Fat Tires On Gravel: From Krampus To Gryphon

 The Experimental Phase - Part 2

 Continuing on with this series concerning my thoughts and experiences with 29+ tires and gravel, today I am going to tell the story behind the other one of two ideas I had to mimic the Mukluk/29+ idea I had seen work so well at Odin's Revenge in 2014. You can go back to read the previous post here. 

While "B+" was appearing on the scene, and while I was messing with that, I still had this burning idea for the 29+ Mukluk idea I had seen at Odin's Revenge as it was ridden by Mike Johnson. One of the things I learned about Mike's set up was that he had to have a part made to accommodate the larger diameter of the 29+ wheel since that was larger than a 26" X 4.0" tire, which is what the Ti Mukluk was designed for. 

Stuffing the 29+ tires mounted on Velocity Dually's into a first generation Ti Mukluk would not work. The rear tire interfered with the "brake brace" across the seat stays above the tire. So, Mike contacted a friend of his, a fellow Trans Iowa rider and winner of T.I.v7, Dennis Grelk, to machine him some new swinging drop out plates. Dennis obliged him, but figured that if he was going to do one set, he may as well do three. 

By the time I came around two sets had been spoken for and I got my mitts on the third set. As far as I am aware, those were the only "DG Dropouts" ever produced for the Ti Mukluks. While it would have been awesome to have had these be through axle, that wasn't yet a thing when Dennis made these, so they all were quick release style. Dennis essentially had to engineer these bits to be longer and allow the proper clearance at that pesky frame brace to make it all be safe to ride. This raised the bottom bracket just a touch, but not much. That comes into play into the story later.

The 29+ wheel in stock Alternator drop outs set all the way back.

The arrow pointing to the DG Dropout which allowed the 29" wheel to have about an 1 1/2" of clearance at the brake bridge.

That was a critical piece which I needed to have to make this 29+/Muluk idea work. I ended up calling this by Mike's name for his set up: The Muktruk. This was perfect since the idea was really manifested as being worthwhile at a mucky, wet gravel event. 

By the time I got around to doing this idea in 2014, Salsa Cycles had produced a new hubset for fat bikes which required a 150mm, front brake standard fork. Previously the Mukluks had held on to the vestiges of the Pugsley's design for the front fork which utilized a 135mm spaced rear brake standard caliper. So, I had to buy a new fork to use with my new hubs which were purple, of course! 

A set of black anodized Velocity Dually rims were sourced and I built up the wheels, set the Knard tires up on there, and along with the drop outs I had from Dennis, I was able to finally put the MukTruk together in August of 2014.

The MukTruk in all its glory.

I wanted to like this set up. I really, really wanted to. But in the end, that jacked up bottom bracket height was just too much for me to deal with, and the bike just didn't feel right to me anymore. So, one thing led to another, and by October of 2014 I had sold the wheel set I built, sold the tires, and converted the bike back to a fat bike while retaining the DG Drop outs to allow for fatter rubber than I could have put in this bike before. 

So I ended up here. This is how I kept the bike until I sold it several years ago.

29+ was still on my radar. I still had the itch to get a bike with drop bars and a proper geometry for gravel that could be a bikepacking bike or a severe conditions bike. But back in 2014, that didn't exist yet. There were bikes that stoked my fires though. Two of which I actually got the chance to ride in 2014 and both used 29 X 3.0" tires. 

A Borealis fat bike conversion with 29+

MG's 29+ super-rare Singular Rooster with 29+ wheels.

The Borealis fat bike conversion I rode in the Fall of 2014 was revelatory. The geometry was 100% better than the MukTruk's. The bike was a fantastic MTB rig and I got to ride it pretty solidly for over a month before I had to send it back. This was a review bike for the now defunct "Twentynine Inches" site. 

Then I got to test ride Matt Gersib's rare Singular Rooster 29+ bike. I doubt that there are more than a few of these Singular models out there, and it was a blast to get to ride Matt's. (He still has it, by the way) This was another great example to me that a proper 29+ bike could happen. 

And you might be thinking "What about the Deadwood/Fargo with 29+?"

Close, but not quite. The 2016 Salsa Cycles Deadwood.

 Salsa Cycles took some inspirations from.....somewhere. I wouldn't claim that I, or Mike Johnson, or maybe some others, had anything to do with what Salsa Cycles came up with, but they were certainly watching what was going on with us gravel/MTB/bikepacker/fat bikers out there. At any rate, in the Summer of 2015, Salsa dropped a bombshell in their Deadwood, a bike that clearly came from the Fargo and which was stuffed with 29+ wheels and covered in a fantastic copper-colored paint scheme. 

I got to see one close up, and well..... There wasn't a whole lot of tire clearance. The geometry of the bike was pointing toward a pretty tall bottom bracket, and after having seen what some folks did with Deadwoods, namely put on much smaller diameter wheels with much skinnier tires, I was validated in those suspicions. The Fargo with the claim of multiple sized wheel capabilities came out next, but stories of minimal clearances with 29+ and high bottom brackets kept me at bay. This was not "that bike" that I was looking for either. Close, but not quite. 

Meanwhile, in 2015, I struck upon a pretty good set up. Driven by injury and a desire to try the fat tires on gravel, a bike emerged from my stable and made 2015 one of my best gravel riding seasons ever. 

Next: A Brief Look At The Fat Fargo 

Fat Tires On Gravel: From Krampus To Gryphon

 The Experimental Phase - Part 2

 Continuing on with this series concerning my thoughts and experiences with 29+ tires and gravel, today I am going to tell the story behind the other one of two ideas I had to mimic the Mukluk/29+ idea I had seen work so well at Odin's Revenge in 2014. You can go back to read the previous post here. 

While "B+" was appearing on the scene, and while I was messing with that, I still had this burning idea for the 29+ Mukluk idea I had seen at Odin's Revenge as it was ridden by Mike Johnson. One of the things I learned about Mike's set up was that he had to have a part made to accommodate the larger diameter of the 29+ wheel since that was larger than a 26" X 4.0" tire, which is what the Ti Mukluk was designed for. 

