Redshift Sports needs little introduction. Founded by a team of mechanical engineers, they create products to enhance your gravel riding experience and have been for quite a few years now (founded in 2013). Now they are back at it again with a novel handlebar design that is designed to give you a more comfortable ride.
Redshift Sports have created the Top Shelf Handlebars. This isn’t their first set of handlebars either. The Top Shelf Handlebar gets some design inspiration from the Kitchen Sink Handlebars, in that they both have the same backsweep, flare, and a compact drop. But unlike the Kitchen Sink Handlebar, the Top Shelf Handlebar raises your position by 50 or 70 mm (2 or 2.75 in) depending on the version you choose.
The premise behind this new raised design is that it provides a more comfortable ride especially on long days in the saddle. The rise creates an upright position and relaxed fit while maintaining the same geometry. The higher positioning keeps your body centered to help reduce neck and back pain. Thus, the main design focus of the Top Shelf Handlebars is comfort. And these bars are perfect for gravel adventures or multi-day bikepacking trips. They also make great road cycling handlebars too.
The Top Shelf Handlebars have a 7° backsweep, which is designed to put your hands where they would naturally want to be. The drops have a 25° flare which provide a wider griping position and gives more leverage and stability. The “Top Shelf” portion of the bar gives additional real estate for bar mounted accessories and the mounting handlebar bags. The diameter of the Top Shelf/cross bar is 25.4 mm and will require a shim for some accessory mounts. Redshift will be coming out with a handlebar bag designed specifically for these bars in the Summer of 2024 (stay tuned).
The Redshift Top Shelf Handlebars are $139.00 USD, The Top Grip and Drop Grip alone are $34.99 USD each or $59.00 together, and the Really Long Bar Tape is $34.99 USD. Due to overwhelming demand, not all sizes are available, but you can pre-order your size if it isn’t available.
The bars come in a variety of widths. See the table from Redshift’s website for all the specs.
Aerodynamics
I know a lot of people won’t consider aerodynamics when purchasing new handlebars, but a lot of people will. I believe some people may be hesitant to get the Top Shelf Handlebars since they weren’t designed in the wind tunnel or don’t have an aerodynamic top bar. But I would argue, if you are on the fence and aerodynamics is a concern, don’t let that be a deciding factor.
These days there is a heavy emphasis on aerodynamics since we know that air drag can account for 70-90% of the resistance during riding. Though, its importance doesn’t really kick in until higher speeds are reached. Typically, much higher speeds than are experienced while bikepacking or cruising around.
But even still, I think the key thing to focus on is that up to 80% of drag comes from the body, and the remaining 20% from the bike and its components. Thus, the shape and width of the Redshift Top Shelf Bars contributes only small portion of the 20% drag. And the difference in drag between these bars compared to an aerodynamic handlebar (not assuming aero extensions) is going to be a small percentage of a small percentage. Thus, just lowering your body position in a strong headwind will reduce your drag significantly more than just having an aerodynamic bar.
Do note though, if the Redshift Cruise Control Top Grips are used, the top bar becomes like an airfoil shape, and I believe if tested in a wind tunnel, adding the Top Grips would show a decrease in drag compared to not using them.
Lastly, getting aero doesn’t mean much if you aren’t comfortable. The more comfortable you feel on the bike, the longer you will be able to ride. All the aero gear and improvements doesn’t really matter if you can’t hold the position comfortably for a long period of time. And the Top Shelf Handlebars are designed to get the rider in a comfortable position.
Why the Redshift Top Shelf Handlebar?
These handlebars have a very specific design intent and there are many things that these bars aren’t and that is perfectly fine. When used in the right instance, they make a lot of sense. These bars seek to balance the stability offered from wide flat bars without sacrificing the speed and control for the drop bar position.
Though, with a more upright position you will typically be catching more wind, there is no reason you can’t go fast using these bars. Once you switch your grip to the drops, and you drop your body position, you can comfortably reduce your frontal surface area. I have ridden some local gravel and I have comfortably ridden at a higher speed, and I have also cruised around comfortably in a relaxed group ride.
