Redshift has carved out a distinct segment for itself making, typically talking, fairly area of interest merchandise. There are riser drop bars for individuals who want a taller stack than might be achieved usually, pedals with inbuilt lights, flared gravel bars with an inbuilt snack pouch, and additional lengthy bar tape for individuals who like their bars wiiiiiiide. Here, although, I’ve three merchandise that individually convey one thing to the desk however collectively add as much as one thing a lot higher. It all began as I used to be curating a ‘bikes of the Transcontinental Race’ tech gallery, and observed a whole lot of the bikes have been operating a Redshift suspension stem, presumably so as to add consolation but in addition management whereas in aero bars over damaged street and gravel.
To check out how efficient this really is as a system I referred to as in a ShockStop suspension stem (the traditional, non ‘professional’ model), in addition to a set of the model’s quick-release aero bars and a dual-position seatpost, which permits one to shift one’s saddle ahead and upward on the fly to extra comfortably use aero bars with out being too stretched out.
While the model markets the aero bars and dual-position seatpost extra as a triathlon setup, I wished to see how it will fare extra for the gravelly, ultra-endurance lovers on the market, so I fitted the trio of components to my long-term Fairlight Secan check bike and bedded in for some lengthy days within the saddle.
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Design and Aesthetics
Beginning with the simplest of the three, the quick-release aero bars, issues are comparatively lavatory commonplace right here apart from the extra novel mounting system, which I’ll get to shortly. You get a pair of spherical cross-section extensions (L-bend or S-bend – I went for L) which may simply be moved fore/aft of their mounts and rotate to search out your supreme place. A pair of forearm rests sits above the bar clamp, and these might be adjusted out and in due to a collection of mounting factors beneath them. Riser blocks and shims can be found if you wish to add as much as 3cm of stack or match them to completely different bar diameters, however these are bought individually.
The mounting mechanism that makes this ‘fast launch’ depends on a pair of everlasting on-bar clamps which can be bolted securely with hex bolts, after which the precise extensions mount to those clamps by means of a formed groove and what’s successfully a quick-release skewer as you’d discover on older bike wheels. Tighten the lever up and also you’re good to go, although in my expertise there may be nonetheless slightly play, however there’s a hex key socket on the finish of the screw that means you may crank them tighter to do them up.
Remember, obtained knowledge is that until your carbon bars say they’re rated for clip on bars then it is best to imagine they are not. While it wasn’t something I’d essentially fear about with an alloy bar, the match of the brackets wasn’t good and it did really feel like I needed to do them up overly tight to realize a safe match, one thing I’d by no means do with a carbon bar – even one rated for aero bars.
Here you may see the pivot level for the stem, in addition to the fast launch levers for the aero bars. (Image credit score: Will Jones)
Onto the stem, then. Mechanically the factor is fairly easy, and straightforward sufficient to suit. It does come out-the-box setup (oddly, for my part), with a constructive rise, however all it’s a must to do is take the faceplate off and flip the internals round and also you’re again to a traditional detrimental rise stem. Basically the stem is a hinge, pivoting simply in entrance of the steerer tube, and modulated by a single or pair of elastomers that get wedged into the physique with a preload bolt. If you need it firmer you simply pop in a tougher elastomer, or the alternative for a extra plush trip. Very few shifting components, and comparatively simple to put in for those who learn the directions.
The seatpost goes to show heads, there’s no two methods about it. It is fairly ugly, however once more it’s a quite simple mechanical object. The seat clamp is mounted to the highest of a parallelogram that originally sits rearward with a setback of 16mm, and is held firmly in place with magnets (and your physique weight). Flip the top ahead and your saddle strikes 50mm additional ahead, and a small quantity upward to take care of the identical saddle top – shifting the saddle solely ahead would successfully decrease your saddle top.
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Performance
Again, let’s get the aero bars out of the way in which first as they’re the simplest. They are high-quality. The quick-release clamp is novel, if slightly ugly, however it does really imply you may take away and set up a set of aero bars in a repeatable place in a matter of seconds. If you’re swapping from triathlon to street driving on a regular basis then they in all probability do make sense, however leaving the clamps on even with out the bars nonetheless removes a load of actual property for lights, pc mounts and so on. I used to be capable of get a decently comfy place, they usually have been very simple to arrange, however I feel out of the three of them these are those that’d be the simplest to swap out for an additional pair from one other producer for those who wished one thing extra aero.
There’s nothing incorrect with them in any respect essentially, however you’re paying for the quick-release system, and for those who aren’t going to shortly launch them recurrently then it can save you a bunch and get an analogous pair of completely mounted ones someplace else, or some extra aero, lighter ones. Once they have been on I simply left them on. Sure, you miss out on with the ability to trip within the tops, however aside from that having a set of aero bars in your bike isn’t that nice a hardship, and with an extremely racing viewpoint, for those who’re coaching for or racing one then you definitely’re prone to simply have them in your bike on a regular basis anyway.
