Since the introduction of full suspension fat bikes, one of the most often asked questions seems to be, “why?” The fat tire creations are definitely one of those bikes that has its own little niche, and to understand the need you really have to ride it.
As someone who can appreciate the use for a full suspension fat bike but never really felt the need to buy one, the full suspension Plus bike poses an interesting question. Now that there is a fat tire middle ground for full suspension, for a company like Salsa is there really a need for both? Apparently I wasn’t the only one to ask that question at the Salsa demo for Biketoberfest, and the answer is really one you have to decide for yourself….
After asking that very question, Salsa stated that yes, there absolutely is a need for both. However, it’s typically not for the same rider, but as an option for one or the other. It would seem that you’re either a Bucksaw or a Pony Rustler kind of rider, not both. After receiving this information I set out to try it out for myself, riding both the Bucksaw Carbon fat bike and the Pony Rustler carbon 27.5+ with 3.0″ WTB Bridger tires back to back on the same short loop at Rocky Ridge County Park near Lancaster, PA. The loop wasn’t exactly challenging, but did offer a few sections of classic East Coast rock, sandy trails, and some decent climbs and descents.
I started out on the Bucksaw Carbon, and from what I was told, I could almost instantly tell I was a Pony Rustler “type.” The followup ride on the Pony Rustler confirmed it. I had so much more fun on the 27.5+ bike, it wasn’t even a contest. But upon asking around, there were riders present that preferred the Bucksaw over the Pony Rustler, and it seems to come down to riding style. I found myself actively picking better lines on the Pony Rustler (did I mention I’m not a fan of the name?), an option afforded by the relative lightness of the wheels and tires. The bike felt far more agile and seemed to float over the few rough spots in the line. The Bucksaw is much more adept at just crushing over anything in its path for a ride that was described as more motocross inspired. There is probably terrain out there that I would pick the Bucksaw over the Pony Rustler, but for the bulk of my mountain biking the Plus bike wins.
Even when compared to other full suspension bikes with smaller tires, to me the Pony Rustler is a definite winner. It was so much fun, and so easy to crank up the speed regardless of the terrain that for me it was the stand out of the entire Biketoberfest demo.
Technically, the Pony Rustler is the exact same frame as the Horse Thief and will be sold with 27+ or 29″ builds depending on the name. Salsa points out that this makes the frame truly able to run 27+ or 29″ wheels and tires with clearance for 27.5 x 3.0″ or 29 x 2.4.” One difference for this year is the ability to use 130mm travel forks to compensate for the slightly smaller diameter of the + wheels and tires, but the 120mm frame will be running 130mm forks for 29ers as well which will add a bit of BB height and slacken the head tube angle.
Frame details include the Split Pivot suspension design with 120mm of travel, high modulus carbon main frame and seat stays with alloy chain stays, Boost 148 rear spacing, a PF92 bottom bracket, and High Direct mount front derailleur capability with 36×24 or 32t max single ring compatibility. Pony Rustlers will be available in two carbon builds and one full aluminum model for $3,499-$5,499 and are shipping out to Salsa dealers soon.