Stuffing the 29+ tires mounted on Velocity Dually's into a first generation Ti Mukluk would not work. The rear tire interfered with the "brake brace" across the seat stays above the tire. So, Mike contacted a friend of his, a fellow Trans Iowa rider and winner of T.I.v7, Dennis Grelk, to machine him some new swinging drop out plates. Dennis obliged him, but figured that if he was going to do one set, he may as well do three. 

By the time I came around two sets had been spoken for and I got my mitts on the third set. As far as I am aware, those were the only "DG Dropouts" ever produced for the Ti Mukluks. While it would have been awesome to have had these be through axle, that wasn't yet a thing when Dennis made these, so they all were quick release style. Dennis essentially had to engineer these bits to be longer and allow the proper clearance at that pesky frame brace to make it all be safe to ride. This raised the bottom bracket just a touch, but not much. That comes into play into the story later.

The 29+ wheel in stock Alternator drop outs set all the way back.

The arrow pointing to the DG Dropout which allowed the 29" wheel to have about an 1 1/2" of clearance at the brake bridge.

That was a critical piece which I needed to have to make this 29+/Muluk idea work. I ended up calling this by Mike's name for his set up: The Muktruk. This was perfect since the idea was really manifested as being worthwhile at a mucky, wet gravel event. 

By the time I got around to doing this idea in 2014, Salsa Cycles had produced a new hubset for fat bikes which required a 150mm, front brake standard fork. Previously the Mukluks had held on to the vestiges of the Pugsley's design for the front fork which utilized a 135mm spaced rear brake standard caliper. So, I had to buy a new fork to use with my new hubs which were purple, of course! 

A set of black anodized Velocity Dually rims were sourced and I built up the wheels, set the Knard tires up on there, and along with the drop outs I had from Dennis, I was able to finally put the MukTruk together in August of 2014.

The MukTruk in all its glory.

I wanted to like this set up. I really, really wanted to. But in the end, that jacked up bottom bracket height was just too much for me to deal with, and the bike just didn't feel right to me anymore. So, one thing led to another, and by October of 2014 I had sold the wheel set I built, sold the tires, and converted the bike back to a fat bike while retaining the DG Drop outs to allow for fatter rubber than I could have put in this bike before. 

So I ended up here. This is how I kept the bike until I sold it several years ago.

29+ was still on my radar. I still had the itch to get a bike with drop bars and a proper geometry for gravel that could be a bikepacking bike or a severe conditions bike. But back in 2014, that didn't exist yet. There were bikes that stoked my fires though. Two of which I actually got the chance to ride in 2014 and both used 29 X 3.0" tires. 

A Borealis fat bike conversion with 29+

MG's 29+ super-rare Singular Rooster with 29+ wheels.

The Borealis fat bike conversion I rode in the Fall of 2014 was revelatory. The geometry was 100% better than the MukTruk's. The bike was a fantastic MTB rig and I got to ride it pretty solidly for over a month before I had to send it back. This was a review bike for the now defunct "Twentynine Inches" site. 

Then I got to test ride Matt Gersib's rare Singular Rooster 29+ bike. I doubt that there are more than a few of these Singular models out there, and it was a blast to get to ride Matt's. (He still has it, by the way) This was another great example to me that a proper 29+ bike could happen. 

And you might be thinking "What about the Deadwood/Fargo with 29+?"

Close, but not quite. The 2016 Salsa Cycles Deadwood.

 Salsa Cycles took some inspirations from.....somewhere. I wouldn't claim that I, or Mike Johnson, or maybe some others, had anything to do with what Salsa Cycles came up with, but they were certainly watching what was going on with us gravel/MTB/bikepacker/fat bikers out there. At any rate, in the Summer of 2015, Salsa dropped a bombshell in their Deadwood, a bike that clearly came from the Fargo and which was stuffed with 29+ wheels and covered in a fantastic copper-colored paint scheme. 

I got to see one close up, and well..... There wasn't a whole lot of tire clearance. The geometry of the bike was pointing toward a pretty tall bottom bracket, and after having seen what some folks did with Deadwoods, namely put on much smaller diameter wheels with much skinnier tires, I was validated in those suspicions. The Fargo with the claim of multiple sized wheel capabilities came out next, but stories of minimal clearances with 29+ and high bottom brackets kept me at bay. This was not "that bike" that I was looking for either. Close, but not quite. 

Meanwhile, in 2015, I struck upon a pretty good set up. Driven by injury and a desire to try the fat tires on gravel, a bike emerged from my stable and made 2015 one of my best gravel riding seasons ever. 

Next: A Brief Look At The Fat Fargo 

Friday News And Views

Trek's Full Stache 29+ dually Image courtesy of Trek

Manly Haired- Dual Boinger-Wagon Wheeler:

About a week or so ago Trek dealers were sent images and info on a strangely named full suspension device with 29+ wheels. I checked it out and then realized that it probably was under an embargo since there was no chit-chat online about it.

I was correct, as Trek did not release the details until yesterday. However; some dealers were getting these bikes in already and I heard about an "unboxing" at Cycle Works in Lincoln via my good friend, MG. MG is in possession of a Stache 9.8 hardtail and we discussed the potential small animal crushing abilities of the Stache and Full Stache bikes.

Trek brings a lot to the table when it comes to design and R&D, so I suspect that this bike will be pretty dialed, and the early pieces by the various mag media wonks seem to agree, the Full Stache is a rock crawlers dream. However; and as one report I read rightly points out, this bike is not the only bike of its kind. Salsa has the Deadwood FS, and Lenz Sport has been refining this platform for years. I've followed with great interest the development of the Lenz Behemoth 29+ and Fatillac designs. Traction has been one of this platform's biggest pluses all along, so to read that about the Full Stache is no surprise to me.

Interestingly the Behemoth has 435mm chain stays vs the 430mm of the Stache, but the Behemoth has a traditional diamond shaped rear triangle which should be stiffer than the Full Stache and the mag media wonks are already telling us the Full Stache is flexy in certain situations.

Also worthy of pointing out, the Behemoth uses a through axle in the rear which is 12mm X 157mm, a DH standard. This gives a wider and more rigid stance for the rear wheel to work in, and with a carbon rimmed wheel, I cannot imagine that the Behemoth wouldn't be a stiffer, more planted bike in the fast twisties.

