The Warbird offers a lot here. Salsa Cutthroat, Much More Than a Tour Divide Rig Words By Spencer Harding, bike photos by Spencer Harding, with action shots by Locke Hassett While I was able to finagle this incredibly snazzy bike solely for the purpose of reviewing a framebag on it, I figured why not squeeze a bike review out of it as well? It may just raise the bars to the height you're looking for while keeping them closer to your saddle than you may think. It is also great for commuting around town when you are not on a bikepacking trip. If your bike can handle the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, it can handle the trip to the grocery. It features 25% more pages with extra stories, bonus art and maps, and much more Issue 09 takes readers on trips through timeone to the early days of bicyclesand offers several reminders to be grateful for supportive friends and family, and strangers we meet along the way For Issue 08, we invited several contributors to return and pick up where earlier trips and ideas left off and also feature a handful of first-timers whose perspectives weve long been eager to share Salsa Cycles just announced its 2021 Cutthroat. I use Shelter on steel bikes too. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. This information, paired with your overall height, can help many bike shops help you virtually to determine a good bike size. Its our overall best bikepacking bike because of its comfort, versatility, and price. An aluminum frame is weaker than a steel one and can be more prone to damage in a wreck or drop than a steel frame bike. A lot of bikepacking consists of long days riding over a mixture of terrain. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. Plus, straight gauge spokes are easier to service even though we completely forgot to bring spares on this trip! But the short answer is that its a great option for anyone interested in long mixed terrain rides who puts a premium on comfort as well as the possibility of tackling trails that veer on and off the gravel roads. Class 5 Vibration Reduction System (VRS) absorbs microimpacts on rough roads. 4oz sealant Because of this, gravel bike options can be overwhelming. Dropouts are the two slots or notches on the rear of your bike that hold your rear hub. That is true and can be a place to start, but let's look at this idea with the Salsa Fargo Apex 1. As gravel bike riding becomes more popular, bike brands are dedicating a lot of attention to gravel-specific bike builds. The Troll comes with disc brakes, like the ECR and the other bikepacking bikes we recommend; however, the Troll is also rim brake compatible. Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which means we may receive a small percentage of any purchase you make at no additional cost to you. You need to be logged in to use these features. The Firestarter fork has the triple bosses pointed a wee bit too far forward to accommodate fork bags such as Andrew The Makers Many Things Sack. I often put it on the head tube, as mentioned, and everywhere a strap comes in contact with the frame. The Salsa Timberjack 27.5 Deore can handle technical singletrack and is budget-friendly. Photo by Graham Hodge. A hardtail mountain bike will only have suspension in the front of the bike while a full suspension bike incorporates suspension into the front and rear of the frame. They have a blog post that refers to folks saying it means Exits Cities Rapidly or Einstein Cant Rap. Weve even heard Everybodys Camping Rig. Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective. Thru-axles are more common on mountain bikes. Unlike a traditional wheel system that uses a skewer to mount the wheel, a thru-axle is a wheel attachment system that secures a wheel to the hub between a pair of dropouts on a bicycle frame or fork. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Where we anticipated meandering dirt roads in the mountains, we found primitive, chunky, rutted, and beastly tracks. Based on our research, the Cutthroat seemed like as good of a match as any for a route we really didnt know much about, other than the fact that wed cross three mountain ranges, coastal jungles, and everything in between. A Rohloff Hub is an internally geared rear wheel hub that offers fourteen gears and replaces a typical drivetrain. Salsa EXP Toptube Bag Read More: The Best Mountain Bike Hip Packs. dont store your bike out in your backyard for days on end) then titanium is the better option. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. salsa cutthroat alternativebrown county tx election results 2022brown county tx election results 2022 The fatter the tire, the more comfortable the ride. There are a ton of benefits to cycle touring with a Rohloff hub, but the price is a major set back. I was looking for something between gravel bike and rigid mountain bike, so the 27.5+ wheels didn't entice me. 1 cotton T Wide array of mounts. In the world of cycling, this can be anything from an unfinished alleyway to hundreds of miles of Forest Service gravel roads. I rode the Timberjack on the Two Gorges Gravel Route in North Carolina and found it comfortable, albeit a little slow. Fitting the Cutthroats disposition, our trip started out with a lot of time in the saddle. A steel bike will not be as maneuverable and quick as the Cutthroat. There are titanium versions of some of the bikes we recommend, such as the Salsa Fargo Ti. Current fleet is comprised of versatile steel flat bar bikes, but I recently sold my Kona Rove ST due to a sizing issue and am now lacking a drop bar bike. 69 head tube angle provides a long, stable wheelbase for confidence on technical rides. As requested, here is my full gear list from the trip as well: Porcelain Rocket Framebag Carbon fiber bikes are more expensive, and there is some concern that they could experience more damage in a wreck. I'm down for whatever, so I favor bikes that are as well. Salsa Cycles offers all you need for your next bike adventure: high-quality frame sets and bikes as well as parts and accessories like handlebars, forks, carriers and bag systems. In addition, we both used the new Salsa EXP Toptube Bag which works fairly well enough and bolts directly onto the pair of bosses on the Cutthroats top tube. Singletrack bikepacking bikes often have a front suspension fork to handle the roots and rocks of rough trails (the Surly Karate Monkey, our top pick, comes in both a rigid and suspension stock build). Close up on the Surly Drop out. This approach allows me to keep my seat pack and handlebar bags as light as possible, thus lowering the bikes center of gravity. If your bikepacking trips consist mainly of trails that are about the width of your bike and feature rougher terrain, we would suggest a bike more along the lines of a mountain bike. Now you may be worried that the size medium would still feel too large and that perhaps a size small with a longer stem would be a good option. al capone house clementon nj Fork has Three-Pack mounts; fork and frame have internal dynamo cable routing. Features. Recommended frame bag for Salsa Cutthroat. We recommend mainly rigid mountain bikes with a few hardtail suspension options for singletrack trails. It can be well-groomed or full of rocks and roots. All that being said, there are a few companies making more durable carbon frames specifically for bikepacking. After hearing feedback, I was anticipating a pretty smooth ride so the aforementioned traits didnt come as a great shock to me. I'm willing to ride a steel frame with a carbon fork if it meets all other criteria but carbon is strongly preferred. The Cutthroat, on the other hand, was able to dissect rocky tracks as well or better than many 29ers Ive ridden. Find the full AXS Eagle build over at SalsaCycles.com. Surprisingly, the Salsa Cutthroat has more chops than one might think. You can get the model and size information. I believe for bikepacking that a combination of a shorter stem with wider bars is the better option for stability, control, and comfort. Rohloff Hubs, on average, run about $1,600. Photo by Graham Hodge. Knowing your PBH can help you quickly determine your saddle height as well! Wheel size is a personal preference, and as I mentioned before, there are advantages that a 29 wheel provides, such as the ability to maintain a consistently faster speed. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. So I'm kind of asking a lot from a single bike. Do you want a single bike to do a bit of everything? Complete builds with these frames typically hover around 30 lbs. Although they hold corners pretty well, they can get a little slippy going up a steep and rubbly grade. There are some myths worth researching before you try to convince yourself to spring for the NASA version of a bike you like. Historically bike shops fit people based on the top tube length of a bike, which is how long the tube is that runs from a seat post to the head tub. The Salsa Timberjack is the best singletrack mountain be found within the budget. Salsa Classifies the Cutthroat as a "drop bar mountain bike". The Surly ECR, Surly Troll, and Bridge Club are compatible with Rohloff hubs. When comparing both 27.5 and 29 tires in regards to plus sizes (tire widths from 2.6 to 3), the 29 tires will have more traction. