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With 2016 bikes now revealing themselves, Salsa has launched its catalogue, which commits heavily to the large volume plus size tyre.
Introducing two new plus size models, as well as a touring bike that’ll take upto a two-inch tyre, Salsa’s engineers have placed great faith in larger trail slaying rubber.
The drop-barred ‘Deadwood’ is the largest of the bunch, offering a 29+ tyre that’ll cruse over rougher terrain and increase traction. SRAM’s Boost technology 148 x 12mm rear spacing is utilised, allowing the designers to maintain a sensible geometry without unconventional chainstay designs.
Based on the Fargo’s geometry, this build has room for 3-inch wide 29+ tyres and will happily accomodate pannier racks and a variety of other bike packing gear.
Next up is the Pony Rustler, which takes the Horsethief’s 120mm travel split pivot platform and adds 3-inch tyre compatibility.
The 27.5+ tyre utilised will allow pressures slightly south of 20psi. Various build kits ranging GX 2X through X01 will be available, as will a framset only package.
Salsa’s other highlight is the Marrakesh tourer, offered with either a flat or drop bar and in black or blue.
Salsa’s Pete Koski, engineer for Marrakesh, says, “A true touring bike should have a lower bottom bracket and longer chainstay/wheelbase than a similar sized road, gravel, commuting, or mountain bike. The lower BB also lowers your saddle, and therefore your body relative to the axles. This all results in a center of gravity that makes riding and steering a loaded bike easier and more predictable.
"Steel is tough and has a very long life span. In the unlikely event that anything will happen to damage a fine steel frame like Marrakesh, finding someone that can weld it back to a rideable state, even in distant lands, is much more likely than finding someone that can weld titanium or aluminum, or repair a composite frame.”
The full 2016 range can be viewed here.
