Article by Jeff Vallliere
Redshift Sports activities Shockstop Professional Suspension Seatpost and Stem, and High Shelf Handlebar
Introduction:
Based in 2013 by a group of mechanical engineers who’re additionally avid cyclists, Redshift Sports activities goals to create new and progressive merchandise that assist to enhance the experience consolation and flexibility for all sorts of biking, from highway to gravel, mountain, tri, e-bike and concrete. Within the article I check the Redshift Sports activities Shockstop Professional Suspension Seatpost and Stem, and High Shelf Low Flare Handlebar.
I’ve a lifelong historical past of biking, however as I’m not placing within the excessive mileage like I used to, nor am I as youthful and limber, my shoulders and neck nearly all the time get sore after round 2 hours on the gravel bike or highway bike. I’ve experimented with totally different stem lengths/rise, in addition to a drop bar with 15mm rise, which has helped some, however didn’t fairly get me to the place I wanted to be.
Having lately been recognized with a fractured T5 vertebrae from a nasty slip on the ice whereas path working, I’ve been getting on the bike a bit extra (as I’m not one to sit down nonetheless) so I figured it was an ideal time to achieve out to Redshift to see if I may assessment their High Shelf Handlebar to lift me up 50mm (2”), in addition to the Shockstop Professional suspension stem and seatpost to assist to dampen the affect of bumps within the highway, bumpy washboard and easy out gentle singletrack.
Having spent a few years racing bikes and regarding myself counting grams and prioritizing light-weight componentry together with smooth aesthetics, I used to be instinctively a bit hesitant concerning the added weight and look, however after placing in some high quality miles on a wide range of terrain, I can say I’m completely offered on the merchandise as they’ve made an unimaginable distinction to enhance my consolation on the bike. Redshift merchandise are a recreation changer and I can’t think about now using with out these unimaginable parts, learn on to see why!
High Shelf Handlebar Low Flare ($139)
499g in measurement 44
The highest shelf handlebar may be very very like a traditional drop bar, however with an extension under the middle of the bar which clamps into the stem as a traditional handlebar would. By including this extension, it raises the bar up both 50mm (2”) or 70mm (2.75”) relying on which rise you select. This rise offers an ultra-comfortable upright using place, makes it rather more simple to achieve the drops, and offers added bar house to mount lights, GPS computer systems, and so on….
The High Shelf bars are available a wide range of configurations, both 50mm (2”) or 70mm (2.75”) rise as talked about above, numerous widths from 41-53 mm (in 3 mm increments) and totally different levels of flare, both 10 levels (Low Flare, which I chosen) or a 25 diploma flare possibility. All the bars have a 7 diploma sweep and a 118mm drop.
Setup was made simpler by the tick marks on the handlebar, making lining up the hoods a snap. My hydraulic brake hoses have been a contact brief because it was, so including a 2” rise into the combination required me to switch the hoses, so hold that in thoughts if you’re planning to vary out the bars your self. I’ve to emphasise although that the added work of adjusting brake hoses and different cables (or expense if you should pay a store to do the work) is completely price it for the consolation the bars present.
Redshift additionally provides (and graciously supplied to me) cruise management grips so as to add to the bar for added consolation with both the High Grips ($34.99), Drop Grips ($34.99) or a mix ($59.99) plus further lengthy handlebar tape to accommodate for the additional width of the grips ($34.99).
The highest grips are simple to line up and include 2 sided tape to maintain them in place when you wrap the bars.
The decrease bars slide on (not simply although, so I used my air compressor with the blower chuck to extra simply work them on). As soon as on, you possibly can set up the screw to tighten finish plugs that include the bar tape.
As soon as put in and wrapped, the highest grips add a large amount of consolation for when using on the tops (that is NOT the Redshift tape, simply previous beater tape till I get all the pieces arrange the place I would like it lastly to be).
