Salsa Cycles Fargo: Versatility Defined

Maybe the most obvious use of a Fargo- Bike packing.

With 2016 Salsa Cycles bicycles announced the other day, it became clearer to me that the most versatile bike in the Salsa line is unquestionably the Fargo model. It is also one of the longest running Salsa models, with only the El Mariachi being in the line longer than the Fargo. In fact, one could argue that without the Fargo's influence, the El Mariachi wouldn't exist as a model in Salsa's line up anymore. Why? That would be because the Fargo was the first "Adventure by Bike" model, and the El Mariachi, being closely related to the Fargo, does a lot of the same things a Fargo can....but not all. The Fargo changed the way folks looked at the El Mar, for sure. Kept it relevant. Made it an adventure bike as well. Now it might be a good idea to take a step back here and look at just what a Fargo is.

Like I said, the Fargo is very similar to the El Mariachi, but there is one very important difference- The Fargo is designed for drop bar use, the El Mariachi is not. The differences are in the length of the top tube and the "reach" measurement. The Fargo also sports a longer head tube. That isn't all, but those are the salient differences for this discussion. So, the Fargo is primarily an off-road drop bar mountain bike. But that is selling this versatile platform way too short. In fact, the Fargo has been a revelatory bike for many, and a wake up call to the bicycle industry back in 2008 when it was revealed. It was like the El Mariachi, but it was so different that it was reviled by some, confused others, and raised possibilities for a few. I got the chance to be one of the first partakers of what the Fargo could do, and here is what I wrote about the bike on this blog in November of 2008:

A quick image of the Fargo after my very first demo ride.

"It is a fun machine. It is a ticket to places and experiences that maybe other bikes could manage, but the Fargo is made for. It does loads, it does roads, it does dirt, sand, and gravel. It can change direction in a catlike manner, yet it can ride like a magic carpet with a load on. Maybe it looks awkward, or gangly to some, but get beyond the looks and you can ride an adventure bike that can take you places and do things better than any other 29"er, (for sure) and better than most any other rig I know of that is mass produced.

Dollar for dollar this Fargo will "out-fun" any other bike I have hands down. That's been proven to me, and I'm betting it will be proven out for a lot of folks. Maybe they should have named this bike the "Fun-go".......nah! To close to fungi, I suppose!"

Fun. Adventure. Versatility. Yeah......that was true in 2008, and those words still define this bike for me today. You may say, "But it is a fat-tired mountain bike! It doesn't do what the Vaya does, or a road bike. " I would have agreed with you in 2008, but fortunately there are a lot of people that think outside of that box and proved that the Fargo could indeed do what the Vaya does and that it could be a skinnier tired, road going machine as well. I've seen Fargos with fenders and 30mm tires. I've seen Fargos with touring bags all over the bike. They have done RAGBRAI, world tours, gravel events, Tour Divide, and have been beer runners, townies, and commuter rigs. Heck, I even put 650B+ tires on one! 

Following are a few images of Fargos I have that help illustrate its versatility

From an old Fargo Adventure Ride: Note the "alt" bar/flat bar Fargos- they don't have to be drop bar bikes.

Image by Jason Boucher of me riding through a field on a Fargo Adventure Ride

Martin's smooth tired Fargo made a great paved/gravel roller.

 

A Fargo makes a great platform for a fat tired commuter

The thing about a Fargo is that nothing has to stop it from going and doing just about any bicycle related activity. Sure- you aren't going to crit race it, and it isn't going to do what a full suspension mountain bike can do, but for the vast majority of cyclists that are wanting to ride beyond the blacktop and bicycle paths, the Fargo is almost a perfect bike for them. It can do the blacktops and bicycle paths, but it goes farther. Far-go Go-Far. Get it? 

In fact, I am going as far to say that the Fargo has spawned other Salsa models. Certainly the Vaya can be seen in that light. However; two new models can draw a direct line back to the Fargo. 

2016 Deadwood

 

2016 Cutthroat X-9

The new Deadwood, a "dead ringer" for a Fargo- (<==HA!) is really a Fargo optimized for 29+ wheels. The Cutthroat could arguably be called "the ultimate Fargo". Stripped down, sleek, and in carbon fiber, this bike might even point to what the future of the Fargo might look like. 

The cycling masses need Fargo bikes, or bikes like the Fargo. Adventure. Fun. Versatility. That's what grows cycling, not the lightest, $10,000+ carbon fiber racing bike or mountain bike. People need a bike to utilize on roads that are desolate in terms of traffic, on bike paths, and on side roads that maybe are rough. They need to be able to ramble on that dirt and grass short cut, to gather groceries in panniers, and to be comfortable on. The Fargo can do all of that and more. Oh......and can we get safer roads and bicycle specific infrustructure while we're at it. Thank you. We need that too.

Now, there are a lot of other cool bikes in the world as well that can do some of these things, but there aren't many- if any- quite like the Fargo. It's one of my favorite bicycles. 

