A First Look at the Rekki DX35 Handlebar Bag

Additional photos and words by Matt Bark and Ryan Brown

In less than 24 hours, Jack the Rack was over 1,200% funded on Kickstarter, and 20 days later, they surpassed their original goal of £6,400, raising an impressive total of £237,486. I was one of a few people lucky enough to get my hands on Jack the Rack ahead of the Kickstarter launch, and after some testing, I had a feeling it would be a hit. Jack is a breath of fresh air in an industry plagued by changing standards and incompatibility. In short, it’s a versatile, handlebar-mounted front rack secured in place using just two straps. It’s a clever product from UK-based WholeGrain Cycles, led by Miles Gibbons and Luke Cardew, and since the launch, we’ve seen them popping up on bikepacking setups all over the world.

In the time Jack the Rack has been out, I’ve wondered when a bag maker would jump in with a handlebar bag designed with Jack or other front racks in mind. It turns out Jack’s co-founder, Luke Cardew, had the same idea, and once the Jack the Rack web shop was set up and distributors were established, he turned his focus to designing an equally versatile bag, which would become the Rekki DX35.

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A Closer Look at the Rekki DX35

Luke describes the Rekki DX35 as “the world’s most versatile large volume bikepacking bag.” At its core, it’s a top-opening handlebar bag with three distinct storage zones. The main compartment, called the “bucket,” has a 25-liter capacity. The removable top or “gear lid” holds six liters. And lastly, a pair of two-liter side pockets add additional quick-access storage. For lashing lightweight items on, there are front and top bungee grids. All in, the Rekki DX35 dishes up a whopping 35 liters of storage, which is one of the largest handlebar bags we’ve seen, bested only by the monstrous 46 liter Ron’s Bikes Fabio’s Chest.

The bag’s main compartment has an unstructured design that feels more like a lightweight backpack or shoulder bag than most handlebar bags I’ve used. It has four webbing handlebar attachment points to accommodate different rack-to-handlebar distances, and the lowest attachment is positioned to work perfectly with Jack the Rack, which is primarily how I tested it. There are strips of additional webbing daisy chain along the base of the bag to secure to your favorite rack, which when used with the handlebar attachment, provide a reasonably sturdy setup despite having no internal stiffeners to provide structure. Due to its height, I think the DX35 is best suited for low-rise racks/rando racks, such as the Nitto M18 or Rawland Rando Rack. Jack sits fairly high above the front wheel, which is handy for folks with limited clearance, but I would have preferred to have it sit a few inches shorter.

There are various webbing loops positioned on all sides of the bag that can be used with the included compression strap. For folks using drop bars, the strap can be looped around the the perimeter to compress the bag sideways, leaving more hand room. The strap can also be used as a three-point compression system on the top of the bag, pulling the front back toward the handlebar bag. This configuration also provides more stability when running larger loads.

The gear lid is inspired by the gear lids found on backpacking bags. It attaches to the main body with four removable girth hitch webbing straps and side-release buckles and then cinches down in place depending on how full the main body is packed. It has a webbing grid on top, a large wrap-around zippered opening for the main compartment, and a smaller zippered pouch to help keep things organized.

As far as compatibility goes, Rekki states that a front rack is mandatory, and the max load should be determined by the rack. For drop-bar bikes, at least 380mm between the hoods is required. The minimum distance between the top of the rack and the handlebar is 170mm, and the maximum distance is 380mm. The dimensions of the bag itself are 230mm x 280mm x 420mm (DxWxH).

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Because the main body and gear lid aren’t waterproof, Rekki includes several accessories to keep your gear dry. A custom-shaped dry bag liner fits into the body of the bag. It has a roll-top closure, two tote-style webbing handles, taped seams, and is made from a lightweight and durable Challenge UltraGRID fabric. When the weather really starts to turn, the “Shower Cap” is a tiny backpack-style rain cover that fits over the top of the bag and/or gear lid. It’s impressively packable and weighs just 40 grams. Both the main body of the bag and the oversized side pockets are cinched shut with cord-lock buckles and paracord, providing quick access when needed. Rekki put together a video detailing exactly how the DX35 can be attached to your bike that you can watch below.

