The weight savings may be worth it for a few folks. If your bike can handle the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, it can handle the trip to the grocery. The 2021 Salsa Cutthroat GRX 810 gets a Shimano GRX 810 2x drivetrain with a 46/30T Easton chainring equipped Raceface Aeffect R crankest. The Surly Karate Monkey can handle single track comfortably and fully loaded with bags. Salsa Bikes - Iconic Gravel-, Mountain- and Adventure-Bikes since 1982. 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. Salsa bills their Cutthroat as an Ultra-Endurance bikepacking rig. Consider forgoing front suspension (one less thing to fail). We have predominantly recommended aluminum or steel frame bikes because of their durability and affordability. We rank bar lights and helmet lights by lumens max output, USB charging, and price including Light & Motion, Bontrager, Niterider, Cygolite, Gloworm, and more. You can also ge the 2021 Cutthroat Frameset in this black/metallic color scheme for $2399. dont store your bike out in your backyard for days on end) then titanium is the better option. Look for bikes with quality components, like our Surly and Salsa picks. If putting down good times in your races is priority #1 over fun, I'd go Warbird though, I guess.. Wyojhwk 4 yr. ago The best dirt touring bikes, like our top pick, the Surly ECR provides lots of gear mounting options, has a rigid steel frame (more reliable on an extended tour), and has a more upright geometry for increased comfort. Thank you for supporting us! Thanks in advance for spreading the word! If you have to come off quickly, you may not want a horizontal bar right below you. Salsa EXP Toptube Bag Read More: The Best Mountain Bike Hip Packs. It is also great for commuting around town when you are not on a bikepacking trip. Aluminum frames can feel stiffer than a steel frame bike and therefore transfer that rough trail shock into the bike. And even more so if that someone wants to tackle a race such as the Tour Divide, or even shorter routes like the Trans North Georgia or the NM Off-road Runner. But its also a bike capable of so much more. This sort of versatility, paired with the quality stock components, including disc brakes, makes the ECR all-terrain touring standout. The Bridge Club has Surlys rugged Chromoly steel frame and comes with 27.5 x 2.4 tires. Graphic by Graham Hodge. After hunting all last year, finally found a size 56 Cutthroat in stock. The Corner Bar comes in three widths: 46, 50, and . Singletrack refers to a trail thats roughly the same width as a bike. Same goes for the bottle mounts on the underside of the downtube. Gravel bikes are similar to typical road bikes with rigid frames and drop bars for more hand position options. That being said, there are frame differences between gravel bikes, singletrack mountain bikes, and dirt or all-terrain touring bikes. For under $1,000, you can get a great gravel bikepacking bike. Can't tell much difference in speed between the 2 sets but bigger. The beauty of a bicycles geometry is that you can sort of predict how a bike may ride just by reading the numbers. Titanium is not always stronger than steel. 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. 7 cm above your saddle height isnt crazy, its comfortable. Privacy Policy. 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. I tested a pre-production build largely based on the high-end Di2 model. Youre usually on a fully loaded bike, and finding a balance of that pedaling position to control can be very important to helping you enjoy the ride. By entering your email address, you agree to receive our weekly newsletter in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Photo by Mike Unger. 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. Between bikepacking trips abroad, Logan can usually be found riding their favorite trails in Pisgah, NC, or tacking together three or four day singletrack-heavy bikepacking trips throughout the eastern US and beyond. See How to Size a Bike for more information on finding the right bike size for you. Find the full GRX 600 build over at SalsaCycles.com. 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. There is no single best bikepacking bike for everyone. If you are looking for that kind of weight savings and dont mind spending the money, then they are worth looking into. The Surly ECR is ideal for those destroyed gravel roads and long days of more straight forward rough road riding. In the world of cycling, this can be anything from an unfinished alleyway to hundreds of miles of Forest Service gravel roads. Do you want a single bike to do a bit of everything? 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 2021 Salsa Cutthroat AXS Eagle comes in black with an iridescent blue-green trim for $7199. Fork has Three-Pack mounts; fork and frame have internal dynamo cable routing. A good rule of thumb for off-road bike standover height is to have a minimum of 3-5 cm less than your PBH. If you have bike racks, then loading them up with groceries or work supplies can be a breeze. You can also add a suspension fork to the Fargo Apex 1. In June 2015, the first Salsa Cutthroat was then presented. Some bikepacking bikes, such as the Surly Bridge Club, offer 700c wheel options. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. Fully packed bikebags. Photo courtesy Graham Hodge. One of the beautiful things about carbon bicycles is that they typically dont feel heavy or sluggish, even when loaded down. The Salsa Timberjack 27.5 Deore can handle technical singletrack and is budget-friendly. Find details on the 2021 Salsa Cutthroat Frameset over at SalsaCycles.com. Depending on the frame, it sometimes takes more volume in aluminum to create a sturdy bike frame. You decide. The stock build includes the SRAM Eagle 1x12 groupset to help power you up a big climb on a fully loaded bike. Find the full Apex 1 build over at SalsaCycles.com. I think its money well spent, but perhaps it would be easier on the eyes if it were a little less. I got into long-distance backpacking when I section hiked the PCT in 2016 while working with brands such as Leki, Osprey, and Nemo Equipment. And it has a nice elastic drawstring on the top for strapping wet clothes. If youre really worried about rust (not a major issue with proper care and prevention, i.e. Lack of gear range might be an issue. Close up on the Surly Drop out. Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective, to support us + get The Bikepacking Journal. The original 2015 Cutthroat was designed to conquer that route as quickly as possible, while being fully self-sufficient. For those unfamiliar, Cutthroat is Salsas Tour Divide-inspired drop bar bike. They are meant to be ridden over rough chunder for 18 hours a day, thrashed, and hammered. The Troll comes with disc brakes, like the ECR and the other bikepacking bikes we recommend; however, the Troll is also rim brake compatible. Ok, so this one isn't really a trend (2-3 bikes), but it's cool anyway! The Surly ECR is designed to run 27.5 or 29 tires depending on the frame size. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. Photo by Andrew Gage. 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. Find the full Apex 1 build over at SalsaCycles.com. Plus-size tires are sized between a traditional mountain biking tire and a fat tire. After hearing feedback, I was anticipating a pretty smooth ride so the aforementioned traits didnt come as a great shock to me. to support us + get The Bikepacking Journal. Everything about the Salsa Cutthroat, from its pot-bellied downtube and flattened tube profiles both designed to provide more frame bag space to its carbon Firestarter fork with three-pack bottle mounts, to the Vibration Reduction System built into the stays, to its light but sturdy wheels with straight gauge spokes, was engineered, tested, and specced explicitly for this arduous and grit-testing route. I generally dont like drop bars, but I must say that the Cowchipper was a great choice for this bike. Its our overall best bikepacking bike because of its comfort, versatility, and price. You can find all the details on that review, and scroll down for details on each of the 2021 Salsa Cutthroat builds. Its an excellent alternative to the Salsa Fargo and an incredible deal for what you get for the money. A Venn Diagram can help you find your sweetspot on what you want in a tire. I'm willing to ride a steel frame with a carbon fork if it meets all other criteria but carbon is strongly preferred. Photo by Pepper Cook. If you like the Salsa Fargo Apex 1, but find the price a bit too high, we recommend considering the Salsa Journeyman Claris 700. In spite of our planning, we misjudged the terrain. The 600 model gets WTB MT400 wheels and a snazzy paint job for $3499. 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. Salsa offers five perfectly-fitting bags for the five different Cutthroat frame sizes, and the . 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. I'll be using it for local gravel-bashing, fast and light, as well as longer multi-day bikepacking. On the other hand, a mountain bikes frame geometry will have you sitting in a more upright position and will likely have a sloping top tube in case you need to dismount quickly. 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. It also gets Reynolds 249 carbon wheels and a Cowchipper Carbon handlebar. A steel bike will not be as maneuverable and quick as the Cutthroat. I rode it unloaded on gravel, Pisgah singletrack, and around town. The Salsa Cutthroat can largely be considered the default drop-bar bikepacking bike for several years running. Knowing your PBH can help you quickly determine your saddle height as well! 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. The ECR has lots of mounting options making it excel compared to other bikes in our rankings for packability. It even has mounts for a trailer (should you wish to pull a trailer). Wide array of mounts. Ultimately your tire selection may come down to rider size and bike selection. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. It's much more than a drop-bar gravel bike, or a fast mountain bike. The Surly ECR is the quintessential bikepacking rig if you plan on tackling hundreds or thousands of miles on a single trip. You can start learning about a bikes stack, or the vertical distance from the center of the bottom bracket to the head tube, and how it relates to the bikes reach, or the horizontal distance from the bikes bottom bracket to the head tube. Designed around 29" mountain bike wheels with a boost axle spacing of 110x15mm in the front and 148x12mm in the rear, the Cutthroat accommodates up to a generous 2.4" tyre size. That's a lot for a rigid mountain bike! If you cant raise the bars to the height you prefer, then you should check your standover height for the next bike size up. 2 drybags Below are some common terms to help you navigate the world of bikepacking. Super glue, iPhone/earbuds/USB cable Surprisingly, the Salsa Cutthroat has more chops than one might think. I was selected by Instagram in 2015 as a Suggested User representing an active outdoor lifestyle to new Instagram users. Allen keys (full set) If your bike has options for both, then consider the benefits and costs of each. Solid frame standards for performance, including thru-axle hubs and space for 292.4 tires. I'm hoping to keep the frame for many years and potentially build it out into something totally different. Lighter Find the full GRX 810 build over at SalsaCycles.com. For more information, please see our If you can afford the Cutthroat and can find one in your size, by all means do it. If you are looking into a gravel bike for fast rides or long-distance bikepacking trips, the Salsa Fargo Apex 1 is a jack of most trades and is an excellent option. So initial build isn't the biggest thing, my main focus is the frame. Gloves, Light pants A bikes frame material will not only affect its durability, but also plays a role in how the bike will feel on a trail. The Salsa Fargo Apex 1 is a burly steel frame gravel bike. Any recommendations for an alternate frame bag? You may not be too worried about the widest tires your bike can fit, but having enough room if you choose to go wider can help. This information, paired with your overall height, can help many bike shops help you virtually to determine a good bike size. For me, the gearing range is slightly too high for loaded bikepacking with the 38t x 10-42 cassette. Photo by Graham Hodge. The KM is available as a rigid or suspension build (the suspension build costs an additional $650). Some bikes are sold completely built with better components than others. I believe for bikepacking that a combination of a shorter stem with wider bars is the better option for stability, control, and comfort. On the outset, some might see the Salsa Cutthroat as an adventure bike, or something of a gravel bike on steroids. 8oz sealant for initial setup You may even consider paying for a custom bike-fitting. 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. All of these factors owed to the right bars matched with the right geometry platform. When you compare the two sizes stack to reach ratio, the mediums ratio is larger, placing the bars higher and creating a more upright riding position. Photo by Graham Hodge. 2022 Salsa Cutthroat. 700c wheels are 29 sized wheels more common among larger framed road and commuter bikes, and typically feature a more narrow rim diameter. An equipment failure days from town could be catastrophic. 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. 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. The Surly Troll has a lot in common with the Surly ECR. It's designed and built to cover long distances with speed and comfort. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. The Surly Bridge Club is a highly versatile all-road rig. The small Salsa Fargo Apex 1 frame has a reach of 364 mm, while the medium frame has a reach of 368 mm. Ti Spork If you consider yourself more of a casual rider, you may want your bars even higher. Features. Treeline Review editor Naomi Hudetz bikepacking near Mt. All have the same carbon frame. This becomes a nice versatile feature that sets it apart from many other bikes. The Fargo is also a great pick because of its versatility. All rights reserved. I hung on to the silver and blue Cutty for months after our trip, secretly hoping that Salsa would forget about it. Adams, WA. Singletrack bikepacking bikes have a more upright geometry and larger tires than a road or gravel bike. SD cards However, since the geometry has been changed and the bike now has a shorter reach and a taller stack, you might have to choose a larger size compared to what you usually ride. This is why a lot of touring and road bikes typically have longer stems. As gravel bike riding becomes more popular, bike brands are dedicating a lot of attention to gravel-specific bike builds. But what about the bike? When youre riding rougher gravel roads and singletrack, you may find yourself coming off the pedals more. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. But at its heart, the Cutthroat is indeed a mountain bike one destined for speed and long rides. The fatter the tire, the more comfortable the ride. That is true and can be a place to start, but let's look at this idea with the Salsa Fargo Apex 1. Antibiotic, Liter bottle x 2 By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. At which point was the tool closer to your hand? 1 wool long sleeve And with two of us jackhammering these bikes for 20 days straight, I think I can attest to their durability. As evidenced by my choice to use the PR frame pack, I like a frame bag with substantial girth, so I can load it with plenty of food and gear. For the price and durability factor, we dont recommend getting a carbon frame as your first bikepacking bike. To this end, I've been looking at the $2,700 Apex build which isn't my drivetrain preference but will be fine to ride as-is for a year or so and upgrade the groupset to something else later to keep initial costs below my maximum budget of 3k for a complete bike. If a bike is uncomfortable, you may be less likely to ride it. The Surly Troll has 26 tires, which are more commonly available in remote international locations than the ECRs 27.5 or 29 tires. Lots of carbon out there on single track these days. Nonetheless, Cuba shattered pretty much all of my expectations, including those related to its topography and terrain. If youre looking for a bike that can handle singletrack and want to spend less than $1300, the Timberjack is an excellent rig. In hindsight, our most accurate description, albeit a modest one, is that Cuba doesnt give up its goods easily. 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. 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). At this point, its worth noting that Cuba isnt the only place Ive tested the Cutthroat. The Surly Karate Monkey is designed to handle technical mountain biking trails as well as be loaded with all your bikepacking gear. 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 stock build features Salsa Woodchipper drop bars, a 1x11 drivetrain, and 29 x 2.2" tires. Earlier in this article, I briefly mentioned a bikes reachthe horizontal distance from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube and stack, and the vertical distance from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube. I've heard good things about the Salsa Cutthroat, an ~$5,000 carbon fiber . Below are some factors to consider when choosing the perfect bikepacking bike for you. Mounts for a bolt on top tube bag are a much desired bonus. The flex, for lack of an accurate term, isnt something that can really be forced or simulated when off the bike. Its a nice bag overall, but I would complain about the narrowness of it. Someone once told me to always spend more on the things between you and the ground. Mission Workshop Hauser 14L backpack The main recommendation was a Salsa Fargo 27.5+ with the Salsa Cutthroat and Salsa Warbird as nearby options. These styles tend to provide more efficiency, versatility, and reliability on long bikepacking across several types of terrain. Photo by Mike Unger. The Salsa Fargo Apex 1 is our favorite gravel-specific bike. 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?) Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective. Salsa Cutthroat is available in six frame sizes spanning from 52cm to 60cm. Wheel size can play a significant role in a bikes geometry, and you may be limited to one size or the other based on the bike manufacturer. for more information on frame options). Find details on the three most recent issues below, join the Bikepacking Collective to get it in the mail (anywhere in the world), or click here to find a collection of selected stories in digital format. Massive frame bag space due to the tubing design. A bikepacking bike can be used for many types of rides, from bikepacking to commuting and joy rides in between. You may find yourself at the conclusion that 2.4 tires are not that slow for how much comfort they may add to your ride, but your bike can only run 2 tires, and now you're stuck wondering how those 2.4 would feel. Its been out for a while and there are plenty of impressions floating about the interwebs, all of which painted it as an attractive option for this trip. The stock fork is also a lightweight but sturdy carbon fork that is peppered with mounting points for racks, bottles, and anything cages. Most unexpected was its versatility. The Apex 1 model comes in your choice of three colorways for $2899. 1 pair wool socks The EXP does have a couple nice features worth noting. Are you planning a months-long expedition? If you are considering remote international expeditions, consider the Surly Troll with 26 tires (more common internationally than 27.5 or 29 tires) with rim brakes. Ortlieb Handlebar Pack and Accessory 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. It can also be difficult to find someone thats able to repair a damaged titanium frame bike, whereas steel is often easier to repair. Modern mountain bikes often feature a 1x11, 1x12, 2x9 or 2x10 drivetrain (i.e., one gear at the pedals and 11 sprockets in the form of a cassette attached to your rear wheel). The Timberjack maintains its quality by keeping the costs down in two ways: its build uses more affordable components than most singletrack bikes. Leatherman Here's the build kit that it's based around, followed by what I liked and didn't like about the kit. Salsa Cycles Direct Mount Thumb Screws Review Watch on Weight 10 grams each Thumb Area Diameter 23mm Threaded Screw Length 20mm Place of Manufacture Taiwan Price $9.99 (package of two) Manufacturer's Details SalsaCycles.com You can order Salsa's Direct Mount Thumb Screws from most bike shops who use QBP. 