Salsa Cycles Fargo: Versatility Defined

Maybe the most obvious use of a Fargo- Bike packing.

With 2016 Salsa Cycles bicycles announced the other day, it became clearer to me that the most versatile bike in the Salsa line is unquestionably the Fargo model. It is also one of the longest running Salsa models, with only the El Mariachi being in the line longer than the Fargo. In fact, one could argue that without the Fargo's influence, the El Mariachi wouldn't exist as a model in Salsa's line up anymore. Why? That would be because the Fargo was the first "Adventure by Bike" model, and the El Mariachi, being closely related to the Fargo, does a lot of the same things a Fargo can....but not all. The Fargo changed the way folks looked at the El Mar, for sure. Kept it relevant. Made it an adventure bike as well. Now it might be a good idea to take a step back here and look at just what a Fargo is.

Like I said, the Fargo is very similar to the El Mariachi, but there is one very important difference- The Fargo is designed for drop bar use, the El Mariachi is not. The differences are in the length of the top tube and the "reach" measurement. The Fargo also sports a longer head tube. That isn't all, but those are the salient differences for this discussion. So, the Fargo is primarily an off-road drop bar mountain bike. But that is selling this versatile platform way too short. In fact, the Fargo has been a revelatory bike for many, and a wake up call to the bicycle industry back in 2008 when it was revealed. It was like the El Mariachi, but it was so different that it was reviled by some, confused others, and raised possibilities for a few. I got the chance to be one of the first partakers of what the Fargo could do, and here is what I wrote about the bike on this blog in November of 2008:

A quick image of the Fargo after my very first demo ride.

"It is a fun machine. It is a ticket to places and experiences that maybe other bikes could manage, but the Fargo is made for. It does loads, it does roads, it does dirt, sand, and gravel. It can change direction in a catlike manner, yet it can ride like a magic carpet with a load on. Maybe it looks awkward, or gangly to some, but get beyond the looks and you can ride an adventure bike that can take you places and do things better than any other 29"er, (for sure) and better than most any other rig I know of that is mass produced.

Dollar for dollar this Fargo will "out-fun" any other bike I have hands down. That's been proven to me, and I'm betting it will be proven out for a lot of folks. Maybe they should have named this bike the "Fun-go".......nah! To close to fungi, I suppose!"

Fun. Adventure. Versatility. Yeah......that was true in 2008, and those words still define this bike for me today. You may say, "But it is a fat-tired mountain bike! It doesn't do what the Vaya does, or a road bike. " I would have agreed with you in 2008, but fortunately there are a lot of people that think outside of that box and proved that the Fargo could indeed do what the Vaya does and that it could be a skinnier tired, road going machine as well. I've seen Fargos with fenders and 30mm tires. I've seen Fargos with touring bags all over the bike. They have done RAGBRAI, world tours, gravel events, Tour Divide, and have been beer runners, townies, and commuter rigs. Heck, I even put 650B+ tires on one! 

Following are a few images of Fargos I have that help illustrate its versatility

From an old Fargo Adventure Ride: Note the "alt" bar/flat bar Fargos- they don't have to be drop bar bikes.

Image by Jason Boucher of me riding through a field on a Fargo Adventure Ride

Martin's smooth tired Fargo made a great paved/gravel roller.

 

A Fargo makes a great platform for a fat tired commuter

The thing about a Fargo is that nothing has to stop it from going and doing just about any bicycle related activity. Sure- you aren't going to crit race it, and it isn't going to do what a full suspension mountain bike can do, but for the vast majority of cyclists that are wanting to ride beyond the blacktop and bicycle paths, the Fargo is almost a perfect bike for them. It can do the blacktops and bicycle paths, but it goes farther. Far-go Go-Far. Get it? 

In fact, I am going as far to say that the Fargo has spawned other Salsa models. Certainly the Vaya can be seen in that light. However; two new models can draw a direct line back to the Fargo. 

2016 Deadwood

 

2016 Cutthroat X-9

The new Deadwood, a "dead ringer" for a Fargo- (<==HA!) is really a Fargo optimized for 29+ wheels. The Cutthroat could arguably be called "the ultimate Fargo". Stripped down, sleek, and in carbon fiber, this bike might even point to what the future of the Fargo might look like. 

The cycling masses need Fargo bikes, or bikes like the Fargo. Adventure. Fun. Versatility. That's what grows cycling, not the lightest, $10,000+ carbon fiber racing bike or mountain bike. People need a bike to utilize on roads that are desolate in terms of traffic, on bike paths, and on side roads that maybe are rough. They need to be able to ramble on that dirt and grass short cut, to gather groceries in panniers, and to be comfortable on. The Fargo can do all of that and more. Oh......and can we get safer roads and bicycle specific infrustructure while we're at it. Thank you. We need that too.

