Ritchey’s WCS Trail 2X handlebar has been designed to offer either a 5mm rise or drop. At first, I’ll level with you, it does seems an odd concept, but it’s essentially just a flat bar with the added option of adjusting the height of the front-end. With the height of some 29ers, it’s a handy extra bike setup option.

It’s made from 7050 aluminium and is triple-butted to shed unnecessary weight – on the scales it’s 239g. The finish is up to Ritchey’s usual high level; with this new ‘blatte’ – basically a matte black – finish it looks smart on any bike the bar is fitted to.

The bar is 720mm wide with a 9-degree sweep. That makes it an ideal width for a cross country or light trail bike, and the shape proved comfortable. I fitted it to my Canyon 29er alloy hardtail in the highest position paired with a 80mm stem, and it turned out to be a really nice handlebar for the type of riding I use that bike for. That’s short XC blasts and hacking around the woods and trails, where I ride aggressively and need to turn hard to get around the tight trees. At 720mm wide the bar also isn’t excessively wide or narrow – a good middle ground I’d say.

The Ritchey WCS Trail 2X handlebar is a really nice looking bit of kit and performs as well as a trail/XC bar should: it’s stiff, has a nice shape and generous width. The option of flipping the bar while still retaining the logos the correct way up may be negligible for many, but some may like the extra choice it offers, especially if you don’t, or can’t, flip the stem or have no headset spacers to play with.

There are cutting guides if you decide to trim the bar down.

Verdict

A smart-looking bar with a nice shape and width and choice of 5mm rise or drop.

What Ritchey says:

“The new 2X Trail bar is two bars in one: select 5mm of rise or drop while maintaining a 9-degree sweep. Great for 29ers and other bikes with tall front ends.”

Price: £66
More information: Ritchey WCS Trail 2X handlebar
UK distributor: Paligap