Review: Redshift Sports SPD SL Mousetrap Pedal Adapter

 Redshift Sports sent over a pair of Mousetrap SPD-SL Pedal Adapters at no charge to Guitar Ted Productions. Guitar Ted was not bribed, nor paid, for this review. All images and opinions are Guitar Ted's unless otherwise noted. 

Earlier this year I reviewed a set of Mousetrap Pedal Adapters for Shimano SPD pedals. (HERE) Redshift Sports promised other adapters for pedals, other than the ubiquitous Shimano SPD, would be produced. Well, today Redshift Sports has released Mousetrap Pedal Adapters for LOOK Keo and Shimano SPD-SL road pedals. 

I have a set of the SPD-SL adapters, and this is what this article will focus on. My set came in around a month ago now and I have been using the SPD-SL Mousetraps for several weeks. 

What They Are: The Mousetrap Pedal Adapter is an accessory which turns your clipless pedals into flat pedals. This allows you to ride any bicycle fitted with either the SPD, SPD-SL, or LOOK Keo pedals without having to wear specific cycling shoes. 

The Mousetrap Pedal Adapter is a Nylon composite device with a magnet which attaches to the interface of your SPD-SL type pedal, giving it a flat platform which you then can safely and comfortably pedal on. 

Measuring a healthy 80mm x 105mm, there is plenty of space for most feet. The surface is textured to provide some grip for street shoes. Stack height is a low 10mm, so they don't add much to the pedal. 

Turn this into...........

 

This! A pedal you can use without special shoes.

Specifications:

Material: Glass-filled Nylon (Composite)

Weight: 170 gm SPD-SL (Tested), 160 gm LOOK Keo,  176 gm SPD (All weights for a pair of Mousetraps)

Dimensions: 80mm x  105mm x 10mm. 

Colors: Black/Grey,  Purple/Black,  Teal/Pink,  Blue/Orange

Compatibility: SPD-SL is compatible with Shimano SPD-SL road pedals and most SPD-SL compatible road pedals including Garmin and Favero. LOOK Keo compatible with LOOK Keo pedals. SPD compatible with Shimano SPD and most SPD compatible pedals. NOTE: Crank Brothers Mousetraps are coming in 2027.  

Retail Pricing*  $59.99 USD | £49.99 GPB | €59.99 EUR | $79.99 CAD | $99.99 AUD

* 25% Off at Launch as part of Redshift’s Early Black Friday Sale

Ride Review: 

Normally I get into a set up/installation portion in a review before I start into the riding bits. I feel the Mousetrap Pedal Adapter is so easy to install it is not really worth time to cover. It takes very little time to snap one into a clipless pedal. It takes very little time to remove the adapter. Easy-peasy. 

So, the riding part.... Well, it is simple, really. The Mousetrap just does the thing and you do not notice it. I will say that I have hours and hours of riding time on the SPD version. I did not stop riding with them when the review came out. I'll get into why that was in a bit. I just wanted to point out that I have a very good idea of what is possible on the Mousetrap Pedal Adapters. 

They are not going to be very good at mountain biking, for instance. They wouldn't likely work great in mud. Snow? Maybe... No, these are really great on paved roads, great for urban riding, casual rides, and commuting. I did do a long gravel ride on these once and....yeah. They were fine. I would just say leave out any aggressive riding and these pedal adapters will most likely do well in drier situations. 

There is a bit of a learning curve to getting rolling with the Mousetrap Pedal Adapters. Since they 'hang' upside down, you have to flip them to get rolling. Obviously your first pedal stroke is easy. Getting the second foot on the platform is a bit of a trick. I found by dragging my toe at just the right point behind the pedal I was able to flip the adapter upright and I could slide my foot on and pedal away.  

In regard to the SPD-SL Mousetraps, I did notice the adapter platform had a very small bit of "float" in the pedal. I asked Redshift about this and they said they noted it as well in the Keo version. Some of this can be 'dialed out' by increasing the tension on the pedal retention mechanism, but I would not worry about this. It is very minimal and I hardly noticed any movement unless I focused on it intently. The SPD version does not have this 'float', by the way. 

Final Word: 

Here is the thing I find so notable about the Mousetrap Pedal Adapter range- The things are just so darn useful. I use them all the time. Now, when I first looked at the Mousetrap idea I was a little dismissive. "Neat idea, Redshift, but I don't know how useful it is". 

Well, I learned a lot over the past months using the SPD version. I used them a lot while setting up a new component on a bike. Gotta do a test ride? Slap in the Mousetrap and get it done. No need to work on your bike in your clipless shoes. No need to hope you don't slip off your SPD-SL's while wearing your Crocs. Not that I have Crocs..... I don't. Just saying.... 

I can see the value in having the Mousetraps along for a trip to an event. They would allow you to ride your bike to an event expo, registration/packet pickup, a pre-ride meeting, or post ride beers. All without having to clank around in your clipless shoes. Wear your sandals, PF Flyers, cow boy boots.....whatever. 

Personally, I found the most use for the Mousetraps as a commuter/errand device allowing me to ride any bike I have. This worked great since I am an SPD pedal junkie. In fact, I had to borrow the SPD-SL's for this test since I do not own a road bike, and if I did I'd probably put SPD's on it! But regardless, the fact I could enjoy any of my bikes for commuting, bombing around the neighborhood, or whatever, at any time I wanted without having to put on cycling-specific shoes, was liberating. It doesn't matter if you have SPD-SL's, LOOK Keo pedals, or SPDS, the Mousetraps open up your bike for spontaneous uses, purposeful casual rides, or whenever you are not wanting to wear cycling shoes. 