Now, there are a lot of other cool bikes in the world as well that can do some of these things, but there aren't many- if any- quite like the Fargo. It's one of my favorite bicycles. 

Salsa Cycles Fargo Gen II Build: Part I

Fargo Gen II in Fun Guy Green

Salsa Cycles Fargo model has been a game changer ever since it hit the scene back in 2008. The original 29 inch wheeled "Adventure Bike", the Fargo carved out a new niche in big wheels while it confounded many that didn't (and may still not), "get it".

Based on a design that would not be capable to fit a suspension fork to, and would be designed to be used with drop bars,  the Fargo was unique and caught the imaginations of many.

Then a few things happened up at Salsa Cycles HQ which signaled a change for the Fargo. The Vaya was introduced, which was essentially a skinny tired version of the Fargo at the time. Since the Fargo was so close in design and intentions to the Vaya, and the Vaya had the paved/road side covered, Salsa redrew the lines for the Fargo and colored in a more "dirt-centric" hue for a new version- the Fargo Gen II.

The new version of the Fargo also got a new color- "Cream Scheme", which is a kind of brown-ish bone color with a pearlescent sheen. I went with the Fun Guy Green of the Fargo 3 complete. That is the same color as the Gen I Fargo.

"Wood Cut" graphics.

The Gen I Fargo has different graphics, which were a "transitional" style coming off their former pin stripe heavy, Tex-Mex style. The new Fargo features the "wood cut" type graphics which have a love-it-or-hate-it appeal. I'll be honest- When I first saw images of the newer Fargo graphics, I was a bit let down. The Fun Guy green ones were especially not to my liking. However; as is typical with Salsa, (and Surly, All City, or Civia), their images stink on-line and in print. So, I reserved judgement until I could personally see the look up close.

So, what do I think now? Well, I'll say this: These are not as stunning or as visually interesting as the Gen I's, but they also are not nearly as awful as I thought they might be. They are washed out on the green back ground though, and the hues seem a bit odd, but I don't hate them. Weird? Yeah. These graphics don't quite work, but oh well......

So, what else is going on here? Well, for one thing, a major difference is in the geometry. This generation of Fargo will accept a suspension fork, if you want 80mm of travel. I'll admit, there were times on my old Fargo I wanted that suspension fork. I'll likely put one on here at some point. But, for now, this will be a rigid build.

IS caliper mount

Another difference is the International Standard caliper mounts, as opposed to Gen I's post mounts. As I understand it from Salsa, the manufacturing tolerances for post mounts are really tight, and they were getting too many out of tolerance frames from the factory, so a decision to switch to the much more forgiving IS mounts was made.

Note also how the drop outs and seat stays meet. There is now a little curve there to clearance calipers better.

I like the way it makes a gentle curve and gives the rear section of the new Fargo a different feel from the Gen I frame's straight lines.

I'll likely use 160mm rotors. I have found that they work just fine on the Gen I with the Tektro linear pull compatible drop bar levers and good housing topped off with a detailed set up to the BB-7 Mtn calipers.

Finally, there are still are rack and fender mounts, so the Fargo still will support your adventures with capabilities for racks, fenders, and carrying a load.

My Fargo build will echo Salsa Cycles "dirt-centric" vision for Gen II and I will be using a mountain triple, a 9 speed drive train, STI levers, a Cane Creek Thudbuster ST, and tubeless tires on disc specific 29"er wheels.

I'm going to stay away from the racks and fenders though. Why? Because Salsa Cycles will be offering a frame bag for the Fargo sometime next spring, and I also will be looking at a big seat pack for this as well. I've been threatening to do a bikepacking adventure for a while now. Maybe I will get on that now!

Gen I Fargo is still going to be here as well, and eventually that will morph into my full on fat tire gravel travel machine. Until these two Fargos get up and running, I'll be busy! When they do, I plan on doing a "Fargo vs Fargo" post, and we'll see where they differ in the ride as well as the spec/geometry. Stay tuned.........

Salsa Cycles Fargo Gen II Build: Part I

Fargo Gen II in Fun Guy Green

Salsa Cycles Fargo model has been a game changer ever since it hit the scene back in 2008. The original 29 inch wheeled "Adventure Bike", the Fargo carved out a new niche in big wheels while it confounded many that didn't (and may still not), "get it".

Based on a design that would not be capable to fit a suspension fork to, and would be designed to be used with drop bars,  the Fargo was unique and caught the imaginations of many.

Then a few things happened up at Salsa Cycles HQ which signaled a change for the Fargo. The Vaya was introduced, which was essentially a skinny tired version of the Fargo at the time. Since the Fargo was so close in design and intentions to the Vaya, and the Vaya had the paved/road side covered, Salsa redrew the lines for the Fargo and colored in a more "dirt-centric" hue for a new version- the Fargo Gen II.

