Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

Restrap? They’ve never tried to outsource or offshore.... are you confusing with wildcat? Or are you just thinking of the Restrap drybags?

Do you own Restrap? Think I’ve seen you mention them on Instagram? I’ve never tried them personally - have some Revelate stuff. I like the idea of locally made stuff though.

Own the company or products?

One of my good friends started Restrap and has grown it from his mums broom cupboard to what it is.

I’m not here to tell anyone to buy Restrap, but if there’s questions re the quality and the products/service I want to discuss it as Nathan (mr restrap) is always striving to improve things and develop new ideas. I sometimes contribute to product development and test things.

They don’t just design a product and churn it out, there’s a continuous improvement mindset so if there is a problem with something, it will be addressed.

No company is perfect, it’s whether they act on feedback and develop their products that makes the difference. There’s loads of feedback, not every suggestion is viable or realistic, but if you compare an original Restrap frame bag to the current ones the differences are huge.

Revelate and porcelain rocket both make excellent gear, can’t argue with that.

I've seen a couple of comments lately that seem to suggest that there are issues with the products...... I'm based near London, but am an impoverished public sector worker, who hasn't had a pay rise in 10 years, so I don't spunk my money easily....a bit of thought goes in before I part with my hard earned.
What I would say is that I have bought two items new from restrap, and they have both been excellent. I also have a revelate Pika, which I bought second hand....that too, is excellent.
I've got bags by other people too, which range between good, to excellent also.

What I'm getting at is, there is no problem with the items they sell.

Apart from the fact they're northerners, obvs!

I have no connection to any of the firms I've bought stuff from either....and I tend to speak as I find.....

This forum is getting too nice........we need a bit of the old fashioned self-moderating that used to go on.......

This forum is getting too nice

Fuck off.

Probably not the place to raise this but I have a restrap frame bag and although generally I think it's very good, the velcro strap edges are placed in a position where they rub on the knee when I'm out of the saddle, to the extent they've made my knee bleed.

Otherwise very happy with it, but in the spirit of continuous improvement I've always thought it would be good to tell them so it can get fixed!

I know that scratch. Realising this the top tube straps have since been replaced with soft touch rubber back Velcro which is laser cut meaning no sharp edges. The down tube Velcro has been replaced with 2 narrow webbing straps which means no more scratched thighs or spoiled bibs. The tweaks are made as rolling changes. As Restrap grows they invest in new machines which makes it possible to refine the products. Apologies for your inner thigh but be assured there will be less blood shed in the future.

3 Attachments

Stick some tape over the top of the Velcro. Probem solves.

Gorilla tape will stick.

Thanks for the info - that's good to know and I'm reassured it's not just that I have a delicate leg

@skinny yep that has been my fix to date, one time of the constant scratching was enough!

That's more like it!

Ya fat fuck!

but if you compare an original Restrap frame bag to the current ones the differences are huge.

Can confirm, having an earlier generation one. Loads of small changes in design, materials & manufacture. Certainly looks to be a even better product these days.

Talking of Velcro straps: my Revelate has a nice soft one that you can remove and put in different loops as needed. I’d like another one to mount it more securely though. Anyone know where I can get one? Wouldn’t hurt for them to throw another one in the bag, considering it costs £100+ but there you go.

Ebay

Someone else mentioned these as being good https://www.polaris-bikewear.co.uk/Fixie-velcro-fastening-straps-p/pol01-7545.htm

Alpkit

https://www.lfgss.com/comments/14332031/

Just did 2,000 miles across the US with a Blackburn frame bag and restrap bar bag - no issues. The magnetic attach restrap food bag is one of the best things I own in my opinion. Also managed to make the old restrap dry bag last the trip although I believe the new version is made in house and much tougher.

Little trip into deepest Kent with @GwGs over two days.

https://instagram.com/p/BomLETMBWmw/

Nice. What route did you take please? I love the section underneath the M25 bridge to Tilbury.

Thames Path, under the bridge, then back to riverside as much as possible all the way up. Shot inland before Grain and back to Rochester. Will definitely be exploring more around there.

https://strava.app.link/OJVg7B2FNQ

Ah you were on the south side!
The end of Grain is very surreal. Giant gas towers and the Thames as wide as can be. I had a strange swim.
On the North side I think the cycling is more fun but the view are less expansive. John Mak’s route to Southend is top notch.

I was passed that route by @youramericanlover recently and intend to do it. Will probably get Woolwich Ferry over and pick it up midway through. Is it. Quiet route? South side is almost all off road?

I definitely want to get out to Grain and see the fort - maybe walk out to see it if the tide is right. Is the water salty out there? We were debating if it was clean enough to swim in.

Very quiet. Ideal “gravel bike” route. Stop for a cup of tea at the RSPB Rainham Marshes, truly lovely spot.
The water was clean enough at Grain! It’s very windy and the waves were quite big.

The Woolwich Ferry is out of service until the end of December I think, if you were thinking of doing this soon.

Nice cat at the end!