Redshift Sports New Top Shelf Riser Drop Bar: Where BMX Meets Gravel?
The clever minds that brought us the Kitchen Sink handlebar and the ShockStop stem are at it again. Today, Redshift Sports released their new riser drop bar, the Top Shelf. As you probably guessed, it’s a drop bar that offers two choices of hefty rise, 50mm and 70mm (2″ and 2.75″).
Comfortable drop bars are something that we are seeing more and more lately. With their shorter reaches, back sweeps, and shallower drops some companies claim that their bars offer “all-day comfort”. But a drop bar with a 70mm rise raises it up a notch and shows Redshift’s commitment to comfyness.
The bar will be great for any drop-bar activity, on the road, in the gravel, out bikepacking, or commuting – essentially anyone on a drop bar bike looking for a higher riding position.
Redshift Top Shelf Retail and Key Features
Retail: $139 (price as tested)
Key Features:
Ultra-comfortable, upright, and relaxed riding position without the need for a highly angled stem or long steerer tube.
Lots of room to mount accessories and bags
Double-bar construction means bags are super secure
Details:
Perfect for road, gravel, bikepacking, and commuting
Rise: 50 or 70mm
Storage: The double-bar construction provides room for all of your bar-mounted accouterments
Control: The rise of the bar brings the drops closer, allowing for more use of the drops for more control
Backsweep: 7-degrees of back sweep
Flare: 25-degrees of flare
Wide: Available in 44, 47, and 50cm
Lifetime Warranty, 90 risk-free trial, free shipping in the US, UK, EU, and CAN
First Impressions
I received the bar with a 50mm rise, and 47cm width. I would normally be on at least a 50cm width, but thought I’d try a little narrower with the amount of rise that the bar has. The 6061 T6 aluminum Top Shelf bar has a nice 7-degree back sweep, which I prefer in my drop bars.
The 25-degree flare is more than ample for me. it has a short reach and a shallow drop, so getting into and staying in the drops will be more comfortable. The actual weight of the Top Shelf in the 47cm size came in a gram less (508g) than the claimed weight (509g)
The unique feature that stood out on this bar when I opened the box, was the flat upper bar, or I guess the double bar construction. I’m sure it adds a bit of weight compared to just having the bar rise without the second bar.
But the upper bar adds the real estate to add bags, electronics, and other stuff, which will be awesome. Matter of fact, Redshift plans on releasing a custom-fitted bag this summer that fits this bar.
If you combine this bar with the Redshift Cruise Control Top and Bottom Grips, you are almost guaranteed a comfortable hand position anywhere on the bar. I’m going to skip that step and wrap the bars traditionally.
I’m looking forward to spending the Spring on these bars. Stay tuned here for the full review.
Check out all of the neat products Redshift has to offer by hitting the link below.
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