Truely you've never left SEA town. Risers are ALWAYS under 17 inch. 17 inch is wider than your pedals, no good. Plus, the wider = more crashes. you don't want flex with the stem, you want it tight.

When they first came out they were all just over 6" per side. that's 12 total, plenty.

Especially since no one ever uses more than one place on their handlebars. I dont even know why I have drops. Ha