So, why not just put flat pedals on all your bikes. Well.....then you wouldn't have clipless pedals and their advantages. (I'll let you decide what those advantages might be) Meanwhile, get some Mousetrap Pedal Adapters. You won't be sorry you did. 

The Redshift Mousetrap Pedal Adapter range can be seen on Redshift Sports site HERE.  

Redshift Sports Quickdraw Saddle Bag: Review

Note: Redshift Sports sent over two Quickdraw Saddle Bags for test and review to Guitar Ted at no charge. Guitar Ted is not being paid, nor bribed for this review. All opinions are Guitar Ted's. 

Saddle bags, tool rolls, or seat packs. These accessory items go by various names depending upon who you speak to. The theme here is a bag, made from sturdy fabric, usually, which straps under a saddle. This bag can hold things like a spare tube, tools, or more if they are large. 

I don't know......there must be ten million variations on this theme out there. Anyone who has done any time cycling has seen one of these. You have to wonder, what could possibly be done to improve upon this idea? 

Well, leave it to the smart folks at Redshift Sports, who seem to keep cranking out new ideas, to come up with a twist on the old idea. Introducing the Quickdraw Saddle Bag. 

What It Is: Redshift calls this a saddle bag. I think it is almost a tool roll. Hmm.... Anyway, their take on this classic design is to make the space minimalist, and to attach it in a very unique way. The bag itself is rectangular in shape. I received both the Small and Medium sizes. Right now, this is all that is available. These measure approximately as such: 

Medium: 

Weight: 79gm bag only*

Length/Width/Depth: 125mm x 85mm x 55mm

Price: $69.99 USD ($99.99 CAD, £64.99 GBP, €74.99 EUR,$114.99 AUD)

Small:

Weight: 72 gm bag only*

Length/Width/Depth: 130mm x 85mm x 50mm 

Price:  $69.99 USD ($99.99 CAD, £64.99 GBP, €74.99 EUR,$114.99 AUD)

Other: Extra Strap/clips available for $19.99 USD ($29.99 CAD, £19.99 GBP, €24.99 EUR, $34.99 AUD) Lifetime warranty and 90 day risk-free trial. www.redshiftsports.com/products/quickdraw-saddle-bag

*Note: These are my measurements and may not reflect what you see for examples in your hands.The strap and saddle rail clip adds about 35 grams.

Okay, so these two sizes of the Quickdeaw Saddle Bag don't seem that different on paper, but in reality, they are very different, as far as what you can expect to carry inside of them.  

Speaking of the inside, you have a nice sealed zipper with a pull which has a shrink tube over cording that makes for a nice zipper pull. Now we get to one difference from most saddle bags. This bag opens "suitcase style". So the zipper goes around three sides and the bag opens up with a "lid" portion and a "body" portion. Inside you'll see some red lining, a nice contrasting color to most things you will carry, and an extra Neoprene black colored pouch/pocket in the "lid". 

The Quickdraw Saddle Bag is different in that it opens "suitcase" style. Note the inner pocket in the "lid". 

Both bags are not meant to be opened on the bike. So, just how does this bag come off? Well, now we're getting to the really interesting part. 

The Quickdraw Saddle Bag has a Neodymium magnet sewn on top of it and a matching magnet in the strap.  

 The Quickdraw Saddle Bag has a magnetic design. The magnets are what allows you to quickly take the bag on and off your bike. Thus the name. One magnet is sewn on top of the bag itself. The other is part of the strap design, which includes a saddle rail clip. This clip centers the magnet on the strap between the rails. Then the bag snaps into place the same way every time. The strap is the "insurance" that the bag stays put. What is more, the strap can be loosened just enough to remove the bag and when it is replaced, you can simply tighten the strap with a pull and the hook and loop material does what it does. 

A look at the saddle rail clips and strap with central magnetic "box" on an old Campy Aero seat post. 

 Features:

Here is a list of features and benefits from Redshift's press release: 

  Super Fast Access & Removal: Engineered for seamless one-handed operation, allowing you to hold your bike with one hand while removing or attaching the bag with the other.

•  Zero-Fuss Magnetic Mounting: An internal magnet holds the bag securely in place while you compress and lock it in place with the single main strap—no more tedious looping around saddle rails to reattach.
•  Multi-Bike Versatility: Purchase a second strap for another bike and seamlessly swap the Quickdraw bag between bikes.
•  Dropper & Suspension Seatpost Compatible: The bag mounts securely to the saddle rails alone and does not contact the seatpost, ensuring flawless operation on dropper posts and suspension seatposts.
•   Luggage-Style Opening: Unzip and open the bag like a book: you can access all your gear without the risk of it all falling out. The high-visibility interior lining makes it easy to see everything you have.
•  Smart Internal Storage: The bag features a dedicated interior neoprene pocket for your multi-tool or other items you want kept separate. 
•  Optimized for Every Discipline: Available in two sizes: small for road and narrow tire gravel and medium for MTB and wider tire gravel.

Impressions:

The bags are well made using abrasion resistant fabrics and there are reflective elements incorporated into the design as well for better nighttime visibility. The zippers are weatherproof and glide open and shut easily. 

Redshift designed the saddle rail clips to be secure and not so bulky or long that you cannot use the Quickdraw Saddle Bag. For instance, I have a bike set up with an SMP Pro saddle and to get my position correct, I have it slid forward on its rails quite a bit. This leaves little exposed rail in the back to attach most saddle bags. In some instances, a saddle bag would not work. 

