Wouldn't it be great to hop on your fattie and head out on a network of trails from your backyard? This may be a reality for some, but for the majority of us heading out on the trails means transporting our bike to the trail head.
There are many ways to get your fat tired steed to the fun stuff.
- Inside your vehicle (in various states of disassembly)
- In the back of a pickup
- On the roof of your car
- Hanging from the trunk/hatch mounted rack
- Strapped into a hitch mounted rack
Swagman, located in Penticton BC, have been designing and manufacturing bicycle carrying gear since the early 1990's and have a solution for most of the situations above.
Fatbike Republic reached out to the folks at Swagman when it was discovered that their new fat compliant, hitch mounted rack had zero frame contact. Within a week a Sitkka 2 arrived at FBR headquarters for a closer look.
Be sure to check out the detailed video at the end of the review.
Be sure to check out the detailed video at the end of the review.
A considerable amount of thought went into the design of the Sitkka 2 and as a result it boasts the following features:
- Zero frame contact (straps and arms touch only rim & tire)
- Fits bikes from 20" to 29"+ wheels & fatbikes up to 5" wide
- Sliding straps accommodate bikes of various lengths
- Wheel ratchet straps and pressure chocks firmly hold bikes and secure wheels
- Locking ratcheting arms with replaceable keys help to prevent bike theft
- Rack folds up against the back of the vehicle when not in use
- Tilts down to allow access to the rear of vehicle even while bikes are loaded
- Fits 1 1/4" and 2" hitch receiver
- Comes with threaded locking hitch pin
- Weight: 45 lbs
The Sittka 2 arrived with the box having only a couple of minor superficial scuffs. The handholds and straps made moving the 40 x 24 x 10 box relatively easy. After opening the box it was easy to see that the strategically placed packaging kept all the parts unharmed.
There are a few features that really caught my attention. Firstly, a well padded hook holds down on the front tire and not the frame. This makes the Sitkka 2 carbon frame friendly as it's generally not recommended to use frame grabbing hooks on carbon framed bikes.
The Sitkka 2 is very easy to use. First you lower the rack from the folded position and fold out the arms - to approximately 135 degrees. If carrying one fattie its recommended to mount it closest to the vehicle. Then slide the ratcheting hook to their full extension and release the straps (on both trays) from the buckle.
Check out the video . . .
FINAL THOUGHTS
Having traveled several hundred kilometers carrying fatbikes hither and yon, I have to say that the Sitkka 2 is a super quick loading and unloading fatbike carrier. The ratcheting arm (that holds the tire and not the frame) did not need retightening during any trip and the tire straps held the tires confidently.
The lock did come in handy when making a quick stop at the grocery store on the way home from a ride.
When unloaded and folded the Sitkka 2 practically huggs the vehicle. And even when fully loaded, the rack easily folded down allowing full access to the rear of my Patriot from the fully opened hatch.
So if you are looking for a quick loading, hitch mounted, two bike carrier, that will not break the bank and is carbon frame friendly with it zero frame contact . . . be sure to check out the Sitkka 2 by Swagman.
Ride Fat !
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