[Closed] Show us your Salsa bikes

El-Mariachi on the Chilterns

[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8280/29615064674_2f3443f93c_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8280/29615064674_2f3443f93c_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/M7YWXm ]2016-10-10_10-20-51[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/7614571@N05/ ]thisisnotaspoon[/url], on Flickr

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Kinda miss my Vaya, kinda don't. 🙂

My first and only salsa (although i'd like a mk1 spearfish) is a Vaya which i built up as the 'ultimate commuter': dynamo, mudguards, heavy tyres. I then continued commuting on my old fixed wheel pompino. and slowly moved the dynamo and other bits to that whilst making the vaya into a gravel grinder.

The salsa then underwent some surgery to shorten the the headtube by about 20 mm; and almost a complete rebuild to lose a few kg (under 10kg now!).

It's a lovely ride now. So versitile. It's toured from sussex to amsterdam, 200 km gravel rides, bivvys, a CX race, just bimbling + the commute from time to time.

I really need a new photo as it's had quite a few new bits on since the most recent photo i have...

[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3726/19863463141_833266bb79_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3726/19863463141_833266bb79_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/wggryr ]IMG_0780[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/24645633@N08/ ]thom1984[/url], on Flickr

Somewhere in the netherlands.

[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7556/15499382147_cd00be7a54_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7556/15499382147_cd00be7a54_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/pBCojF ]photo 1(2)[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/24645633@N08/ ]thom1984[/url], on Flickr

bivvy

[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3944/15672217445_20664010e9_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3944/15672217445_20664010e9_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/pSUdeB ]IMG_0545[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/24645633@N08/ ]thom1984[/url], on Flickr

gravel.

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OK, this could get weird now:

SS El Mar
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4183/34368288572_92f9553482_b.jpg [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Un1sPw ]DSC01558.jpg" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4183/34368288572_92f9553482_b.jpg [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Un1sPw ]DSC01558.jpg"/> [/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/13995637@N08/ ]Greg.May[/url], on Flickr

Ti Fargo
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/567/31811851445_287d891027_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/567/31811851445_287d891027_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Qt748k ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/13995637@N08/ ]Greg.May[/url], on Flickr

Spearfish - Currently SS - aka the Phat Singlefish
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/525/19581289814_c84e5a8c94_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/525/19581289814_c84e5a8c94_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/vQkeg5 ]650+ Spearfish[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/13995637@N08/ ]Greg.May[/url], on Flickr

Cutthroat
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5553/29548832003_c996044e21_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5553/29548832003_c996044e21_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/M28uhK ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/13995637@N08/ ]Greg.May[/url], on Flickr

[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/764/31125485364_7e00d06a9a_b.jpg [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Pqsfpo ]DSC00942.jpg" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/764/31125485364_7e00d06a9a_b.jpg [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Pqsfpo ]DSC00942.jpg"/> [/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/13995637@N08/ ]Greg.May[/url], on Flickr

And a few old dead frames.

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I have a 2013 Horsethief, bought from new but quite heavily upgraded (not much more than the frame and stem left. And the 3x10 Deore which refuses to die no matter how much abuse I give it)

[img] https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/15241740_10154660116000930_8206767307264325931_n.jp g" target="_blank">https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/15241740_10154660116000930_8206767307264325931_n.jp g"/> ?oh=a9a8040663baf1c14d829fa9791643fb&oe=599BA721[/img]

Argh! Another brand I've always wanted to own one of. This is like torture, but in a good way!

Alright Mr May wins....

Rorschach, love the simple look of yours, SS always looks right

GregMay, what was the spearfish like with b+? I've a Horsethief and have often wondered if there was clearance.

[URL= http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/weeksy59/Salsa/IMG_20160901_083853_zpsoavrjdyn.jp g" target="_blank">http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/weeksy59/Salsa/IMG_20160901_083853_zpsoavrjdyn.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

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Had this stunning Spearfish, unfortunately not enough travel
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So changed up to this
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Sadly sold to help fund wife's spinal surgery but now have a lefty Habit which I love

My Horsethief.
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My old Alacarte, really nice steel bike.
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And for the retro fans, a high rise salsa stem
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Guilty of being a Surly fanboi but am really enjoying this thread. Some lovely bikes from Salsa.

YoKaiser - Member
GregMay, what was the spearfish like with b+? I've a Horsethief and have often wondered if there was clearance.

Is, haven't had 29ers in it in 18months now. Or gears on it for the past 8!

Handles much the same - slightly lower BB so some pedal strikes - descends even better - but slower rolling speed - annoyingly so sometimes.

It's now running a set of Wide Lightnings with a Trail Blazer on the rear, Bridger up front and it's great. Space is fine on it in Hebden gloop. No worse than normal anyway.

Carbon one en route at the moment for CTR duties next year and back to 24hr racing again. Need to sell off some other bits too.

scud - Member
Alright Mr May wins....

My bank balance however, has not. To be fair, that is an accumulation of bikes over the past 5 years. Most of which have been ridden into the ground at some point and are like Triggers brush at this stage.

Previously have had steel Fargo (sold to Teetosugars) another Alu Spearfish (broke it) and a Mamasita which I miss.

I would kill many of you to get a Selma in my size.

The Selma Ti is a thing of beauty..

My really old Ala Carte
[URL= http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/kiwijohn42/PIC_0188.jp g" target="_blank">http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/kiwijohn42/PIC_0188.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Now just a collection of vintage parts.

scud - Member
The Selma Ti is a thing of beauty..

I have Gollum like tenancies when I see Mark Goldies one.

Something about the simple lines of both a ti frame and SS makes it a looker, the Salsa ti frame always look good, the trouble is i need both kidneys, would of loved the new Fargo ti!

