Redshift Top Shelf flat riser bar frees up cockpit space for bags and gadgets

The Redshift Sports Top Shelf flat bar offers generous backsweep, 50 and 70mm rise options, and ample mounting space for accessories and handlebar bags.
By Jeff Barber
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Close-up view of a person holding the handlebars of a blue mountain bike, with a focus on the handlebar grips and brakes. The background features a grassy area with blurred greenery, suggesting an outdoor setting. The person is wearing a black shirt and red shorts.

Today, Redshift Sports launches a flat bar version of their popular Top Shelf drop bar, designed to deliver comfort while providing plenty of space for mounting handlebar bags and accessories. Not only that, it’s a riser bar that adds a bit of old-school BMX flair to your mountain bike.

Redshift Top Shelf flat bar specs

  • Weight: 552g
  • Width: 800mm
  • 14° backsweep, 5° upsweep, 50 or 70mm rise
  • 31.8mm diameter clamp
  • Price: $129.99
  • Buy from Redshift Sports

The Redshift Top Shelf flat bar geometry pairs a pretty typical 5° upsweep with a generous 14° backsweep to put riders in a slightly more upright riding position that’s favored by bikepackers, commuters, and yes, even mountain bikers. With modern mountain bikes featuring longer reaches that can be increasingly uncomfortable for some riders, the 14° backsweep is a nice option.

The T6 aluminum alloy bar is 800mm wide and appears to be trimmable down to 730mm or so.

Close-up of a bicycle handlebar featuring a mounted bike light with multiple LED bulbs and a Garmin device for navigation or tracking. The background is blurred with green grass and blue bicycle frame elements visible.
A close-up view of a bicycle handlebar featuring a mounted GPS device and a backpack. The GPS is connected by a cable, and the backpack, made of gray fabric, has clipped straps. The handlebar is marked with the word "REDSHIFT," and a colorful object can be seen at the end of the handlebar. The background is blurred with hints of greenery.
A close-up view of a bicycle handlebar featuring a gray CamelBak bag secured to the front. The bag has blue accents and is fastened with adjustable straps. In the background, there's a wooden wall with a natural finish, complementing the outdoor setting.

More space for all your accessories

As someone who regularly rides at night and hates wearing a pack, bar space is always at a premium for me. It’s not unusual for me to be running a light, a bell, GPS, and a handlebar bag in addition to the usual controls for brakes, gears, and my dropper post. The Top Shelf provides a mostly straight, 22.2mm-diameter run that seems to go on forever, with no stem to get in the way.

Red Shift sells a Top Shelf bar bag that is designed to fit the bar perfectly, though almost any handlebar bag will fit. I found that some of my bags, like the Camelbak M.U.L.E. bar bag shown above, can be mounted to the lower portion of the Top Shelf handlebar, leaving the top of the bar wide open for a light and other accessories.

Close-up view of mountain bike handlebars with black grips, positioned over the bike's blue frame. The background features green grass and scattered leaves.

A flat, riser bar

Redshift calls this the Top Shelf flat bar, but it’s actually a riser bar. The Top Shelf handlebar is offered in two sizes, with either 50mm or 70mm of rise. As a tall rider, I spec almost all my bikes with a riser bar, both for fit and performance. With a higher hand position, I’m more confident on steep descents, and there’s less pressure on my hands when pedaling long, flat sections. An upright position also helps with breathing.

When Redshift says this is a flat bar, what they really mean is that it isn’t a curly drop handlebar like their previous Top Shelf offerings.

A young person performs a wheelie on a blue mountain bike in a forested area, surrounded by trees and lush greenery. The individual is wearing a black t-shirt and red shorts, balancing on the rear wheel while the front wheel is elevated off the ground. Sunlight filters through the trees, creating a vibrant outdoor scene.

It’s got that BMX style

Handlebar choice is a big part of any bike’s style, and the Redshift Top Shelf handlebar brings to mind a classic BMX handlebar. Though press materials emphasize comfort, fit, and practical considerations, you gotta admit… the Top Shelf is clearly ready to party.

 
Close-up view of a mountain bike's handlebars, featuring black grips and a bicycle computer, set on a trail covered with fallen leaves. The bike is positioned with a turquoise frame partially visible, indicating an outdoor cycling environment.
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