There are some who would say fat biking is dead. Otso Cycles apparently didn’t get the message as they’re back with not just a new fat bike, but an exciting hardtail that transcends categories. Even for those who aren’t into fat bikes, there’s enough going on with the new Otso Voytek 2 that it’s worth a look.
Most Adjustable Geometry Yet
It’s hard to know where to begin with the Voytek 2, especially when talking about the geometry. The new bike is updated from the original Voytek with a 1º slacker head tube angle and 1º steeper seat tube angle to put it more in line with modern MTB trends, but that’s just the beginning.
Otso already offered some geometry adjustment through their Tuning Chip dropout system. Now, they’ve added even more adjustment with their new GeoChip system up front.
GeoChip not only allows you to adjust the head tube angle by +/-1º or +/-2º, but it also gives you the ability to adjust reach by +/-10mm. Add that to the three different positions for the Tuning Chip, and the possibility of running three different wheel sizes, and you have a geometry chart that needs multiple buttons to display all the combinations.
The screenshot above gives you a taste of the geometry in the most-stock configuration, but to see all the permutations, you’ll need to head over to the Otso website.
Basically, with the new geometry possibilities, you’re pretty much guaranteed you can find your preferred setting. This is good, because there are a lot of ways you could ride this bike.
More Tire Clearance, Same Narrow Q-Factor
The Voytek 2 is still first and foremost a fat bike, so Otso added additional fat bike tire clearance – without increasing q-factor.
How is that possible? The limiting factor of the original Voytek was the tire rubbing on the chain. In order to give the drivetrain more room, Otso simply moved it outboard in relation to the rear tire.
That means the rear hub is dished 5mm outboard, and the frame is built around this offset rim design. Yes, that does mean you’ll need specific rear wheels for the Voytek 2, but it’s not the first time a fat bike has relied on an offset rim design. Otso will be offering pre-built wheels in 26, 27.5, and 29″, or you could have your favorite wheel builder make a set for you easily.
The tradeoff to that dished wheel is true clearance for 26 x 4.6″ or 27.5 x 4.5″ tires with a 12-speed drivetrain on stock 80mm rims. I had run 26 x 4.6″ tires on the original Voytek, but it was tight. There is definitely more clearance on the new frame, especially when you get into the 27.5″ fat tires.
Not Just a Fat Bike
In addition to 26 or 27.5″ fat bike tires, the frame has clearance to run 27.5+ or 29 x 3.0″ tires as well. Combined with modern and customizable geometry, a larger front triangle, shorter standover, and more mounts, the Voytek 2 should make an excellent bikepacking rig for any time of year.
The frame is also suspension-corrected for a 120mm travel fork, so you can either ride it rigid, or add your preferred suspension fork for a more comfortable ride.
So Many Mounts
With threaded mounts just about everywhere, Voytek 2 is ready to carry it all. There’s a 4 pack mount on the top of the downtube, standard bottle mounts on the seat tube, and under the downtube, two additional mounting points further up the downtube, a three-pack mount under the top tube, bento bag mounts on top, three-pack mounts on each fork leg, plus the ability to run a rear rack with the threaded Tuning Chip dropout, or with one of the OMM axle mounted set ups front & rear.
All of the threaded mounts on the inside of the front triangle make it possible to run a frame bag without all the usual straps, and Otso even gives you PDFs of the frame bag dimensions for each frame size so you can have a custom bag made.
Frame Details
The carbon fiber frame is impressively light at 1,350g (for a fat bike), while the carbon fork checks in at 650g. When paired with a lightweight build kit, complete bike weights are impressive. Our medium test bike with a moderate Shimano XT build kit, a carbon rigid post, carbon bar, and 26 x 4″ tires weighs just 25.75lb with sealant in the tires.
Bottom bracket standard | 83mm (Press Fit 107) |
| Q-factor | 183mm with Race Face Next SL crankset, 188mm with Race Face Aeffect crankset |
| Maximum chainring size | 36T round or 34T oval |
| Front derailleur type | None. 1x only bike. |
| Headset | IS42 upper, IS52 lower |
| Seatpost diameter | Ø30.9mm, accommodates internally routed dropper post |
| Seatpost clamp | Ø34.9mm |
| Front/rear hub standard | 150x15mm thru axle / 177x12mm thru axle |
| Front/rear axle | Ø15x150mm, TP=1.5, TL=12mm / Ø12x216mm, TP=1.5, TL=14mm |
| Derailleur hanger | Tuning Chip Right Dropout |
| Rear brake (rotor) | 74mm post (160mm native, 180mm max) |
| Front brake (rotor) | 74mm post (160mm native, 180mm max) |
| Fork axle-to-crown | 150x15mm thru axle / 177x12mm thru-axle |
| Fork offset | 51mm |
| Bare frame weight (size M) | 1350g |
| Fork weight (Otso rigid fork) | 650g |
| Tire clearance (frame) | Up to 26″ x 4.0″ in forward Tuning Chip position, up to 26″ x 4.6″ in middle and back position |
| Tire clearance (fork) | Up to 26″ x 5.4″ on 100mm rim |
| 120mm fork note | 485mm, suspension-corrected to 100-120mm travel forks |
| Frame Bag Dimensions | Small Medium Large X-Large |
| Seatpost Insertion Depth | Small 165mm; Medium 220mm; Large 270mm; X-Large 320mm |
| Max weight (rider + gear) | 275 lbs |
| Max spacer stack under stem | 40mm |
| Max spacer stack above stem | 10mm |
| Max stem bolt torque | 6 Nm |
Pricing & Availability
The Voytek 2 is available now in three colors at any stocking Otso dealer, or at Otsocycles.com. You can build your own Voytek 2 with their Custom Bike Builder which allows you to individualize everything down to the anodized color of specific components. Complete bikes start at $3,995, or you can pick up the frankset (frame, fork, and cranks) for $3,295.
We have a full review coming soon, stay tuned.