First Impressions

It’s clear that the Rekki DX35 has a lot going on. Between the various removable webbing straps, daisy chain, dry bags, and top lid, there are more moving parts than I’ve ever seen in a handlebar bag. Despite feeling a little overwhelmed when I first unpacked everything, the various components work well together and feel well-thought-through. Unlike the two testers we’ll hear from next, I used the DX35 with a relatively small load. With a small amount of cargo, the DX35 feels too big. Without structure or a smaller integrated lid, you’re left with excess fabric on the top and sides of the bag, which makes it awkward to use. The more gear you pack into its cavernous body, the better the bag looks and functions, but your bike’s handling can also suffer with the added weight.

Considering most people aren’t heading out on multi-week bikepacking expeditions, I think the size and lack of structure is the DX35’s limiting factor, as it’s slightly awkward to use for commuting or long day rides. Here in the Pacific Northwest, where we’ve been having a very wet spring, the removable interior dry bag has been very useful, but I still think an integrated lid or flap-style opening on top for some extra protection would be nice. The removable gear lid is functional with a fully loaded bag, and it’s actually quite simple to get into while riding thanks to an easy-sliding zipper, but it doesn’t feel like a realistic solution for shorter rides.

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The overall construction of the DX35 feels solid, which is no surprise considering Luke’s MO is designing products that are repairable and meant to last. It’s made from a mix of EcoPack and ULTRAgrid fabrics. EcoPack is made from 100% recycled polyester components, has no fluorocarbons, features a 70d Ripstop backing, and is recyclable after use. ULTRAgrid is woven at Challenge Sailcloth’s Bluesign Approved facility with 210d recycled nylon yarn from pre-consumer industrial waste and is also free from toxic PFCs. There are extra stitches at high-wear points, every pocket and compartment has a bright liner to make finding items easier, and flashy high-viz webbing make key cinching straps stand out. If you damage your bag, Rekki has designed the DX35 to be easily repairable with specific features like no sewn-in liner, simple stitching, and more.

Thoughts from Two Testers

Because I only had time for a few loaded day-rides, which isn’t enough testing to get a full read on the DX35, I reached out to two folks who have been testing pre-production versions of the Rekki DX35 to share their thoughts on using the bag for bikepacking. Together, they’ve logged over 5,000 kilometers with the DX35, so I trust their thoughts on what it does well and where it falls short. First up is Matt Bark, who has been using the bag with Jack the Rack, followed by Ryan Brown, who has been using with a front rack/basket setup. Find their mini reviews below.

A 4,000-Kilometer Perspective

Words and photos by Matt Bark

First thoughts when receiving a Rekki DX35? Wow, this thing is big, cavernous. Both a blessing and a curse. I first stumbled upon the Rekki works bags when I got my hands on a Jack the rack. I wanted a bag that would play well with the platform—what better than a bag from one of the design team behind the Kickstarter hit front rack?

But whilst the team at Rekki obviously have an intricate relationship with the Jack, the DX35 has clearly been designed to work with a broad spectrum of supporting racks. The mounting system can, at first, seem somewhat overwhelming, an array of loops, straps, and buckles forming a Christmas Cracker-esque puzzle to untangle. But with the instructive aid of videos from the Rekki works team, I soon had the bag attached and ready to go. It’s this initial complexity that grants the bag its adaptability, allowing for mounting at different rack heights, widths, and for a wide variety of bar configurations.

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The adaptability extends then onto changing loads throughout a trip. The assortment of clips and loops seeming endlessly adjustable for days when all food reserves have been depleted and every layer has been removed for chilly weather. Then, after a resupply on a hot day, a quick adjustment to straps and mounting points, and the bag continues to sit stably up front. Resupply days are one where the DX35 really shines. Open up the top drawstring, pour in the contents of your shopping basket, cinch the lid back up, away you go. The deep waterproof “bucket” swallowing up whatever you want to throw at it, no questions asked.