Due to the design of the Quickdraw's saddle rail clamp, I was able to get the bag on this saddle. I thought this was impressive. If you typically run your saddle forward, and have had past difficulties finding a nice seat bag, the Quickdraw may be an answer for you.  

I would classify the Quickdraw as a minimalist bag. This is not the bag you are going to stuff with an extra windbreaker, a sandwich, and all your repair tools. This is much more akin to a flat repair type bag, although it can do a little more than this. I have ideas, which I will share later. 

Overall, the design is solid, and it looks classy. This bag is easily removed, and re-installed. A plus over many other bags and which lends it to being used in different ways. Redshift offers extra straps/saddle rail clip assemblies separately, so you can set your entire fleet up with straps and just transfer a single bag around as necessary. A smart way to go if you own and ride multiple bicycles. 

The Medium Quickdraw with some cargo installed

 How I Used The Quickdraw Saddle Bag:

I grabbed some tubes and multi-tools, with a tire lever for each bag, and used the Quickdraw as a flat repair kit to get the test rolling. Strapping on one Quickdraw to my Raleigh Tamland Two and the other to my Singular Cycles Peregrine Mk4, I was ready to test. While I could have tried other cargo, I always do this basic test with bags. Once while testing a tool roll I had set up with some of my prized, on-the-bike repair items, I lost the entire tool roll on a ride due to a flaw in the bag's design. So..... once bitten, twice shy!

My Singular Cycles Peregrine Mk4 on the morning of a metric century. The Quickdraw looks right on point here. 

 Ride Impressions:

Of course, the two main functions of any bag on a bicycle is to (a) not fall off, and (b) hold your stuff without breaking. look good, and not be a nuisance while riding. (Okay, I stuffed a couple of extras in there!)  

The Quickdraw Saddlebag does all this and more. No rattles, nothing to even indicate it is on the bike, which is a good thing. I rode a metric gravel century, many multi-surface rides, and did some rougher stuff just to make sure the strap and magnet would hold up. It all works just fine. I really see no reason at all to doubt the integrity of this product.  

My only negative thing I found was that these bags, while weather resistant, are not waterproof. I conducted a rain test, since it was so rainy here recently. The material the bag is made from wetted out after an hour sitting in a moderate rain. Your cargo will get wet on a longer, rainy, wet ride. So, just be aware of that if you carry steel tools or anything which might get damaged by wetness in the Quickdraw.  

The Quickdraw Saddle Bag on my Raleigh Tamland Two

Overall Thoughts:

In the future, I probably wouldn't use the Quickdraw Saddle Bag as a tool kit, Here's why: Because it is easily removable. This got me to considering something during the metric century ride I did. 

Many of the rides I enjoy involve stopping with friends at convenience stores, coffee shops, or bakeries. Fiddling with cash, cards, and receipts can be a hassle when you are in a hurry to get through a checkout. Scooping up your booty is chaos at times. And where do you stuff this on your bike?. Your jersey pockets? They get sweaty. No good. 

I'd thought about using the Quickdraw as my "wallet". A place to store my card, money, receipts, and extra camera batteries, or personal items. The bag is so easily taken off and replaced on your bike you can use the Quickdraw in this manner. This is not the case with most other seat packs. The suitcase style opening makes seeing what is in there a breeze. This also prevents stuff from inside falling out on the ground. Plus, and most importantly, the strap stays on the bike. So the bag is essentially like a mini-purse, in a way. I don't mind saying I quite like this idea. 

I also thought this bag would be great little organizer inside a larger bag. Say you want to have personal items, or smaller repair spares separated within a larger bag with no inner pockets. This Quickdraw bag could be a way to quickly access those items without digging through a bunch of stuff floating around inside a bigger bag. 

Of course, if you want to stuff the Quickdraw bag with tools, TPU tubes, or a bottle of chain lube, that is appropriate and smart as well. One thing I will note here is that the ever more popular mini-compressors may not fit this bag, and if they do, it would be all you'd get in there, I think. I found a few which, if the dimensions are correct, would fit, but these would leave little room for anything beside the compressor. 

 Final Thoughts:

Not all bags work for everyone, and this is why we have different bags. The Redshift folks took a stab at the minimalist seat pack, and came away with something which is truly unique, and actually makes sense. 

This is not an easy thing to accomplish after decades of saddle bag designs which have flooded the market. Looking at it this way,  Redshift Sports has impressed me and I appreciate this bag range from that standpoint. 

But besides the smart design, it is a well made and easily used product. If the Quickdraw Saddlebag fits what you need from an on-bike storage solution, then I cannot think of anything I could recommend above this bag. Yes, I do like other bags for different reasons, but because this bag works in the manner it does, I feel it has versatility other seat packs simply do not possess. 

Also, the Quickdraw bags seems to be well made, durable, and they look great on the bike. I can recommend this bag as a minimalist tool bag, or as a way to carry important smaller items with you on and off the bicycle. However you decide to employ the Quickdraw Saddle Bag, I don't think you'll be disappointed. 

Review: Redshift Sports Top Shelf Flat Bar

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. 

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. 

The Top Shelf Bar on my 2003 Surly Karate Monkey

What It Is:

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 14 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. 

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 14° 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

Review: Redshift Sports Mousetrap Pedal Adapters

The Redshift Sports Mousetrap Pedal Adapter in the wild

Introduction:

Redshift Sports sent over a pair of Mousetrap Pedal Adapters at no charge to Guitar Ted Productions. Guitar Ted was not bribed, nor paid, for this review. All images and opinions are Guitar Ted's unless otherwise noted.  

I have several bicycles. Some of them have flat pedals installed and some do not. Maybe it is just me, but there are days I'd like to ride the bikes without flat pedals and well...... Riding in street shoes on SPD's is not only uncomfortable, but likely dangerous. 