It has been a few years since I’ve made a behavior of using within the drops for any size of time, so I used to be uncertain how useful the drop grips could be, however with the added 2” rise, that additionally in fact implies that the drops are additionally 2” increased and rather more snug for me to make the most of. The drop grips additionally significantly add to the consolation and is good to vary hand positions on longer rides (although I solely experience the drop grips on the open highway when there isn’t any have to entry the brakes, as your brake levers will not be in attain whereas on this place).
There’s loads of added room for computer systems, lights and my Di2 satellite tv for pc shifters, the place they’re conveniently positioned.
As I discussed in my introduction, beforehand, I might get a sore neck and shoulders after round 2 hours of using, requiring me to sit down up usually to self therapeutic massage, or get off the bike and stretch. Even so, the reduction could be non permanent and the discomfort would construct. Now, with the High Shelf bars on the bike, I’ve zero ache or discomfort for as much as 3 hours, then, after that, any discomfort I’ve is sort of minimal, only a fraction of what I skilled beforehand and even as much as 5 hours, the discomfort didn’t improve, simply stayed at a minimal degree. The low flare, sweep and drop mix so as to add to the consolation and the two” rise makes it a lot simpler for me to experience within the drops, be it on the flats, descents and even climbs. These bars alone have revolutionized my using, permitting me to experience longer with much less fatigue and extra power.
Shockstop Professional Suspension Stem ($249.99)
227g in 90mm as examined
20mm journey
The ShockStop Professional suspension stem depends on configurable elastomers built-in inside the stem, to permit for as much as 20mm of efficient suspension journey, significantly smoothing out the experience. The Professional mannequin as examined, is a step up from the common Shockstop stem, as it’s 15% lighter, that includes lighter titanium {hardware}, weight decreasing CNC machining and a premium end. At simply 227 grams (as measured on my scale), it weighs solely 98 grams greater than the 90mm inventory stem I had been utilizing beforehand.
Set up of the stem is straightforward, the identical as a typical stem and takes simply minutes.
The ShockStop Professional Stem is fabricated from 6061 T6 aluminum and whereas barely chunky in look, has a really premium, polished, effectively constructed look. The rise/drop is 6 levels.
As I alluded to above, the stem depends on two inside elastomer blocks which can be interchangeable relying on rider weight and desire. It comes arrange for a rider who weighs 135-155lbs, intending to make use of drop bars and stem at a 6 diploma rise. I weigh 145lbs, opted for six diploma rise and naturally am utilizing the High Shelf low flare drop bar, so I didn’t want to vary out the elastomers (included) to a unique durometer or configuration, however in wanting on the directions and peeking contained in the stem, it seems fairly simple to do, even in case you have minimal mechanical expertise. You will need to observe right here although that whereas very simple to do, it’s vital to comply with the directions precisely as to not trigger any injury to the stem. It comes able to accommodate for 31.8 bars and a 1 ⅛” stem, however you may get adapters from Redshift if essential (offered individually).
I initially puzzled how environment friendly the stem would really feel total, when using smoother terrain and particularly climbing, which I do a variety of right here in Colorado. Would it not bob and bounce unnecessarily? I used to be pleasantly shocked to seek out that whereas there may be some motion within the stem in fact, notably when standing up and using on the hoods, it’s not in any respect annoying, disagreeable or notably inefficient, although it did take me a experience or two to adapt to the texture.
With only a single pivot level, when pushing down on the bars and activating the flex of the stem, it additionally modifications the angle of the bars/hoods ahead and down. I additionally puzzled about this initially, whether or not it might be bothersome, however my considerations right here have been unfounded, as that movement is sort of minimal on the experience.
Utilizing the ShockStop Professional stem vs. a inflexible stem is an evening and day distinction, because it easily and effectively dampens vibration when using on the paved roads and easy grime, however actually shines when on extra bumpy gravel, notably on tough, washboard descents and bumpy singletrack, the place the 20mm of journey eats up shock. On one in all my check rides, I took a experience within the foothills above Boulder, the identical experience that I took final fall the place the descent down Sunshine from Gold Hill nearly rattled me mindless and I swore I might use my Specialised Epic Carbon hardtail MTB subsequent time I did that loop. In fact, that is excellent testing grounds for the Redshift Stem and Seatpost and I used to be so impressed with how the stem and put up ate up the shock, such that I may experience quicker, with extra management of the bike (being higher capable of hold my wits, focus and naturally the tires are extra planted when they’re bouncing much less). Because the miles pile up, my physique is much less fatigued and I need to experience additional and additional.