The new version of the Fargo also got a new color- "Cream Scheme", which is a kind of brown-ish bone color with a pearlescent sheen. I went with the Fun Guy Green of the Fargo 3 complete. That is the same color as the Gen I Fargo.

"Wood Cut" graphics.

The Gen I Fargo has different graphics, which were a "transitional" style coming off their former pin stripe heavy, Tex-Mex style. The new Fargo features the "wood cut" type graphics which have a love-it-or-hate-it appeal. I'll be honest- When I first saw images of the newer Fargo graphics, I was a bit let down. The Fun Guy green ones were especially not to my liking. However; as is typical with Salsa, (and Surly, All City, or Civia), their images stink on-line and in print. So, I reserved judgement until I could personally see the look up close.

So, what do I think now? Well, I'll say this: These are not as stunning or as visually interesting as the Gen I's, but they also are not nearly as awful as I thought they might be. They are washed out on the green back ground though, and the hues seem a bit odd, but I don't hate them. Weird? Yeah. These graphics don't quite work, but oh well......

So, what else is going on here? Well, for one thing, a major difference is in the geometry. This generation of Fargo will accept a suspension fork, if you want 80mm of travel. I'll admit, there were times on my old Fargo I wanted that suspension fork. I'll likely put one on here at some point. But, for now, this will be a rigid build.

IS caliper mount

Another difference is the International Standard caliper mounts, as opposed to Gen I's post mounts. As I understand it from Salsa, the manufacturing tolerances for post mounts are really tight, and they were getting too many out of tolerance frames from the factory, so a decision to switch to the much more forgiving IS mounts was made.

Note also how the drop outs and seat stays meet. There is now a little curve there to clearance calipers better.

I like the way it makes a gentle curve and gives the rear section of the new Fargo a different feel from the Gen I frame's straight lines.

I'll likely use 160mm rotors. I have found that they work just fine on the Gen I with the Tektro linear pull compatible drop bar levers and good housing topped off with a detailed set up to the BB-7 Mtn calipers.

Finally, there are still are rack and fender mounts, so the Fargo still will support your adventures with capabilities for racks, fenders, and carrying a load.

My Fargo build will echo Salsa Cycles "dirt-centric" vision for Gen II and I will be using a mountain triple, a 9 speed drive train, STI levers, a Cane Creek Thudbuster ST, and tubeless tires on disc specific 29"er wheels.

I'm going to stay away from the racks and fenders though. Why? Because Salsa Cycles will be offering a frame bag for the Fargo sometime next spring, and I also will be looking at a big seat pack for this as well. I've been threatening to do a bikepacking adventure for a while now. Maybe I will get on that now!

Gen I Fargo is still going to be here as well, and eventually that will morph into my full on fat tire gravel travel machine. Until these two Fargos get up and running, I'll be busy! When they do, I plan on doing a "Fargo vs Fargo" post, and we'll see where they differ in the ride as well as the spec/geometry. Stay tuned.........

How Far Did I Go?: A Year With Salsa Cycles Fargo

A year ago on November 5th, 2008, I got on a Salsa Cycles Fargo at the first Salsa Fargo Adventure Ride in the Twin Cities. Salsa Cycles graciously provided me with the Fargo for testing/review for Twenty Nine Inches, and this ride was my maiden voyage, (not counting an Interbike test ride) on the newest 29"er from Salsa Cycles. It was a great ride with great people, and I'll not soon forget things like the breakfast in the woods, the great folks, and the beautiful day.





After the Fargo Adventure Ride, I started riding the Fargo in earnest. I was bound to for the review, of course, but I was also really enjoying the bike. I took it all over the local area despite the coldish temps and wetter weather we were experiencing in November last year. The Fargo even helped spark a bit of the "shutter bug" in me as I explored for things that caught my eye aboard the Fargo to take pictures of.

Well, it wasn't long before winter set in, and I and the Fargo were pretty much relegated to commuter rides for awhile. I modified the spec by this time to include some personal preferences in the saddle and handle bars, along with different wheels with tubeless tires and a 185mm front rotor. The Fargo only got better. Unfortunately, the weather only got worse!

Getting rides in was hit and miss during the cold, blustery, and very snowy winter we had, but I busted out the Fargo when I could during the deepest part of winter.

I had envisioned doing a bikepacking thing with the Fargo, and had been experimenting with a rack, but unfortunately, the attendant gear purchases never materialized, so I've yet to pursue that part of the Fargo. I'll get there though!

February was pretty brutal, and I didn't get much of any riding in. (Actually, I cross country skied quite a bit during this period) March finally got warm enough to melt the gravel roads clear, and I started doing some gravel grinders in preparation for Dirty Kanza.

But before that, April and a lot of Trans Iowa stuff had to be done. Oh yeah, did I mention I had to go to California and cover Sea Otter too? Yeah......so not much Fargo-ing during this period.