Most likely....

But I would do the deed on street shoes and SPD's at times because I am just in a hurry or I really want to test ride that bike NOW! Going up to slide into SPD compatible shoes is just going to take time and energy. 

Now what if there were a product you could install in seconds which would convert your clipless pedals into flats, look good doing it, and perform well? Now you might call something like this a "better mousetrap. And you know what? This is exactly what Redshift Sports has done. 

The Mousetrap Pedal Adapter:

The Mousetrap Pedal Adapter is a Nylon composite device with a magnet which attaches to the interface of your SPD type pedal, giving it a flat platform which you then can safely and comfortably pedal on. 

Measuring a healthy 80mm x 105mm, there is plenty of space for most feet. The surface is textured to provide some grip for street shoes. (With a rubber soul, don't-cha know ) The stack height of the Mousetraps is 10mm, which should be nearly imperceptible and according to Redshift, make a saddle height adjustment unnecessary. 

Redshift Sports claims a pair of Mousetrap Pedal Adapters weighs about 176 grams. I didn't weigh the pair I have until after they had gotten dirty and they weighed 165 grams. So, that's nice. You can obtain a set of Mousetrap Pedal Adapters now for a price of $59.99/pair. Oh.....and they come in Black/Grey, but there are some limited edition colors too. 

Currently the Mousetrap Pedal Adapters are only compatible with SPD type pedals. However; Redshift Sports says  SPD-SL, Look Keo, and Crank Brothers compatible variants will be coming Fall 2026. 

How The Mousetrap Works:

So, I don't think these could be any easier to use. I was a bit skeptical when I was pitched the idea for the review. I've seen pedal adapters before. You might recall those Shimano "test ride" inserts. I know lots of bicycles are running around with those on one side of a set of SPD pedals, and once they are in there they are nearly impossible to remove.  Was the Mousetrap going to use a similar retention idea? 

The Mousetrap Pedal Adapter showing the tab which interfaces with the SPD pedal 

 Thankfully the Mousetrap does not work like those old Shimano test flats. The Mousetrap has an inner, hinged rectangular part, (on my samples it is the light grey colored bit), which when the front tab is pulled up, the pedal is adapter is ready to be installed, as shown above. Next.....

Place the tab into the leading retention clip on the SPD pedal

 

Then fold over the open part of the Mousetrap Pedal Adapter

And........DONE! Ready to ride!

As I stated above, I don't think this could be done any easier. I installed the adapter with one hand as I took the above images. The Mousetrap comes off just as easily. Well, when you want it to come off. When installed the Mousetrap Pedal Adapter stays put quite nicely. 

Part of the stability of the Mousetrap Pedal Adapters is the magnets embedded into the glass-fiber infused Nylon body. Near as I can tell, there are two magnets in each adapter which land right above the back end of the pedal body. So besides the mechanical connection there is a magnetic one as well. 

Black and grey Mousetraps along with the Limited Edition colors. (Image courtesy of Redshift Sports)

 Riding Impressions:

I've already given it away, but the Mousetrap Pedal Adapter does ride very well. It isn't loose or noisy. It feels pretty secure, although I maybe wouldn't take to doing stunts with these on a bike. No, these adapters are not going to replace your flat pedals, but what they could do for you is open up many options. I'll get to those ideas in a minute. 

I've had the Mousetrap Pedal Adapters for about a month now. I used them for commutes, for the most part, along with some errand riding, and just for bombing around the neighborhood. Again, these adapters feel good, they feel pretty secure, and the diamond pattern molded into the pedal adapter platform is grippy enough for casual pedaling around and maybe a spirited sprint now and then. Rubber soled shoes work best, naturally. I used my PF Flyers, a pair of Keen hiking boots, and a pair of Giant branded MTB shoes with an SPD interface and a rubber sole. 

I have just a couple of nits. One is that the adapters make your pedals hang the Mousetraps face down to the ground. This is a bit of a kludge when the ride requires a lot of stopping and starting. You could buy two sets of Mousetraps and have double-sided platforms. So, if this is really an issue, there is this remedy. Secondly, while Redshift designed these so you wouldn't have to change your saddle height, I think it is a bit noticeable that you have something a bit different going on with regard to leg extension. Now granted, this may be due to shoes. I understand this. I also know I have a sensitivity to saddle height, an almost "Princess and the Pea" level of sensitivity to saddle height changes. So this could be chalked up to Guitar Ted's weirdness.  

I used the Mousetrap Pedal Adapters on a recent gravel ride.

 I even did a gravel ride with the Mousetraps on the bike, using the adapters for about half the ride, and the clipless side for the other half. The Mousetraps stayed in place without any noises or issues at all. I was pretty impressed. 

Comments:

I could see how the Mousetrap Pedal Adapters could be used as a way to make it fun and attractive to use your race bike at a venue to get around with. I know many times big events have a day, or maybe two days, ahead of the event with expos, food, and music. You can easily pop in these adapters and go run about wherever without worrying about slipping off the clipless pedal or fatiguing your feet. Plus you won't have to clomp around in stiff riding shoes. 

Obviously commuting, errands, or fun rides on your SPD equipped bike can now happen for you anytime without the hassle of finding your cycling shoes and putting them on. The Mousetraps are small enough to fit into your pocket, and can be installed and removed in seconds. So, it is something you might even want on a touring bike or bike packing trip for short excursions to the showers in your flip-flops, or for that beer run into town and back. 

