The Scandium frame is crafted with vertical dropouts and ISO disc tabs to keep things clean and uncomplicated, while the Bushnell eccentric bottom bracket takes up the chain slack.
Submitted by
Nick Capriotti
a Cross Country Rider
from Glenside, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2007
Strengths: EBB makes for easy chain tensioning and worry free disc brake setup. Scandium Frame has the shock absorbing charecteristics of steel and the efficiency of aluminum.
Weaknesses: EBB can be a bit noisy if not greased properly. Canti bosses on seatstays.
Bottom Line:
The Juan Solo is an awesome ss frame. This bike rides like a dream and is super light weight. I have read complaints about the EBB freezing or locking uo in the frame but I think that that is not an issue. Proper installation and greasing of the EBB will solve any issue that may arise. This bike feels like a softail in comparison to my Bianchi Guss. My only gripe about the frame is the carbon seatstay. I am always skeptical as to the resiliance of carbon on a mt bike. Having said that, I have had no issues and I absolutely love the frame.
Submitted by
Dylan
a Cross Country Rider
from Albuquerque, NM, USA
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2007
Strengths: -light, stiff -responisve -geometry & short wheelbase
Weaknesses: -the EBB is a good idea but no matter what I do to it, it still creaks -thin paint job -has to be retrofitted to run hydraulic brakes, Avid BB-5's are good but noisy and wear quickly
Bottom Line:
This bike is well suited to anyone who is seeking a very snappy, light, and fast bike for XC or racing. The frame is very stiff yet the ride doesn't suffer horribly. Larger volume tires take a little more of the edge off the really gnarly stuff and the frame leaves plenty of room to accomodate them. The frame is very traditionally laid out but it makes for a quick and short wheelbase that handles very well. A killer ride at a reasonable price.
Strengths: Light and very precise on technical trail. Very little lost of energy in the stiff frame while climbing
Weaknesses: Thin pain job but who cares
Bottom Line:
I have been riding a Fix Gear roadie for ever, the switch to a SS was just a natural progression for me. The bike is truly a amazing machine. The BB stop creaking when dirty only. DONT CLEAN the BB and the noise will go away. Weird but true for me.
Weaknesses: Doesn't come in a 17" size, bought an 18 which is a tiny bit larger than I want. I just like more Top tube clearance.
Bottom Line:
Total weight is 21.4 lbs, more than 3 lbs lighter than my Redline. Descends nicely although a bit twitchier than I would like. It really climbs well and I finally dialed in my positioning where I feel most comfortable. At $200 on Ebay for a new frame, how else can I lose. Great investment. EBB was kinda of weird to get used to., Had a problem finding the right combination of chain links to use with the EBB. Handles very nice and very absorbent of rough terrain.
This bike is the baddest bike I have ever ridin and it weights in at 21lbs. If you want a singlespeed race frame this is your frame.Large frame weighted on digital scale 3.15lbs.
Bike Setup: Truvativ Stylo SS cranks, Sun RPM lite with ringle hubs,truvativ sl brakes, answer carbon bars, easton 70 stem,Pink Chris King Headset, Salsa Skewers, Salsa Seatpost, Gobi saddle,Maxxis Tires, Sram Composite Brake Levers.
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Submitted by
Dan Henderson
a Racer
from Santa Cruz, CA
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2006
Strengths: Shorter TT for those of us with long legs and no torso Light Stiff but absorbent Workhorse
Weaknesses: Still can't get rid of the damn creak in the EBB after overhauling it three times, greasing the hell out of it, and replacing the bottom bracket.
Bottom Line:
Excellent frame for the money, especially if you prefer a more traditional geometry. A total workhorse bike that has gotten the job done on 100 mile epics, cross country races, alleycats, and 12 hour races. The stock components are generally rock solid. The EBB creak is a drag, but I can usually get over it. I've tried everything, including all the tips on the Salsa site. Any suggestions?
Similar Products Used: '92 Salsa Ala Carte '03 Surly 1X1
Bike Setup: Rock Shox SID Race fork, Paul hubs, Sun rims, Hutchinson Pythons, Avid mech discs, Easton carbon bars and seatpost, XT cranks, WTB saddle, Cane Creek headset.
