The Switch Back: Restrap’s Switch Rack and Top Bag

After years running minimal bikepacking bags, Trevor puts a rack back on the bike to test the Restrap Switch Rack and Top Bag through commuter rides, day trips, and a 236km haul through Quebec's Laurentians. Read on.

When I reflect on the 30-plus years I've carried gear on my bike over vast distances, it boggles my mind how many different iterations I have used to pack things. From massive panniers and dry bags to smartly engineered bags that attach with a few well-placed straps, I have really tried everything. Initially, I grew tired of using large, clunky racks and rattling bags, and I vowed never to use them again. However, I did miss the ease of packing and locating items in panniers. Now I appreciate minimalism, ease of use and multi-use items. However, with new, engineered, minimal rack systems coming on the market, I found myself curious about how things have evolved.

There is some good news. You don't need 30 years of trial and error to land on a setup that works. You just need a rack that adapts as you figure it out. That's the pitch behind the Restrap Switch Rack and Top Bag system, which I'm returning full circle to test.

I planned to try out the rack system around town on commuter rides as well as a few randonneur day rides to get used to the way it handles. I also had a 236km trip planned to go north in the Laurentians of Quebec to test it on the long haul. It would involve a train ride, some rail trail, rough gravel roads, single track and a few pavement connectors. It would be a great test for the rack to see how it holds up on long days on rough terrain and see if it holds enough gear, food and water for two nights and three days. I wanted to see how easy it would adapt to coming off and on for the short rides, how rugged it would be carrying a big load on long rides and how flexible the capacity could be for different situations and in different configurations with not just the bag but the rack attachments as well.

About Restrap

Restrap has been creating and engineering quality minimal bags for cycling since 2010. As a UK-based company, they specialised in making smart cycling gear for all kinds of riding and bikepacking in-house. They have taken all this knowledge and applied their sense of practical, lightweight, durable and minimal gear and developed the new Switch system.

It's always a brand we keep our eye on and we've been fortunate to test a number of their products, including the Restrap Race Frame Bag, Side Release Bottle Cages, and top-tube bag.

The Switch Rack

First off, this Switch Rack ($239 CAD) isn't your run-of-the-mill aluminum alloy rack. It's more of a minimal platform weighing 485g (with axles and bolts) that is made for carrying gear in multiple ways via a thru-axle and strap-based system, instead of using traditional frame mounts to secure it. It attaches and detaches easily on most modern thru-axle bikes, including gravel and hardtail mountain bikes (even with drop-posts). The rack is available in three sizes of 7075-T6 aluminum axles (1mm, 1.5 and 1.75 thread pitch) and includes spacers to accommodate various shaped dropouts. Don't worry, I had no idea what thread pitch was either, but it was easy to figure out and measure. They have an excellent video and FAQ library to explain all of this and how to fit it appropriately to your bike.

Once I mounted the rack via the axle and attached it to my seat post, I simply adjusted the angle to fit my bike via a Velcro strap. Then I decided how to adapt it to my carrying needs. This is what I meant by modular ecosystem, as it can adapt, shift and evolve.

I opted for three different setups for three different riding situations. The first was a light commuter set up which just involved the top rack bag. The second setup was for light and fast longer day rides with the top rack bag and water bottle cages attached to the legs. The third setup was a heavier fully loaded top bag complete with food and camping gear for three days as well as extra water bottle cages.

Other setup options include a rack cage to carry your own bag/dry bag on the top of the rack with Panniers in 5 and 10L options. The fork legs also have 64mm spaced mounting points, which make it easy to add any cargo cage.

Overall, it can carry 66 pounds (30 kilograms) or 22 pounds on the platform and 22 pounds on each leg. Being able to attach all the different options is where the rack really shines. It adapts to your needs, whether you are commuting or riding multiple days with minimal refuelling points. One reminder is to make sure to keep your original axle in a safe place when not using your rack.

The Switch Top Bag

I tested the 15L Switch Top Bag ($332.99 CAD), a waterproof rolltop bag that secures to the top rack with a quick-release system and two straps. I used it for both short and long trips, appreciating features like expandable side pockets, shoulder strap options with light loops, and reflective details for evening rides. It detaches in seconds, making it easy to take into the office or, on trips, into a tent or hostel. The 15L capacity fits a sleeping pad, sleeping bag, bivvy/small tent, stove, extra clothes, and food. The rolltop opened wide for quick access without having to unpack and was easy to see in the dark with a dayglo orange interior.

The Switch trials

For my commuter rides I opted for the basic top bag filled with a change of clothes, a lunch and laptop. It was easy to snug down with the provided straps and was secure without everything jiggling around. Once at the office, the bag quickly detaches and I attached my own shoulder strap connecting the integrated loops and carried it away like a light shoulder bag. Plus with the reflective strips it was a nice assurance of being seen in traffic in the evening. Also, when I wasn't using the rack in between rides, it quickly came off in a few minutes by swapping back to the original axle.

For my longer day rides I packed in rain gear, lunch and snacks, tools and pump and a small bag of "just in case" items. With everything cinched down it was bombproof without any sway and it actually felt aerodynamic. Not that I was racing or anything, but it felt like it was a part of the bike, not an added-on bag that was an afterthought. With a larger capacity it also meant I didn't need other frame or bar bags to carry things. All the gear was together in one nice secure package with easy access. I also added a water bottle cage and bottle to the legs for some extra insurance during the longer hot summer rides. It installed in seconds and paid for itself on days without a reliable place to refill. It's an excellent option for those midweek bikepacking trips when you aren't able to find refueling points.

The biggest test came on the three day ride. I really overpacked on purpose, even though I didn't push it to 66 pounds it was good to know what its limits were. I opted to keep it simpler without adding bags to the legs as the 15 liters was just enough to carry all my camping gear for a summer outing. I did add the two water cages in case of a water shortage and it was nice at the end of the day to have extra water for cooking and washing salt off my face. I did bring along the original axle just in case of attachment issues that may arise on the rougher roads mixed with a heavy load. Of course I didn't need to worry as everything performed flawlessly. Fully loaded, the bag was stable on the rack, even on rough Quebec roads, without any sway like you would feel on loaded seat bags. It was a tight setup, and the bag and bottles didn't rattle around, even on the single track. Although I did notice while having everything packed on top that it did have a slightly different feel while climbing and leaning the bike from side to side. Looking back I should have put less in the top rack and divided things on smaller bags on the legs as well for a lower centre of gravity. After getting used to the loads I hardly noticed it was there. The stretchy side pockets were brilliant as well to jam in those extra calories and wet jackets. While at camp I loved how easy the bag came off to take all my gear into the tent, then pop it back on the bike in the morning. It also left space under my seat for a tool roll and tube storage.

The Switch Conclusion

The Restrap Switch System is just another example of how smart engineering can evolve how we pack on a bike. Whether out for the day or out for the long haul, I can really see the advantage this platform can serve your needs in multiple ways. This is the kind of gear that makes you question the clunky bags of yesterday.

The one major downside is the cost of this system. It's priced quite similarly to a Tailfin Cargopack. Because it comes from the UK, expect to pay upwards of $600 CAD with shipping costs for the rack and bag combo and don't be surprised when a customs fee is added into it. For riders outside of Canada, that experience will differ, but the raw cost of the system remains. It may not be for the person who is budget-conscious or who only uses bags occasionally.

As an investment, it feels like it will last me a long time. It is built with quality craftsmanship and comes with a lifetime guarantee. I, for one, have been "switched" back to using a rack ecosystem. Thirty years in, I'm still figuring out what "enough gear" actually means.