The Salsa lineup has had a comprehensive review for 2019 including updates to the new all-road Journeyman, adding suspension to the Cutthroat and giving the Warbird 650B wheels and a lighter frame. Here we pick out the 2019 highlights of the company’s considerable off-road and mixed surface bikes.

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Journeyman

We checked out this bike upon its release in March 2018. The current models stay the same but there is now a new higher specced model added. Coming in at $1,399 and equipped with Apex 1 the drop bar build will be available in both the 700c and 650b wheel/tyre size. As you might remember from our last article the Journeyman is built around an aluminium alloy frame, it is offered in both drop and flat bars, and in two different wheel sizes; 700c and 650b. 

Fargo

Fargo goes big in 2019 with 29 x 2.6” tyres for improved rollover, traction, and bump absorption. There is also a new Firestarter 110 fork bringing a host of additional features; boost spacing, dual sets of Three-Pack mounts on each fork leg, low rider mounts, and internal dynamo hub wire routing. Our Dave tested the first one of these way back in 2008 - click here for that review.

The Fargo was possibly the first purpose-built bikepacking rig 2009 and now 10 years on the 2019 version has even more rubber on offer. The new model still retains the drop bar, high-front-end appearance designed to give great comfort and control with Salsa’s own flared adventure bars but now has clearance for 27.5 x 3” and 29 x 2.4” rubber in all frame sizes and 29 x 2.6” on Sm to XL which should get you over just about every conceivable surface you could encounter. 

Cutthroat

The Cutthroat range has a fourth spec added to the mix giving a front suspension option. Salsa says this is in part due to their engineer, Sean Mailen’s, Cutthroat ride at the Trans North Georgia event in 2017, they wanted to offer a front suspension model for those looking to take on rougher terrain. The Cutthroat Apex 1 Sus uses a 100mm Rockshox Reba RL fork and will retail at $2,899 (USD). For info article header image is the Cutthroat Force 1.

This fork will certainly divide opinions on what this bike is and what it should be called but Salsa describes it as an ultra-endurance machine for ‘extreme terrain’ with attention placed on how big a frame bag can be fitted, how much water can be carried and everything you need to travel fast and light. It is seriously blurring the boundaries between a lightweight mountain bike and a gravel bike but it’s a market that seems to have a growing following. In truth the Cutthroat frame side-on looks not unlike a modern MTB race frame only with a larger front triangle to hold that extra large bag and less standover height. 

Timberjack

The Timberjack introduces multiple model levels and new colourways in both 29er and 27.5+ wheel sizes, all of which now feature dropper seat posts. Below is the Timberjack NX Eagle 27.5" with Tranz X dropper and Rockshox Recon fork.

There is also a couple of new kids bikes on sale too, the Timberjack 20 SUS and Timberjack 24 SUS (pictured) joining the rigid children's bikes already in the lineup. 

Warbird

In short, Warbird can now run up to 700c x 45mm OR 650b x 2.1” wheels/tyres. The carbon frame and fork have saved considerable weight over the previous generation bike, and there are all the modern details we’ve come to expect to see, such as 12mm thru-axles, flat mount callipers and a dropped chainstay added too. Geometry has been revised and there are more sizes in the range too - a grand total of seven to choose from. 

For full details on the whole range head over to www.salsacycles.com

Salsa are sold through 3 dealers in the UK at the moment Charlie the Bikemonger, Ghyllside Cycles and Keep Pedaling.

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