Conclusions:

The Mousetrap Pedal Adapters are a very clever idea which was implemented excellently. They are easy to use, effective at what they were designed to do, and they could be applied to many different situations. I found them to be very impressive and useful. They opened up an easy way for me to grab any bike in my stable and ride it in my street shoes. 

It is hard to find anything not to like here. So, I will quit trying and just enjoy them. I'd recommend these to anyone who has a bicycle with a clipless Shimano style pedal who could use a platform pedal now and again. 

Check these adapters out HERE and the other great products Redshift Sports offers at Redshift Sports .  

Top Ten Recommendos

 Welcome to a top-ten list of cycling items I would heartily recommend for any gravel cycling person out there. This list comprises my choices of the top-ten items I am most impressed with and which I use personally. These represent the things I would tell you to buy if you asked me. 

I should say some of these items were review items which I have continued to use. So, please refer to the Standard Disclaimer for how I view such things.  

I also will be posting a few links to the company websites and in a few cases I will pass along some recent information on discounts and sales I am aware of. You should know II do not have any affiliate links, association with sales/discounts, or any ties whatsoever to promotions these companies are running currently. I have not, and will not ever, monetize Guitar Ted Productions. 

So, let's get into the list. These are listed in no particular order, by the way. I also may have a few extra recommendos along with my choices in certain cases. 

Ergon BT Gravel Handlebar Tape

Handle bar tape is something many of us do not give a lot of thought to beyond color. However; it can enhance your ride to a great degree if you choose your tape carefully. 

I've found from using many different brands of handle bar tape over the past 20 years that Ergon's BT Gravel tape is the best from a ride feel and durability standpoint. 

While it costs a little bit more than some other tapes, this is not a place to 'cheap-out' on since you have your hands here most of your riding time. Why not have the most comfortable tape you can get? At $44.95 USD, it is worth it to protect your hands and get a better ride to boot. 

I will say two negative things about this tape: One- Their color options are limited and will not be everyone's cup of tea. Second - BT Gravel tape is some of the most difficult tape to install I've ever used. So, be sure to have an experienced mechanic put it on for you, or carefully follow Ergon's video instructions if you want to try to install it yourself. 

Despite my reservations, I still would highly recommend this tape as being the best you can get. Plus, Ergon's BT OrthoCell pad accessory can make the BT Gravel tape even more comfortable. 
 

Ergon AllRoad SR Core Comp Saddle

Snub-nosed saddles are the fashion in seating for performance cycling these days. The first saddle of this type I ever tried was Ergon's SR AllRoad Core Comp. Ironically, it is the only snub-nosed saddle I still use!

Ergon uses a center channel design to relieve soft tissue issues and the padding is generous without being too soft or unsupported. This particular model, the SR AllRoad Core Comp, has steel rails, but you can get higher end titanium or carbon railed versions if you want. 

The Core saddle line uses BASF Infinergy padding, which is amazing. It really is different. It probably is the main reason, besides the non-irritating fit, that I keep this saddle on my Noble GX5, where it has been since I received it for a review several years ago.  

This saddle comes in two sizes and runs $154.95 from Ergon's site. You might find it cheaper online. 

I like this saddle as it reduces gravel road vibrations well, plus it doesn't irritate me at all. I know..... Saddles are highly personal items. Not every recommendation will suit some people. This is, unfortunately, a truth and you can only discover what works best for you by some trial and error. I'd recommend getting a sit bone measurement, if possible, and this will help guide your choices.   
 

Redshift Sports ShockStop Stem

Image courtesy of Redshift Sports

Anyone who has read this blog for very long knows I am a big fan and user of Redshift Sports ShockStop stems. 

While many are excited by the prospects for telescopic front forks on gravel bikes, I do not subscribe to the hype. Most "all-road" applications should be focused upon vibration reduction, not the absorption of obstacles as in mountain biking. If this seems wise, then it makes zero sense to have a telescopic front fork with its excessive weight, complexity, and frequent maintenance schedules. Especially when a 'suspension stem', like the ShockStop, does the job for less money, zero maintenance, and in a far better, more efficient way. 

Adding in the tune-ability of the spring rate, the ability to mount the ShockStop on almost any gravel bike, and its far less expensive cost versus a telescopic fork, it is a better choice. All of those things make the ShockStop stem a high value-high performance option. An option which more gravel riders would do well to explore.  Especially now since Redshift is running a sale offering riders 25% off regular prices now through November 17th. 

Redshift Sports also has several other products I'd recommend like their ShockStop seat posts and their awesome pedals. But the ShockStop stem is the product I will not ride without. Check it out if you desire a better ride experience.  

 Redshift Sports Kitchen Sink Handlebar

Flared drop bars are a product of early attempts to make mountain biking more comfortable and controlled. When gravel cycling got going in the mid-2000's, the flared drop bar enjoyed a renaissance of sorts, and they became ubiquitous on most every gravel bicycle you see anymore. 

One of my favorite flared drop bars is the Redshift Sports Kitchen Sink handle bar with the extension on the front. (It is also available without the extension)

The Kitchen Sink has a little riser action going on, a decent amount of flare, but not too much, and the extension can hold the excellent Kitchen Sink Handlebar Bag, which is a great accessory. If you are not a fan of that much flare in your handlebars, there is a Low Flare option for this handlebar as well. 

That's a lot of options for one handlebar model. I'd always choose the regular Kitchen Sink with the extension and bag, but it is great to see Redshift offering variations on the theme. You can also see I have the Cruise Control grips on my Kitchen Sink bar, which I love. Plus, these are all on sale as mentioned above until 11/1725. 
 

