2 UNIQUE Gravel Handlebars // Redshift Top Shelf vs Ritchey Corralitos

As I transition into Cycling in some capacity, I cannot decide if I want to go the Gravel Route, or stick to a Raod setup.. Fire Roads are my preferred track, when able.. I ride MTB now, but find them slow when on road rides, so a drop bar setup is on the horizon.. Deciding on my Chariot has been the hardest part since I am on the outside looking in.. The Gravel Market is booming and I want IN!..

Pardon the stupid question, but for those Ritchey Foam grips.....do they go over bar tape or the bare bars?

On a related topic, I'd love to see you compare all the "drisers"....aka drop bars with rise built in.. like the Specialized Hovers (15mm rise so I'd assume they'd be similar to the Corralitos you just tested).... there's also the surly truck stops (30mm rise) and Soma Condor 2...with 50mm rise.

I think the riser of the Alt bars combined with a shorter stem length and perhaps adding some spacers under the stem is the best option for a more comfortable upright position. You can also reduce the width of your bars, personally I have done that with my gravel bikes that are Whiskey Parts Co Spano bars and No 9 12F bars.
Your point about preserving or adjusting the rider position is something that cyclists should consider,in addition to the general comfort of an ergonomic multi position bar.

I would love the Corralitos bars if they came with flat/ergo tops.

I absolutely love the Corralitos and gravel grips for my Gorilla Monsoon. They're very very comfy and incredible for offroad riding.

How does the Corralitos compare to something like the Beacon or the Venturemax in terms of riding experience? Is it a noticeable difference? Also, does the upright position feel noticeably slower?

I know you’ve said previously you really like the Venturemax’s, do you think you would keep the Corralitos on long term?

I think one of the most important benefits of the redshift bars actually center around the fact that taller riders often times cannot get bars high enough to ride traditional bars comfortably. Stock bikes always come with woefully short steerer tubes leaving riders like myself with less adjustment options especially when the steerer is carbon. The price is high but its the only bar on the market that helps solve this fitment issue whi h I think justifies the price. only other option is to buy a new fork with an uncut steerer and after install, getting fitted and having the steerer cut you may be out $300-400 or more! I think this is an affordable option all things considered

Excellent video as usual! One question: What is your normal handlebar width, and does it change when using the Corralitos and the Redshift bars? Innoticed this kind of bars are proposed with bigger widths, but i dont really udnerstand why. The tops are supposed to be the same and , if anything, with so much flare, the drops are supposed to be veven wider...

Seems like a lot of effort to go to to try to have something "drop bar" but not really aerodynamic, which is the main reason to run drop bars. I think a lot of people would be better served with something like a hardtail XC bike -- flat or riser bars and upright position. Those tend to be more affordable than the overhyped gravel category, too.

Great video. Corralitos deserve more attention for both design and low price. I'm 6"3' and use them with a short angled stem to get an upright position. I also put the redshift grips on them, which do get discounted around black Friday. As an older rider with less flexibility, the Corralitos is the only way to actually use the drops with any frequency. Cheers!

The Corralitos bar was a game changer for me coming from MTBing into drop bar bikes.

I've run the Ritchey Beacons for the last few years, like the shallow drop - the Corralitos go even further, need to compare them.
Thanks.

Could they not make these bars narrower ?

Great info

I like weird stuff so bought the Corralitos for an older cross bike and bought a Corner Bar knock off for a monster gravel bike. Flat bars have infinitely more control than drop bars, but these newer flared bars actually get really close to flat bar control but still give drop bar feel. I've never been able to use the drops on any drop bar before, so these are kind of a revelation for me.

Another great review. On my most recent adventure build I was looking for some of the benefits of these alt tape/grip approaches, but in a more traditional tape and gave Ergon’s BT “gravel” tape a try as I’ve always had good experiences with Ergon. For me, this tape delivers the enhanced comfort, without the weight and complexity, these systems are trying to address. A simple and terrific Goldilocks product.

Hey man, just recently found your channel, I really dig your honest and straightforward perspective! Quick question if you don't mind: 

For context, I'm about the least flexible person on the planet, so I tend to try and be more upright (also long in the torso)

I'm running a Diverge and it's just a bit long for me. I pulled my handlebars back with an 80mm stem (stock was 100), which helps a lot, but I feel like I'm still about a centimeter from ideal, have you run shorter than 80mm on a gravel bike, if so how did it feel? I'm worried about affecting steering too much. I ride trails very similar to what it looks like you ride.


I also thought about maybe using new handlebars to pull the reach back a bit. Would you say it's better to go the stem route or handlebar route in this type of situation?

Guess that wasn't so quick! Anyway, your channel is super helpful, thanks!

The Deda Elementi Gera is an other "alt drop bar" worth a look!

The corralitos and the Gera would be interesting to compare

Ritchey products are really good value. I have their WCS aluminum products on several bikes from handlebar, stem, to wheels.

Great comparison between these two great bars. The Coralitos (46) feels great for me when I use the drop. It feels more relaxed and can easily reach the brake lever.
I returned it because I need more rise. I then switch to Kitchensink (50)due to the 20mm rise. It feels good but when on drops, It’s a bit struggle to reach the brake lever. I know it can be adjusted but it” ll compromise the way I want the hood to be positioned. I kept the kitchensink because of the rise, but would like to try the 50 Coralitos.
I guess the top shelf maybe the solution, enough rise that will allow me to lower the brake lever.

I want that shirt it's sick!

Can y try put flat. mountain bar on ?
or y nev.think ?

I currently ride 40cm handlebars with a 70mm stem. Will getting a wider handlebar like the corralitos extend my reach? I see it adds 15mm in height and maybe I could shorten my stem to a 60mm - would that make my bike more upright than the same configuration on the Redshift?

My wife is on a '24 Diverge 56cm and is currently running the saddle about 1/2" too low and installed a 60mm 15* rise stem to try and fit the bike and still have a 2.5" drop from the saddle to the handlebar. While she is very flexible, riding on gravel and fire roads with some trail is not optimal in this position and we're really hoping that the addition of the RedShift TopShelf 2" riser will more give her more comfort and control. *Next stop, custom frame!

Great video style , I wonder what u guys do with all this review bike parts after ? Can u sell them or have to send them back ? I understand if is a whole bike but something like a handlebar? Specially since the brands are not paying you with money ! Just wondering

I went with the Red Shift "kitchen sink" without the front bar. So far so good

do you still have the Diverge?

update, I did a 30 mile gravel race this past weekend and LOVED the kitchen sink bars

Thank you for this review ..As always, I appreciate your smart and balanced assessment. I would like to add something that wasn’t discussed in this review and that is the need for bar height. As a middle-aged rider who likes to tour I just couldn’t use my Surly long-haul trucker anymore for any long distance, until I added the red shift big boy bars! I basically got the perfect height and my touring bike back. The red shift works perfect for how high I want to handlebars, but I get to keep the drop bars. Also, as someone who works sales in a bike shop, I have to say I feel like the industry is copying RED shift on this one as their bars have been out for a while…

Thanks!

Never heard of the Corralitos. Decided to give them a try for a build. Thanks and great videos!

why not just flip the stem?

I just ordered the Corralitos to take advantage of that 15mm height. I tried going with the Venturemax on my Canyon Grizl but felt it was too far forward. I know you're a fan of the Venturemax. How do you feel Corralitos stack up to them? I'm planning on going with full bar tape wrap rather than the grips too.