Then after those two big events, I spent a lot of time on the Fargo. I had to hit the gravel in preparation for Dirty Kanza, and I was taking a vacation directly after the event to Nebraska. So, I was tweaking out my DK 200 set up most of early May. Gone was the rack. A new set of lightweight wheels went on it, and I slammed five cages with full water bottles on for training. Lights that I cobbled from a department store headlamp were fashioned into my light set up, and I had some great rides. One in particular with my T.I. partner in crime, d.p. That was a night ride out of Traer and one of the funnest rides of the year with a good friend and that Fargo. Good stuff! Then it was off to do the Dirty Kanza 200, and although I was pretty sick with a bad head cold, the Fargo was one of the best bikes I could have ridden for that event for me. Perfectly comfortable, capable, and it handled those ol' flinty roads like a champ!

Then it was on to Nebraska, where I sampled some totally sweet single track, and I hooked up with my good friend Matt Gersib. We had a fabulous day on Fargos doing Jewel Park and Platte River State Park single track. The Fargos ate up the miles and handled the challenging trails with no problems.

We hooked up with Kyle who was there from the Brady, Nebraska area and had a great ride with a nice post ride brew and chat session right in the parking lot while we watched the moon come up in the East. Killer ride on an awesome day! Thanks again guys for that totally sweet memory. I'll be back in Nebraska again to sample that single track, and I wouldn't be surprised if I showed up on a Fargo!

Well, I got back in June and turned my attention to some other needs, but the Fargo was not very far from my mind. In July I had planned on doing the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational and that was going to be done on the Fargo.

Planning for that and doing a ride here and there on the Fargo was mixed with a lot of testing on other stuff and then the news that another Fargo Adventure Ride was planned for the week after GTDRI! Man! I just had to make it, so I finagled my way outta a few things and did a lot of sweet talking to my wonderful wife to let me make all of it become a reality. The GTDRI went off without a hitch, but at just barely shy of 10,000 feet of climbing in 118 miles, that ride and those hills kicked me in the jimmy! Wow! I almost ate it on the first big downhill of the day too, but somehow I and the Fargo held on to ride it out till the end and live to tell about it. Good times!

The next weekend's Fargo Adventure Ride was totally awesome! Great friends, good trails and roads, and an epic rainy start to the day were capped off by a hot, humid afternoon with some of my closest friends all aboard our Fargo rigs, kicking out the last few miles to a campground in the Twin Cities. Beer, good conversation, and friends made for a perfect end to that epic day. One I shant soon forget, and a perfect end to the summer for me. Thanks Jason, Matt, and Captain Bob. Oh yeah, and all you other Fargo-nauts and riders that showed up that day. That was sweet!

Then I was whisked off on a two month whirlwind that saw me in Utah, Nevada, and back home where I was scheduled to appear in Nebraska again. Unfortunately, the Nebraska trip never materialized due to a family emergency. The Fargo was limited to commutes and shorter area rides during this time.

Fall set in, and I haven't had the opportunity to get in a big adventurous ride, but I still am getting the Fargo out on local single track and commuting. Now a year has swept by since I have had this bike around. Amazing!

I can honestly say that the Fargo is the best fitting bike I have around. It is super fun to ride. It ranks up there as one of my favorite two bikes I have here. (The other being the OS Bikes Blackbuck) and if I had to get rid of all my bikes but one, it would be really hard to do it, but I think the Fargo would win out. It is just sooo versatile, fun, and it rides really well.

All I know is that I can't wait to see where the Fargo takes me in the next year! I want to go farther and do more with it. It's gonna be a good time!

How Far Did I Go?: A Year With Salsa Cycles Fargo

A year ago on November 5th, 2008, I got on a Salsa Cycles Fargo at the first Salsa Fargo Adventure Ride in the Twin Cities. Salsa Cycles graciously provided me with the Fargo for testing/review for Twenty Nine Inches, and this ride was my maiden voyage, (not counting an Interbike test ride) on the newest 29"er from Salsa Cycles. It was a great ride with great people, and I'll not soon forget things like the breakfast in the woods, the great folks, and the beautiful day.





After the Fargo Adventure Ride, I started riding the Fargo in earnest. I was bound to for the review, of course, but I was also really enjoying the bike. I took it all over the local area despite the coldish temps and wetter weather we were experiencing in November last year. The Fargo even helped spark a bit of the "shutter bug" in me as I explored for things that caught my eye aboard the Fargo to take pictures of.

Well, it wasn't long before winter set in, and I and the Fargo were pretty much relegated to commuter rides for awhile. I modified the spec by this time to include some personal preferences in the saddle and handle bars, along with different wheels with tubeless tires and a 185mm front rotor. The Fargo only got better. Unfortunately, the weather only got worse!

Getting rides in was hit and miss during the cold, blustery, and very snowy winter we had, but I busted out the Fargo when I could during the deepest part of winter.