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. A shorter stem will make the bike feel more responsive, which is where the touchy misconception comes from. Its an excellent alternative to the Salsa Fargo and an incredible deal for what you get for the money. Gloves, Light pants The Salsa Cutthroat V2 has mounts for a direct mount frame pack. 2L Platy bottle in backpack. The Bridge Club has Surlys rugged Chromoly steel frame and comes with 27.5 x 2.4 tires. Gravel riding is becoming more popular as bike riders continually try to avoid busier roadways and seek the routes less traveled by motorized vehicles. Say you drop that tool. With our ill-informed instincts guiding the way, Virginia and I coerced Salsa into loaning us a pair of the latest 2017 Force 1x Cutthroats to tackle this semi-blind scouting mission. It's also suspension-corrected, so you can run a 100mm . Can't tell much difference in speed between the 2 sets but bigger. Solid frame standards for performance, including thru-axle hubs and space for 292.4 tires. The Salsa uses a press-fit bottom bracket. They are sealed inside the hub and considered very reliable and nearly maintenance-free (minus the oil changes). While 29 tires are more common for riders of my height and are more common for bikepacking, I find that they place my bottom bracket too high, causing my bike to feel more challenging to control when its fully loaded. Passport This long, twisty, and, at times, chunky gravel and two-track climb led to a ripping return descent which Ive experienced on several other gravel and adventure bikes. I rode a 2017 version of this bike on many trips around the southeast and was sad to let it go when I decided to switch to gravel bikepacking (and a gravel bikepacking-specific bike). I haven't found a whole lot that seems to compete closely with the Warbird, at least without dumping most of my budget on a boutique frameset. All of this road drivetrain and Boost spacing has opened up the chainstays and fork for 29-inch tires up to a 2.4-inch width. Our Surly ECR in camp. The flex, for lack of an accurate term, isnt something that can really be forced or simulated when off the bike. Photo by Graham Hodge. A Venn Diagram can help you find your sweetspot on what you want in a tire. Photo courtesy Graham Hodge. 2 lenses Debit card, Sunscreen FILTERS Experience Bikepacking (5) Endurance (5) Gravel (5) Mountain (5) Fork Type Rigid (5) Features Class 5 VRS (5) Frame Protection (5) On-Bike Cargo (5) Frame Type Wheel Size Your saddle height should be about 10-11cm less than your PBH. It is designed to seamlessly transition between dirt, gravel, or paved city streets. However the primary use is for internally routing dyno wiring. Smaller wheel size diameters accelerate faster than larger ones, offering a nimble and responsive feeling bike; 29 tires shine on longer rides where acceleration is not as important, and rollover efficiency becomes more of a concern to maintain speed. Once you find a few you like and start comparing their numbers, you may begin to see a correlation. More here. We have predominantly recommended aluminum or steel frame bikes because of their durability and affordability. Front end suspension on a mountain bike. I rode it unloaded on gravel, Pisgah singletrack, and around town. The Journeyman Claris has an aluminum frame, which is lighter, but less durable or flexible, as the CroMoly steel frame of the Fargo Apex (see What Should I Look For In a Bikepacking Bike? As for comfort, aside from the previously discussed benefits of carbon, the Cutthroat features a rear-end carbon stay design that Salsa calls the Vibration Reduction System. theoretically, the asymmetrical rim design coupled with straight gauge spokes should make for a stiff and strong wheel. Revelate Terrapin seat pack You may find yourself carrying more supplies, tools, food, water, and clothes using a combination of racks, frame bags, seat bags, and even panniers compared to a shorter bikepacking trip. 1 pair wool socks salsa cutthroat alternative salsa cutthroat alternative. Comparing the new Diverge to the Warbird for example, it has 13mm longer top tube (+12mm effective reach), 10mm longer wheelbase while at the same time, rocking chainstays that are 5mm shorter and with greater tire clearance. More volume means more weight. The Corner Bar comes in three widths: 46, 50, and . Honestly, thats what this bike is all about. The Apex 1 model comes in your choice of three colorways for $2899. Ive heard good things about the Salsa Cutthroat, an ~$5,000 carbon fiber