Friday News And Views

Salsa Cycles Ti Fargo frame set . (Image courtesy of Salsa Cycles)

 Salsa Cycles Ti Fargo For '23:

Monday Salsa Cycles released news that the Ti Fargo was back again for 2023. Besides changing the graphics/logos, nothing else is different here. In fact, this has been the same frame and fork since the 2019 model year. 

My image here is from the last run of the Ti Fargo showing the old logo. The new logo replaces this, (the same "block-ish" logo as can be seen on all their other bikes now), so the image here is not an updated one. 

The price has also been updated on the titanium Fargo as well. Up $600.00 since 2019, it is now sitting at $3349.00 for that frame and fork. This brings up some interesting points in regard to marketing and consumer perceptions.

New Fargo logo (Image courtesy of Salsa Cycles)

Previously, in year-to-year model changes, a manufacturer could spec a frame and a fork completely differently. Not only that, but frame tubing, (on metal models) could be radically different as well. This allowed price increases to be largely hidden by "the new" stuff and consumers could justify the price based upon a spec sheet. 

The Ti Fargo represents where the bicycle industry would like to go- that being no model years. Changes would only occur when a new model was introduced or significant spec changes made a difference, or both at the same time. This could happen at any point in the year and at whatever interval the company deemed good. So, a bike like the Fargo, which has largely stayed the same since the Gen 5 was introduced back in 2017, is a good example of this. Salsa has stuck to yearly changes, but they have been spec changes only. Plus, those yearly changes haven't always happened at the same time, year to year. 

Salsa's new logo (Image courtesy of Salsa Cycles

Now the Ti Fargo is a completely different beast. This frame and fork have become something of a commodity. This frame and fork have not changed at all since 2019, and then it was only a fork change. So, you can kind of look at the Ti Fargo as a better indicator of market pricing, since the variables in this product are insignificant over the years since its introduction. 

I may be missing something in the press releases over the years. But as far as I can tell, this is the same tube set, same titanium alloy, and the design hasn't changed one iota since 2018. Granting that the fork change for 2019 may be a cause for a higher price from the 2018 model, I'll go from there to now with my comparison. 

The difference? Price had increased $600.00. That's a lot in four years!

Hutchinson Override (Image courtesy of Hutchinson Tires)

Hutchinson Tires Debuts 700 X 50mm Options;

The line between 29"er and "Gravel" is getting blurred every day now it seems. The bicycles can handle 2" tires and the manufacturers are only to happy to have more tire choices to slap into these bikes now. Hutchinson is the latest to bloat their gravel tires up into 29" sizing. 

The Override, Touareg, and the Tundra are all now available in 700c X 50mm sizes. Well.....if you are in Europe, that is. Hutchinson pulled out of the US market over a year or so ago now. Yes, you could order from overseas here. That's likely to cost you a bit more, but I see places where one can order Hutchinson tires from online.

The Hutch Tundra. (Image courtesy of Hutchinson tires)

The Touareg was, and still is, one of my favorite gravel tires. It also happens to be really, really easy to live with as a tubeless tire. In fact, if you were to ever go tubeless for the first time, I would recommend the Touareg as your first foray into tubelessness. It's sooooo easy to use and live with.

 Comments: These fatty gravel tires are probably best suited to bikepacking/light MTB use. A 2" wide tire won't fit on most gravel bikes, but then again....

Maybe what this is signalling is that there is a bigger trend at play here. The "mountain bike-i-fication" of gravel bikes, perhaps? I see more rumblings on the front telescopic fork idea, and with these bikes with bigger clearances and with these tires? 

I think it is completely misguided and wrong, but I don't run the industry. Off-road trails are a lot harder to get to for riding than back roads are, or gravel is here. I'd wager that is the case for most people. Another thing pushing at the other end is the "gravelification" of road bikes. See.... The bicycle industry is all jacked up. I've said it from the beginning- "These bikes, (gravel, if that is what you have to call them by) are the bikes the every-day rider should be using all the time everywhere where there is a road, paved or unpaved, city or country." Let mountain bikes be MTB's and road racing bikes be their deal over there. Most people don't need either one- road racing or MTB. Stop trying to make road racing bikes "gravel" and "gravel" bikes into MTBs. 

Shimano Issues Bleak 2023 Sales Forecast:

After two years of phenomenal sales increases, Shimano issued a statement recently that says it expects sales figures for the cycling and fishing giant to decrease by about 21%, according to a recent report by an industry trade source. In similar news, a recent report filed by Carlton Reid of "Forbes" online reveals that sales in the U.K. are also down, even in the HPC/electrified bicycle segment.

This goes along with everything else the industry experts are saying. The 2023 season will be a bumpy ride for cycling businesses. Already I am seeing more flash sales, 25% and higher discounts, and brands that have never had sales are having sales now. 

Surly Preamble Flat or Drop bar: Image from a Reddit thread

Surly Bikes Intros New Entry Level Bike Called "Preamble":

Early on Wednesday morning I came across an article reviewing a new Surly entry level bike called the "Preamble". This bike was also leaked on a Reddit thread I came across moments later. 

It seems as though these new Surly steeds are based on a steel (of course) frame spec'ed with MicroShift's 9 speed flat bar and drop bar offerings. Other spec choices show a more off-brand, lower end spec, but for the claimed prices, this seems fair. The Preamble Flat Bar was said to be $999.00 for the flat bar and $1249.00 for the drop bar bike. 

Five sizes will be offered and there seems to be a couple of color choices for each model. The frames also are not your typical "Swiss Army Knife" type, versatile frames. Here on the Preamble it looks like a straight-up, basic set of braze-ons supporting the traditional two water bottle, rack, and fender set up. Tire clearances are also not the typical Surly fare with abilities to go 650B or 700c, but limited to 41mm with either diameter, according to the story I saw. 

Another "not-for-consumer's-eyes" document I was able to dig up easily actually gives alternative spec from the two major players in the market with one being an as-yet under embargo component group. Whoops! So, expect more news about the Preamble soon.

Comments: Ever since Quality Bicycle Products Rich Tauer took over the reins of leadership at the company, there has been a big sea change in the QBP brands both in terms of personnel and product offerings. Surly being maybe the most outstanding example here, and some would say, not in a good way. 

You can take that argument anyway you'd like, I have no dog in the fight, but it is not up for debate that Surly has fundamentally changed its tone and feel in terms of the brand. This move, which mirrors much of what Salsa Cycles has done with the Journeyer and Rangefinder, drops the Surly line-up into an easily digestible product for sale to folks wanting to get into the brand. To my way of thinking, it is the product aimed at the same market Salsa went after with REI stores and its Rangefinder/Journeyer lines.
 

That's a wrap for this week! Have a good one and thanks for reading Guitar Ted Productions!