Twin Six Thermal Cargo Bib Shorts

Image courtesy of Twin Six

It is getting cooler every day, and the Winter cycling gear is getting drug out of drawers and closets all across the world in the Northern Hemisphere now. One piece of kit I have purchased recently which I have found indispensable is the Twin Six Thermal Cargo Bib Shorts. 

I have been quite impressed with how these fit and feel. The brushed inner fabric is warm, but still will work in temperatures into the 50's. The length of these is perfect, allowing tall socks to create a total barrier to the elements, or you can bare the skin for warmer rides. 

Having "pockets" is amazing. They really are not pockets per se', but you will find them great for putting things in like wrappers from nutrition, gloves, and even thin wallets, which you won't lose even when pedaling along. (Well....I haven't lost anything out of them yet!)

They are not cheap. But when you want gear which feels good while riding, doesn't require stupid detailed care, and holds up, and looks great? The money spent is well worth it. I am happy to have spent my hard earned dollars on these bib knickers. 

Also take the time to check out Twin Six's other gear, like their t-shirts, water bottles, jerseys, and socks, all things I also swear by and use often. 

Mint Socks 

Image courtesy of Mint Socks

Socks are not an item which carries a great deal of importance when it comes to gear reviews or media attention. However; can you imagine a world where all socks were sub-par and you had to wear them? Well, thankfully, that is not the case! Especially when we have Mint Socks to choose from as cyclists. 

Mint is a cyclist-owned, small business whose owner happens to be a female. I like to support such companies, and I can assure you Mint has awesome products as well. 

I don't know how many pairs of Mint socks I have, but I'd be willing to say that Mint has about 1/3rd of my sock drawer filled, and it will continue to rise in "drawer-share" in the future. Why? Because as a cyclist, I can say these socks work really well for on-the-bike and off-the-bike usage. 

Mint changes things up on a fairly regular basis when it comes to colors and models.. They do wool and synthetic blend socks, so you can get socks for year-round use.  They wear like iron, feel great, and launder easily. 

With so many great fashionable choices, high-performance, and small company charm, I cannot recommend these socks highly enough. Check them out next time you need something to cover those bare feet of yours. 

Hand Up Gloves

I  wrote a review on HandUp Gloves which you may have seen recently. But I cannot leave them off this list because I really like their products. 

I mean, ya gotta cover the hands sometimes, and right now the weather pretty much dictates we do this as cyclists. You may as well use a really great glove to do this with. HandUp makes really great gloves for any and all seasons. 

I typically use their Standard (Most days) gloves, but I do also have their cold weather gloves in two weights which I swear by in Winter. 

HandUp gloves come in an array of fashionable colors and patterns, some with goofy sayings on the palms which act as gripper surfaces for your handlebar grips or tape. They are reasonably priced, long-lasting, and come in various styles, some which I did not mention here. So, you are sure to find something which will work for you on their site. 

They also do other apparel, like shirts, shorts, and pants. But I have no experiences with anything else they make, so I cannot speak to those items. I just know the gloves are awesome. Check HandUp out next time you need something to cover those mitts of yours.

 Bike Iowa PogieLites

When the winds howl and the cold creeps in wherever you don't want it, then the pogies come out! No.....they are not little gremlins, but they are like fairings for your hands. They keep the cold winds at bay, and create a little micro-climate inside which keeps your hand warmer. 

The thing is, these can be cumbersome to install, and usually remain on the bike until you get to warmer weather when you take them off. But what about in between weather times when you may see a warm up, or if there is a cold Spring day after you've taken the pogies off for the season?  Or what if it warms up too much for pogies during a ride, or cools off so much you wished you had them?

This is where Iowa-born Pogie Lites come in. They are a non-structured pogie option which does what regular, structured pogies do, but can come off or be put on easily. They are also stashable, because you can roll them up into a size which would fit into a bag, or maybe even jersey pockets.  

Pogie Lites are three-season items you might just find to be worthwhile to have around for better comfort during inclement, or cold spells where your hands might be freezing without them. Also, you may note as well that these pogies still allow you to grip the bars outside of their fabric because the fabric is pliable and compresses under your grip around the handle bar. This comes in handy more than you may think. And yes, you can make them work on some drop bar configurations as well. 

Feedback Sports Workstand

My old Ultimate Repair Stand - Now known as Feedback Sports

Repair stands are indispensable items for anyone who might want to do any sort of maintenance on their bicycle(s). Even if all you do is clean your bicycle or lubricate your chain, it is so much easier done with a repair stand. 

While there are several portable repair stands available for bicycles, the best in class portable repair stand is made by Feedback Sports. 

I purchased my repair stand from this company when they were known as "Ultimate". (You may recall they made stands for Public Address speakers as well.) Now known as Feedback Sports, they offer a wide array of repair stands and other tools and gear for cyclists. 

My repair stand's analog in 2025 would be the Pro Mechanic model. (linked above). While its $425.00 cost may seem prohibitive, my stand is still going after twenty years of service. You should easily be able to squeeze that much out of yours, if you buy one, or more. 

The Pro Mechanic stand has a very well thought out clamp which is easy to use. The stand itself is sturdy, stable, and allows 360° rotation of the bike while you work on it. It is very adjustable for height, making it perfect for family use by adults and children who are old enough to understand how to use the stand and execute good judgement. 

This is an investment into your cycling which will last for literally decades. The fact that a repair stand makes things so much easier makes a choice like this so worth the money spent. 
 

Foundation Elite Tool Kit 

Image courtesy of Jenson USA

If you get a repair stand, and/or you want to do your own maintenance, you should check out this basic tool kit through Jenson USA from their Foundation series of tools. The Foundation Elite Tool Kit has all the essentials to get you started on doing basic tasks on your bicycle maintenance list. 