The ShockStop stem is a humorous one. The suspension really feel is slightly like having an underinflated entrance tyre when driving within the hoods, and there may be completely no rebound damping, so the tougher you bump down the sooner you’ll come again up. It does, within the hoods, do a good job of taking the chatter out of damaged surfaces and light-weight gravel, however on actually lumpy terrain I discovered it will spring again up so arduous that it will bang into the hard-stop. The different concern is that for those who trip within the drops quite a bit, both typically however particularly for lumpy descents, you get no suspension in any respect, as the way in which the forces act you’re successfully rotating the bars rearwards as you press down, performing in opposition to the way in which the stem needs to maneuver. A parallelogram system ought to work higher on this regard, although I’ve but to strive one out. It does additionally rotate the wrists ahead because it sags, however in actuality this isn’t one thing that proved overly annoying. There is, naturally, a little bit of bob when climbing out of the saddle, and no lockout, however when you remind your self that you just haven’t bought a flat for the umpteenth time it’s additionally not one thing that’s overly troubling.
Now, I didn’t just like the stem by itself, however I can completely see why I noticed so many bikes fitted with one for the Transcontinental. Aero bars over something however clean tarmac might be scary, even with gravel-volume tyres, however add within the ShockStop stem and issues are improved immeasurably. I may fortunately keep within the skis on tame gravel, over potholes, over tree roots, and all method of obstacles that may ordinarily see me must get out and again onto the hoods. If you’re becoming a motorbike out with aero bars for something aside from an precise time trial, and even for a time trial, and need slightly extra piece of thoughts then this actually is one thing value contemplating. Redshift has lately launched a 55mm and 70mm choice that use a barely completely different mechanism, that means that 55-120mm lengths are catered for, which opens up the system to shorter riders too.
Finally, the seatpost. This falls bang smack in the course of the class labelled “if it appears to be like silly however it works, it ain’t silly”. Yes, it’s ugly, and sure it really works amazingly effectively. Set the saddle up within the rearward place at your regular saddle top and setback and it appears like a traditional seatpost. There’s no chatter, no rattle, no motion in any respect, and also you don’t even have to have a look at it, which is an added bonus. Hit a pleasant flat part and resolve you need to get into the skis? Simply seize the nostril of the saddle from between your legs and carry up and the entire thing releases and shifts into the aero place with ease and a satisfying clunk. Here it’s a world of distinction from simply utilizing aero bars, and places far much less pressure in your decrease again.
When it’s time to get out of the skis it’s even simpler. Simply clench your inside thighs collectively and you may hop the saddle again into its rearward place principally immediately. One factor to be careful for is that if, whereas within the skis, you need to transfer again in your saddle, it’s greatest to carry your backside off the saddle and transfer it again slightly than attempting to slip, as a few occasions I by accident flipped the submit again into its regular place with a shocking clunk.
One additional advantage that isn’t shouted about within the advertising materials is that the seatpost may even make your gravel bike a much more adept climber. Steepening the seat angle because it does meant I may keep seated on steep climbs the place I’d ordinarily must get out of the saddle and threat shedding traction. So good was it on this regard that, for those who’re recurrently tackling techy climbs, it’s virtually value contemplating as a standalone product right here. It’s additionally Di2 battery-friendly, which a whole lot of uncommon seatposts (largely suspension and dropper ones) aren’t.
Individually the parts do not make a substantial amount of sense, however all collectively they actually create an excellent lengthy distance, multi floor machine. (Image credit score: Will Jones)
Value
As a collection of standalone merchandise the worth proposition isn’t all that nice. I really suppose for what you pay the aerobars don’t signify a terrific worth proposition given you will get related ones for half the worth for those who forego the fast launch.
The seatpost and stem then again I feel, offered you might be really utilizing them with aero bars, add sufficient by way of efficiency to greater than justify their value. They are specialist bits of package, and whereas I wouldn’t essentially purchase the suspension stem by itself, as part of the system it really works excellently.
Verdict
Greater than the sum of its components, is the brief model. The aero bars labored high-quality however I didn’t discover the quick-release side of them overly helpful. The suspension stem has its drawbacks as a standalone merchandise, however when used along with aero bars (these or any others) and the dual-position seatpost you create a system that lets you keep aero and be extra comfy over far rougher terrain than can be attainable with a nominally ‘regular’ setup. Specialist package, barely area of interest, however for its supposed function it largely works very effectively certainly.
Aesthetically difficult in some ways, however from a design perspective all of it works effectively
8/10
Weight
Heavier than a traditional stem, a traditional alloy seatpost, or a traditional pair of clip on aerobars, however none of them are absolute monsters within the weight division
6/10
Performance
Individually slightly lacklustre, or unusual, however collectively all the pieces is on track and works brilliantly
8/10
Value for cash
The aerobars lose out, however the stem and seatpost justify themselves effectively sufficient