Shockstop Professional Race Suspension Seatpost ($299.99)
449g in 27.2 x 350mm as examined
20mm journey
Just like the stem, the seatpost is constituted of 6061 T6 Aluminum and this Professional model as examined options ‘race tuned’ suspension efficiency and as much as 130 grams in weight financial savings over the ShockStop Endurance seatpost. Combining coil spring and elastomer suspension know-how, the Professional model offers the perfect of each worlds, extremely aware of bumps and vibrations, but not flexy, bobby or inefficient when pedaling.
Conveniently, I fall inside the weight vary of how Redshift merchandise are arrange out of the field, so I used to be capable of set up the put up (similar as you’d for any put up) and simply begin using, because it comes with Outer + Internal Coil Springs and Inexperienced elastomer for riders 135-175lbs. Whereas I didn’t have to configure the springs/elastomer, that appears to be comparatively simple as I look at the directions.
With 20mm of journey, the put up does a outstanding job (and particularly along side the ShockStop stem) at smoothing out the bumps within the highway, grime washboard and bumpy singletrack. I used to be initially involved that there could be an inefficiency issue when pedaling, the place the suspension might activate as I pedal leading to a loss, however I discover that there’s little or no motion as I pedal, solely when using over bumps, precisely once you need it to flex to soak up the hit. High quality, engineering and craftsmanship is great.
Ultimate ideas:
In case you have not figured it out by now, I’m smitten with Redshift merchandise and have turn out to be not solely a convert, however an enormous advocate for his or her merchandise, to the purpose the place I’m chatting it up with random strangers on my rides and raving about the advantages. Regardless of being intrigued with the probabilities early on, I nonetheless was a bit of skeptical deep down initially, primarily due to the added weight and the non typical look, however after only one single experience and ESPECIALLY after weeks of using, I see any of these reservations as pure nonsense.
As for weight, the Redshift bar, stem and seatpost added a complete of 1.1lbs/516g over my typical drop bar/stem and carbon seatpost. To some, that’s vital, particularly if you’re a gram counter (as I’ve a historical past of being) however to others, that isn’t all that a lot.
I can’t emphasize sufficient how vital of a distinction this mixture of parts have been for my using. The bars put me in a way more snug place, easing stress on my neck/shoulders with the stem/seatpost mixture consuming up the bumps and vibrations, leaving me a lot much less fatigued and with extra power and power over longer rides.
I can confidently say that due to the drastically improved consolation, I can experience quicker over longer distances and most significantly, with rather more enjoyment. Additionally, as I’m recovering from a damaged again, having the shock absorption that’s the gravel bike model of a full suspension mountain bike, it has actually eased and aided my restoration course of.
In case you are a rider who’s combating again/neck/shoulder soreness in your rides, or a rider who’s in search of the next degree of consolation and particularly velocity/effectivity on bumpier rides, I urge you to think about attempting out any of Redshifts merchandise. They actually know biking and make extremely progressive, effectively thought out and top quality componentry. I’m assured you may be amazed on the distinction they’ll make.
Redshift Sports activities
AMAZON
SHOP HERE
Jeff Valliere has been round bikes his whole life, as a toddler following his dad to bike races and bike retailers, BMX racing as a child, working in bike retailers as a mechanic for 14+ years (10 at U-Bikes in Boulder the place he met John) and racing as knowledgeable highway bike owner for a number of years. Jeff not races, however nonetheless likes to experience as he introduces his daughters to the fun of biking. Along with being obsessive about biking, he runs mountains every day and has been reviewing trainers/gear/tech for RoadTrailRun since 2015 and for different publications/firms since 2005.
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