REDSHIFT SPORTS KITCHEN SINK BAR & SHOCKSTOP PRO STEM
From £149.99 /£239.99 Soothing vibes
Redshift Sports’ Kitchen Sink handlebar is available as a ‘plain’ drop bar (£120) or with an additional Endurance Loop (£149.99), as pictured. This 44cm model, measured centre-to-centre between the hoods, is the narrowest available. Its 25-degree flared drops mean the bar ends are 55cm apart.
At 474g, the 6061 T6 aluminium 44cm bar is around twice the weight of the bar I replaced, but then there are optional extras. Cruise Control Top Grips (£37, 98g), designed to create a broad, flat bulge behind the outer portion of the tops, are fitted before taping. Cruise Control Drop Grips (£37, 138g) cover the flat-bar ends, giving a wide hand rest for nontechnical riding. To wrap it all, Redshift’s 315cm Really Long Tape (£45) is over a metre longer than standard. Fitting requires care to position, though. With the additional grips and loop, 7-degree backswept tops and 20mm rise, I found several comfortable hand positions.
The new ShockStop Pro stem fits in the usual way, but you need to install its elastomers behind the internal preload wedge before fitting the bar. The ShockStop Pro (£240, 227-254g) weighs 15 per cent less than the original ShockStop (right), thanks to CNC machining and titanium hardware. Its looks are much improved too, but it costs £70 more. The result is a victory for functionality over mass.
The vibration and bump-absorbing action of the stem’s 20mm travel is always noticeable offroad but is more pronounced in weight-forward positions. Once you’re used to it, it’s not intrusive, and there’s no torsional motion. With suitable tyre volume and pressure, this cockpit setup transforms the performance potential of a gravel bike on seriously rough trails, providing much greater control and grip, while riding comfort is increased impressively.
HIGHS
Practical; capable; comfortable
LOWS
Weighty