Darth Lefty 

Launched today - single speed aluminum gravel bike, $1500. Thru axles, carbon fork, flared handlebars, cable brakes. Comes with two cogs on a freehub, and optional dropout parts (and cable routing!) to mount a rear derailleur. Frame and fork, including optional dropout bits, $1100.

https://salsacycles.com/culture/introducing_stormchaser
https://salsacycles.com/bikes/stormc...r_single_speed

Discuss!

Darth Lefty 

Road bikes just seem like a terrible deal sometimes compared to equivalent mountain bikes. This is only $100 less than last year's Timberjack SLX that included cartridge hubs, hydraulic brakes, suspension fork, dropper post, and derailleur system, and also has fancy swappable dropouts.

This new bike is also the same weight as my 1976 Paramount, with 2x5 and a steel frame and fork.

tdilf

They should call this bike "Niche Chaser"

aabb

i couldn't find in the website the groupset it comes with. anyone know?

tyrion

Seems kind of expensive for an aluminum single speed.

katsup

It's a single speed.

Crankset = Race Face Ride
Brakes = TRP Spyre

Darth Lefty 

This slots between the Journeyman and Warbird (or would, if they sold it geared) so yeah they are slicing it pretty thin

Marcus_Ti

I like it.

(...other than those ugly welds. For $1100 would be nice if they finished them like they care....I've had rookies with our MIG welder at werk put out as good.)

Darth Lefty 

If it makes you feel better the welds on the next frame are completely different from these!

Marcus_Ti

Looking at this and thinking/typing out loud.... Build a Rohloff rear wheel and give it proper hydraulics ...that would be a kick butt and durable rig.

Granted at that point you're talking probably $3,000USD in additional expense...on a rig with welds that are about as smooth as a kitty turd...

tyrion

More complete specs here:

https://bikepacking.com/news/salsa-s...espeed-gravel/

Metieval

for that Kind of money I'd start looking at a Niner RLT 853 frame to build with an Eccentric BB

however, if you want fatties on a SS, Say 650x48 Switchback Hill... The salsa is tempting.

Koyote

For that kind of money, I would probably look at this, which doesn't have as much tire clearance but otherwise is pretty attractive.

Gconan

Beautiful paint job and it will take 42mm.

asting clearance for 700c x 42mm tires for

mstateglfr 

$1100 for that frameset? Man that's a hefty price for a toothpaste welded single speed frame and carbon fork.

I would just NS for a race like LR'17. It would suck to not ride it, but I cant imagine how buying a $1500 single speed is the answer to the problem of peanut butter roads.
Having that setup is all well and good until then have to actually ride a 100mi peanut butter road course with 5000' of elevation with a single speed...which isnt happening.


But hey- options are great for consumers. This may appeal to others.

Darth Lefty 

It's not a single speed frame, though. The All City posted above is a dedicated SSCX bike, but the Salsa is a very versatile frame with a lot of features (adaptable dropouts, internal routing, tons of braze ons, wide range of tire sizes), and it also comes with the headset, axles, and dropout option parts. I couldn't tell you why they've decided to do the only build and marketing as a single speed, except that their other bike models give a fairly nearby floor and ceiling for the niche that it would have to occupy.

shoota 

I got to look at this bike in person at The Mid South. The adaptable dropout is a nice touch. The tire clearance is pretty crazy (especially for a threaded BB). It got a decent amount of attention. The paint is really cool in person.

JeffAbe

Matt Acker took 8th place in the mid south riding through 100 miles of peanut butter mud. Actually my friend who rode in the race said it was actually the last 60 miles that was peanut butter mud. I could never do that so hats off to everyone that did it. I read that Acker did make a few personal upgrades. I am interested in this bike also but not sure if I should give it a year and wait for the more than likely bugs to gets worked out and maybe a few better colors.

shoota 

That's 100% false. I did every inch of the ride and it was MAYBE 20% peanut butter mud total. The last 50-60 miles was muddy but rideable except for two short spots.

JeffAbe

First off Shoota congratulations. I can only tell you what I was told from someone who rode it. I was not there. Maybe the person who told me felt that it was peanut butter mud. Different opinions due to different experience levels perhaps. I have ridden in conditions that I felt were absolutely the worst when other more experienced and capable people felt it was nowhere near as hard as other rides that they have ridden. I guess my overall point was that the Salsa Stormchaser and bikes like it have a place and are capable enough to perform well.

shoota 

For sure. I've never seen more SS bikes in one place before. Personally, I was glad I had gears. I also saw several SSers on the side of the road with mechanicals, so they aren't immune to issues. I just can't wrap my head around SS, it seems like such a bodge. When are we going to get a good electronic internally geared hub? Now that sounds like a solution.

Marcus_Ti

Shimano's Alfine 11spd rear hub has a Di2 actuator part. I think the Rohloff Speedhub has an electronic shifter option too (not Di2, basically only intended for cruiser handlebars).

Of course, the Alfine line really needs a refresh (and has an oddball massive gear jump)....and the Rohloff costs $2,500 for the hub alone nevermind the shifter.

shoota 

Right, we need a real option. Why isn't this a priority from manufacturers?

Marcus_Ti

Because their largest segment....is still selling the very latest in 1990s era 7spd and 8spd parts for department store bikes. We whackos who are post 9speed are just that. I don't know if you've seen our own resident BFer Dave Burkhart's video on how a Rohloff hub works:


--but those IGHs are obscenely complicated demand high-tolerances and high quality materials, else they end up being a mechanical self-destructing blender.

Personally, I'm with you. 11spd derailleurs are my enough line. I too, want to go IGH from here on either CVT or IGH. If Rohloff had a Di2 part I'd consider it, yes it costs more than a beater-car but it is precision machining--although I remember bringing this idea-train up with my LBS wrenches and they had some comment about the Rohloff being a bit fussy somehow WRT frame fit.

Darth Lefty 

After realizing this bike is in my alma mater colors, and confirming it's got a freehub in the build, I'm likely going to pick one up... someday... and add gears, likely Apex 1 or some weird Shimergo combo