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Hope it serves you well. Nathan's goal is to make kit that works well and lasts. Each bag has been through a massive evolution over the last couple of years, but with very small incremental changes. Rather than just sticking to a design and churning it out he's constantly looking to improve on things. Would love to hear how you get on with the setup and see a pic of the loaded bike.
TM-
Interested by the mention of evolution - has the seatpost strap on the saddlebag holster changed at all?
I did have one but sold it as I couldn't get the strap tight enough on the seatpost, so the bottom of where the holster rests on the seatpost would twist/slip sideways, so a) the bag was held at a funny angle, b) the side it had slipped to would knock into the back of my thigh.
Watching the video on the site it looks like that strap might have changed to wind around the seatpost once before velcro-ing, but I can't strictly remember what the one I had was like.
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Didn't realize about the restrap code. cheers!
After a trip to my LBS I decided to go with a 13L miss grape saddle bag, way less flimsy than apidura and you don't need an extra drybag for water protection.
Got an alpkit duo for the bars.
Small frame bag from Restrap and my setup will be complete.
Trip at the end of may will be the true test.
Brookly_Bay
r_mash
Just got my Restrap order and had a chance to fit it/get a better look at it.
From the drybags to the holster there's no comparison to Alpkit-such good quality of stitching and fitting. The holster is really easy to fit and has nice solid 2" straps over seatpost instead of shitty 1" webbing jobbys that stretch-the holster itself is solid and has no give so won't end up scraping off your back wheel every time you hit a bump then need swathed in inner tubes to try to hold it in place. Medium frame bag is perfect for my 54cm Wolverine-nice and snug to the front triangle but leaces about 3" at the rear for bottle access. Bar holster is equally easy to fit and has optional straps for tying to headtube for lumpier stuff, again-it's solid and isn't going to flap about or anything. I don't think the width of my Cowbells will allow me to use the full 14litres of the drybag but still plenty to squish in there.
Some people give bikepacking grief (@Skülly!) but if done this way with well designed and constructed kit instead of having flimsy, insecure and over stuffed bags then you're getting a really good compromise between minimal, aero packing for more spartan touring that won't overburden you and using panniers that inevitably get the kitchen sink flung in them and feeling like you're a packhorse.
Will be keeping my panniers for longer/easier trips but definitely looking forward to using the Restrap kit for shorter/faster/offroad tours.