This spacious accommodation can also be viewed as the main downside to the DX35. When presented with such ample space, there is always a temptation to fill it. If not carefully thought through, this can lead to some weight distribution issues. Possibly exacerbated by employing a rack with a high platform like the Jack. Careful distribution of heavier/lighter items can help alleviate this.

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This may only be an issue when loaded onto a drop-bar grave bike, where the weight distribution is already placed more over the front. Anything with flat bars or a slacker head angle will likely experience fewer concerns. Another issue with front bags on drop bar setups is interaction between the sides of the bag and thumbs hooked over the drops. Gladly here, the drawstring cinching at the top pulled the lid away from the controls, and in over 4,000 kilometres of testing, I never experienced any issues in this regard.

Off the bike, the adaptability continues, with the internal waterproof “bucket” simply lifted out of the main bag at the end of the day into your accommodation of choice. The DX35 is also supplied with a useful shoulder strap, which we employed to use the bag as carry-on luggage on various flights and trains. This dual capability meaning you don’t need to worry about lugging around the dead weight of a spare bag for an entire trip.

The DX35 won’t be for everyone; if you’re packing light or only out for overnighters, you won’t want the huge volume of space it provides. However, if you’re out for longer trips, enjoy having everything in one easily accessible place or tend to pack everything including the kitchen sink, then the DX35 can take you and all your stuff anywhere in the world.

Across the Americas

Words and photos by Ryan Brown

Every traveler’s worst nightmare… it’s January 1st, 2025, and I’ve just landed in Ushuaia to begin a bikepacking journey spanning the entire length of the Americas. I should be excited, but I’m furious. Standing at the baggage carousel, I learn that the airline has lost my checked bag: a custom handlebar bag containing most of my camping gear. When Rekki Works saw my plight on Instagram, Luke reached out with condolences and an offer I couldn’t refuse: a brand new bag unlike any other on the market.

My first impressions of the DX35 came midway through Chile’s most famous gravel route, the Carretera Austral. Standing in a dusty Chilean parking lot, I’m met by a kind Warmshowers host who accepted delivery of the package. Slipping it from the box, I’m reminded of my thru-hiking backpack; the DX35 has the body and bottle pockets of an ultralight pack with the three-pocket lid of a classic backpack.

Opening the bag, I was struck by the quality of the hardware: from the hooked cord locks on both bungee tie-downs to the webbing-mounted carabiner on an exceptional shoulder strap, Rekki Works is clearly committed to quality. Many manufacturers struggle with one-handed openings. They claim this feature, but only few get it right. The DX35 pretty much nails it. The Drybag is brightly colored as is the lining of the gear lid, making the stuff inside easy to find. This handlebar bag is big but feels lighter than I anticipated.

As this is a pre-production model, the included handlebar attachment hardware is still to be determined. I opt for two strips of velcro that I carry as spares for my frame bag. They slip through webbing loops at the height of my handlebars. The bottom of the bag is secured using the front shock cord looped through my basket. Luke assures that this is enough, “even in the rough stuff,” which I can now attest to.

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I stuff my sleeping bag, inflatable pad, clothing, and synthetic hoodie in the large, yellow drybag. I tuck my drone (a DJI Mini 3 Pro and all its accessories) inside these layers for protection. Surprisingly, I can fit a whole lot more, and I will over my weeks of testing. I believe my entire core kit could easily fit inside this one bag.

In the gear lid, I’m able to fit all my loose filmmaking accessories: full-sized studio headphones, wireless mic, audio recorder, and two camera batteries. My headlamp, toiletry kit, and sunglasses fit in the top, as my large leather journal occupies the bottom pocket. With three zippered pockets, I might be more organized than I’ve ever been bikepacking, plus with easier access to boot!

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Then, in the large side pockets, I stuff whatever loose ends I have at the time. From chain lube to cold-weather accessories like hats and gloves or food while leaving town. I might even slip a beer or two in there. It’s brilliant having such ease of overstuffing, something I’ve greatly missed with smaller bags. With the DX35 securely attached to my rack, it was time to see how it performed on the demanding roads of the Carretera Austral.