But the Trek does give you a more open front triangle and for those who want to bike pack in the back country, that may be a more appealing feature. I can see that for sure. The thing is that with the Salsa Deadwood, the Behemoth, and now Trek supporting this type of use for full suspension 29+ wheels and tires, the future looks a little more secure for these wheels use in mountain bikes. Added to that you have the Krampus, Stache hard tail, and Jones bikes, plus some various smaller companies doing things in 29+. The future looks bright for these wagon wheels.

Volunteer t-shirts for T.I.v14

Throwback Design For T.I.v14:

I was super stoked Thursday when I was sent the rendering for the t-shirt for the volunteers for Trans Iowa v14. The design will be as shown- white logo on black t-shirts, because black is the only color for t-shirts. Ha! Only half kidding there. You should look in my t-shirt drawer sometime.

So, a bit of a back story here: Jeff Kerkove went to college and studied graphic design. He did all the headers for Trans Iowa up through T.I. v9. I took over the job for v10 and beyond. Anyway, Jeff's original Trans Iowa logo appeared on every header from v1 through v6. It has appeared as a sticker (v6 and a couple other times in rider's race bags), and on the blog here when I write about Trans Iowa. It was used once on a t-shirt for Trans Iowa v5. I figured it was high time we brought the design out of mothballs and used it prominently once again.

Although it probably will be too cold for t-shirts at Trans Iowa v14, our volunteers will be sporting these shirts, so look for them to appear here and there in the future. When you see someone with one of these on, you will know that they were a T.I.v14 volunteer, or that you found me! I'll have one or two of these in my t-shirt drawer in the future. They should fit right in there!

We probably won't be getting passed by farm equipment this year!

Renegade Gent's Race 8.0:

The ride is tomorrow and I'll be joining my four Renegade Gent's on the Careless Whispers team for the 8th time. It's going to be a blast, because, how could it not be? 

Due to the forecast low temperatures, which are more February-like than April-like, the start was pushed back an hour by the organizers. Still, it will most likely be in the low 20's when we start and if we are lucky we will see the high 30's later in the day. I'll be riding up to the start from Ankeny, like I did last year, so I'll be out when it is really freaking cold! 

I doubt we will see any traffic out in the country when the event is on since absolutely zero farming is happening now. Heck, we are still experiencing Winter! I suspect the weather will break soon, I mean, it has to, right? It's just too bad it won't be nice at the Gent;s Race. I guess we will just have to pedal harder to stay warm!

Once again, expect a full report of the goings on come Monday.

That's all for now folks! Stay warm and get a ride in!

Friday News And Views

Trek's Full Stache 29+ dually Image courtesy of Trek

Manly Haired- Dual Boinger-Wagon Wheeler:

About a week or so ago Trek dealers were sent images and info on a strangely named full suspension device with 29+ wheels. I checked it out and then realized that it probably was under an embargo since there was no chit-chat online about it.

I was correct, as Trek did not release the details until yesterday. However; some dealers were getting these bikes in already and I heard about an "unboxing" at Cycle Works in Lincoln via my good friend, MG. MG is in possession of a Stache 9.8 hardtail and we discussed the potential small animal crushing abilities of the Stache and Full Stache bikes.

Trek brings a lot to the table when it comes to design and R&D, so I suspect that this bike will be pretty dialed, and the early pieces by the various mag media wonks seem to agree, the Full Stache is a rock crawlers dream. However; and as one report I read rightly points out, this bike is not the only bike of its kind. Salsa has the Deadwood FS, and Lenz Sport has been refining this platform for years. I've followed with great interest the development of the Lenz Behemoth 29+ and Fatillac designs. Traction has been one of this platform's biggest pluses all along, so to read that about the Full Stache is no surprise to me.

Interestingly the Behemoth has 435mm chain stays vs the 430mm of the Stache, but the Behemoth has a traditional diamond shaped rear triangle which should be stiffer than the Full Stache and the mag media wonks are already telling us the Full Stache is flexy in certain situations.

Also worthy of pointing out, the Behemoth uses a through axle in the rear which is 12mm X 157mm, a DH standard. This gives a wider and more rigid stance for the rear wheel to work in, and with a carbon rimmed wheel, I cannot imagine that the Behemoth wouldn't be a stiffer, more planted bike in the fast twisties.

But the Trek does give you a more open front triangle and for those who want to bike pack in the back country, that may be a more appealing feature. I can see that for sure. The thing is that with the Salsa Deadwood, the Behemoth, and now Trek supporting this type of use for full suspension 29+ wheels and tires, the future looks a little more secure for these wheels use in mountain bikes. Added to that you have the Krampus, Stache hard tail, and Jones bikes, plus some various smaller companies doing things in 29+. The future looks bright for these wagon wheels.

Volunteer t-shirts for T.I.v14

Throwback Design For T.I.v14:

I was super stoked Thursday when I was sent the rendering for the t-shirt for the volunteers for Trans Iowa v14. The design will be as shown- white logo on black t-shirts, because black is the only color for t-shirts. Ha! Only half kidding there. You should look in my t-shirt drawer sometime.

So, a bit of a back story here: Jeff Kerkove went to college and studied graphic design. He did all the headers for Trans Iowa up through T.I. v9. I took over the job for v10 and beyond. Anyway, Jeff's original Trans Iowa logo appeared on every header from v1 through v6. It has appeared as a sticker (v6 and a couple other times in rider's race bags), and on the blog here when I write about Trans Iowa. It was used once on a t-shirt for Trans Iowa v5. I figured it was high time we brought the design out of mothballs and used it prominently once again.

Although it probably will be too cold for t-shirts at Trans Iowa v14, our volunteers will be sporting these shirts, so look for them to appear here and there in the future. When you see someone with one of these on, you will know that they were a T.I.v14 volunteer, or that you found me! I'll have one or two of these in my t-shirt drawer in the future. They should fit right in there!

We probably won't be getting passed by farm equipment this year!

Renegade Gent's Race 8.0:

The ride is tomorrow and I'll be joining my four Renegade Gent's on the Careless Whispers team for the 8th time. It's going to be a blast, because, how could it not be? 

Due to the forecast low temperatures, which are more February-like than April-like, the start was pushed back an hour by the organizers. Still, it will most likely be in the low 20's when we start and if we are lucky we will see the high 30's later in the day. I'll be riding up to the start from Ankeny, like I did last year, so I'll be out when it is really freaking cold! 

