Redshift Kitchen Sink Handlebar Long Term Review
by Jason Rowland
My personal gravel bike is built on what I value most in adventure riding: soggy shoes, distant trails, overgrown and forgotten paths, poor tire choices, and too many hike-a-bikes. An OTSO carbon frame with wide-range 1x gears and an assortment of gear schlepping options has become my go-to for everyday adventures. Perhaps the only thing missing is the kitchen sink?
The end of a long day exploring old mining roads (Location: Ferry, Alaska)
I became interested in the Redshift Kitchen Sink drop handlebar while exploring options for varying hand positions while riding long distances. I have had little success with aero bars, and an alternative grip option was intriguing. I had previously used the Redshift ShockStop stem and was impressed by its effectiveness and durability. The short and forward-facing loop of the Kitchen Sink bar made sense biomechanically and appeared to offer several added hand positions. After a few email discussions with the Redshift support staff about the best bar width, they sent a 47cm bar with all of the fixins including the Cruise Control grip system, Really Long Bar Tape, and the updated Shockstop Pro stem.
OTSO Waheela C gravel bike equipped with the Redshift Kitchen Sink.
Setup was easy, but following instructions was key to correct placement and mounting of the Cruise Control system. I was pleased to find that the bar and super-compliant Really Long Bar Tape worked well with my PNW dropper lever. I did not need the 20mm rise and made minor stem and spacer adjustments to compensate. The 7-degree sweep was a benefit in this regard as moving the stem down also pushed the bar forward. There was plenty of room for GPS mounts and other accessories near the stem.
The "loop" was an excellent addition to my Waheela C. Contrary to my expectations that the narrowly spaced grips would be most beneficial on the flats, I used the added hand position primarily for seated climbing. Gripping near the base of the extensions made the bike feel free to move under power and optimized my posture on the bike. It was also handy for tucking in and pushing through headwinds during the last half of Unbound 200. I tried several bar tape configurations on the loop and eventually removed all of them as it felt better without.
Dust and sweat is good for the soul (Location: Emporia Kansas)
One of my favorite features of the bar is the substantial flare (the drop extensions are wider than the top of the bars) but minimal outsweep (where the drop extensions angle outward). Many off-road configured drop bars add extra outsweep that I find makes for inefficient riding on flat terrain where the wide angles push my elbows into the wind. The 25-degree flare makes the bars feel very secure when ripping down rough trails in the drops.
The Pro version of the ShockStop stem carried over the functionality of its predecessor with refined lines and a few grams deducted. By functionality, I mean it works really, really well at making your day better on the bike. For me, that means no more showing up to work on Monday with numb fingers and swollen wrist joints. The look is now so clean that a Rapha-clad roadie could go on a group ride without anyone noticing the few extra grams of vibration-absorbing goodness tucked away inside.
Plenty of GPS and Light Mounting Space on the Redshift Bar (Location: Eva Creek Wind Farm, Alaska)
I had less success with the Cruise Control Top and Drop grips. The drop grips, similar to ergonomic mountain bike grips, were solid and comfortable, but they were placed about 2 cm back from where my hands normally rest. A rider who prefers to chill in the drops while churning through miles would likely find this product helpful. I tend to favor the drops for locking my hands in place during descents. I had similar issues with the top grip system, an ergonomic component that is placed under the bar tape, and eventually removed both and switched back to my favorite mix of partially double-wrapped tape. Despite my limited success with the Cruise Control Grip system, my feeling was that many people will appreciate the reduced hand pressure and comfort that it offers.
Pausing to enjoy the view (Papakōlea Green Sand Beach, Hawai’i)
The Kitchen Sink bar, combined with the proven ShockStop stem, was a welcome addition to my go-to adventure bike by adding comfort and functionality; a perfect combination for long days in the saddle. Redshift is clearly developing “outside of the box” innovations that make cycling better for everyone.
The Kitchen Sink Handlebar is available in four sizes between 44 and 53 cm. The Loop is optional, making eight unique configurations of the bar. List pricing as of October 2021 is $100 to $130 for the various 6061 T6 Aluminum bar options. The Cruise Control Top and Drop Grips retail for $25 each.
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