Ratking RIP Rack V3 Review: Wald Lovers Rejoice

Designed to seamlessly hold a Wald basket thanks to integrated basket hardware, the revamped RatKing RIP Rack V3 offers improved stability and strength and more adjustment to fit a broader range of bikes. It works nicely as a cargo platform or bag support and neatly holds Wald 137 and 139 baskets. Miles has been testing a pre-production version for the last few months. Find his RatKing RIP Rack V3 review here…

Smith Levi, owner of RatKing Frames, might be one of the cycling industry’s most underrated makers and designers, but it takes a short history lesson to understand why. In 2017, RatKing launched the T Rack, a revolutionary minimal rear rack with clearance for 29 x 3.5″ tires, three-pack mounts on both legs, and an impressive weight of just 350 grams (12.3 ounces). The Micro Pannier version had an extra strut and mounting loop to the backside of the rack to offer more support for micro panniers and weighed just 30 grams more. Both racks set a new standard for lightweight rear racks, paving the way for many options today.

A year after the launch, RatKing announced that Tumbleweed Bicycle Company was taking over production of both racks, a milestone that Smith and Daniel Molloy of Tumbleweed were excited about. Tumbleweed’s acquisition of the rack designs also marked the departure from US production and the beginning of made-in-Taiwan racks. While there have been some minor tweaks over the years, the overall design has remained consistent, and for good reason. The Tumbleweed T Rack took the top spot in our 2020 Gear of the Year Awards and remains a favorite among the editors of BIKEPACKING.com.

In 2022, RatKing released the RIP Rack, a beautiful and functional solution for basketpacking with a Wald 137 or half-height 139 basket, thanks to a clever zip-tie-free attachment system built from custom-machined hardware. From what I can tell, RatKing was the first to offer a production rack with integrated basket hardware, which is one of those “why didn’t I think of that?” ideas that only make sense after you’ve gone through hundreds of zip-ties installing baskets between bikes. The original RIP Rack was kept fairly minimal, with a large platform, adjustable struts designed for mid-fork eyelets, and a sliding fork crown brace.

  • Tumbleweed Prospector Fabio Chest Roadrunner Jammer
  • Ratking Cradle Made 2023
RatKing RIP Rack

More recently, RatKing debuted its new RatKing Cradle at MADE 2024. This unique adjustable rack attaches to the fork steerer tube or seatpost and doubles as a front bag support or a rear cargo platform. The Cradle has an adjustable tilt to fine-tune the platform’s position and work around your specific handlebar setup. It doesn’t matter if you’re running a short stem, have minimal spacer stack, a short head tube, or use a suspension fork—there’s a good chance the RatKing cradle will work.

RatKing is responsible for three distinctive ideas over the last six years, each dreamt up and created by hand in Smith’s Seattle-based workshop. To say Smith has a knack for product design would be an understatement.

RIP Rack V3 Enters the Chat

This summer, Smith contacted us with news of an updated RIP Rack. The latest version shares the same form factor as the original but with a completely revamped leg design and more adjustability to work around the lack of standardization with mid-fork eyelets. Part of the impetus for a new version was because Smith realized how much stuff people load their baskets up with, so he decided to make it stronger. Smith says the RIP Rack V3 is “strong enough to sit on with minimal weight compromise.” It’s officially rated for 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms) while riding on pavement, and you’ll want to lower that limit slightly when riding off-road. I haven’t planted my bum on the RIP Rack yet, but I have been using it steadily for several months, including plenty of commuting, grocery runs, and a couple of overnighters.

My pre-production version weighs 753 grams (26.5 ounces), about 20 grams shy of RatKing’s finalized weight. It’s a fair bit heavier than some of our favorite lightweight front racks, but it offers some unique adjustability and features that set it apart from all other front racks.

RatKing RIP Rack V3 Review
  • RatKing RIP Rack V3 Review
  • RatKing RIP Rack V3 Review

Aside from its size and shape, the RIP Rack V3 is a different beast from the original. Starting from the top, it maintains the iconic upside-down cross tombstone to support bags. The sliding fork crown brace has been replaced with an interesting curved machined brace that has drilled holes for fore/aft adjustment and a pivoting section to help dial in the angle of the platform.

Moving down, the single adjustable struts have been replaced with beefier curved U-shaped legs. Instead of using Salsa’s universal rack hardware and pivoting/sliding struts, the legs have been completely redesigned with two separate adjustment points. The most obvious are the seven drilled lower attachment points, designed to help fit a broader range of fork mount locations and dial in the height of the rack. Tucked inside the top end of the rear leg is a clever threaded rod with M6 swing bolts that allow for additional control over the angle of the platform. Threading out tilts the rack forward, and threading the bolt further inside the leg tilts it backward. The only example I’ve seen of this style of threaded adjustment in a production rack is from República Bicicletas in Brazil.

  • RatKing RIP Rack V3 Review
  • RatKing RIP Rack V3 Review
  • RatKing RIP Rack V3 Review
RatKing RIP Rack V3 Review
  • RatKing RIP Rack V3 Review
  • RatKing RIP Rack V3 Review

Installation and Use

RatKing didn’t include an installation guide with my rack, but after chatting with Smith, it seems we follow a similar process. Attach the fork crown brace to the fork, keeping the aluminum brace loose. Attach the platform and hold it in place to decide on a lower leg attachment position. Loosely install leg bolts, adjust the fore/aft position at the fork crown, and then make any final leveling adjustments using the swing bolts on each side of the rack, ensuring they are adjusted equally.

The first installation took some time to ensure I used all the hardware correctly, as there were a fair number of small parts, but after that, it was easy to swap between bikes and adjust as needed. RatKing gives the option to purchase the Forager Link Wrench with the rack, which is worth considering if you don’t already have one. The Link Wrench is an 8/9/10mm wrench and emergency master link opener, and it has all the wrench sizes for any adjustments you might need to make out on the trail or at home. Its minimal size makes it a handy tool for any front or rear bike rack and is a favorite among a few of us here.