I doubt we will see any traffic out in the country when the event is on since absolutely zero farming is happening now. Heck, we are still experiencing Winter! I suspect the weather will break soon, I mean, it has to, right? It's just too bad it won't be nice at the Gent;s Race. I guess we will just have to pedal harder to stay warm!

Once again, expect a full report of the goings on come Monday.

That's all for now folks! Stay warm and get a ride in!

Deadwood Sus Introduced By Salsa Cycles

Deadwood Sus XT-. Image courtesy of Salsa Cycles

Yesterday Salsa Cycles introduced the Deadwood Sus, which isn't a Deadwood with a suspension fork. That is what I immediately thought when I saw the name. Nope. This is like a "Ponyrustler Plus". It is a full suspension 29 plus wheeled bike. Not a drop bar 29+ bike with a suspension fork.

Okay?

Now with that out of the way, you can begin to calm down. This bike introduction was fairly obvious. Spearfish and Horsethief platforms giving way to their next logical conclusions, the aforementioned Ponyrustler and now this- the Deadwood Sus. I guess the name pool is running dry at Salsa Cycles or something. Talk about slightly odd..........

Anywho.... Yeah, big wagon wheeler suspension devices are rare. This one is more than likely well sorted out. Most of the Split Pivot stuff has been really nice to ride. I see Salsa is saying a few things here which I find to be smart, and if well executed, could well make this bike a really great ride for mountain biking all day, for fast paced, ground covering racing, and for just a great exploration tool. The things they are saying relate to how they are supposedly tuning the suspension to work with the big, puffy tires. The tires have some inherent suspension qualities. Let them do that work, and make the frame's suspension do the rest- rebound control, taking over damping on bigger impacts, and not getting in the way of the rider's propelling the bike. If Salsa truly dialed this in, I think they are on to something here.

Deadwood Sus GX-1- Image courtesy of Salsa Cycles

No doubt that burly carbon front triangle is going to be a stiff foundation for this idea. I read it is the very same front triangle as the Ponyrustler. Many will roll their eyes at the Press Fit style bottom bracket. I guess I would have rather have seen a threaded bottom bracket myself. They are easy to keep creak-free. That said, my Press Fit style bottom bracket in my Blackborow has been absolutely creak free. That's going on three years now come this Fall. I haven't exactly treated that bike with kid gloves either. So, maybe I would not say this Deadwood's Press Fit bottom bracket is a deal breaker for me. I'd give it a shot.

Internal routing? It's the "thing to do" these days. I'm not a fan. I don't care how good you make those frame grommet entry points, that still is a place for crap to get into your frame. Conversely, I like internal routing for the dropper posts on any bike. I know......not a very consistent philosophy there! Maybe when those new fangled wireless dropper posts come out, I can hate on internal dropper post routing as well. That'll be a good day! Anyway, the Deadwood has mostly external routing. That's a good thing.

Okay.....back to the bike! Suspension travel is limited to a whopping 91mm out back. That's a hair over 3.5" for you metrically challenged folks out there. You'll notice that this ain't much squish compared to other trail bikes with monkey motion these days. Salsa, (and all the media wonks that they invited to take a whack at this thing before it was publicly announced), say it "feels like more", or that the bottoming out of the suspension "wasn't noticeable". Draw your own conclusions there. I say this- there is no substitute for suspension travel. This is no knock on the Deadwood, (I'm leaving off the silly "Sus" part of the moniker), because I am sure that it does the job it was intended for. I just get kind of tired of all the word forging that is masking that this is a short travel, XC-ish bike. You know what? There isn't anything at all wrong with that.

Deadwood XO- Image courtesy of Salsa Cycles.

Salsa Cycles compares this new bike to their Spearfish short travel full suspension bike, and that bike is really a replacement for the old Dos Niner soft tail bike. Salsa has a history of short travel full suspension bikes going back over a decade. Why try to hide that? (To be completely fair, they aren't) I know some folks won't get it- why not have five inches of rear wheel travel here? Ummm.....because this is supposed to be an XC-ish adventure machine. That's why. (Note- This is my take, not necessarily Salsa Cycle's or anyone else's.)

Oddly enough, there is an introductory video for this bike which shows two riders doing nothing but ripping these new Deadwoods down hill. There are no shots of climbing with this, or much to indicate that you should use this for cross country type of fun. To be completely fair, some of the invited media did write that part up. Apparently, it actually climbs well, if not a bit more ponderous and slower than other bikes. The point is that some media wonks seem bent on positioning this bike as some sort of magical unicorn of a suspension device that makes 91mm feel like.......something more. 

What it is more of is "expensive". The "entry level", as of now, is at $3800.00. I say "as of now" because if you dig into the website on the Deadwood you'll find the following statement: "This frame offers a 340 grams weight savings over the aluminum version." Wait...... What? There is an aluminum version? 

Maybe there "will be." Or maybe it is a mistake. I've discovered mistakes like that before on Salsa's website, so that wouldn't be a surprise. Time will tell which it is, a description of an as yet unheralded bike, or a mistake.

An aluminum version would be slightly less spendy, but make no mistake, starting at $3800.00 and topping out at $6G is not making this bike attractive to a wide range of riders. I suppose it is the price you pay to play these days. Still, if it were within my reach, I would take something like this in a heartbeat to El Paso's Franklin Mountains trails or anywhere that demanded a tool like this.

Deadwood Sus Introduced By Salsa Cycles

Deadwood Sus XT-. Image courtesy of Salsa Cycles

Yesterday Salsa Cycles introduced the Deadwood Sus, which isn't a Deadwood with a suspension fork. That is what I immediately thought when I saw the name. Nope. This is like a "Ponyrustler Plus". It is a full suspension 29 plus wheeled bike. Not a drop bar 29+ bike with a suspension fork.

Okay?

Now with that out of the way, you can begin to calm down. This bike introduction was fairly obvious. Spearfish and Horsethief platforms giving way to their next logical conclusions, the aforementioned Ponyrustler and now this- the Deadwood Sus. I guess the name pool is running dry at Salsa Cycles or something. Talk about slightly odd..........