Strengths: Light, stiff, plenty of rear wheel clearance for 2.4" tires, very nice overall build quality, and low cost
Weaknesses: None so far...just pay attention the EBB, grease it often and your good to go!
Bottom Line:
Very quiet and reliable setup. I put this bike together as a winter training/riding machine, but it has quickly become my main steed. Frame is stiff, yet doesn't transmit all the bumps/vibrations that a normal aluminum frame would. This was the first hardtail that I just felt "right" on from the first pedal stroke. I've run it in the above setup since putting it together just before winter and have yet to change/replace/upgrade any parts what-so-ever. Amazing bike overall, I ride it several times a week (nights, w/e...in all types of weather conditions) and I simply spray it down with water and lube it for the next outing!
Similar Products Used: Jericho, Surly 1x1, Cannondale 1fg, Gary Fisher Rig, etc.
Bike Setup: Rock Shox Reba SL, Avid Juicy Carbon brakes, DT/Mavic wheelset, Thomson post and stem, Race Face carbon bars and Dues cranks, Chris King headseat, and WTB 2.4 Mutanoraptors
Strengths: -Weight (scandium + carbon) -Ride (Super smooth, and only a little flexy compared to 1fg) -Geometry -"BLING"
Weaknesses: only thing I have a gripe about is the poor paint job, it is very thing and after the first night ride i had already worn into the paint with the battery straps
Bottom Line:
Well, ive been riding my whole life and most people thinkg "damn you put that much money into a single speed frame?" and i can proudly say yes becuase it is deff worth the money. super light and super smooth trick. it might sound like a lot but it is one of the best frames out there...and its a Salsa...so what else can you say?
Bike Setup: 05 Juan, 05 Reba SL Team, CK SS rear and CK front hub laced to 819's with revo spokes, CK headset, Salsa Scan Stem, CNT Bars, Thomson Seatpost, Magura Marta brks, Race Face Deus arms with salsa ring, Maxxis LArsin TT's, EggB sl's, WTB speed v with ti rails, salsagrips, wipperman SS chain...:)
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Submitted by
Yukio
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, Tx,
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2005
Strengths: Light stiff frame; decals protected by clear coat; ride quality is supreme
Weaknesses: Joint maintenance; creaks if you don't lubricate the joint. Annoying.
Bottom Line:
SS's are general taller in geometry; this is no different; my bike is a 22 seatpost; I'm 6'2" and 210; I use a set back seatpost and a 120 stem to dial my position in. This bike rolls as smooth as a hardtail will allow you. Best ride in this category that I have ridden. The joint where the chain stay connects to the seat stay needs to be lubricated to drown the annoying sound of metal rub. Do this and you're golden.
Similar Products Used: Surly 1X1; Santa Cruz Chameleon; 1fg
Bike Setup: El Camino disc brakes; hugi 240 ss wheelset with 819 mavic rims; tomac nevegals; thomson post; wtb saddle; king kogs; easton carbon bar, and an atlas crankset with salsa chainring; sweet rig.
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Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Ocala, FL USA
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2005
Strengths: Light, rigid, clean, gorgeous, not a cookie-cutter frame
Weaknesses: Have to play with the EBB to get used to it. Read the instructions on the Salsa website carefully and you should have no problem.
Bottom Line:
The $800 is for the frame only. It is an investment but I ride this about 70% of the time over my Fuel 100. It is light, fast and responsive. I am 40 and it is plenty compliant for my old bones. EBB is only an issue if you do not set it up correctly in the first place. As good as a Ti frame at about 1/2 the cost. The finish and carbon stays are beautiful. Buy this if you want to get faster.
Similar Products Used: Bianchi SS, tested the GF Rig
Bike Setup: 99 Sid, Bontrager race modified wheelset, Endless Cycles kick-ass cog, XTR v-brakes, 9.0 levers, Bontrager race cranks w/Salsa 32t ring, King headset, Answer carbon riser, Bontrager racelight 110mm stem, Thomson post, Sella Italia seat and IRC Mythos/Notos tube tires w/Stans
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Submitted by
Mitch
a Weekend Warrior
from Ballwin,MO,USA
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2005
Strengths: Light, reasonably stiff frame. Clean welds and carbon transitions. EBB allows use of QR rear wheel and no need to readjust disc brake when making tension adjustment on the chain. Comes with aluminum water bottle bolts and touch up paint. Can always be converted to gears in a pinch, but why?
