Launching into a fresh round of Collective Rewards, we’re giving away an ultra-minimal and ultra-clever Mica Rat Tail rear rack, which opens up options for carrying a dry bag and cargo cages on just about any hardtail or rigid frame. Learn more about the Rat Tail and support the site for a chance to win one here…

Throughout its lengthy prototyping period, the Mica Rat Tail rear rack garnered more questions and curiosity than nearly any bike product we’ve teased on the site to date. Almost every time it popped up in photos, “What rack is that?” was sure to follow in the comments. By the time it took a top spot in our Bikepacking Gear of the Year awards in 2024, the ultra-minimal Rat Tail (then simply called the Mica Rack) had received enough interest to motivate creator Skyler Des Roches to take the leap and move production to Taiwan, drastically ramping up the number of racks he could offer.

Mica Rack Review

There’s nothing quite like the Rat Tail on the market, and we’re excited to dive into a fresh round of Collective Rewards by giving one to a randomly selected member of the Bikepacking Collective, a $185 value for our lucky winner. The Mica Rat Tail enables users to carry a drybag on nearly any hardtail or rigid bike, transforming it into a bikepacking-ready rig while maintaining full use of a dropper post. It cleverly mounts to the seatpost or seat tube with an included clamp, and vertical struts mount to the seat stays—no need for rack mounts. The rack also boasts three-pack mounts on the vertical stays, further expanding cargo capacity.

  • mica rack review
  • Mica Rat Tail

Weighing in at just 410 grams, including all mounting hardware, the Rat Tail is lighter than many seat packs of the same size, even after adding a dry bag and straps. Even better, it’s far more stable, too. It’s compatible with up to a 3.1″ rear tire and has a recommended capacity of 15 pounds (7 kilograms). The rack is built from 4130 chromoly steel tubing, a 6061 T6 aluminum seat post clamp, stainless clamps, nylon seat stay mounting blocks, and stainless screws throughout. For a more in-depth look, check out Miles’s written review here or watch Neil’s video review below. You can also find further details at MicaCycles.com.

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Support from our members makes BIKEPACKING.com possible. If you enjoy reading the site, please consider joining the Bikepacking Collective. Membership is open to anyone, anywhere in the world. Members are automatically entered to win bi-monthly Collective Rewards (including this Mica Rat Tail), have the option to receive The Bikepacking Journal in the mail, can use our new Basecamp tools, gain access to exclusive industry discounts, and more. Collective Reward winners are responsible for taxes. Read the terms here.

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