RatKing RIP Rack V3 Review
  • ratking rip rack V3 review
  • ratking rip rack V3 review
  • ratking rip rack V3 review

The legs are designed with a slight taper, wider at the top and narrower toward the bottom, leaving plenty of clearance for the 29 x 2.2″ tires on my Doggler and the 27.5 x 2.8″ WTB Rangers on the Crumbworks Chunk. I measured 5.5″ of horizontal clearance between the legs, just above my tire, and 5″ toward the bottom. The one-piece, U-shaped legs are impressively stable, creating a stiff and flex-free platform, and they can also double as a place to strap extra cargo for riders who want to get creative, according to Smith.

Aside from the adjustability and sturdiness the RIP Rack V3 offers, the Wald basket mounting hardware is one of the major selling points in my eyes. The integrated basket mounting blocks are made from 6061 aluminum and thread directly to the rack’s top platform with M5 screws. Installing a basket takes less than a minute. Simply loosen the mounting blocks, slide the basket into position with the blocks hooking over the basket’s wires, and tighten the screw down to lock the basket into position.

ratking RIP rack v3 Review
  • ratking rip rack V3 review
  • ratking rip rack V3 review

I’ve used my fair share of basket setups, usually secured into place using either zip ties or a handful of Voile straps. While either method works 99% of the time, I hate cutting off plastic zip ties, and Voile straps aren’t the most secure option in my experience. Dedicated mounting blocks are a game-changer for anyone who wants the most secure Wald basket setup available or for folks constantly swapping baskets between bikes and experimenting with different setups. I also appreciate how unobtrusive the mounting blocks are when not in use.

Despite a relatively small 8 x 8″ (20 x 20cm) platform, the RIP Rack V3 feels big enough to hold both Wald 137 and half-height 139 baskets (thanks to its mounting hardware) and also functions as a handlebar bag support. The combination of a high stack, high handlebars, and low fork crown on the Crumbworks Chunk I tested meant the tombstone on the rack was in just the right position to hold a handlebar bag away from the bike’s headtube while also providing another attachment point and platform for additional storage. I’ve gotten by using racks without tombstones before, but as a dedicated font rack, I prefer having one.

  • ratking RIP rack v3 Review
  • ratking RIP rack v3 Review

The only issue I ran into, if you can even call it that, was the included M5 bolt that runs through my Hudski Doggler’s fork crown wasn’t long enough. My local bike shop couldn’t find anything suitable, so I turned to a specialty fastener store to find what I was looking for. Thankfully, nothing is proprietary or out of the ordinary, so finding replacement hardware or extra bolts and nuts shouldn’t be a problem.

Depending on the bike/fork, getting a level platform involves some trial and error. I used one of the closer holes on the curved fork crown brace because I wanted the rack to sit closer to the bike’s headtube, but this resulted in a slight tilt. Normally, you’d use the threaded rod in the legs to bring it back to level, but the curved brace was getting in the way. The only way around this was to use a hole further toward the front of the brace, which is fine and got the platform level but meant the rack sat even further away from the front of the bike. In the end, it’s still one of the most adjustable front racks I’ve come across, and a slight backward tilt feels acceptable to me.

  • ratking RIP rack v3 Review
  • ratking RIP rack v3 Review

Availability and Ordering

Lead times at Ratking are constantly evolving but max out at six months. Because the RIP Racks require machined hardware, Smith waits until 15 racks are in the queue before starting production. As of today, there are a half dozen first-come-first-served racks that will ship in a few weeks. The RIP Rack costs $275 USD, which is pricey but not unreasonable considering each rack is handmade in Washington. To put it into perspective, even the readily available China-made Surly 8-Pack Rack costs $125.

  • ratking RIP rack v3 review
  • ratking RIP rack v3 review

Pros

  • Dedicated Wald basket mounting hardware is a game-changer for basket lovers and experimenters.
  • Very stable and strong front rack, thanks to one-piece legs and solid attachment points.
  • The top platform feels useful without being too big.
  • Hardware fits Wald 137 and 137/139 half-height baskets.
  • 30-pound (13.6-kilogram) load limit and wide tire clearance is impressive.

Cons

  • A fair amount of hardware is required for installation, which could make some folks feel slightly uneasy when heading away from civilization.
  • The first installation can take some time to get it just right.
  • A front light mounting point or cargo bosses on the legs would add to the rack’s functionality.
  • Extra hardware may be required, depending on the fork.
  • It’s not particularly light or affordable compared to other popular front racks.
  • Load Limit: 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms) on pavement
  • Material: Chromoly steel/aluminum
  • Weight (as tested): 753 grams (26.5 ounces)
  • Place of Manufacture: Washington, USA
  • Price: $275 USD
  • Manufacturer’s Details: RatKingFrames.com

Wrap Up

Ever since I saw the RatKing Cradle at MADE, I knew Smith would churn out some interesting designs. The fact that the RIP Rack is in its third iteration is a telltale sign that Smith is dedicated to his craft. He’s constantly finding new ways to improve efficiency, enhance utility, and fine-tune his processes. Despite being slightly heavier than other lightweight front racks, the RIP Rack V3 is by far the most adjustable and sturdy front rack I’ve used.

The integrated basket mounting blocks are an absolute joy for anyone fed up with zip ties and rubber straps. They work so well that I could see a similar concept integrated into a whole suite of rack-mounted accessories and bags at some point. Could the RIP Rack be the next T Rack? Will a larger brand with overseas production swoop in and pick it up? In any case, I look forward to seeing what Smith cooks up next.

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