I can vouch for how well these tools work since I chose this kit for a remote tool kit at the Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective. It has tools which other company's kits have at one third the price. Yet these tools work as well or better than tools found in those more expensive tool kits. 

We have groups come in to tear down bicycles we are sending in for scrap and to harvest parts from. Those volunteers often use some of the tools in this kit. If those tools can hold up to usage from unskilled, (mostly), ham-fisted folks, then I think I am okay with recommending them to my readers. 

With a sub-100 dollar price, you won't go wrong, and assembling this kit with its own tool box separately would cost well over the asking price. It is a great value for the beginner mechanic or casual maintenance person. 

________________________________________________________________________

And there you have it! My Top-Ten Recommendations for anyone who might ask me what I would do for cycling gear.  Of course, I have more than ten things I'd recommend, but that would not fit the "Top Ten" thing now, would it? No. 

If you found this useful, let me know in the comments. If you would like to see more posts like this, also, let me know in the comments. Thank you for reading Guitar Ted Productions!

Country Views: Hazy

Escape Route: Sergeant Road bike path.

 Recently we have been under a cloud of haze emanating out of Canada. Wildfires again. We had a similar June two years ago. Then it was quite nasty, but so far, this has only been an annoyance.

It gets old really quick though. Something about it casts a pall over the land and mentally this isn't the same thing as normal skies, so I don't really care for this at all. This is also responsible for lower air quality as well, which was forecast to worsen throughout the day on Monday. So, I decided I'd better ride in the morning.  That way I might get away with not having a scratchy throat and watering eyes.\

Welcome to The Haze!

 

There was another purpose for this ride. As I wrote in my "Two Things" post yesterday, I had installed some new bits on the handlebar of the Gryphon Mk3 and those needed a test run. So, this was the bike I rode and I only was out for a short run. 

 

So, there is a look at things as they are now. The test ride was successful and the Redshift Cruise Control bits are where they need to be. Oddly enough I found I was happiest when I "choked up" on the lower grip and when I hung about a quarter of my palm off the back end of the lower grip.

The upper grip was great to lay on with my forearms as a pseudo aero bar rest, and they were nice for upright climbing as well. By the way, I double wrapped about 3/4's of the bar from the extensions with some random cloth handle bar tape I somehow acquired. An old touring biker trick there. 

I was happy everything seems to be operating at a high level, so now I can put the bike set-up worries away and get on with getting myself tuned up for this little event! 

Two Things

Karolina Migon wins the Women's Elite 200 (Image courtesy of Life Time)

Thoughts On Unbound 2025: 

Well, Unbound is over for another year with record-setting results. I went back and read my reactions to last year's Unbound and you know what? I could almost copy and paste the entire article again. 

So, instead of rehashing the same ol' stuff again, I decided to look at a few other resources for my take on the event, since the Elite/Pro story is not really all that different.  Yes, there were some differences. There was no big sprint finish in the Women's field as Karolina Migon rode everyone off her wheel with around 50 miles to go. There were 20 more women and a few more men in the Elites this time, but the percentages of Elites to "regular folks" was still really lopsided toward the amateurs and the coverage was all about the Elites.

Now, what was interesting was the reaction to what cannot be described as anything but a media blitz on Friday before the event. Folks online were posting a lot of "I'm getting tired of this" sentiments, and while this might be seen as "negative" I read as "fatigue" when it comes to how the cycling media covers this stuff.  As one poster opined: "If I see another 'bike check' so help me...." They weren't wrong either as the tech side was hammered on pre-Unbound while true, engaging story lines were largely missing.

The other thing I saw which I found interesting was a post from an Emporia resident who opined  concerning how the event had changed since the DK200 days. There was mention of the finish line chute, as they run it now with segregated chutes for Pro/Elite and everyone else, as being something which lessened the experience for this person.

The DK200 used to have a tagline which went something like "Everyone is a Rock Star" which spoke to the experience the early organizers tried to give each and every rider. The common finish line chute, with cheering fans which were there for first place through till the bitter ends of the field, are now more focused on where Unbound places the spotlight. Obviously, a huge focus shift to Elites has taken the shine off the ordinary rider, and it would appear some people are noticing this.

Grip It and Rip It:

As stated earlier, I am choosing the Gryphon Mk3 for the Tree In The Road Ride coming up later this month. I've been doing a few minor tweaks to the bike. Things like de-racking it and streamlining the set up for this 70 mile group ride. One thing I decided to do was to try the Redshift Sports Cruise Control system on this bike.

This system is already on my Gen I Fargo, so I already know what to expect, and it was one of the reasons the Gen I Fargo was one of the two bikes I considered taking on this ride. Since I had a spare kit sitting on the shelf, I decided to throw it on the Gryphon which has Luxy Bars on it and see what I thought.

The Luxy Bar is an odd-duck of a flared drop bar, but it has a couple characteristics which are being picked up on by cutting-edge flared drop bar makers. The Luxy was never considered as an "aero-advantage" handle bar, but recent developments have shown the Luxy could have been a contender in this category today. I wrote a post about this which you can check out HERE. 

With the Gevenalle shifters, I now have a pseudo-aero bar position I can use utilizing the Cruise Control upper portion as a place to rest my forearms.It will be just one more place I can go to and relieve tension and pressure during a longer ride. The lower grips I already know will be a boon to avoiding numb hands. 

Friday News And Views

Image courtesy of Paris Ancaster

 Paris Ancaster 2025 To Be UCI World Gravel Champ Qualifier;

Mark your calendars for April 27th, 2025 if you want to engage in the long-running Paris Ancaster event. Long associated with Spring Classic type road racing, the vent now identifies as a "gravel event".  

