Redshift Sports Kitchen Sink Handle Bar Bag: Quick Review

Redshift Sports Kitchen Sink Handle Bar Bag: Quick Review – by Guitar Ted

Today Redshift Sports introduces their Kitchen Sink Handle Bar Bag, a bag custom fit for the loop on the Kitchen Sink Handle Bar. Riding Gravel was fortunate to already have a Kitchen Sink Handle Bar Bag in for review for several weeks ahead of the announcement, so we already have a Quick Review for you on this bag.

What It Is: The Kitchen Sink Handle Bar Bag is a made-to-fit bag that attaches to Redshift Sports’ handle bar of the same name. The loop formed by this handle bar defines the shape of the bag which has an expandable bottom that increases the volume of the bag to a 1L capacity. Made from Cordura with YKK waterproof zippers, the bag attaches via four hook and loop straps to provide a secure, bounce-free bag for various small items you may wish to stow. The bag has a flip-forward top opening which is zippered. However; perhaps you may never use the zipper since the top also features a magnetic closure with two magnets sewn into the top which allows for quick and easy access to the Kitchen Sink Handle Bar Bag’s cargo.

Following are Redshift Sports’ features list for the bag:

0.77 Liter capacity and up to 1.0 liter when expanded

Magnetic closure – easily access food, phone and tools. 

Fits 17 granola bars OR 20 gels and 2 bars OR 1 vest, multi-tool, tube, CO2+inflator and Clif Bar

120 grams. Mount 21 grams

YKK waterproof zippers, Cordura material

Retail Price of $59.99, optional Mount for Garmin or Wahoo is $19.99

Lifetime warranty 

Optional computer mount/GoPro mount

The Kitchen Sink Handle Bar Bag is available now from Redshift Sports webpage here: https://redshiftsports.com/products/kitchen-sink-system

First Impressions: The bag came in and out of the box I noted how well this bag is made. It looks very sharp and all the seams and zippers looked to be well done and of high quality. The hook-and-loop closures are at the corners, so to speak, and when mounted to the Kitchen Sink Bar, they give this bag a very secure, solid base. The bag fits the inner part of the loop perfectly, by the way.

Inside you find a nice Cordura lined pouch which is expandable by unzipping the bottom externally and this allows the back end of the ‘floor’ of the interior part of the bag to drop down somewhat. I left this unzipped for the duration of testing.

The ‘lid’ of the bag has two magnets embedded at the corners which attract to two embedded bits of metal, (I assume) in the base of the bag at the edge of the opening. This allows the rider to leave the top unzipped and the magnets will hold the lid shut while riding. This allows for a quick, one-handed access to anything you may have inside the Kitchen Sink Bar Bag and then the lid can be flipped down allowing the magnets to do their thing. I liked this about the bag.

Redshift Sports also sent along their GPS mount ($19.99 USD) which is a two-piece, puzzle fit mount that screws together and fits in the webbing on the top of the bag. I did not make use of this as I do not have a Garmin or Wahoo GPS unit, but if you do, this mount would be a nice addition to this bag.

Ride Performance: I used the bag in its expanded shape at all times which allowed me to carry my favorite Olympus Tough TG-5 camera easily. There was even more room than I needed for that camera, and in my estimation, camera bugs out there probably will get away with being able to stow most any mirrorless camera or rangefinder type, fixed lens camera in this bag. Additionally, my iPhone 13 with its Rokform case fit into this space, albeit at an angle. I probably couldn’t carry much of anything else useful than that and still have a “while riding” access to whatever it may be while my phone was hogging that space awkwardly. But you can get a smart phone in there, and I guess that is the point.

I also used the bag for little errands and to put food items in there for quick access during rides. I loved the flip top with the magnetic closure. In fact, I never used the zipper for the top at all during the month I have used this bag. The magnets are pretty good at holding the contents inside the bag, but in rougher terrain, with a full load of nutrition, lets say, I might choose to zip-up a bit to make sure I don’t lose anything. Hmm…nah! I probably won’t do that unless those magnets let me down, and so far…..so good!

At The Finish: Okay, if you own a Kitchen Sink Handle Bar, this bag is a must-have item. I cannot imagine having that loop on that bar just for the aero thing, or for accessory mounting only. No- this bag makes that loop far more attractive to my mind. Now, with this bag, I still can mount my light up there, I still can use it for an aero thing at times, and I have an accessory computer mount with which I could mount my GPS device. (If I had a GPS, that is) This bag unlocks the potential of the Kitchen Sink Bar to its fullest.

The bummer is that this bag only fits that bar. It is so well done that had it been a bag that could mount in the loop of the other few handle bars with this similar feature, you’d have options there. Or if it somehow could work on another part of the bike, but there you go. A limited use bag from a viewpoint outside of the realm of Redshift Sports Kitchen Sink Handle Bar.

But if you were considering a Kitchen Sink handle bar, I would highly recommend this bag along with it. It makes the handle bar more useful, and along with Redshift Sports’ Cruise Control Grips, you’d have a really nice cockpit for long explorations on the back country roads.

Note: Redshift Sports sent over the Kitchen Sink bag for test and review to Riding Gravel at no charge. We were not paid, nor bribed, for this review and we always strive to give our honest thoughts and views throughout.