But the main reason you are probably here, is that you are trying to get a higher upright position on the bike and there are various ways this can be achieved. A steer tube extender or a stem with a steep angle can be used to get more rise. But there may be some limitations on steer tube extenders and both options aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing. The Top Shelf Handlebars avoid these issues with building the rise into the handlebar and allowing the same stem to be used.
Installation
There really isn’t anything difficult or different with installing the Redshift Top Shelf Handlebars than any other handlebar. There is no internal routing which makes installation quick and easy. If you are using the Cruise Control top grips, make sure to run the cable housing/brake hose on the bottom side of the bars.
- Remove the shifters and other accessories from existing handlebars and remove handlebars from the bike.
- Install Top Shelf Handlebar to the stem. Torque bars to spec.
- Install the shifters on the Top Shelf bars. Adjust shifters and bars to desired position.
- Install the Cruise Control Top Grip (if using).
- Install Really Long Bar Tape. If using the Drop Grips, start the tape at the line indicated on the side of the drops.
- Install the Drop Grips.
Cruise Control Grip
The installation of the bars is relatively easy, and it doesn’t require expensive tools either. Though installing the Top Grips were a little tricky. First, double-sided tape is attached to the Top Grips, then they are attached to the bars. Once attached to the bars, there really isn’t much adjustment, so it is important to do a few “dry fits” first to see where they go. Mare sure to make some marks on the bars with a pencil where you want them to go when you do the trial fit.
Once the Top Grips are installed, they need to be taped down with the tape that is provided. Since the Top Grip wraps around the tight bend of the handlebars, they don’t really stay in place without being taped down. A second pair of hands would be ideal, but it is doable by yourself. Though, it does feel like the tape was an afterthought to make the Top Grips stay in place during installation. Also, don’t skip using the double-sided tape because I think it helps with keeping the Top Grips from rotating around once the bars are wrapped with the bar tape.
After installing the shifters and Top Grips, the bars are ready to be wrapped with the Redshift Really Long Bar Tape (315 cm long). Assuming you are using the Redshift Cruise Control Drop Grips, your bar tape will start slightly up the bars instead of the bar ends. There is a laser etched line on the side of the Top Shelf Handlebars to indicate where to start wrapping the bar tape. This measurement is 95 mm from the bar end. If you use electrical tape to hold the bar tape down (optional), only wrap the 15 mm up or it will be visible once the drop grip is installed.
A few tips and tricks when installing the Drop Grip: use rubbing alcohol or window cleaner to make sliding the grip on easier, fold back the leading edge before installing the grip and once the grip butts up against the bar tape unroll it over the bar tape. Make sure to install the grip at about a 45° rotation as a starting point then adjust if needed (test from seated position on bike). Tighten them down with a 3 mm Allen wrench to 3 N-m.
Last note on the Top Grips, after installing the shifters and Top Grip, I noticed a bit of a dip between them. This led to there not being a flat transition between the two. To make it a little more comfortable and the dip less noticeable, I added a piece of my old bar tape to fill the gap. These are Shimano shifters, so depending on your brand and model this dip between the grips and shifters might not be so pronounced.
Additional bar tape added to fill the gap between the Top Grip and the shifter.
The Really Long Handlebar Tape
To be able to completely wrap your bars, Redshift Sports created the Really Long Bar Tape. Since the bars are quite wide, you will need the extra length to get the bars covered. Besides the Redshift logo on it and the long length, it is pretty much like most other bar tapes. This bar tape is 315 cm long where most bar tapes are 180-200 cm long.
The closed-cell foam and durable polyurethane outer is 3 mm thick. The outer cover has small squares on the surface to provide good grip even when wet. The thickness isn’t too chunky, and the anti-vibration padding is comfortable on gravel roads.
On the back side of the tape there is an adhesive backing. Do note, it is very good adhesive and is quite sticky. I had to remove the tape after installing it so I could adjust my shifters, while unwrapping the tape the adhesive started to pull the foam away from the outer layer. So, I had to carefully and slowly remove the tape to not damage it.