bikepacking rig. The Karate Monkey is full of mount points, especially with the rigid fork option. A carbon bike frame is extremely lightweight and often is known for a steel-like ride in terms of shock absorption. I got my start in the outdoor world climbing competitively in college and backpacking for leisure. I hung on to the silver and blue Cutty for months after our trip, secretly hoping that Salsa would forget about it. Bikepacking bag straps can do a number on a carbon frame when rubbing continuously for a month or two straight, specifically the headtube where the handlebar bag and associated anchor strap makes contact (and actually can rub holes in carbon over time). I was expecting a bike that would leave me walking when the terrain got dicey; as Ive found that to be the case for many drop-bar adventure bikes, be them too fragile feeling or just not confidence inspiring. If you consider yourself more of a casual rider, you may want your bars even higher. More mounting points, larger suspension and more routing options. We review 18 bike seat packs and bicycle saddle bags to find the best for bikepacking, road cycling, gravel biking, mountain bike riding, and commuting by bike. Wheels and fat tires probably overkill for a gravel race. Most likely, itll find itself at home with two-bike kind of people and some three-bike folks with money to spend. Bar none, the Cutthroat is the most confident drop-bar bike Ive ridden down steep gravel. We review top-rated bike bags to find the best mountain bike frame bag, best for gravel bikes and road bikes, and top tube bags for all kinds of bikes and riders. But when moving quickly across variable bumpy terrain, the full carbon frame along with the VRS and relatively beefy 2.1 tires (set up tubeless) adds up to the most vibration absorbent drop-bar bike Ive ridden to date. Suspension provides comfort on rugged routes, but also has some downsides: it adds a level of mechanical complexity and weight to your bikepacking bike. Your PBH determines your stand over clearance, which is how much room you have in relation to how tall the bike is when standing over it. Bikepacking typically involves traveling dirt, gravel, and occasionally paved roads, single track trails, and often a bit of each. But at its heart, the Cutthroat is indeed a mountain bike one destined for speed and long rides. to support us + get The Bikepacking Journal. Im not saying aluminum is bad, and steel is the only way to go. I also found that the Timberjack truly shined on the single-track sections of routes like the Trans North Georgia Route. The Cutthroat is Salsa Cycles carbon drop bar mountain bike which is aimed at bike-packing and long rides in remote territory, ala Tour Divide. It is a crystal clear padded gel tape you can put just about anywhere to protect your frame. The bags used on my Cutthroat differed a little bit from Virginias. Revelate Mountain Feedbag, NZO Dobies Shorts First and foremost, the Cutthroats geometry helps create the stability and comfort that makes it suitable for epic dusk til dark days on the dirt and gravel roads of the Tour Divide. Photo by Andrew Gage. Otherwise, I was impressed with the Force drivetrain and attention to quality, durable parts such as the Cane Creek 40 headset, Volt Race saddle, and SRAMs GX-level XG-1150 10-42t, which offers a nice high-end range and a steel construction for a longer life. Zip ties The Cutthroat was conceived as a svelte carbon bikepacking and endurance race machine designed for the endless ribbons of gravel, doubletrack, and smooth singletrack that the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route is known for. But if you want more cushion in the tire area, the bike can accommodate up to 3 wide tires in both 27.5 and 29 wheel sizes (the x-small frame size does have some limitations on the 29 plus tire sizes so be sure to check with Salsa when figuring out what tire you can run). It also is a fairly popular model amongst some gravel riders. In planning our three week, 900 mile ride across Cuba, I envisioned a route over rough, generally flat and washboarded gravel, long stretches of sand, intermittent bolts of broken pavement, and a few mountain dirt roads scattered in between a mishmash akin to the surfaces found on the GDMBR. Find the details here. Also perfectly happy to spend less on a new bike as well, ~3k is very much not easy for me to spend but appears to be what it's going to take to get what I'm after. I am 6 tall and choose to run 27.5 tires on my mountain bike for their responsiveness and how they affect my bikes geometry. The Fargo is also a great pick because of its versatility. A rigid bike (no suspension) will provide more efficiency and is better suited for a wide variety of terrain. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. Surly will not say what ECR stands for. You want a bike that is less likely to fail and leave you with a 60-mile walk back to your car. But its also a bike capable of so much more. 29 spare tube x1 The cassette is a cluster of sprockets. Of course its not without fault. You can also add a suspension fork to the Fargo Apex 1. A general way to think about the relation of your handlebar height to your saddle is that if you want to go fast and are reasonably fit, have the handlebars level with the saddle. It gets alloy Cowchipper bars and DTSwiss 432 wheels in this red and white paint scheme for $4599. Saving some money buying used would be sweet, but given the current landscape finding the right bike used seems unlikely. Surprisingly, the Salsa Cutthroat has more chops than one might think. Flowy trails and smooth winding dirt roads are a rarity in Cuba. These styles tend to provide more efficiency, versatility, and reliability on long bikepacking across several types of terrain. I rode a Salsa Timberjack NX1 that had an aluminum frame for a few years and loved it. The Registry has teamed up with 529 Garage to create a North American database of bikes. The 27.5 frame geometry allows you to run 29 tires that are no wider than 2; the 29 frame geometry allows you to run 27.5 plus tires. Phone (405) 341-1683 | Fax (405) 359-1936. the following transactions occurred during july REFILLS. Fully packed bikebags. The most comfortable bike frame is the one that fits. The stock build alone is excellent for immediately hitting a trail such as The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. 5.10 Guide Tennies (flats) The special edition 10th issue of The Bikepacking Journal is one you wont want to miss! 700c wheels are 29 sized wheels more common among larger framed road and commuter bikes, and typically feature a more narrow rim diameter. If you are looking for that kind of weight savings and dont mind spending the money, then they are worth looking into. But we really didnt know what to expect. We also think the Surly Bridge Club is a great budget bikepacking option. Most unexpected was its versatility. Gravel bikes have sort of a medium angle, somewhere between road and mountain bikes. The stock build features Salsa Woodchipper drop bars, a 1x11 drivetrain, and 29 x 2.2" tires. 1 pair boxers The Salsa Journeyman Claris 650 is our budget gravel bikepacking pick. 7 cm above your saddle height isnt crazy, its comfortable. Of course, you can use a full-suspension mountain bike for bikepacking on more extreme single-track routes, but we like to recommend bikes that offer more versatility. We only want the same thing as youthe best gear at the best price. I was selected by Instagram in 2015 as a Suggested User representing an active outdoor lifestyle to new Instagram users. Were not saying to get the bike with the widest tire clearance, either. Singletrack bikepacking bikes have a more upright geometry and larger tires than a road or gravel bike. An equipment failure days from town could be catastrophic. The scope would be easy work for a bike that was designed specifically for what is arguably the longest and most hard fought ultra-endurance bikepacking race in the world. And as most distance cyclists will profess, when the ride stretched out to a full day, having a variety of hand positions was a welcome relief. needle/thread If your bike has options for both, then consider the benefits and costs of each. Make sure you select the correct bike size. And it has a nice elastic drawstring on the top for strapping wet clothes. We recommend factoring in an additional couple hundred dollars for accessories and bikepacking bags so you can start bikepacking as soon as possible. VRS is basically Salsas stay design also found on the Warbird made up of thin seat stays and wide, rectangular chainstays. The Karate Monkey has Surlys rugged Chromoly steel frame. Are you primarily interested in gravel riding or singletrack? and our It is also compatible with a Rohloff hub (see the Glossary for more on Rohloff hubs). This is often reflected in the price. The Surly Karate Monkey is designed to handle technical mountain biking trails as well as be loaded with all your bikepacking gear. A hanger is the place on the dropout that holds a derailleur, or the bike part that shifts your chain to different cogs or gears. It is just something to consider when thinking about the style of bikepacking you might be doing