Anywho.... Yeah, big wagon wheeler suspension devices are rare. This one is more than likely well sorted out. Most of the Split Pivot stuff has been really nice to ride. I see Salsa is saying a few things here which I find to be smart, and if well executed, could well make this bike a really great ride for mountain biking all day, for fast paced, ground covering racing, and for just a great exploration tool. The things they are saying relate to how they are supposedly tuning the suspension to work with the big, puffy tires. The tires have some inherent suspension qualities. Let them do that work, and make the frame's suspension do the rest- rebound control, taking over damping on bigger impacts, and not getting in the way of the rider's propelling the bike. If Salsa truly dialed this in, I think they are on to something here.

Deadwood Sus GX-1- Image courtesy of Salsa Cycles

No doubt that burly carbon front triangle is going to be a stiff foundation for this idea. I read it is the very same front triangle as the Ponyrustler. Many will roll their eyes at the Press Fit style bottom bracket. I guess I would have rather have seen a threaded bottom bracket myself. They are easy to keep creak-free. That said, my Press Fit style bottom bracket in my Blackborow has been absolutely creak free. That's going on three years now come this Fall. I haven't exactly treated that bike with kid gloves either. So, maybe I would not say this Deadwood's Press Fit bottom bracket is a deal breaker for me. I'd give it a shot.

Internal routing? It's the "thing to do" these days. I'm not a fan. I don't care how good you make those frame grommet entry points, that still is a place for crap to get into your frame. Conversely, I like internal routing for the dropper posts on any bike. I know......not a very consistent philosophy there! Maybe when those new fangled wireless dropper posts come out, I can hate on internal dropper post routing as well. That'll be a good day! Anyway, the Deadwood has mostly external routing. That's a good thing.

Okay.....back to the bike! Suspension travel is limited to a whopping 91mm out back. That's a hair over 3.5" for you metrically challenged folks out there. You'll notice that this ain't much squish compared to other trail bikes with monkey motion these days. Salsa, (and all the media wonks that they invited to take a whack at this thing before it was publicly announced), say it "feels like more", or that the bottoming out of the suspension "wasn't noticeable". Draw your own conclusions there. I say this- there is no substitute for suspension travel. This is no knock on the Deadwood, (I'm leaving off the silly "Sus" part of the moniker), because I am sure that it does the job it was intended for. I just get kind of tired of all the word forging that is masking that this is a short travel, XC-ish bike. You know what? There isn't anything at all wrong with that.

Deadwood XO- Image courtesy of Salsa Cycles.

Salsa Cycles compares this new bike to their Spearfish short travel full suspension bike, and that bike is really a replacement for the old Dos Niner soft tail bike. Salsa has a history of short travel full suspension bikes going back over a decade. Why try to hide that? (To be completely fair, they aren't) I know some folks won't get it- why not have five inches of rear wheel travel here? Ummm.....because this is supposed to be an XC-ish adventure machine. That's why. (Note- This is my take, not necessarily Salsa Cycle's or anyone else's.)

Oddly enough, there is an introductory video for this bike which shows two riders doing nothing but ripping these new Deadwoods down hill. There are no shots of climbing with this, or much to indicate that you should use this for cross country type of fun. To be completely fair, some of the invited media did write that part up. Apparently, it actually climbs well, if not a bit more ponderous and slower than other bikes. The point is that some media wonks seem bent on positioning this bike as some sort of magical unicorn of a suspension device that makes 91mm feel like.......something more. 

What it is more of is "expensive". The "entry level", as of now, is at $3800.00. I say "as of now" because if you dig into the website on the Deadwood you'll find the following statement: "This frame offers a 340 grams weight savings over the aluminum version." Wait...... What? There is an aluminum version? 

Maybe there "will be." Or maybe it is a mistake. I've discovered mistakes like that before on Salsa's website, so that wouldn't be a surprise. Time will tell which it is, a description of an as yet unheralded bike, or a mistake.

An aluminum version would be slightly less spendy, but make no mistake, starting at $3800.00 and topping out at $6G is not making this bike attractive to a wide range of riders. I suppose it is the price you pay to play these days. Still, if it were within my reach, I would take something like this in a heartbeat to El Paso's Franklin Mountains trails or anywhere that demanded a tool like this.

Friday News And Views

I liked it so much I bought one.

Back From The Dead:

I reviewed this little tail light a while back and told you all how I had it fall off a bag and how it subsequently was smashed to bits on a highway. I said I liked it so much I'd actually buy another one.

So, here it is, just as I promised.

I don't know if I adequately stated how bright the Grateful Red tail light is. I had to use my older, battery operated Bontrager Flare tail light to get by in the time between when I lost the Grateful Red and when I got it replaced. The Flare was very sub-standard in comparison. It was so much less bright and "penetrating" in its intensity that I almost didn't use it since it looked so inadequate.

In contrast the Grateful Red is like the USB rechargeable lights in its sharpness and intensity of light. It really works far better than anything I used to own and use. Again, I know many of you are all about USB stuff, but I could easily buy two Grateful Reds for the price of one of the usual suspects when it comes to USB rechargeable tail lights that are this intense. Plus, the Grateful Red has a longer run time than many of the more expensive lights.

While Planet Bike sent over the first example at no charge, I felt like this light was good enough, and reasonably priced, that I just went ahead and bought the replacement. I'm really glad that I did too.

The Fargo Brothers.

The Original Adventure By Bike Bicycle: 

The Salsa Cycles Fargo is an icon of the Salsa line up. The steel, drop bar specific 29"er has the distinction of having a long run in the Salsa Cycles line up. Only the El Mariachi has been around longer. With newer models coming and going all these years, the Fargo may seem like it is almost an antique. However; if my two riding friends I spent some time with on Wednesday are any indication, the popularity of the Fargo is only growing more every year.

Both of them were giving their Bomb Pop Blue Fargos some heady praise. I was listening in and nodding, agreeing out loud at a few points. The Fargo is an amazing bicycle. Perhaps it is the quintessential gravel/bike packing/touring machine of the gravel world. Perhaps it is nothing more than a capable chameleon that adapts to its owner's vision for whatever task they have in mind and does so easily. I cannot say which, but I do know that it is closer to the time that the Fargo will change again, or go away completely, than it ever has been. Models like Salsa's Warbird and Cutthroat point to a higher tech, carbonated future, and the steel Fargo maybe doesn't fit into that molded future vision for the brand's line.

