How to win an Ultra Race: The gravel pros have this Restrap setup on their bikes
Marc Strucken
· 28.07.2024
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More and more new race formats for long-distance gravel routes have emerged in recent years. From the far north to the south, from coast to coast or simply as long as possible from A to B: ultra-distances are the trend! What absolutely must not be missing are well thought-out, durable and lightweight bag solutions for the gravel bike. And what is suitable for The Bright Midnight Race, the Pan Celtic Race or the Trans Balkans is also useful for the little adventures that we less endurance and strong-willed people undertake.
The British manufacturer Restrap can be found on the bikes of some ultra-distance riders - not least because it offers a very large number of transport solutions. A few of the "customers" have photographed their setups for the gravel bike. We show 5 real gravel race bikes with the Restrap equipment used for bikepacking.
Follow us on our gravel adventure: the Germany Trail!
The ultra bike from Steven LeHyaric
The Restrap ambassador Steven LeHyaric took the overall victory in this year's Trans Balkan Race. After chasing the leading rider, Jochen Böhringer, for most of the race, Steven pulled out all the stops in the final 150 kilometres to beat him to the finish line.
Stevens bikepacking setup
Restrap Full Frame Bag Small
- Weight - 275 g (small)
- Volume - 6 litres
- Price - 143,99 Euro >> available here
18L Saddle Bag
Race Top Tube Bag Long
- Volume - 2 litres
- Weight - 239 g
- Price - 89,99 Euro >> available here
Canister Bag
- Weight - 116 g
- Volume - 1.5 l
- Price - 59,99 Euro >> available here
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>> We have already tested the short top tube bag: Snacks & small items always to hand in the Race Top Tube Bag Short
The monster gravel bike from Alice Lemkes
Alice Lemkes won the women's race at the Trans Balkans by gradually overtaking the field with a strong, well-considered performance.
Alice's bikepacking setup
Custom Frame Bag (XPAC)
- Price: from 144.99 euros
- more info under: eu.restrap.com
Fast straps
- Sold with 2 straps each or as a "mix" with 3 straps in all three sizes
- Sizes 25 cm, 45 cm and 65 cm
- Price: S - 11,99 Euro // M - 14,99 Euro // L- 16,99 Euro // Mix (3 pcs.) - 21,99 Euro
Race Bar Bag
- Volume - 7 litres
- Weight - 320 g
- Price - 131,99 Euro >> available here
Race Saddle Bag
- Volume - 7 litres
- Weight - 250 g
- Price - 143,99 Euro >> available here
Race Stem Bag
- Volume - 1.1 litres
- Weight - 86 g
- Price - 64,99 Euro >> available here
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The gravel bike from Angus Young
In Norway (note the red houses in the background of the picture), the Restrap ambassador Angus Young took second place in The Bright Midnight Race. This is a 1200 kilometre off-road race through the wilderness of the Norwegian mountains.
Angus' bikepacking setup
Race Top Tube Long - see Steven LeHyaric
Race Frame Bag Large
- Volume - 4.5 litres
- Weight - 247 g
- Price - 112,99 Euro >> available here
Race Hydration Vest
- Volume - 5.5 litres plus 2 litres hydration bladder (= 7.5 litres)
- Weight (without hydration bladder) - Small/Medium 368 g // Large/XL 380 g
- Weight bladder - 146 g
- Price - 167,99 Euro >> available here
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The ultra bikes from Josh Reid & Seun Alaba
At this year's Pan Celtic Race - an ultra race with 2400 km and 27,000 metres of altitude in Scotland - the Restrap riders had Josh Reid and Seun Alaba not so lucky or successful. Josh had to retire after suffering knee problems and rolled into Inverness in 14th place.
Seun made the difficult decision to get out at Oban. Similar to Angus, Josh used a lightweight setup for maximum speed, while Seun opted for a more conventional setup, with gear from the Restrap Race Range mixed with a full frame bag to spread the weight across the bike and balance capacity and handling.
Josh's bikepacking setup
Frame Bag Small
- Weight - 137 g / 200 g / 238 g (small / medium / large)
- Volume - 2,5 l / 3.5 l / 4.5 l (small / medium / large)
- Price - 71,99 Euro / 89.99 Euro / 101.99 Euro (small / medium / large)
Race Top Tube Bag Long - s. Steven LeHyaric
Tool Pouch (not on the bike above)
- Weight - 78 g
- Volume - 0.6 litres
- Price - 39,99 Euro >> available here
Frame Strap
- Weight - 40 g
- Length - 46.7 cm
- Width - 5 cm
- Price - 23,99 Euro
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Seuns Bikepacking setup
Full Frame Bag Medium
- Weight- 275 g / 322 g / 368 g (small/medium/large)
- Volume - 6 l / 7,5 l / 9 l (small/medium/large)
- Price - 143,99 Euro / 154,99 Euro / 164,99 Euro
Race Aero Bar Bag
- Weight - 278 g
- Volume - 7 litres
- Price - 119,99 Euro >> available here
Race Top Tube Bag - s. Steven LeHyaric
Race Saddle Bag - s. Alice Lemkes
Race Stem Bag - s. Steven LeHyaric
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Marc Strucken
Editor
