In addition to the Split Pivot mountain bikes and new fatbikes, Salsa had the rest of their line up on hand at Saddle Drive. Most of the models have been previously available, but carry small updates or big improvements for 2014 like the new Fargo above.
We picked out a few of the highlights, and put them up on the scale after the break.
Now in it’s third generation, the biggest change to the Fargo is the introduction of the new Firestarter carbon fork. No, unfortunately it doesn’t actually include a fire starter (seems like a good idea to us though), but it is specifically designed to work well and look good with a steel frame. Often times the addition of a carbon fork to a skinny tubed steel or ti bike can look a little odd, so Salsa spend a lot of time ensuring that the new fork fit the lines of the bike while still offering dual Anything Cage mounts.
The fork uses a 15mm thru axle and is suspension corrected with a 45mm offset.
This 20″ Fargo 2 tipped the scales at 26.37lbs (11.96kg) and retails for $2,299 complete or $699 for the frame.
Originally a limited edition, the El Mariachi SS is back as a complete bike. The SS version does away with cable guides and derailleur mounts completely – it’s SS through and through.
Both the SS and the regular El Mariachis use Salsa’s Alternator dropouts for chain tension/wheel base adjustments, and feature a new 430mm chainstay length. The fork on the SS is also new, with the thru axle Cromoto Grande fork offering a tapered, 15mm TA rigid fork with cast stainless steel dropouts for the Maxxle.
The fork will be available aftermarket, or as standard equipment on the El Mariachi SS for $1399.
24.82 lbs (11.26 kg) for this 17″ El Mariachi SS.
The 5th generation El Mariachis will be offered in 2 ti and 3 steel models as well, all with the shorter 430mm chainstays. As part of Salsa’s new paint program, the Ti Mariachis get the painted front with the rest raw, all coated in clear. We didn’t get this one on the scale, but it felt pretty light.
Some of the bikes will also be speced with Salsa’s new Ti seat post and annealed, double butted Ti bars. The seatpost offers separate fore and aft and tilt adjustment with a dual concentric bolt system similar to others on the market. Salsa also claims their Ti bar will be roughly 40g lighter than the competition due to the strength gains through the heat treating process.
Colossal Ti is back with a new Ti paint job – this one looked particularly good with the blue accents.
This Collosal Ti with Ultegra came in at 19.84lbs (9kg).
The Warbird 3 is a new model in the gravel bike line up with an impressive retail of $1,699.
That price includes a Whiskey No 7 carbon fork and Shimano Sora drivetrain with Avid BB 7 S brakes. 22.59lbs (10.25kg).