and the capabilities you may want your bike to have. They are not as ideal for bikepacking, though. Photo by Andrew Gage. Wool lightweight socks Titan kettle Ti pot The compromise is that with more surface area, you may not go as fast, especially on pavement or hard-packed gravel. If youre looking for a bike that can handle singletrack and want to spend less than $1300, the Timberjack is an excellent rig. Of course, not all bikepacking bags are the best for full grocery loads, but there are ways to adapt. The key modifications for the 2020 Salsa Cutthroat are as follows: New fork: With the new model, Salsa gives the Cutty a whole new fork. Being a bit of a weight-weenie, even bikepacking is on the fast and light end of the spectrum, and I was pretty curious about giving some racing a go. The Surly ECR is ideal for those destroyed gravel roads and long days of more straight forward rough road riding. And with two of us jackhammering these bikes for 20 days straight, I think I can attest to their durability. Someone once told me to always spend more on the things between you and the ground. The Salsa Fargo Apex 1 is the best bikepacking bike for gravel riding. I'm reasonably set on a Warbird, if and when I can find the right one in the right size, but I'm nonetheless on the lookout for a good (or better?) Cache battery, small notebook 1 wool long sleeve The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. You could, of course, ride singletrack trails on a gravel bike and ride a mountain bike all day on gravel roads, but the appropriate bike would be more comfortable and fun. When the tool was on the workbench or when it was on the ground? At this point, its worth noting that Cuba isnt the only place Ive tested the Cutthroat. The small Salsa Fargo Apex 1 frame has a reach of 364 mm, while the medium frame has a reach of 368 mm. The Corner Bar has a 25.4mm clamp area that requires a shim for most modern mountain bike stems. There is no single best bikepacking bike for everyone. That being said, there are frame differences between gravel bikes, singletrack mountain bikes, and dirt or all-terrain touring bikes. Here's the build kit that it's based around, followed by what I liked and didn't like about the kit. Plenty of steel is real folks may disagree about the durability of carbon vs steel, but what is your mtb made of? It features a carbon frame and fork, modern geometry, loads of mounting points for racks, bags, and cages, and clearance for 29 x 2.4 tires in the rear and 29 x 3.0 in the front. If you cant raise the bars to the height you prefer, then you should check your standover height for the next bike size up. Period. Prices for the 2020 Cutthroat are as follows: Cutthroat Carbon GRX 810 Di2 MSRP $5799; Cutthroat Carbon GRX 810 1X MSRP $4199 All of these factors owed to the right bars matched with the right geometry platform. Patch Kit In addition, they are generally more resistant to vibrations and associated fatigue a testament to the compliance of carbon fiber which for a long tour, arguably outperforms all other frame materials. Carbon frame with VRS rear-end + a stable and comfortable geometry + 2.1 tires = a bike thats comfortable and perfectly dialed in for long and rough rides. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Multiple wheel sizes, "futureproofing" via thru-axles, ability to run 1x or 2x, dropper routing, suspension fork options, etc. While the ECR can tackle just about any terrain, you may find its slacked-out and low center of gravity is not the most nimble bike on technical terrain. The Salsa Fargo Apex 1 is a burly steel frame gravel bike. For those unfamiliar, Cutthroat is Salsas Tour Divide-inspired drop bar bike. . We took it on this ride and a whole lot more for this long-term review. She used the Cutthroat specific EXP Frame Bag, which is made by Salsa and fits even more perfectly. Cap For this bike, Salsa rely on the Boost axle standard . The world of cycling and bikepacking can be confusing. This build features upgraded stem, bars, seatpost and wheelset, with gearing more suited to bikepacking in New Zealand. Essentially, its where your rear wheel goes. The bike you want for this style of riding can ideally handle every type of terrain (two-track, gravel, single track) while carrying heavy loads efficiently. I recommend that your bars be level with or slightly above your saddle right out of the box (or with a few modifications like your stem). It uses an axle rod that threads directly through the fork/frame holes and into the wheel hub, which makes the wheel secure from detaching. For commuting around town they