Tom Ritchey has been riding off-road for decades, long before anyone thought to call it gravel riding or bikepacking, and has developed products for such adventures. His real-life experiences are directly reflected in every Ritchey product, such as the popular VentureMax handlebar. With its short reach, shallow drop, and purposeful flare, the original VentureMax offers comfort and confidence for legions of riders looking to enjoy their dirty drop bar adventures.

Like its siblings at the WCS and Comp levels, the new RL1 VentureMax is also influenced by these life experiences and inspires riders to embark on adventures on gravel and other mixed surfaces. However, the RL1 VentureMax also provides Ritchey’s unwavering reliability and practical performance for budget-conscious riders seeking components to upgrade their current bike or complete their next build.

With its round tops, short reach, and shallow drop, the RL1 VentureMax offers multiple hand positions for comfort and confidence on every ride. The wide 24-degree flare at the drops enhances comfort and performance on rough terrain. But it’s the bio-bend in the drop that adds another practical and welcome design element, regardless of the surface you ride on or how long your adventure lasts. The width is measured at the first bend, not at the hood.