When Tom Ritchey steps outside his door and clips into his bike, he seldom has a plan for that day's ride. He might head right to the trails close to his house for an afternoon of ripping singletrack, or he might be gone for several hours on a brisk road ride. There's also a good chance he'll spend a lot of time on the gravel roads that link his favorite trails to long stretches of tarmac. In order to take full advantage of this diverse mix of riding surfaces, it's important to have the tools that are up for the job. That's the idea behind the Ritchey WCS Carbon ErgoMax handlebar. As with the popular original ErgoMax, the new WCS Carbon version of this adaptable handblebar is designed to enhance control and comfort when riding along any riding surface thrown at it. The new WCS Carbon ErgoMax is an ideal bar for riding along loose and dirty surfaces since it places the hands in a wider, more stable position while in the drops. Yet, it's just as perfectly situated on road bikes for endurance rides along smooth, clean tarmac - its ergonomics deliver unparalleled comfort. The 15mm rise at the clamping area offers a slightly more upright riding position, while a 5 backsweep and ergo aero tops reduce arm and hand fatigue. The 12 drop flare keeps the rider's hands in a comfortable and confident position while also adding a bit more unobstructed stability when turning or for those out-of-the-saddle efforts. And, of course, the carbon fiber construction of the new ErgoMax helps mute road (and gravel) vibration, offers internal cable routing, and keeps the weight low.