Ritchey Ascent Breakaway -- handlebar conundrums

So I got this frame as a steal in the US. Just picked it up. Short person sized.

Thought I'd create a thread in case anyone was interested and wanted to rile up the hivemind about handlebars.

Not a huge fan of paint job -- might do some polishing to get a nice shine to it (its a bit of a matte) or respray eventually.

Have most of the stuff I need from shed/acquired...

Wheelset: Hope RS4/SP Dynamo 650b laced to Hope rims
Tyres: Soma Cazerdo 42c

Brakes: TRP Spyre Mech Disc / Rotors (urgh)

Group: Mix of Rival/Force 1x11 (thanks in part to @Acliff)

• Rival 1x11 shifters
  
• Rival Long cage RD
  
• SRAM Force 1 cranks
  
• SRAM PC1130 11-42 cassette
  
• SRAM PC1130 chain
  
• Jagwire Cables
  
  

Finishing kit:

• Saddle: Ti Flite (for now)
  
• Bars: ????
  
• Seatpost: Thomson inline in silver?
  
• Stem: old Ritchey classic in silver 90mm
  
• Cages: Cannondale GT40 Side Loading
  
  

Want to poll the hivemind about handlebars -- I picked up a pair of woodchippers (42cm) for cheap, but they seem wiiiiiide. But I want a good drop bar for touring/gravel/countryside slogs. I usually ride a 38-40cm handlebar and want something short reach.

bar options:
Salsa Woodchipper? 42cm is 59cm from end-to-end
Ritchey venture max? their widths work but price-yish and the crinkle bend bothers me a bit
Alpkit Bomber? Seems to come in one size.

Any other ideas?

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Genetic Digest?

The scientist in me made a spreadsheet...

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The Comp version of the Venture Max is not butted and much cheaper.

FSA Adventure Compact
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.FSA-Adventure-Compact-Road-Bar_106488.htm?
As seen here
https://www.orrobikes.com/bikes/road/terra-c-adventure

Selcof Sterrato at Planet X
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/HBSESTE/selcof-sterrato-flared-gravel-handlebar
Seen it cheaper at £12.50 once.

I had the Venturemax comp, went for a 42, should have gone 44. If yer gonna use that type of bar, why not go wide? The little bump on the drops actually gives a good hand position. Nice frame.

Also some funky nitto handlebars at Planet X:
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/HBNIB132/nitto-b132-touring-handlebar

update.

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Do you like them? Size wise they seem ideal ... I’m a short person with small bikes.

I did, I sold em. Went for some swept back flatbars rather than drops on my Cross check, thought the flared drops were giving elbow ache, turns out it was repetitive strain from work.

Ha yeah -- I've been feeling like all my bikes are too loooong lately, but it turns out I have an RSI too :(

This bike rips

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May I ask why this is running 650b? Looks like there is plenty of space for 700c and the bottom bracket seems to be quite low with this setup.

Bike looks very good regardless!

650b = fun

clearance-wise the widest I can go on 700c is 40c (according to ritchey website), the tyres on it right now (soma cazedero at 42c are a good compromise between mountain-y/gravel-y tyre and road) with options to go wider..

what's the risk of a low BB? (other than hitting shit)

would be good with some olive bidons... :)

just can't justify expense at the mo.

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thanks for the venture max suggestion, they are rad btw.

and here it is all packed up.

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Glad they're working for you. Bike looks much fun.