The New Relentless Components Mule Rack is Bent, Not Welded

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After numerous iterations and thousands of miles of testing, Colorado-based Relentless Components has unveiled its innovative new cargo system, the Mule Rack. Get to know this unique rear rack here…

Relentless Components is a new outfit specializing in gear designed specifically for bikepacking. They hit the scene last year with an interesting fork-mounted slingshot, and shortly after, started teasing photos of a unique rear rack cargo system. We’ve been keeping a close eye on its progress and development, which included real-world testing on back-to-back expeditions, including the Wild Bunch Tour and a monthlong ride down the Baja Divide, thanks to Relentless ambassador Brett Davis.

After thousands of miles of testing and multiple iterations, we’re excited to share the official launch of the Relentless Components Mule Rack. The Mule Rack is a rear bike rack designed to fit a wide variety of bikes. However, instead of being made from tubing, the Mule Rack is fabricated from a single piece of monocoque 5052 aluminum with no welds that could potentially fail.

A series of slots and cutouts on both sides and on the top deck provide nearly limitless mounting options for straps, bags, and cargo. There are also 10+ threaded M5 cargo mounting holes per side, allowing for bolt-on cages and accessories. The only production rack we’ve seen with a similar design is the Molle Rackwald, which is designed specifically for the Esker Hayduke LVS that launched last year. The rack has clearance for 29 x 3.0” or 27.5 x 3.8” tires on most frames (depending on frame width and mount location), and it ships with your choice of lower mounting bracket/foot plate. Foot Plate A is for pivot-style dropouts like Salsa Timberjack or Esker Hayduke, and Foot Plate B is for standard M5 dropout mounts.

Here’s what Sean Mailen, Founder of Relentless Components, has to say about the Mule Rack: “I was never satisfied with how traditional racks performed in the backcountry. I know from my own time on the Tour Divide and talking with other riders that every piece of gear matters, and versatility is key. I took the same mindset I had while designing the Anything Cage and Anything Cradle at Salsa and applied it to rear rack design. With the rise of strap-style panniers and the need for more adaptable systems, the Mule Rack is built specifically for the bikepacking mindset.”

The Mule Rack is trail-tested to 55 pounds (27 kilograms), includes all stainless steel hardware, and weighs in at 2.1 pounds (981 grams) with everything you need to get rolling. The first US-made batch is small, but a second production run is already planned for September. The Mule Rack costs $215 USD, which seems competitive for a small-batch, US-made rack system.

Head over to RelentlessComp.com to grab yours.