I had envisioned doing a bikepacking thing with the Fargo, and had been experimenting with a rack, but unfortunately, the attendant gear purchases never materialized, so I've yet to pursue that part of the Fargo. I'll get there though!

February was pretty brutal, and I didn't get much of any riding in. (Actually, I cross country skied quite a bit during this period) March finally got warm enough to melt the gravel roads clear, and I started doing some gravel grinders in preparation for Dirty Kanza.

But before that, April and a lot of Trans Iowa stuff had to be done. Oh yeah, did I mention I had to go to California and cover Sea Otter too? Yeah......so not much Fargo-ing during this period.

Then after those two big events, I spent a lot of time on the Fargo. I had to hit the gravel in preparation for Dirty Kanza, and I was taking a vacation directly after the event to Nebraska. So, I was tweaking out my DK 200 set up most of early May. Gone was the rack. A new set of lightweight wheels went on it, and I slammed five cages with full water bottles on for training. Lights that I cobbled from a department store headlamp were fashioned into my light set up, and I had some great rides. One in particular with my T.I. partner in crime, d.p. That was a night ride out of Traer and one of the funnest rides of the year with a good friend and that Fargo. Good stuff! Then it was off to do the Dirty Kanza 200, and although I was pretty sick with a bad head cold, the Fargo was one of the best bikes I could have ridden for that event for me. Perfectly comfortable, capable, and it handled those ol' flinty roads like a champ!

Then it was on to Nebraska, where I sampled some totally sweet single track, and I hooked up with my good friend Matt Gersib. We had a fabulous day on Fargos doing Jewel Park and Platte River State Park single track. The Fargos ate up the miles and handled the challenging trails with no problems.

We hooked up with Kyle who was there from the Brady, Nebraska area and had a great ride with a nice post ride brew and chat session right in the parking lot while we watched the moon come up in the East. Killer ride on an awesome day! Thanks again guys for that totally sweet memory. I'll be back in Nebraska again to sample that single track, and I wouldn't be surprised if I showed up on a Fargo!

Well, I got back in June and turned my attention to some other needs, but the Fargo was not very far from my mind. In July I had planned on doing the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational and that was going to be done on the Fargo.

Planning for that and doing a ride here and there on the Fargo was mixed with a lot of testing on other stuff and then the news that another Fargo Adventure Ride was planned for the week after GTDRI! Man! I just had to make it, so I finagled my way outta a few things and did a lot of sweet talking to my wonderful wife to let me make all of it become a reality. The GTDRI went off without a hitch, but at just barely shy of 10,000 feet of climbing in 118 miles, that ride and those hills kicked me in the jimmy! Wow! I almost ate it on the first big downhill of the day too, but somehow I and the Fargo held on to ride it out till the end and live to tell about it. Good times!

The next weekend's Fargo Adventure Ride was totally awesome! Great friends, good trails and roads, and an epic rainy start to the day were capped off by a hot, humid afternoon with some of my closest friends all aboard our Fargo rigs, kicking out the last few miles to a campground in the Twin Cities. Beer, good conversation, and friends made for a perfect end to that epic day. One I shant soon forget, and a perfect end to the summer for me. Thanks Jason, Matt, and Captain Bob. Oh yeah, and all you other Fargo-nauts and riders that showed up that day. That was sweet!

Then I was whisked off on a two month whirlwind that saw me in Utah, Nevada, and back home where I was scheduled to appear in Nebraska again. Unfortunately, the Nebraska trip never materialized due to a family emergency. The Fargo was limited to commutes and shorter area rides during this time.

Fall set in, and I haven't had the opportunity to get in a big adventurous ride, but I still am getting the Fargo out on local single track and commuting. Now a year has swept by since I have had this bike around. Amazing!

I can honestly say that the Fargo is the best fitting bike I have around. It is super fun to ride. It ranks up there as one of my favorite two bikes I have here. (The other being the OS Bikes Blackbuck) and if I had to get rid of all my bikes but one, it would be really hard to do it, but I think the Fargo would win out. It is just sooo versatile, fun, and it rides really well.

All I know is that I can't wait to see where the Fargo takes me in the next year! I want to go farther and do more with it. It's gonna be a good time!

Salsa Cycles Gen I Fargo vs Singular Gryphon Mk3

Singular Gryphon Mk3

 After riding the Fargo Gen I I thought it would be a fun experiment to do a comparison between it and the Mk3 Gryphon, which I rode for the Tree In The Road Ride. 

The Fargo Gen I is a unique bicycle in that it was likely the first 29"er which was developed strictly as a drop bar adventure bicycle. The Gryphon Mk1, was developed concurrently with the Fargo Gen I, but totally independently, and with a slightly different mission in mind than the Fargo Gen I had.  The Mk3 is actually more akin, in terms of what the design is for, to the Gen I Fargo, so I feel as thought the comparison is an apt one.

