Have the Albatross bar on my CrossCheck, it is a 1x9; but I do have one bar end shifter. works great.
A North and Albatross are similar but not quite the same handlebar, there is a little more "swoop" in the mid section of the Albaross, North is a little "flatter" and seemed to have more rise.
I like the albatross because it allows me a very upright position with the handgrips, a more aero with the mid section, and a third position on the bends of the handlebar. Have the top of the stem level with my seat and the handgrips of the Albatross angled slightly upward; took some time before i got the seat height, stem length and handlebar angle just right. At first I was not so sure that the Albatross was the right choice, once I got the adjustments just right am pretty satisfied with the Albatross- glad I got it vs the North.