Two weeks and nearly a 1,000 kilometers later, I now have a clear understanding of how the DX35 holds up in real-world conditions. Even on rough ripio, the bag remained secure and didn’t significantly impact handling despite its large volume. I love the comfort and ease of packing the drybag and gear lid while inside my tent. The incredibly high capacity, as evidenced by how much I could pack, gives me confidence it will handle the demands of the rest of our journey in the Americas. With an included rain cover, my filmmaking gear stays dry in the gear lid, and it’s all so easy to access, even while riding.

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All that said, I noticed a point of failure on the webbing loops where it attaches to the handlebars. The webbing is frayed and pulling free of the seam but, this is a pre-production model, and Luke has already changed the design, “We have increased this seam (and increased the length of the webbing in the seam) so this won’t happen. We are also bartacking (the zigzag stitch) those webbing ends.”

This issue highlighted another advantage of the DX35. With four strips of webbing containing two loops each (for varying widths of handlebars), there are so many points of redundancy. I’ve had many such loops break on other bags. It’s an easy fix from a seamstress, but comforting to know that I have multiple backup attachment points.

Despite encountering a minor issue with the pre-production model’s attachment, my initial weeks with the Rekki Works DX35 have been overwhelmingly positive. Its impressive capacity, thoughtful organization, and ease of use both on and off the bike make it a solid option for a high-volume handlebar bag. I look forward to further testing as I cycle north for Alaska!

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The Rekki Monstermuch, Clog, and Slipper

But wait, there’s more! In addition to the DX35, Rekki is launching several accessories that can be used with it or on their own. The Monstermuch, pictured below, is an extra-large stem bag that’s clearly taken design inspiration from the massive capacity of the DX35. The main compartment has more than enough capacity to swallow a 1L Nalgene bottle, making it one of the largest stem bags I’ve ever used. It also has a wrap-around exterior pocket that covers more than half of the outside of the bag. It’s finished with a cinchable drawstring closure to keep contents secure. There are two fixed webbing loops on the backside of the bag where two bungees attach the bag to yours bars, although my version came with two included girth hitch straps and a large chunk of velcro on the bag. If extra capacity is needed, the Monstermunch provides; I just wish the main opening also has a cinch closure to keep bottles and other snacks secure.

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The Clog is a tool roll with a unique clog-inspired shape. It’s made from a lightweight and highly durable X-Pac UVX40 fabric, has a generous opening that makes finding your tools and spares easy when unrolled, and rolls up with help from a stretchy drawstring that loops around the entire package. The Slipper shares a similar design as the Clog but is inspired by hanging toiletry/shower bags. It has a flap opening, stretchy shockcord/drawstring closure like the Clog, and can be hung by the shockcord for easy access while showering, working on your bike, or any number of other scenarios.

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Weight Breakdown

• Bucket (main bag): 380 grams
• Gear Lid: 220 grams
• Drybag Liner: 190 grams
• Shower Cap: 40 grams
• Total: 830 grams

Pricing and Availability

The DX35 launches today via Kickstarter. Each bag includes a gear lid, shower cap, drybag liner, and two bungee toggles. The Kickstarter pricing for the DX35 and accessories is $190 USD. Standard non-Kickstarter pricing jumps to $400 USD (£322/€390). There are several optional accessories also available through the Kickstarter, including the shoulder strap ($32 USD), Monstermunch ($44 USD), Clog Tool Pouch ($54 USD), and Slipper ($18 USD). All of these will be available outside of the Kickstarter campaign at a slightly higher price point.

The early bird Kickstarter option currently offers the biggest discount and is limited to 50 backers. The regular Kickstarter special has no limit and both options are expected to ship by September 2025, but as I experienced with Jack the rack, there’s always a chance for delays when working with crowdfunding campaigns.

• Capacity: 35L
• Material: ULTRAgrid / EcoPack
• Weight: 830 grams
• Place of Manufacture: Tiantai, China
• Price: $190 USD (DX35 Kickstarter price)
• Manufacturer’s Details: RekkiWorks.com
• Kickstarter Campaign: Kickstarter.com

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