The top 25% finishers of each age group category in the "UCI distance" will achieve qualification to the UCI World Gravel Championships which the press release said will be in Nice, France in 2025. 

The event will have 100K, 75K, and 45K distances. You can find out more and register for the event by visiting www.parisancaster.com

Thanks to the media contact at Paris Ancaster for the event information.

Wahoo Elemnt ACE Is Real!:

Well, earlier this week you may have caught my post about the new Wahoo Elemnt ACE GPS device. If you missed that, you can click the link to read my take on the thing. 

Now, I know how these press release things work out and the companies that want reviews to drop right at product launch will send product out ahead of time to get into reviewer's hands to enable this "blitz" of information on the designated day. This is why you see "Product X" news across several online sites and reviews on sites and YouTube all on the same day. 

So, it was obvious to me that I'd find out a LOT more about the Elemnt ACE by checking out DC Rainmaker's review on the launch day, because, well.....you just don't launch an electronic cycling device without a DC Rainmaker review, that's why. You can check out the video I watched HERE. 

In that video I learned what I thought I would have guessed to be true. The Wahoo Elemnt ACE isn't 100% fully functional yet. I figured as much because when I got the Elemnt ROAM it wasn't working as well as it does now with the updated software that Wahoo sends out periodically for its devices, like any electronic computer device we use. 

So, while the Element ACE is 'real', it isn't really ready to go at 100% functionality yet. Seems about par for the course these days with electronic cycling computers. I'll stick with my Elemnt ROAM for the foreseeable future. And to boot, I don't need or want such a complicated device. remember when we rode with a six function computer and were happy? Maybe we need to reverse ship....

Image courtesy of Salsa Cycles

Salsa Cycles Shows New Cutthroat Color:

On Tuesday of this past week Salsa Cycles unveiled a new  color for their Cutthroat C model. The color is called "Tangerine", which is an orange to creamy white fade job. 

No big deal there, right? 

I did notice the "C" in the name for the first time which got me curious. Fortunately, Salsa has an archive of older models that goes back several years. I found that the first mention of "Cutthroat C" was in 2021. 

Now, this is all speculation on my part, but why add a "C" to the model name without a corresponding model different than the "C" model? Because if "C" stands for "carbon" I think most people looking at this bike understand it is made from carbon fiber. Unless......

Again - purely speculatory here - but what if Salsa had intended there to be an alloy Cutthroat, which would be less expensive, and did not come out with it because of the mess that the pandemic caused with supply chains and inventory levels? Problems still in play today. 

Hmmm..... Imagine, if you will, an alloy Cutthroat with Microshift 10 speed 1X gearing for a LOT less than a Cutthroat C. Maybe I'm crazy here. 

Image courtesy of FAIR Drop

FAIR Drop Offers Offset For Redshift Posts:

In talking with my friend, MG, about the Redshift ShockStop Seat Posts, he mentioned that he'd really like to try one, but any rearward offset post does not work for him. He actually prefers a very forward  offset. 

Well, not that I am trying to sell MG on anything, but he could make a Redshift post work for him now. Thanks to FAIR Drop, a Swiss company, who makes cradles to work with some dropper posts and Redshift's posts which offers a 27mm forward or rearward offset. 

The Redshift compatible version, shown in the image here in this post, is approximately $135.00 USD plus shipping. Kind of spendy, but it might be worth it if you like a Redshift post but cannot stand the  rearward offset, or if you want forward offset and cannot get that. A link to the Redshift compatible parts is HERE. 

I would be interested in this for my Honeman Flyer, as I could get forward offset with that bikes super-slack 70° seat tube angle and also be able to use a Redshift post. It would be definitely something I'd consider for a MTB with a dropper post. 

Lincoln Turkey Day Ride '24: Image by Rob Evans

A Turkey Day Tradition:

Of course, "turkey day" rides on mountain bikes, or whatever bikes, has been a thing for decades. (See "Appetite Seminar" as an example) So, when Rob from Nebraska saw my Turkey Burn ride reports here he sent in a few shots of their traditional Turkey Day Ride which has been going on for 20 years. 

Rob also did a nice video of the ride with a great historical bit at the beginning. It is on You Tube and you can watch it HERE if you want to see what Lincoln, Nebraska single track is like. (Note: It is super-similar to what we have here in my neck of the woods) Note - You have to check out the drop-in a guy does on a hand cycle!

Hey, I never said I had a corner on this idea! Do you have a turkey day riding tradition? Let me know in the comments if you do, or know of a ride for Thanksgiving. 

And speaking of rides on Thanksgiving......
 

Guitar Ted Productions makes for good bathroom reading!

Final Virtual Turkey Burn Posts Tomorrow, Sunday & Monday:

I hope that you have been able to catch the reports from the Virtual Turkey Burn Ride Challenge over the course of this week. The response to the rides has been very positive and I am eternally grateful to those who took part in the rides and sent in reports. 

I just wanted to remind everyone that the last five reports I received are going up here on the blog tomorrow, Sunday, and Monday. Look for Scott, and Ari on Saturday, and Steve and Warren on Sunday, and shiggy on Monday to give you some inspiration to ride cold weather in their reports. After those five go up that will conclude the reportage for this year. 

Keep in mind also that December is a big content time for the blog, so keep scrolling the page down to make sure you do not miss anything. I have quarterly reviews, bike reviews, and more coming along the rest of the month until the blog kicks off another New Year. 

That's a wrap on the week! Get out and ride those bicycles!