Rorschach's El Mariachi wins it for me.

My 'fish 12hr racing. Not necessarily it's forte but pretty good all the same

[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5711/22917453964_eb29580b1a_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5711/22917453964_eb29580b1a_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/AV8WCC ]TORQ 12-12 2015-475 (1)[/url]

[URL= http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff167/LukeBurstow/Bucksaw_zpszkr5nkfj.jp g" target="_blank">http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff167/LukeBurstow/Bucksaw_zpszkr5nkfj.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4156/34443303865_4b749ec9c7_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4156/34443303865_4b749ec9c7_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/UtCWfD ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/sophandian/ ]Soph and Ian[/url], on Flickr

[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4180/33633420513_e69274c913_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4180/33633420513_e69274c913_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Tf559z ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/sophandian/ ]Soph and Ian[/url], on Flickr

My Spearfish on the lakeland 200. It's also done the Braunton 150, Highland Trail, Transcambrian way (in a day) and a couple of races this year. I bought it to replace my old one which I sold and regretted. Strangely it took a bit of time to get used to the orange one, but I like it now as a long distance bike, and it is fun for shorter stuff too.

[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3725/8910202465_e50e08e94e_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3725/8910202465_e50e08e94e_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/ezn7Lr ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/sophandian/ ]Soph and Ian[/url], on Flickr

I built a lovely blue Vaya about three years ago which has been criminally under used- done about 100 miles.
I was going to jack my dulll job and go touring...then I met someone... now we have a 14 month old boy! Infact I got as far as taking the cranks off to split it for sale before our son was born. I don't think it's been touched in 18 months.
That's a bit wrong 😥

Pretty poor picture it must be said, [but] this is how my Vaya currently looks. Set up on more road-orientated tires and 'guards for long days out on rough back-country roads, rather than on fat CX tyres for dirt).

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(The other bike is a 2016 Genesis Borough, with a significant upgrade on transmission / brakes).

2014 Horsethief here:
[img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7693/17019315457_1d1182b05f_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7693/17019315457_1d1182b05f_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/rVWrxp ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/allyharp/ ]Alistair Harper[/url], on Flickr[/img]

[img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7322/13486890125_6668eeae1d_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7322/13486890125_6668eeae1d_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/mxMQyn ]Mukluks[/url]

Nice rides!! 😀

My Vaya.

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Fargo.

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Loved my spearfish and would really like a cuthroat now !!!!!!

[URL= http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/s665/Jonathantraverse/61F1B581-73FB-4E96-BE92-48E408338457_zpsirvsxwcb.jp g" target="_blank">http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/s665/Jonathantraverse/61F1B581-73FB-4E96-BE92-48E408338457_zpsirvsxwcb.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

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Full on touring mode

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Bimble mode

[quote=allyharp ]2014 Horsethief here:
[img]Untitled by Alistair Harper, on Flickr[/img]

Front end seems really low?

2014 Horsethief - recently built from here.
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Saddle looks considerably higher than the bars, in reality it is not. Odd how the pic does that. I am a fan of Dave Weagle.

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My 2012 Spearfish...I love this bike, and hate the thought of not having it! It has older 'standards' and will be obsolete soon, I guess, but I have no plans to replace it. I have a lot of other bikes, but this is my favourite by far....I have ridden miles on it, it fits like a glove, and does everything I need.

Did I say it's my favourite? :0)

^ The official Salsa framebag for it is very good (made by Revelate). Pricy though

got a Spearfish, currently contemplating swapping it for a Horsethief.

I've always thought the SF had more travel than the numbers say - 100mm front maybe not so much but the 80mm rear seems like more.

What are thoughts - would 130/100 on a Horsethief open up many more opportunities, given I'm not exactly endurognarrtothemax as it is?

I've taken the Fish to BPW in the past mate, although i was running 110's on the front. But it coped really well.

IMO the Fish is GREAT at what it does, fast XC and a bit of bounce, but start throwing more at it and it becomes an exercise in geometry over function, it will never be a HorseT, but it's never said it will be.
Think about what you want and need from the bike before throwing yourself in the lap of the gods and swapping it.

Disappointing lack of jelly beans in this thread...

yeah - I've done Exmoor on it as well, which is pretty rugged and it only seemed fazed a few times on the bigger rockier stuff. Like I say, the 80mm rear rides bigger, and there was also the 'legendary' info of the past that the better rolloverability of big wheels vs little ones means that your suspension rides like it's 20mm bigger anyway. But there are times when I've wished for a bit more.....

I guess on that basis the HT sounds worth it, but what's a HT like for day to day milemunching which is where the SF is the best bike I've ever owned.

SS rigid El Mariachi, perfect bike for local stuff. Mine has a fargo fork up front

Mudguards and pogies for winter

[URL= http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s189/ben_p1/8ED58F36-E306-40E2-A96C-89A26AFD8DD8.jp g" target="_blank">http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s189/ben_p1/8ED58F36-E306-40E2-A96C-89A26AFD8DD8.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

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Some local bikepacking

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I've done a Scottish coast to coast bikepacking trip on my Horsethief. 4x 12 hour days. Was fine.
Also chucked it down Torridon and no end of trail centre blacks. Handles it all.

In fact, I'll have the frame up for sale in the next week if you're interested?
Only selling cos I bought a Turner Sultan which matches my name. Sultan yourguitarhero 😉
Always wanted my name on the side of my bike.

Also, its a wee bit too big for me - it's 19" and I'm 5' 11"[img] ?oh=d72d813e3fb441039077858e47b7682f&oe=59DE0D1A[/img]

Could be - email in profile....

Looking over this thread I realise how "behind" I am. In the family we are still running a Salsa Mamasita and Ive only recently retired (still have the frame) a Dos Niner.