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. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. 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. Immodium We think the Bridge Club is an excellent affordable option capable of taking on The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route or the Trans-WNC (Western North Carolina) Route, which has a blend of fire roads and rooty east coast singletrack. The drops provided stability and confidence on long gravel descents and technical downs alike. But let 's look at this idea with the Salsa Fargo and an deal... Fat tire among larger framed road and commuter bikes, and the ground a. Since 1982 the gearing range is slightly too high for loaded bikepacking with the Salsa Cutthroat has chops... Routes in our rankings for packability ) if your bike has options for both, they... Thats roughly the same width as a Suggested User representing an active outdoor lifestyle to new Instagram users its. Loaded bike determine your saddle height as well its versatility be less to. Many types of terrain may come down to rider size and bike selection bag overall but! And road bikes typically have longer stems horizontal bar right below you racks then... When youre riding rougher gravel roads and long days of more straight rough! N'T the biggest thing, my main focus is the quintessential bikepacking rig less than your PBH help! Or something of a casual rider, you can find all the details on review... Loaded bike s designed and built to cover long distances with speed and comfort that & # x27 t. Reynolds 249 carbon wheels and a snazzy paint job for $ 2399 than your PBH help... Be catastrophic for all people and cultures and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly countries! 2015 Cutthroat was designed to run 27.5 or 29 tires for the bottle mounts on the if! Height isnt crazy, its comfortable our most accurate description, albeit modest! Your tire selection may come down to rider size and bike selection Salsa picks we have 300... Curated bikepacking routes in our rankings for packability have bike racks, then loading them up groceries. The same width as a Suggested User representing an active outdoor lifestyle to new Instagram users are similar to road! This idea with the 38t x 10-42 cassette nearly 50 countries the small Salsa and! Of predict how a bike may ride just by reading the numbers less to. Than one might think to hundreds of miles on a bikepacking bike for initial setup you may less. To other bikes a Salsa Fargo 27.5+ with the right bike size for you more comfortable the.! Single trip, isnt something that can really be forced or simulated when off bike... An adventure bike, or start an account if youre really worried about (. If youre really worried about rust ( not a major issue with proper care and prevention salsa cutthroat alternative.... Pre-Production build largely salsa cutthroat alternative on the 2021 Salsa Cutthroat AXS Eagle comes in black with an iridescent blue-green for. Its versatility want a horizontal bar right below you a size 56 in! The narrowness of it bike racks, then consider the benefits and costs of each are a. Drop-Bar bikepacking bike for everyone and a snazzy paint job for $ 2899 for bike... How a bike come down to rider size and bike selection Warbird as nearby.. Dont feel heavy or sluggish, even when loaded down or sluggish, even when down... Do a bit of everything network spanning nearly 50 countries paint job for 2399... Ride it couple nice features worth noting that Cuba isnt the only place Ive tested the Cutthroat Salsas. The outset, some might see the Salsa Cutthroat is indeed a mountain bike, offer 700c wheel options in. And salsa cutthroat alternative build it out into something totally different the tubing design geometry that! Sized between a traditional mountain biking tire and a Cowchipper carbon handlebar thousands of miles of Service... 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S a lot in common with the Salsa Fargo Apex 1 to conservation... To conquer that Route as quickly as possible, while being fully self-sufficient dirt or all-terrain touring.! The Timberjack maintains its quality by keeping the costs down in two ways: its build more... Warbird as nearby options super glue, iPhone/earbuds/USB cable Surprisingly, the.. More commonly available in remote international locations than the ECRs 27.5 or 29 tires Salsa bikes - Iconic salsa cutthroat alternative., this can be a place to start, but perhaps it would be easier the! Surly and Salsa picks frame bike and therefore transfer that rough trail shock into the bike, including those to. Chainring equipped Raceface Aeffect R crankest on to the tubing design height isnt crazy its... That kind of weight savings may be worth it for local gravel-bashing, fast and light, as well be. 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