If it is allowed to stay, and the Deadwood may be a model that points to that possibility, then we may see 27.5" wheels, the plus versions, most likely, be attached to a bike with the Fargo name. It would make a lot of sense. B+ wheels, with true, 3" sized tires, would roll rough terrain easily, and the Boost fork and rear end standard would make a lot of sense here as well. Then you could build up a set of lighter, nimbler 29"er wheels to take over when speed and quickness were desired over cush and flotation. I imagine a top of the line, B+ wheeled titanium Fargo. That would be a really sweet machine!

Errand machine

Big Dummy Dreams:

Yeah..... Long time readers will remember several times where I have mentioned wanting a Surly Big Dummy. It is funny, because just the other day a friend of mine quipped that he couldn't believe that I didn't already own one. Then I get home and Surly has a blog post about how to haul stuff with your Big Dummy.

It's a sign, right?

Maybe I'll finally make it happen. I should, you know. I ain't gettin any younger. If I do, my vision would be for a wide rimmed, Extraterrestrial tired, Brooks sprung saddled cargo monster with my Ergon pedals and the bags I already have on my XtraCycle moved over to the newer rig. That would be a dream Big Dummy buld.

Trouble is, it would make two other bikes I have obsolete and then what? Well, the 1X1 could move on to another shop employee's hands, because that's the deal with that bike, and the other rig? Well, it's an 80's mtb, so probably......I don't know, donate it to a poor soul? Probably. I just know I wouldn't need those two bikes if I got a Big Dummy.

Okay, that's a wrap for this week. Have a great weekend and get out and ride!

Friday News And Views

I liked it so much I bought one.

Back From The Dead:

I reviewed this little tail light a while back and told you all how I had it fall off a bag and how it subsequently was smashed to bits on a highway. I said I liked it so much I'd actually buy another one.

So, here it is, just as I promised.

I don't know if I adequately stated how bright the Grateful Red tail light is. I had to use my older, battery operated Bontrager Flare tail light to get by in the time between when I lost the Grateful Red and when I got it replaced. The Flare was very sub-standard in comparison. It was so much less bright and "penetrating" in its intensity that I almost didn't use it since it looked so inadequate.

In contrast the Grateful Red is like the USB rechargeable lights in its sharpness and intensity of light. It really works far better than anything I used to own and use. Again, I know many of you are all about USB stuff, but I could easily buy two Grateful Reds for the price of one of the usual suspects when it comes to USB rechargeable tail lights that are this intense. Plus, the Grateful Red has a longer run time than many of the more expensive lights.

While Planet Bike sent over the first example at no charge, I felt like this light was good enough, and reasonably priced, that I just went ahead and bought the replacement. I'm really glad that I did too.

The Fargo Brothers.

The Original Adventure By Bike Bicycle: 

The Salsa Cycles Fargo is an icon of the Salsa line up. The steel, drop bar specific 29"er has the distinction of having a long run in the Salsa Cycles line up. Only the El Mariachi has been around longer. With newer models coming and going all these years, the Fargo may seem like it is almost an antique. However; if my two riding friends I spent some time with on Wednesday are any indication, the popularity of the Fargo is only growing more every year.

Both of them were giving their Bomb Pop Blue Fargos some heady praise. I was listening in and nodding, agreeing out loud at a few points. The Fargo is an amazing bicycle. Perhaps it is the quintessential gravel/bike packing/touring machine of the gravel world. Perhaps it is nothing more than a capable chameleon that adapts to its owner's vision for whatever task they have in mind and does so easily. I cannot say which, but I do know that it is closer to the time that the Fargo will change again, or go away completely, than it ever has been. Models like Salsa's Warbird and Cutthroat point to a higher tech, carbonated future, and the steel Fargo maybe doesn't fit into that molded future vision for the brand's line.

If it is allowed to stay, and the Deadwood may be a model that points to that possibility, then we may see 27.5" wheels, the plus versions, most likely, be attached to a bike with the Fargo name. It would make a lot of sense. B+ wheels, with true, 3" sized tires, would roll rough terrain easily, and the Boost fork and rear end standard would make a lot of sense here as well. Then you could build up a set of lighter, nimbler 29"er wheels to take over when speed and quickness were desired over cush and flotation. I imagine a top of the line, B+ wheeled titanium Fargo. That would be a really sweet machine!

Errand machine

Big Dummy Dreams:

Yeah..... Long time readers will remember several times where I have mentioned wanting a Surly Big Dummy. It is funny, because just the other day a friend of mine quipped that he couldn't believe that I didn't already own one. Then I get home and Surly has a blog post about how to haul stuff with your Big Dummy.

It's a sign, right?

Maybe I'll finally make it happen. I should, you know. I ain't gettin any younger. If I do, my vision would be for a wide rimmed, Extraterrestrial tired, Brooks sprung saddled cargo monster with my Ergon pedals and the bags I already have on my XtraCycle moved over to the newer rig. That would be a dream Big Dummy buld.

Trouble is, it would make two other bikes I have obsolete and then what? Well, the 1X1 could move on to another shop employee's hands, because that's the deal with that bike, and the other rig? Well, it's an 80's mtb, so probably......I don't know, donate it to a poor soul? Probably. I just know I wouldn't need those two bikes if I got a Big Dummy.

Okay, that's a wrap for this week. Have a great weekend and get out and ride!

Friday News And Views

 The "Fat Fargo"

27.5+ Makes Headway:

I've been carefully watching the Eurobike and pre-Interbike mountain bike introductions, and one thing is becoming very plain. The industry, (as I figured they would a long time ago), has dove head first into the 27.5+ wheel size and not so much on the 29+ wheel size.

The new introductions I've seen or heard about are from Cannondale, Fuji, Specialized, Marin, Turner, Salsa Cycles, Scott Bikes, and a couple of others that escape me right now. All offering B+ wheels for 2016. How about 29+?

Other than the Salsa Deadwood and Trek Stache for 2016? Crickets............

I know folks think I am "anti-29+", or whatever. I am certainly not that at all. However; all you have to do is count where the introductions are and see that the industry isn't going full-on for 29+. The introductions are not there. The numbers, so far, do not lie. It appears that, while 29+ isn't going to die, it isn't where the industry is putting its eggs. This, from my viewpoint, is why I am saying 29+ won't be the big deal some folks seem to think it will be. That's all.

