Note: Redshift Sports sent out a sample of their Top Shelf Flat Bar for test and review to Guitar Ted Productions at no charge. Guitar Ted is neither being paid, nor bribed, for this review. All opinions are Guitar Ted's and Redshift Sports has no say or influence on this review.
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| Redshift Sports now offers a flat bar style handlebar in the Top Shelf. |
Recently I was asked to try out a new handlebar from Redshift Sports, I was initially thinking this would be another version of their great drop bars, but not this time! Instead, it is a flat bar, with rise, of course, and it is called the Top Shelf Flat Bar.
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| The Top Shelf Bar on my 2003 Surly Karate Monkey |
The Top Shelf Flat Bar comes in two rises. A 50mm rise and a 70mm rise. (50mm shown) The aluminum bar uses a 800mm width, which can be trimmed down. The bar features a five degree upsweep and a 12 degree backsweep for a comfortable hand and arm position. Claimed weight for a 50mm rise version is 544 grams and the 70mm rise version weighs in at a claimed 552 grams.
Price for the Top Shelf Flat Bar is $129.99 USD and boasts a Lifetime Warranty. You can see the webpage for this bar HERE.
Like its drop bar sibling, the Top Shelf Flat Bar has a 31.8mm diameter clamping section for the stem attachment. The top of the handlebar is a continuous hollow bar of 6061 T6 aluminum with a 22.2mm diameter which means this is a great part of the bar for your accessories.
Other riser bar designs often use a smaller diameter crossbar between the riser sections, or have no crossbar at all. This leaves very little room to mount accessories to those types of bars. Redshift avoids this hassle by employing the design they have with this riser flat bar. I think this is smart.
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| The Top Shelf Flat Bar is really great for handlebar mounted bags like this one from Velo Orange. |
Impressions:
The Top Shelf Flat Handlebar has a nice width, in my opinion. While you can cut it down, I happened to find the stock length "just right" for my Karate Monkey. The width lends a great amount of control. Leverage is perfect for grinding up a hill in single speed mode.
There are a lot of handlebars with backsweep and everyone has an opinion on how much is too much or not enough. The Top Shelf Flat Bar has 12° of backsweep and I felt it was right in the pocket for my single speed. This amount of sweep feels natural, and not weird when standing and mashing the pedals.
Thankfully this handlebar is not so stiff it "zings" your hands on sharp hits or abrupt surface changes. In fact, I can detect a little give to the extensions of the bar, and while I'd never mistake this for vibration reduction, it serves as a bit of relief from the pounding meted out by riding rigid.
Final Verdict:
This is a great handlebar with a design detail which makes it practical and easy to get along with. The backsweep is in the sweet-spot, the width is great, and the way the top section can be used for accessories is very handy. Plus it rides well and feels natural in the hands.
All in all, another hit from a long line of great products from Redshift Sports. It isn't flashy, but it gets the job done and in a smart way. www.redshiftsports.com
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