The Radavist

Taking versatility to a whole new level, the latest mountain bikes from Salsa Cycles feature a whole slew of new details. The Blackthorn is an all-mountain 29er with 140 mm rear and 160 mm front travel. While Cassidy is an enduro 29er running on 165 mm rear and 180 mm front suspension travel. What makes these bikes really unique is they share the same frame components, which can be altered via a series of small component swaps, all on board the Split Pivot suspension design.

Salsa dubs this the Split Pivot+ platform. By swapping to the appropriate links and suspension, you can swap Blackthorn’s 140 mm rear and 160 mm front travel to Cassidy’s 165 mm rear and 180 mm front travel.

Head over to Salsa to see more on the Blackthorn and Cassidy!

In 2016, Salsa launched its EXP Cradle and bag design, offering up production bags previously only offered through smaller shops and manufacturers. This was a huge step in progressing the availability of bikepacking and bicycle touring accessories. Four years later, they just announced a series of updates, with a top-loading dry bag design and a refreshed side-loading dry bag, both of which utilize a new purge valve and lash attachments. Included in this update is a robust EXP front pouch with zippered access which can also act as a stand-alone bag for your gravel or MTB.

The whole system can convert just about any bike to a more capable tourer and these updates come at a time when we’re all pining for some time away from home on our bikes. Check out the full range at Salsa today and head to your local dealer for ordering.

It’s a little early to think about snow but if the pandemic taught us anything about bikes and availability, the name of the game is planning ahead! That means if you have any snow or sand excursions and rides planned for this winter, get on it now. What better time for Salsa to update their fat bike line with new colors and specs for 2021, starting at $1599 for a complete Mukluk Deore 11 model which is a deal when you consider the $1999 price of a Mukluk Carbon frame alone. There’s literally something for everyone’s taste and budget so head to Salsa to see all the specs.

The latest story from Salsa is not to be missed:

“For years now, I have had an idea percolating in the deep recesses of my adventure mind. Living in the picturesque mountain town of Durango, Colorado, I am lucky to have access to one of the world’s most stunning mountain ranges, the San Juans. Encompassing more than 17,000 square miles, the range is a playground for all mountain enthusiasts. I have hiked, climbed, skied, kayaked, and biked much of the range. For most, an exploration of the range begins in the towns of Durango, Pagosa Springs, Telluride, Ouray, or Silverton. The scenic byways of 550 and 160 provide quick and easy access to high alpine lakes, trout streams, rocky summits, and deep gorges. Additionally, because of the bisection of the range from the Durango-Silverton railway and the presence of the famed Colorado Trail, a north-to-south (or vice versa) traverse of the area is common. Few ever think of crossing the range from the other cardinal points of east and west.”

Check out the full story at Salsa!

Salsa‘s latest video follows Sarah Hornby, a rider in mourning for her late husband. She would attempt all 10 routes he created while researching his Bikepacking in the Canadian Rockies guidebook, in a single year. Like life, her plans changed along the way…

Last year’s Warroad brought endurance all-road performance to the Salsa catalog and this year, the brand revamped the new frame with some vibrant paint options and updated build kits. Due to the current pandemic, they’re even offering up consumer direct shipping via your local bike shop and Salsa’s Adventure At Your Doorstep program. Head on over to Salsa to drool over this AXS build at the high end and a Tiagra build for more budget-minded buyers.

Curious about what we thought about Warroad? Check out our review.

Available in April and launched today at the Mid South, the Stormchaser is Salsa’s new singlespeed gravel bike. This new bike is available at the moment only as an aluminum frame, with a carbon fork, and is inspired by the Warbird’s all-road, all-conditions, no-nonsense geometry.

Because gravel races often take place in inclement conditions, Salsa added abrasion plates on the fork, internal routing, and extra clearance for when the mud really gets caked on.

The all-new Alternator Flat Mount dropouts allow for single speed setups or 1x drivetrains with a geared dropout plate. This geometry is adapted so that wider bars can be run with it as well.

Complete builds are priced at $1,499 with the frameset coming in at $1,099. See more information at Salsa.

Originally published in 2015 thanks to Salsa Cycles, Bikepacking Roots has just announced this 90-page field guide is now available for digital download after you donate $5 to the non-profit. This guide was written by Kaitlyn Boyle and Kurt Refsnider and was created to help incite a love for those looking to get into bikepacking by providing helpful information and various pointers to get your bike loaded up and pointed down the trail.

Head to Bikepacking Roots to check it out!

Starting at $2,649 for the SX Eagle, or $3,199 for the SLX (pictured), the Rustler’s all-mountain capabilities are now available in a more affordable aluminum frameset. The 6066-T6 aluminum frame features 425 mm chainstays and 27.5” wheel size, with 130 mm of rear suspension travel, with a 150 mm fork, and a nicely-equipped component specification. Now, all three full suspension models from Salsa come with an aluminum frame option, making it a little easier to get your mitts on one. Head on over to Salsa to see the full spec rundown.

With a 68º head tube angle and a 74º seat tube angle, the Rangefinder might not be the shreddiest hardtail out there but it’ll be a more than capable bike for most trails. Plus, we need more approachable and affordable mountain bikes in this industry. With a 27.5+/29er wheel platform, a dropper post, and SRAM’s SX Eagle kit, you get to whet your appetite for trails and bikepacking all for under $1,300. Not bad.

There’s also a Deore build for a mere $1,099. Check out more of the Rangefinder at Salsa.

The Cowchipper (322g) and Cowchipper Deluxe (293g) are widely popular in the touring and gravel market. Rightfully so, too. People love the shape and pricepoint of these bars. Keeping up with the current market trends, these bars are now available in an even wider 52cm, measured at the hoods. See more at Salsa and at your local dealer.

Deane Parker recently took on a 250km bikepacking trip in the Canterbury high country of New Zealand and has a nice video short showcasing the tour.

Feast your eyes on the new Warbird, in its highest-end build spec with GRX 810 Di2 in 700c. For 2020, the Warbird is only available in 700c wheel kits but if $5699 is too rich for your blood, there are other GRX builds ranging from $3199 and an Apex build kit for $2599. Or just the frameset for $1999. These frames are the same, with the same carbon layup, bottle mounts, and tire clearance of 700 x 45mm and 27.5 x 2.0″. The Warbird has been Salsa’s flagship gravel build since forever (2012 was a long time ago, right?), read on for the updates and details at Salsa.

Pricing:
-Warbird Carbon GRX 810 Di2 700c – Pink – MSRP $5699
-Warbird Carbon GRX 810 700c – Black – MSRP $4099
-Warbird Carbon GRX 600 700c – Dark Blue – MSRP $3199
-Warbird Carbon Apex 700c – Light Blue or White – MSRP $2599
-Warbird Carbon Frameset – Black – MSRP $1999

If you’re looking to build up an all-silver road, all-road, or gravel build but have been struggling finding silver bars in a shape that you like, well, look no further. Salsa’s two most popular bars, the Cowchipper and Cowbell, are now available in silver. Head to your local dealer to check a pair out in person!