I will also say there are more bicycles like the Gen I Fargo now than there ever have been which are available. The Tumbleweed Stargazer comes to mind here. Moots just announced a bike like this. Ridley Bikes has a model like this. Mason Cycles has something like this as well. But I haven't ridden those bikes, nor have I even seen them, so I am sticking to the Singular and the Fargo. 

So, let's start with what is similar and what is very different between these two bicycles. When I have gotten through those things I will give my opinion on what it is about each bike I like overall and what I do not like.

Similarities:

Obviously both of these bicycles are designed for drop bars and 29"er wheels. So, without further commentary on those things, I'll move on to other, less obvious similarities. 

Both bikes are meant for adventure, not racing. While it is possible to race on these bikes, and I've raced the Gen I Fargo plenty of times, this is not the design intent for either bike. This manifests itself in more comfortable riding positioning, many accessory mounts, longer wheel bases (primarily in the chain stays), and in the stouter tubing choices. They are both "mountain bikes" in that they were tested and designed with passing the certifications for mountain bikes at the time either was made. In other words, neither bike is a fragile object needing particularly delicate handling. No, either of these bikes is up to a bit of bushwhacking, rougher trail, and inclement weather with difficult conditions. 

Both bicycles were available as frame sets, with the Singular being available as a frame set only unless you set something up with Singular's newer USA partner. The Gen I Fargo was available as a complete as well. Both bikes are not designed for front suspension forks. While one could stick one on, you'd be doing a great disservice to yourself and the bike. I wouldn't recommend this at all. 

Differences:

The obvious things here relate to the advancements made in standards, drive train fads, and details. First, the Fargo was always triple chain set compatible in the beginning. The Singular is not. (But wait! You've got one on there!) Yes..... Moving on.... The Singular has through axles and the Fargo Gen I has quick release wheels. The Fargo also, being made in steel and from a traditionalists standpoint, has no removable derailleur hangar. The Singular has a removable derailleur hangar. Finally, the Singular is single speed compatible with the eccentric bottom bracket. Gen I Fargo's were not single speed capable. 

What I Like About The Fargo Gen I:

First and foremost, it is all about the way I fit this bicycle. From the first moment I threw a leg over this bike I felt like I was "home". I've set up other newer bicycles I have obtained since then based off this bike. So fit is number one on this list of likes. Then there is the ride quality and handling. I like the way this bike handles rough roads. One thing about this bike: You have to drive it through the front wheel to make it steer in single track, or on gravel. I was told once that the Fargo Gen I likes being steered like a motorcycle. Since I haven't ridden a motorcycle in 40 plus years, I'll have to take their word on this point.  But once you understand this about a Gen I Fargo, things go a lot more smoothly. Finally, I like the triple compatible drive train capability and the drop outs. Yes- quick release drop outs! The front ones are stainless steel and both are impeccably made. This and their detail make the Gen I Fargo seem almost like custom bikes. 

What I Do Not Like About A Gen I Fargo:

 Probably wheel clearance. While I now have 29" X 2.5" Surly Extraterrestrial's on there now, usually most anything bigger than 2.4" won't fit, and especially on wider rims. Then the non-single speed thing bugs me too. I've been on a ride where a Fargo derailleur mount got mangled and we had to push the rider back to the car, about five plus miles, maybe more. (Remember that Ben?) So, had the Fargo been equipped with a single speed capability in its first generations, this would have been a non-issue. Other than this? Not much bugs me about this bike.

 What I Like About The Singular Cycles Gryphon Mk3:

This version of the Gryphon is a beefed up version over their previous Mk 1 (which I had at one time,) and Mk2 versions. It can handle big loads, and this is good if you bike pack. (I'd like to, but haven't found the right time and venue yet) The bike has a longer front center than a Fargo Gen I, so it drives through corners more like a modern MTB, and no weight-shifting is really required here. I LOVE the 29" X 2.8"/3.0" tire clearances. The geometry is really good as well. very stable but yet not like a wheel barrow. I LOVE the single speed capability, and yes - I even like the eccentric bottom bracket. So there! 

What I Do Not Like About The Singular Cycles Gryphon Mk3:

The 1X drive train restriction isn't my cup of tea, so I found a way around it. (HA!) I wish this bike could be set up natively with this option, though, it doesn't matter to me anymore.  Hmm.... I think this about covers it for anything major. 

 Final Words: 

No question, I really like both of these bikes. I like that they have no suspension compatibility, which keeps the height of the front end in check. I know this isn't a thing for many riders who seem to want their handle bars really high, but I do not need nor do I want this from my bicycles. Some people like modern Fargos for this very reason. 

I don't really care about the axle differences. Salsa designed the drop outs so well on the Fargo Gen I that they are a joy to work with. Drop out design and execution matters. A LOT. Most bicycles have really crappy drop outs, if we're being honest, and this is partially to blame for why through axles are seen as being "better". No ding on through axles. I like them, but not having through axles can be okay too.  

