Photos and words by Dave Malwitz

UK-based Restrap has been sewing up bike accessories and bags since 2010, although I only discovered them in the last couple of years as they emerged as a recognizable brand in the world of gravel and bikepacking gear. Their bags have a simple, yet attractive look. They are all black, and made with durable materials and high quality attachment points. All of Restrap’s bags are handmade in Leeds, England, which is also impressive especially given the implications of Brexit. In looking for my very first full size frame bag I recalled the impressive selection of bags that Restrap offered, so I ordered up one of their signature frame bags. I was also eager to give the new Bumper Bar a try, multi-functional bar bag support accessory that Restrap launched earlier this month. To compliment the collection I also pickup up a 7L Race Bar Bag that features Restrap’s signature holster style system.

Restrap Full Frame Bag

The Restrap Full Frame Bag comes in three sizes: small, medium and large. I opted for a size medium based on the dimensions provided on their website, which ended up fitting perfectly inside my medium Open WI.DE. frame. The bag’s outer is made from 1000 Denier Textured Nylon on the upper half, and a wipeable VX21 fabric on the lower. The 3 top tube rubberized straps have a high-quality feel, and are comfortable enough to sit on at a traffic light. Additional attachment points along the seat tube and down tube are easy with five cam locking buckles.

As for storage, this is where I started to really appreciate the possibilities with the Full Frame Bag. The main compartment is on the drive side, accessible via two Aquaguard YKK zippers. Internal velcro dividers provide flexibility for storage, which I immediately set up to allow for 3 separate compartments. The velcro divider runs just above and parallel to the lower zip line, while a smaller divider can be attached in the middle of the top section. I really like how the divider system works in practice, keeping snacks and sunscreen easily accessible in the upper compartment, while storing heavier items such as tools, plugs and a pump in the lower compartment. On the non-drive side is the third waterproof zipper for access to a slim 5in deep pocket where I stored my Explore Wallet and phone.

Restrap Bumper Bar

If you have ever run a bar bag with over 2L of capacity, chances are you’ve had to let the bag rest directly on brake cables and the frame itself. This was never ideal for me as the bag tends to bounce unless its strapped tight around the headtube, which can cause unwanted frame rub and damage to paint. The Restrap Bumper Bar is a simple solution that aims to fix this problem by “bumping” out handlebar bags with a steel mount that attaches to the steerer tube with the built-in 3mm head spacer. Installation involves simply removing the headset top cap and stem, sliding on the Bumper Bar spacer in the desired position and re-installing the stem and cap. Having some extra spacers on had could be useful, as you may need to subtract from the existing spacer setup.

In my initial testing the Bumper Bar did what it promises. It pushed up my 7L handlebar bag to a more desirable position, while also allowing the brake cables to sit in a less compromised position. Some adjustment to cable lengths may be necessary depending on how much slack you already have, but that will depend on your specific cable setup. In my case, the best position for my brake cables was over the front of the Bumper Bar and around the other side respective of where the cables enter the frame.

The Bumper Bar is not exactly lightweight, as it comes in at just over 6oz (178g). On rough double-track I did notice some bouncing of the handlebar bag, but that was easily fixed by securing it to the Bumper Bar with with an elastic cord.

Restrap Race Bar Bag

With a notably different construction than most handlebar bags on the market, the Restrap Race Bar Bag is a lightweight solution for minimal bikepacking setups, or an afternoon hammock ride. Rather than attaching the bag itself to the handlebar, the Race Bar Bag is comprised of two components, a durable hardshell holster and a 7L dry pack. Attaching the holster is simple with the provided foam spacers and spring-loaded cam locks, and in some ways easier than regular bags as it is extremely lightweight and easy to manage on its own. The bag sits nicely upright on the Restrap Bumper Bar, while staying secure with plenty of room for cables between the bag and frame. No zippers can be found on the Race Bar Bag as the dry pack features a roll-top closure for a tight fit. The biggest advantage I see to the Restrap holster-style handlebar bag is the convenience of being able to quickly access a dry bag with two quick unbuckles, rather than having to uninstall the entire handlebar assembly. The roll-top style bag also provides a large opening to store bulky items, and is less likely to fail. The two mesh side pockets on the dry pack are also a nice touch.

Overall, I find myself very impressed by the work coming out of Restrap UK. The Full Frame Bag is a perfect fit for my Open WI.DE. and is an extremely versatile and durable piece of gear, great for bikepacking or a long adventure ride. The Restrap Bumper Bar is an innovative solution for more ideal handlebar bag positioning, and pairs nicely with the Restrap 7L Race Bar Bag. I look forward to seeing more goods from this homegrown brand in the future, and hopefully they will continue to have strong distribution channels in the US.