

[@brettdalpozzo8363]

I have the WCS aluminium version in a 38cm, same shape. I totally agree with your review. Perfect for road riding in the hoods and gravel racing, that bend is terrible for technical braking in the hoods. I have wide shoulders but love the 38cm for an aero position in the hoods.

[@andrewhamilton3486]

I too have the wcs alloy version. Great bar. Feels slightly wider than comparable 42cm width.

[@thecappy]

I have the AL version and love them. That bar tape is sweet as.

[@SIvers-or2ke]

Sensible review mate. Nice wrap up. Cheers.

[@WakizashiSabre]

Hi all, after a hlaf year, i have to agree with everything you said about them. breaking in a drops is really bad with these, otherwise, they are great ( I have WCS). If anyone wanna have comfort ride and not wanna dish out stuff for a carbon, I recommend using either second tape, or Redshift stem or both for a comfort.

[@mattsysko636]

I tried the aluminum version for awhile and ended up switching back to salsa cowchippers. They are better for braking in the drops as you mentioned and they have a shorter reach to the hoods where I spend most of my times. I did like the bump in the drops though, just preferred cowchippers

[@rmg797]

venturemax reach and drop are shorter than cowchipper

[@jonpoon3896]

The carbon critique is kinda funny. It’s like people forget that their wheels and fork are also carbon

[@JustRideAdelaide]

Big agreement from me! Also, I've snapped more seat clamp bolts than handlebars. Do I carry a spare bolt? Nope! I guess we're all just different shades of sensible and silly 💁

[@golfchvse]

Wheels and fork? My whole gravel bike is carbon! ha ha.

[@heikohagedorn2168]

Thanks for this very good video about this Ritchey Gravel handlebar. Actually i drive this one in aluminium at my gravel bike. Basically, I am satisfied with the handlebar. Only the problem described by you (at min 3:24) which describes the problem when braking in the underhand grip, hurts with me in the hand.I've been following you for a while and it seems to me you have a lot of experience on the subject of gravel bikes. Can you give me a recommendation regarding a carbon handlebar that is similar in geometry and does not have this increase in the undergrip? Hello from gernany Heiko

[@todd92371]

The Beacon bar?

[@WakizashiSabre]

Oh man, got these one ordered now, and wonder how hit or miss they will be due review, as I love braking in bottom of the bars for higher force actually. WE shall see... Got long fingers and can adjust a levers, so I hope its gona be ok...

[@PaulBeiser]

Great review, tnx as always!

[@applesandsynths]

Nice video and super informative! Curious what length of these bars you'd recommend if my AC joint to joint width is about 35cm? I'm seeing mixed opinions and it seems like Ritchey's defined measurements for this model go by the first curves and not the hoods. Thanks!

[@Necronomicon08]

thank you, now i will take the ALU version 😀

[@vindogg80]

Anyone have a drop to drop measurement on the 44 or 46cm version?

[@golfchvse]

mate do you know of any nice integrated handle bars for my gravel bike? I HATE the loose wires. Im using a GRX group set (NOT di2)

[@markh9194]

Been using the aluminium version of these for over a year now and love them, I'm riding in the drops more and more, personally i don't have an issue with the brakes as I've gotten used to them over time. I wouldn't bother getting the carbon version for 4 times the price fwiw.

[@JustRideAdelaide]

I've got a long overdue review of the aluminium version to do. The drop on that version is deeper and makes brake access a lot easier. Ummm I should really make that video 😅

[@markh9194]

@@JustRideAdelaide you should, I was surprised how much difference they made over the stock bars on my Al topstone, the handling is night and day. Look forward to seeing it if you get around to making the video.

[@f50koenigg]

When will be the review of the Gravelking Ss tires be available?

[@JustRideAdelaide]

5 minutes ago 😂

[@marlonwallace9087]

You didn’t say why you wouldn’t have carbon bars on long distance. What can go wrong?

[@cannon1156]

James .. check your email @ lavelocita

[@rmg797]

Maybe you should get a torque wrench. Never had an issue with carbon breaking or having issues. Also, have had these bars for about a year. I can't find an uncomfortable spot to put my hands. Maybe it is hand size or something but I also have no issues at all getting to the brakes either. And btw, they have a very high grade alloy set for $99 that is very high quality. I used those for about 3-4 months to test out before committing to the carbon version. Im not sure why you didnt do the research on that and mentioning it because it sounds like you didnt even realize it.

[@JustRideAdelaide]

Eaaaasy there mate, I have a torque wrench and I know how to use it. I said in the video I was fine with carbon fibre. I'm more than aware of the alloy version and have one from Ritchey going on another bike for testing.