360° Ride Guarantee
Redshift has a 90-day risk free trial. This gives you 90 days to return items for full refund, no questions asked. They stand behind their products and want to make it right if you are unsatisfied with any product. The Top Shelf Handlebars come with a lifetime warranty.
Test Riding
I have been testing the Redshift Sports Top Shelf Handlebars for about a month now and I have ridden over 30 hours on the bars before writing this review. I have ridden road, gravel, and off-road single-track trails. I have a few gravel bike paths near my house that were used for most of the testing. Some of the paths are small smooth gravel but can be a little slick in the turns. There are also some chunky sections that require a bit of focus to remain in control. At no point have these bars let me down.
Body position comparison with hands on the hoods. Previous handlebars above. Top Shelf Handlebars below.
Though quite comfortable, I have noticed some differences in control, some good, others not as much. With the higher rise, you tend to be a bit more top heavy. This changes your center of gravity which is noticeable on sharp flat turns (90° turns with no embankment). When sitting upright on the tops, I feel like I need to go a little slower to prevent sliding out, but if I get into the drops and lean my body down closer to the bars, I can comfortably navigate the turn at higher speeds (about 17+ mph). At lower speeds this isn’t an issue.
Another difference in control, since these bars are quite wide, you get a lot of leverage and stability. Standing up in the hoods or drops is very stable. They are great in technical areas because you feel very confident and in control. I found when on flowy single-track I could really direct the bike with ease. Since the drops are even wider than the hoods, if you sprint or want to put some power down, you have a lot over leverage when pulling on the bars.
To increase the comfort of the Top Shelf Handlebars, Redshift Sports created the Cruise Control Drop Bar Grip System. Though using the bars without the grips works just fine, adding the Top Grip increases the comfort significantly. The Top Grip is ergonomically shaped for a great feel in the hands, and they are rubbery, so they provide some extra cushioning.
The Drop Grip is like the Top Grip in that it is ergonomically shaped for comfort and made from the same material. It has groves in it to provide a slip resistant grip. It has a nice flat surface to rest your hand on which reduces fatigue. On bumpy and rough terrain, the Drop Grips can really help you hold onto the bars better.
The Cruise Control system is a great addition to the Top Shelf Handlebars and really increases the comfort. I really like the Top Grips a lot and I would highly recommend them. If I could only choose one of the two, I would go with the Top Grips over the Drop Grips. The Drop Grips I am indifferent about. I don’t hate them, but I don’t love them. I also don’t regret putting them on either. One thing to note, if you don’t get the drop grips, you will most likely need the Really Long Bar Tape.
The Redshift bar tape is quite good and has held up well so far, but to this point I haven’t been able to test out its long-term durability. Bar tape is a consumable item though and gets a lot of wear and tear. It should also be change frequently, especially if you are a heavy sweater.
The bend of the drops on the bars aren’t too deep and I found them to be comfortable. The bend is a single radius D-shaped bend that feels good when in the drops and braking. The bend is quite traditional and is found on many bars. The flat part of the drop is long enough to fit my whole hand which allows for plenty of grip while in the drops.
Final Thoughts
The Redshift Sports Top Shelf Handlebars aren’t going to be for everyone. Handlebars are a very personal choice, especially since it is a main contact point that the rider will be spending a lot of time on. I have found them to be quite comfortable and stable while riding. I think they will be a good choice for many people, especially people looking to find a more upright position. I think a lot of people can benefit from using these handlebars. If you’ve had difficulty getting comfortable on the bike, these might be the bars to help solve some issues.
Above, and Below. Body position comparison with hands on the top of the handlebars. Previous handlebars Above. Top Shelf Handlebars Below.
Learn more at the Redshift Sports Website
About Jason Lopez
Jason Lopez of JayLo Cycling is a Structural Design Engineer based in Huntsville, AL. He is an avid cyclist and has over 10 years of combined experience between riding, training, and racing. His first love is road cycling, but he will have a heavy focus on gravel riding and racing this year. When not riding his road or gravel bike, you can probably find him somewhere lost in the woods on his MTB or on another bikepacking adventure.