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Salsa Cycles adds new style, colors & spec for 2020 Warbird gravel race bike

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Salsa Cycles released the 2020 Warbird, their raciest gravel bike. While the carbon frame and fork haven’t been changed this year, new paint schemes and important spec updates add to an already-successful platform. A frameset option is also offered for those that want to build their ride from the ground-up.

2020 Salsa Cycles Warbird carbon gravel bike

Salsa updated the Warbird frame only a year ago, so 2020 brings new colors and spec to the existing frame design. While the brand has an extensive gravel and adventure line, the Warbird stands out as the lightest and raciest of the bunch, intended for events such as the Dirty Kanza 200, Trans Iowa, Almanzo 100, or other ultra-distance timed events.

The Warbird keeps its Class 5 VRS (Vibration Reduction System) to reduce fatigue, along with flattened and bowed chainstays. The frame also forgoes chainstay and seatstay bridges to improve compliance and increase mud clearance.

Tire clearance is generous at 650b x 51mm (47mm with fenders) or 700 x 45mm (38mm with fenders). Stock tire spec from the factory is 700 x 42mm.

Click to enlarge.

Salsa keeps its wide fit range with 7 sizes.

Spec & Pricing

The Warbird is available in four different build levels plus a frameset, and a total of six new colors.

The Warbird Carbon GRX 810 Di2 ($5,699) features a full Shimano GRX electronic groupset, 48/31 chainrings, 11-34 cassette, and DT Swiss CR 1600 wheels.

The Warbird Carbon GRX 810 ($4,099) features a full Shimano GRX mechanical groupset, 48/31 chainrings, 11-34 cassette, and DT Swiss CR 1800 wheels.

The Warbird Carbon GRX 600 ($3,199) downspecs the shifters, crank, and shifters to 600-series RX (but retains the same gearing as above), paired with WTB Speedterra wheels.

The Warbird Carbon Apex 1 ($2,599) is available in two colors (shown above). Spec includes a full SRAM Apex 1x groupset, 42t chainring, 11-42 cassette, and WTB Serra wheels.

A  frameset is also available for $1,999, including fork and headset.

SalsaCycles.com

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11 Comments
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Efrain Aguiluz
Efrain Aguiluz
4 years ago

Are all the builds 700c?
Which color is the frame only option?

mudrock
mudrock
4 years ago
Reply to  Efrain Aguiluz

Just click on the link. Frameset in black only

Heffe
Heffe
4 years ago

The geometry is perfect for touring.

mud
mud
4 years ago
Reply to  Heffe

I still prefer a cross bike for gravel rides – they’re better for trails and quick turns

Shafty
Shafty
4 years ago
Reply to  mud

So you prefer a cross bike for trails? I think you’re confused about what production gravel bikes are designed to do. Gravel implies mostly…. gravel, not offroad trails. They can do it, but often the BB is lower for better road stability.

John
John
4 years ago

The Force 1 build comes with a 650B wheelset, though any of these Warbirds can run 650B (min 47 mm, max 51 mm). Be aware that, like most Salsa builds, the stock Warbird wheels tend to be low-end/heavy.

Slammy
Slammy
4 years ago

I really like what Salsa has done with the Warbird and also the Warroad. Disappointingly when Salsa first announced the V4 Warbird (https://salsacycles.com/warbird-evolution) they stated a Fall 2018 availability for complete bikes and framesets as well as stating specifically the Waxwing fork will be sold separately.

Here we are now in the 2nd model year still with no availability of the fork separately. Worse getting a straight answer on availability has proven difficult. As much as I support the grand vision of the model lines the follow through is not there.

FrankW
FrankW
4 years ago
Reply to  Slammy

Well, they had a huge recall on 2019 bikes due to issues with the carbon fork: https://salsacycles.com/salsa_waxwing_fork_recall

jasonmiles31
4 years ago

Anyone else read the first line as “Salsa Cycles released the 2020 Warbird, their racist gravel bike.”?

Kim Jummins
Kim Jummins
4 years ago

Overpriced for what you get. Wasn’t schwinn doing the same thing with their stays in the ’90’s? Hard pass on anything from salsa, more brands do the same thing but better.

Bryin
Bryin
4 years ago

Over Priced.

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