A fair question would be: "If the Gen I Fargo could have handled 29" X 3.0" tires, would you still have gotten a Singular Gryphon Mk3?" Assuming the 29" X 3.0" tire was around in 2008, yes, I would have stuck with my Fargo. However; the Fargo Gen I predated the 3.0" 29"er tire by about five years, so it was never going to be a thing then. When the Fargo changed in 2011, and became suspension corrected, I got one, and it could handle 27.5" X 2.8" tires easily, but it was too close to being what I had in a Fargo Gen I, and I did not like the 27.5" diameter enough to hang on to my Gen 2 bike. By the time Fargos could handle 29" X 3.0" tires, the geometry was so different I was not interested anymore. This made the Singular much more amenable to me when it came out two years ago. 

So, I like both bikes and both serve me in different ways. I hope this was interesting for you if you made it this far. Thanks for reading Guitar Ted Productions.  

Fargo Retrospective

My friend, Jason Boucher, just tripped over his old Gen 1 Fargo frameset the other day and was reminded of all the good times and friends he had and met with that rig. While my time with a Gen 1 Fargo has not been as "world-wide" in scope as his, it has been no less impactful. I was tthinking about all these things as I rode it yesterday to work and back again.

The "unofficial" Fargo Adventure Ride where I was introduced to the Fargo in '08

My introduction to the Fargo actually goes way back to the summer of '08 and the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational, where Jason had been telling me he would be showing up on a super-secret, special rig for the ride. He did and it was a stunning bike for all in attendance to behold. Forging his new at the time, "Cagey McCagerson" persona, Jason had the top tube wrapped in black electrical tape to mask the name of the yet to be announced Fargo. We all dubbed the bike "Black Electrical Tape", and that was a fun ride. Well, later on that Fall, Salsa released the details of the new bike and I rode one at Interbike in the Fall. Then in late Fall, on a gloriously beautiful early November day, an old friend of mine and I went up to Minneapolis to join a ride with the Salsa Crew on new Fargos.

It was a really great ride, and was dubbed as the first "Fargo Adventure Ride" by myself and others, but "officially", it was just a Salsa event. The adventure was awesome from my point of view. I had never done anything quite like it before. I had my first taste of trailside coffee on this ride, but there were more firsts. I recall that this was when Obama was elected, I had my first taste of Sriracha sauce on hard boiled eggs, (thanks Mike Reimer!), and I came home with a brand spanking new Fargo, which I have been riding off and on to this very day. Definitely a "red letter day" in my life!

That's me on the left riding the last "official" Fargo Adventure Ride. Image courtesy of GNAT.

There were two more Fargo Adventure Rides and I was able to attend both of them. They were really a great time, and I was able to meet several great folks doing these rides. It was about this time that the Fargo underwent some evolutionary tweaks and the original nature of the Gen 1 design was slowly designed out of the model. In many ways, the Fargo has become a more capable "drop bar mountain bike", but for several reasons, I have not been able to quit on my Gen 1 frame.

My Fargo leaning up against a grocery store on 2009's GTDRI ride.

First and foremost, whenever I have thrown a leg over that Fargo, it feels like an old shoe, or your favorite pair of pants. That Fargo just fits! It feels very natural to me and as I ride it, I feel as though that particular bike was designed for me. I cannot say that about many bikes, if any, and somehow I have bonded with that bike physically to such a degree that I cannot imagine getting rid of it for that reason alone, but I have other reasons as well.

Me at Odin's Revenge last Summer (Image courtesy of M Quigley)

The other reason I would have a hard time parting with this rig now is the same reason I think Jason is thinking about this bike again- the memories. I have so many great riding memories stretching all the way back to 2008 with this bike. Of course, there are those three Fargo Adventure Rides, then there are a couple Guitar Ted Death Rides which stand out for me. I have ridden this bike at the Dirty Kanza, in Nebraska with my good buddy MG, and at Odin's Revenge last Summer.

I have ridden this Fargo through Winters, muddy Spring times, at the Night Nonsense gravel event when it rained all night on me. I've ridden this bike on awesome rides all alone and with groups of folks that were a blast to be with. There are just so many great times associated with this bike.

Finally, I have to say that even in 2014, the Gen 1 Fargo still works as a concept. It is not suspension corrected, which may be off-putting to many, but as a "heavy duty- all road bike" with "mountain biking/bike packing/adventure characteristics, it has no peer at this time. (Well, maybe there is that Co-Motion rig, but those are rare.) Is the Gen 1 fargo "perfect"? Not by a long shot, no. I wish it had the Alternator drop outs, for one thing, but it is dang close to being a perfect rig for these crazy gravel road and dirt road adventures I like.

I know one thing- there's going to be more memories forged with this bike, and I cannot wait to get to doing that! 

See Jason Boucher's take on the first Fargo appearance at the GTDRI and what effects it had on him here.