Weaknesses: Old school sizing. Bikes are relatively short and tall, unlike todays more common-lower and longer geometry. I like a 23" top tube which would be the 20" frame-center of bb to top of top tube, I had to go with an 18" and deal with a short top tube. I wish the frame was disc specific. Provided plugs for brake bosses don't fit frame.
Bottom Line:
EBB does take some getting used to. I've read several reviews that complain of a difficulty making adjustments. The adjustment bolt must be losened until it binds and then tapped inward much like the bolt of a quill type stem. Once the wedge is broken free losen the bolt again and you can spin the bb by hand. I carry a 3/8" dowel rod (and find a rock) to tap the bolt with (you may have to tap it from the drive side depending on which wedge needs to be freed up). The other thing many people forget to do is completely dissassemble the EBB (before the cranks and bb are even installed) and grease all surfaces. This will allow it to tighten up with less torque on the bolt, allow easier adjustments, and prevent it from siezing. There are good directions on Salsa's web site, just look under components and then frame parts to find the EBB.
Weaknesses: Eccentric BB can be difficult to set up.
Bottom Line:
Great frame to build up a light SS bike. This was a project bike intended for bad weather biking during the late fall and early spring when mud and snow can foul and wear out a geared drivetrain and suspension components, and where v-brakes are rendered useless by the water and ice. However, I've ended up using it more than my other bikes, two hardtails and an AC1, because it's so freakin' light. Even my road bike seems heavier while climbing.
Bike Setup: Pace Rigid Carbon Fiber Fork, Surly/ Mavic XC717 wheels, XT cranks, Hope Mini brakes, Race Face Thermo Headset, Easton bits.
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Submitted by
Keith
a Cross Country Rider
from Outside Philly
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2005
Strengths: Excellent climber, light weight, well balanced, good mix of parts (excluding sid fork), very quick.
Weaknesses: demo'd bike with rockshox sid fork that flexed all over and did not track well.
Bottom Line:
this thing is excellent i would try one out if your thinking of picking up a single speed. the scandium frame is the way to go- its like riding steel and aluminum. the bike is so balanced and light (22-23lbs.) you can toss it around the trail no problem.
Similar Products Used: random bikes that come though the bike shop.
Bike Setup: bought bike and changed the fork to a fox f80x with an american classic headset as soon as i got it. paul brake levers, avid mechanical disc, xt crank, surly hubs, salsa stem, bar, rims, and seatpost.
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Submitted by
Doug Brummett
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz, CA
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2005
Strengths: Light, stealth graphics, good parts group out the gate
Weaknesses: EBB sticks and is hard to adjust
Bottom Line:
Posting this review up based on my demo rides on a buddies bike.
The ride is very comfortable for an aluminum frame. None of the typical jarring that I am accustomed to from my last aluminum ride (SC chameleon). The SID compliments the bike well. Steering is accurate, but not overly quick. XT/Surly drivetrain is problem free and stiff. Avid brakes are a no brainer. Throw on a set of riser bars and it is ready to roll.
Only real complaint is that the EBB sticks in the shell. I found that tapping on the bb or shell with a mallet while spinning the EBB was the only way to keep it from binding while rotating the eccentric to tighten the chain. Kind of frightening as none of us are gonna carry a mallet on a ride. Pray for no broken chains or adjustments on the trail.
Submitted by
Russell
a Cross Country Rider
from Laguna Beach
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2004
Strengths: Eccentric bottom Bracket.
Weaknesses: Eccentric bottom bracket. It seems to lock up which makes adjusting chain tension extremely difficult.
Bottom Line:
I spent alot of time researching this bike. I know a few people with Salsa bikes and they are all happy with them. This truly is a solid investment. Since getting this bike, my intense Spyder rarely sees the dirt anymore.