If I was so against it, I wouldn't have bought a set of wheels and tires to set one up, now would I? (More on that soon.) It's just that a really big diameter wheel isn't going to work for a whole lot of the cycling populace. B+? That's a much, much better fit for more people. So, I think what we are witnessing makes a lot of sense.

The "Muktruk" 29+ set up I had

One thing about that diameter that didn't work for me was how it jacked up my Titanium Mukluk's bottom bracket height. The bike was designed around 3.8"-4.0" tires, which have a smaller diameter by almost two inches than a 29+ tire/wheel has. When I stuck these wheels on my bike, I found that bottom bracket was uncomfortably high, as in almost too high for me to mount the bike reasonably well high. That and the way those wheels rolled with the Mukluk just didn't sit well with me, so I sold off the wheels and tires to fund a nice acoustic guitar for Mrs. Guitar Ted. But, I wasn't done with 29+ wheels. Nope! I've been working slowly on something all year, and I hope to get this together sometime soon. It will be 29+, but on a frame that was designed for such a big diameter wheel. Then we'll see just how it really works for me where I live.

My motivation has always been that Borealis Echo I tried with the 29+ wheels on it, so I think it would make a fine wheel platform for mountain biking/off roading. I just have to get the right geometry matched up with those big wagon wheels, then we'll see how it all goes. I also want versatility, and I am not building a dedicated, 29+ only bike up. I just don't see myself needing that. Not all the time, anyway.

A quick Trans Iowa V12 Announcement:

I just wanted to give the Grinnell Steakhouse a quick shout out for agreeing to be the host site for T.I.v12's Pre-Race Meat-Up. We've had six years of meetings there ever since Trans Iowa v6, and the Grinnell Steakhouse has always been stellar partners with Trans Iowa. Their hospitality, their easy going nature, and great food have been so appreciated by myself and others over the years. It's become "Checkpoint Zero", the defacto "Trans Iowa Family Reunion", and just a great place to have the pre-event meeting over the years. Little known factoid: Our first "Meat-Up" was held during the Steakhouse's first year of business there in Grinnell, so we've grown together over the past six years.

Okay- that's a wrap for this week. Have a great weekend, ride bikes, and be safe!

Friday News And Views

 The "Fat Fargo"

27.5+ Makes Headway:

I've been carefully watching the Eurobike and pre-Interbike mountain bike introductions, and one thing is becoming very plain. The industry, (as I figured they would a long time ago), has dove head first into the 27.5+ wheel size and not so much on the 29+ wheel size.

The new introductions I've seen or heard about are from Cannondale, Fuji, Specialized, Marin, Turner, Salsa Cycles, Scott Bikes, and a couple of others that escape me right now. All offering B+ wheels for 2016. How about 29+?

Other than the Salsa Deadwood and Trek Stache for 2016? Crickets............

I know folks think I am "anti-29+", or whatever. I am certainly not that at all. However; all you have to do is count where the introductions are and see that the industry isn't going full-on for 29+. The introductions are not there. The numbers, so far, do not lie. It appears that, while 29+ isn't going to die, it isn't where the industry is putting its eggs. This, from my viewpoint, is why I am saying 29+ won't be the big deal some folks seem to think it will be. That's all.

If I was so against it, I wouldn't have bought a set of wheels and tires to set one up, now would I? (More on that soon.) It's just that a really big diameter wheel isn't going to work for a whole lot of the cycling populace. B+? That's a much, much better fit for more people. So, I think what we are witnessing makes a lot of sense.

The "Muktruk" 29+ set up I had

One thing about that diameter that didn't work for me was how it jacked up my Titanium Mukluk's bottom bracket height. The bike was designed around 3.8"-4.0" tires, which have a smaller diameter by almost two inches than a 29+ tire/wheel has. When I stuck these wheels on my bike, I found that bottom bracket was uncomfortably high, as in almost too high for me to mount the bike reasonably well high. That and the way those wheels rolled with the Mukluk just didn't sit well with me, so I sold off the wheels and tires to fund a nice acoustic guitar for Mrs. Guitar Ted. But, I wasn't done with 29+ wheels. Nope! I've been working slowly on something all year, and I hope to get this together sometime soon. It will be 29+, but on a frame that was designed for such a big diameter wheel. Then we'll see just how it really works for me where I live.

My motivation has always been that Borealis Echo I tried with the 29+ wheels on it, so I think it would make a fine wheel platform for mountain biking/off roading. I just have to get the right geometry matched up with those big wagon wheels, then we'll see how it all goes. I also want versatility, and I am not building a dedicated, 29+ only bike up. I just don't see myself needing that. Not all the time, anyway.

A quick Trans Iowa V12 Announcement:

I just wanted to give the Grinnell Steakhouse a quick shout out for agreeing to be the host site for T.I.v12's Pre-Race Meat-Up. We've had six years of meetings there ever since Trans Iowa v6, and the Grinnell Steakhouse has always been stellar partners with Trans Iowa. Their hospitality, their easy going nature, and great food have been so appreciated by myself and others over the years. It's become "Checkpoint Zero", the defacto "Trans Iowa Family Reunion", and just a great place to have the pre-event meeting over the years. Little known factoid: Our first "Meat-Up" was held during the Steakhouse's first year of business there in Grinnell, so we've grown together over the past six years.

Okay- that's a wrap for this week. Have a great weekend, ride bikes, and be safe!

News Season: Salsa Cycles 2016 Highlights

Salsa Cycles Pony Rustler GX-1. Moar B+!

The Saddledrive dealer only event is happening right now in Utah and Salsa Cycles preempted all us blogging fools out here by spilling the beans simultaneously on their website. So, if you'd rather look for yourself, go to the 2016 Preview here.

If you are in for a dose of my unfiltered opinions, read on.

Okay, a disclaimer- I have had about two weeks to ruminate on this news, since it was shared with me early on the promise I would keep my trap shut. Well, now I don't have to do that anymore, but I put that out there to let you know that I've considered these opinions a bit over the past two weeks.