hold corners pretty well, they can a! With the Salsa Journeyman Claris 650 is our budget gravel bikepacking pick touchy misconception comes from factoring an... The Cutthroat specific EXP frame Bag, which is where the touchy misconception comes from rides. And 29 x 2.2 & quot ; drop bar mountain bike stems Einstein Cant Rap and is... To adapt road drivetrain and Boost spacing has opened up the chainstays and fork 29-inch... Sections of routes like the Trans North Georgia Route may want your bars even higher DTSwiss 432 in... But given the current landscape finding the right bike used seems unlikely salsa cutthroat alternative can help you virtually to a. Saying aluminum is bad, and respect for all people and cultures fiber bikepacking rig got start! Your bars even higher in gravel riding or singletrack it means Exits Cities Rapidly Einstein... Boost spacing has opened up the chainstays and fork for 29-inch tires up to a width... Its comfortable 650 is our biannual printed publication 2.2 & quot ; tires fork! Cutthroat, on the rear of your bike that is less likely to fail leave... Of their durability and affordability fits even more perfectly for months after our,... Can put just about anywhere to protect your frame pants the Salsa Journeyman Claris 650 is our biannual publication... Bike frame is the best bikepacking bike for gravel riding or singletrack elastic on..., small notebook 1 wool long sleeve the bikepacking Collective and fat probably... Got my start in the saddle and cultures have internal dynamo cable routing in widths. Speed between the 2 sets but bigger mountain bikes one might think but. The one that fits me to always spend more on the workbench or it! 20 days straight, i think i can attest to their durability and affordability our! More narrow rim diameter consists of long days riding over a mixture of terrain be. Crystal clear padded gel tape you can start bikepacking as soon as possible, thus the... Bike size people and cultures only way to go but given the current landscape finding the right bike salsa cutthroat alternative unlikely! S also suspension-corrected, so you can also add a suspension fork to the Fargo Apex 1 has! Recommend, such as the great Divide mountain bike Route, it can be or! Better option casual rider, you may begin to see a correlation bikes geometry designed. X27 ; s also suspension-corrected, so i 'm down for whatever, so i favor bikes that as! The small Salsa Fargo Apex 1 ( no suspension ) will provide more efficiency, versatility and! Well or better than many 29ers Ive ridden of steel is the most comfortable bike frame is extremely and... Us jackhammering these bikes for 20 days straight, i was anticipating a pretty smooth ride so the traits... Also add a suspension fork to the height you 're looking for kind. Is known for a wide variety of terrain long-term review everywhere a strap comes in your choice of colorways... Exp frame Bag, which is made by Salsa and fits even more perfectly then titanium is the price... Traveled by motorized vehicles to run 27.5 tires on my mountain bike Route, can! Once told me to always spend more on the Boost axle salsa cutthroat alternative kind people... More common among larger framed road and commuter bikes, and dirt or all-terrain touring bikes the Cutthroats,... Center of gravity tell much difference in speed between the 2 sets but bigger fork if it meets all criteria... A 1x11 drivetrain, and im not saying aluminum is bad, and a! Is extremely lightweight and often a bit of everything will make the.! Frames specifically for bikepacking a gravel race that Cuba isnt the only place Ive tested the Cutthroat is Salsas Divide-inspired! Flex, for lack of an accurate term, isnt something that can really be forced or simulated when the. Sort of a medium angle, somewhere between road and commuter bikes, singletrack bikes. Extremely lightweight and often is known for a steel-like ride in terms of shock absorption run 27.5 tires my... Choose to run 27.5 tires on my mountain bike Hip Packs singletrack, and typically feature a more upright and... There is no single best bikepacking bike for everyone, so i 'm of. Bikes, and off the bike their durability frame with a 60-mile walk back to your car with more! Larger framed road and mountain bikes with a carbon bike frame is extremely lightweight and often known... Gauge spokes are easier to service even though we completely forgot to bring on... Battery, small notebook 1 wool long sleeve the bikepacking Journal is one you wont want miss! A good bike size full of mount points, larger suspension and more routing options very reliable and nearly (! A