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| Flyway DLX Red XPLR |
Today Salsa Cycles has released information and images for the replacement model for the Warbird called Flyway. It is an evolution of the previous Warbird models using an updated version of the Class 5 VRS vibration reduction as in the past, but with an updated feature set for 2026 and beyond.
Here are the main talking points for the Flyway.
- 5th Generation Design
- Six Sizes: XS, S, Med, ML, L, XL
- 70.5° Head tube angle
- 425mm Chain Stays
- 76mm Bottom Bracket Drop
- Two Levels of carbon fiber layup. With the DLX frame you save 150 grams over the other models in the range. The separate frame set on offer is the DLX layup, by the way.
- Class 5 VRS now 20% more compliant than before.
- Tire Clearance - Up to 50mm tires.
- Geometry accommodates 40mm suspension forks only.
- IS52 head tube accommodates internally routed cabling.
- UDH compatible, no mechanical 2X set ups. 2X can be used if electronic.
- T-47 Bottom Bracket
- Fork: 420mm Axle to Crown, accommodates up to a 700 x 57mm tire.
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| Flyway DLX Force XPLR |
Cargo Capacity:
It's a Salsa, so you know cargo carrying capacity has been addressed. The Flyway features several ways to carry your stuff.
- Main Triangle Bottle Mounts: 2 on XS, and Small. Three on everything else.
- Two sets of Three-Pack Mounts on the fork
- Direct Mount compatible with custom frame bags.
- Top Tube Mounts
- Rack Compatible with Salsa Rack-Lock or Post-Lock
- Low-rider Front Rack Mounts
Model Range:
The top two models in the Flyway range have the DLX, lighter carbon frame. They both are SRAM equipped 1X drive trains with XPLR. Then the new suspension fork equipped model comes in with a SRAM Rival drive train matched up with a Rock Shox Rudy fork and a dropper post. Next up we have the Flyway Apex Eagle AXS with the last model in the line having the lone Shimano drive train offered in the Flway GRX 610.
Prices:
- Flyway DLX RED: $11,999 USD, $16,999 CAD
- Flyway DLX Force: $7,999 USD, $11,299 CAD
- Flyway Rival Sus: $5,499 USD, $6,999 CAD
- Flyway Apex: $4,499 USD, $5,499 CAD
- Flyway GRX 610: $3,499 USD, $4,299 CAD
- Flyway DLX Frameset: $2,799 USD, $3,999 CAD
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| Flyway Rival Sus |
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| Flyway Apex |
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| Flyway GRX 610 |
Comments:
The Warbird was long overdue for a refresh and the name change isn't a big surprise given how QBP has been sanitizing its brand's nomenclature over the past several years. The good news here is that what the Warbird was has been evolved into a better bike in most ways. (Still not a fan over internally routed everything)
This bike works in several ways in my opinion. It has race bike capabilities without foregoing adventure/fun based riding. Too may times we are seeing racing gravel bikes coming out with nothing more than a few bottle mounts. Kudos to Salsa for sticking to their heritage formed in adventure based cycling.
Some may bemoan the lack of big tire clearance in the rear. However; it should be noted that Salsa has an updated Cutthroat coming out (announced today as well) and that bike handles up to a 700 x 2.4" rear tire with the capability of mounting road/MTB hybrid drive trains. Technically speaking, any bicycle with a road based design,(read most gravel bikes) shouldn't have wider than 50mm tires because comprising drive train efficiency to squeeze in MTB rubber with a road bike drive train is going a bit too far, in my opinion.
Finally, there is no other way to say this, but prices for the new generation of Salsa gravel racing bikes has ballooned. Previous models with similar drive trains were much less expensive. Are we blaming tariffs, higher shipping costs, or just a general uptick in inflation? Whatever it is, you'll have to lean on that electronic transfer of funds a little harder to be able to obtain a new Flyway.
Note: Apologies for the image quality in this post but these images are from the resources Salsa sent me to use. Also, a new Cutthroat was also dropped today but I decided to focus on the new Flyway here. No news on a Fargo today, but I've been told by a trusted source that the new Fargo is due late Summer/early Fall. See Salsa Cycles website for the latest details.
3 comments:
Cool bike. Horrific pricing. Glad my stable is pretty solid already... If I need a suspension fork, I'll put one on the BWNN. It was built for it back in 2010.
... of course finding a fork with a 1 1/8" steerer would be a challenge. I used to have one but sold it because I never rode it, so I guess I'm good to go.
Offff, the price points on this platform make me cringe. I am not seeing the value when I can buy a Trek Checkpoint for less and get more bike.
I also wonder if bike companies would price their bikes lower from the get go, they would avoid a lot of these 40-60% sales they have? Could they take their MSRP and knock 10% now, pay their management staff less?
I am thinking bike companies are pricing themselves out of the market? Or are they making less bikes per line hence charging more?
Finally, while in Mexico, i saw the locals riding metal frame bikes like Cannondale's and trek. Is salsa missing something here? Or are international markets not their jam? granted they have the Vaya and Journeyman.
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