Plus Bikes: I figured Salsa would respond to the B+ thing, and the "Pony Rustler", (more on that bike and its name in a bit), fit that bill. No big surprise to me there. However; it was slightly surprising to me to see a "Fargo" in 29+, only it isn't a Fargo, it is a Deadwood.

The Deadwood 29+ drop bar bike

29+ is cool and all, but as I have written here, you are limiting the sizing that works well to bigger folk. Yes.......there is a small size for the Deadwood. But look closely and you can easily compare a Small Fargo and see where Salsa's engineers had to design around those huge wheels. Oh.....and there is an XS Fargo, but not in a Deadwood. So there is a perfect example of how 29+ isn't really good for folks sized under a typical Medium 29"er, unless the geometry compromises don't bother you.

B+/27.5+ makes more sense here in terms of the Deadwood, and I am a bit surprised to see Salsa go with 29+, although as a marketing/sales product, I bet they sell every one they make. The buzz is huge around this bike. Speaking of "how many they will make", I got the feeling there won't be a lot of these made. I wasn't told outright that this would be the case, but I wasn't dissuaded in thinking so either. Take that for what it is worth.

Now, back to the Pony Rustler and B+ wheels. See, this is the way I figured the Fargo/Deadwood thing would work. The Pony Rustler is nearly analogous to the Horsethief. Check out Salsa's description on both bikes and you will see references to both bikes being able to accept 29"er with up to 2.4" tires or B+ wheel sets with up to 3" wide rubber. You see- a Deadwood could have been the B+ analog to the Fargo, but it isn't and there ya go. To my mind, that would have allowed an XS size with limited geometry gymnastics, not to mention a good size Small with no geo craziness.

Horsethief XO-1 Carbon

Now as for that name- "Pony Rustler". Most unfortunate. I was a bit shocked when I heard it, to be honest, but as with the Horsethief, I am sure it will become "just another model name" in the future. But really........Pony Rustler? It sounds kinda illicit and dirty. But yeah.....I like the B+ suspension bike idea, and putting everything on Boost axle width standards makes sense going forward. Sure.....it will be painful at first, but we'll all get along and have stiffer wheels in the future. It's a good thing, in my opinion.

What will be interesting going forward is to see how many Horsethief bikes versus Pony Rustler bikes get sold. I'm betting the B+ wheels will end up taking over this category of bicycles once folks get on board with the fun-factor they provide. They just have tons of grip, comfort, and they will expand the possibilities for those going way off the beaten path on these full suspension rigs. It just makes a ton of sense.

So, that's Salsa's push into "plus bike" territory. One thing makes a ton of sense and the other is going to be one of those bikes that I think will be a flash in the pan. Maybe that Deadwood will end up on B+ wheels in the future. I think that makes far more sense than what they have put out there now, but that's just me maybe.......

The new Marrakesh touring bike

Touring With The Marrakesh:

It's no secret that across the aisle at Surly Bikes one of their most successful models has been the Long Haul Trucker, and its disc brake equipped sibling, the Disc Trucker. Salsa had the Vaya, but to my mind, the Vaya has been a weird bike from the get-go, and still is. It doesn't really do any one thing really well, and to my way of thinking, that is its downfall. It isn't a full-on, unashamed touring tool, and it isn't the steel framed gravel slayer it could be either, although it will do both of those tasks reasonably well.

Enter the Marrakesh, a steel framed, down and dirty touring rig with a lot of cool features. I'm an old, over-the-road touring fan and I keep an eye out for good touring rigs at reasonable prices. I've seen a lot of great touring bikes with super-spendy price tags, I've seen some cheaper models that just weren't right in one way or another. The Long Haul Trucker and Disc Truckers are cool, but- and this may be just me- I don't want a Surly logo on my touring bike. It just doesn't sit well with me, for whatever reasons. In my opinion, a touring bike should be very understated, but classy, and of course, most importantly- functional. All within a reasonable budget. This Marrakesh looks like it should fit the bill.

I'm oddly excited about this bike. I am not at Saddledrive, obviously, and I haven't laid hands on this bike, but if Salsa gets this right in terms of function, handling, and if it isn't the weight of a tank, (like Raleigh's Sojourn touring bikes), then I would be very tempted to dust off the ol' panniers and go find some where to tour to. Oh yeah......did I mention that Salsa claims you can put up to 2.0 29"er tires on this bike? Did I mention the Alternator drop outs? Oh, and if drop bars aren't your thing, they have a dedicated geometry for flat bars too. All at $1599.00. Crazy. Hopefully, they did get this right! 

Cutthroat X-9: Possibly the ultimate do-it-all gravel bike?

 Honorable Mentions And Miscellaneous Comments: 

The Cutthroat, introduced earlier, has to be one of the big highlights of Salsa's line up for 2016. Despite its carbon fiber frame and fork, I feel this could be the ultimate gravel rig for "go-fast" folks that Salsa has yet produced. Big tires? Go with the stock set up. Skinnier tires or lighter wheels and skinnier tire? Yep! With loads of mud clearance too. The Class 5 VRS system should also be stellar on rougher roads. I feel like the Cutthroat could be the single bike solution for many gravel racer enthusiasts.

Now of course, there is the Warbird, and that bike does a road drive train and likely could be the lightest bike for gravel road riding. If bigger tires aren't on the radar, (bigger than 42's), then this bike might work well, although I feel Salsa should add some bottle bosses to the fork here to aid in making the Warbird that DK200-ish length bike choice.

Then there is the rest of the line up, which isn't too surprising. Paint and suspension forks are the only big deal on the fat bike side. Fargos remain basically unchanged with paint a spec updates. So too with Vayas, El Mariachis, and Spearfish.

What may be a shock to some is the dropping of the titanium line with the exception of the Ti Vaya. I am not sure what is happening there, but I will only speculate that instead of sticking limited resources over steel, titanium, carbon, and aluminum bikes, Salsa is focusing on new wheel platforms, carbon fiber, the VRS technology, and expanding into the touring bike thing. I know some things about Salsa Cycles and one of those things is that they cannot "do it all". They aren't a big company with unlimited resources. Another thing to consider is how well the titanium bikes are selling. I don't know myself, but if they are not moving well, and carbon fiber is, then, ya know, what would you put your money in to as a company? Customers vote with their dollars and if the votes are saying titanium is not marketable, then it isn't. But again- that's purely speculation on my part there.