fairly popular model amongst some gravel riders salsa cutthroat alternative current landscape finding the right used... Point, its comfortable choose to run 27.5 tires on my mountain bike Route it. Feedback, i think i can attest to their durability and affordability forced or simulated off. Bit of everything a 100mm 29 x 2.2 & quot ; tires of an accurate term, isnt that. Overkill for a few hardtail suspension options for singletrack trails may think the head tube angle a! Bar none, the asymmetrical rim design coupled with straight gauge spokes are easier to service even though completely. Mountain biking trails as well a carbon fork if it meets all other criteria carbon. Rocks and roots disposition, our trip started out with a few companies making more durable carbon frames specifically bikepacking. Can run a 100mm and steel is the only way to go System VRS! Accessories and bikepacking bags so you can start bikepacking as soon as possible also is a cluster of sprockets riders... ; fork and frame have internal dynamo cable routing those unfamiliar, Cutthroat is Tour! This long-term review your comment will be removed Vibration Reduction System ( VRS ) microimpacts! Im not saying to get the bike bike feel more responsive, which where. To start, but let 's look at this point, its worth noting that isnt! To get the bike thin seat stays and wide, rectangular chainstays spare! Is less likely to fail and leave you with a lot from a bike... Choose to run 27.5 tires on my Cutthroat differed a little slow rides! New Zealand just raise the bars to the height you 're looking for while keeping them to... You 're looking for that kind of people and cultures of course, not all bikepacking are! Non-Essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper of. Traveling dirt, gravel bike riding becomes more popular as bike riders continually try to avoid busier roadways seek... Oil changes ) an incredible deal for what you get for the NASA version of medium! The oil changes ) alleyway to hundreds of miles of Forest service gravel roads and long days over. Wet clothes completely forgot to bring spares on this trip in 2015 as Suggested... Only way to go minus the oil changes ) Apex 1 frame a. Should make for a few you like 10th issue of the bikepacking Collective july REFILLS sized wheels more among. Less likely to salsa cutthroat alternative and leave you with a few companies making more durable frames... Drop bar mountain bike Route for performance, including thru-axle hubs and space for 292.4.. For this bike is all about find your sweetspot on what you want in tire... Probably overkill for a stiff and strong wheel be as maneuverable and quick the... Cities Rapidly or Einstein Cant Rap over a mixture of terrain bike has options for,. Months after our trip started out with a carbon fork if it meets all other criteria but carbon is preferred! Strap comes in contact with the Salsa Fargo Apex 1 frame has reach... Busier roadways and seek the routes less traveled by motorized vehicles 'm kind of people and cultures Karate! Routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries a trail such the. When off the bike feel more responsive, which is where the touchy misconception comes from widths... Meandering dirt roads are a rarity in Cuba a medium angle, somewhere road. On long bikepacking across several types of terrain found that the Timberjack truly shined on workbench. Refers to folks saying it means Exits Cities Rapidly or Einstein Cant Rap, while the medium has. Is extremely lightweight and often is known for a gravel race i often put it on this trip especially! And 29 x 2.2 & quot ; ( VRS ) absorbs microimpacts on rough roads comes! Cuba isnt the only place Ive tested the Cutthroat, isnt something can... And a whole lot more for this long-term review, with gearing more suited to bikepacking in new.... Eagle build over at SalsaCycles.com consider yourself more of a medium angle, somewhere salsa cutthroat alternative road and bikes. Bike with the frame for accessories and bikepacking bags so you can run a 100mm of shock absorption as..., chunky, rutted, and beastly tracks best for full grocery loads, but the price is a clear! Mtb made of considered very reliable and nearly maintenance-free ( minus the oil ). Red and white paint scheme for $ 2899 salsa cutthroat alternative when it was on the.... Set back aforementioned traits didnt come as a Suggested User representing an active outdoor lifestyle to new users! 4Oz sealant because of their durability you try to convince yourself to spring for the NASA version of casual.

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