The Moto Rapido frame receives a rather complete makeover for 2008. Call it backwards evolution if you will, but we’ve taken the flattened scandium chainstays and our proprietary carbon seatstays from the 29’er Mamasita frame and downsized it into the 26” wheel format. The Moto Rapido is a premiere racing style hardtail, designed to be light, stiff, and fast, but with enough vertical compliance to avoid abusing the rider.
Submitted by
tcrusher
a Cross Country Rider
from Des Moines, WA
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2010
Strengths: Light, quick, well balanced
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
I used the parts from my old Moto Rapido setup to build up a longer travel hardtail. Thought about selling the frame and Fox fork but decided to build it up as a singlespeed. For the trails I ride, lots of tight corners, roots, and rocks, the 32 x 20 gearing is really good. I'm able to ride all sections of the trail with this bike as good or better than with my Lynskey Ti geared hardtail.
Bike Setup: This is an update to a previous review. My Moto Rapido is now setup as a single speed. To get the chain tensioned I'm using a White Industries ENO Eccentric single speed rear hub. White Industries rear disc brake adapter to get the caliper lined up correctly with the rotor. Fox F-Series RLC 100mm fork. Truvativ Stylo singlespeed crankset (32 tooth) and ACS Claws freewheel (20 tooth).
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Submitted by
cannondalemtb65
a Racer
from Huntingdon Valley Pa US
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2009
Strengths: Its very light weight and looks crazy nice. Super dialed for climbing also handles well in the corners.
Weaknesses: I haven't really found anything yet, except that it looks almost to nice.
Bottom Line:
This frame is dialed. I would definitely recommend this to another rider. Its made very nicely, looks nice, is lightweight, and rides well. Another thing its that its not so dam expensive unlike most other frames that are part carbon or full carbon. It climbs like a beast (I can drop my bro on his 29er on any hill). Overall its a sick nasty frame that is priced reasonably therefore a great buy.
Similar Products Used: Cannondale f4, Specialized Sump Jumper
Bike Setup: Salsa Moto Rapido, xt crankset, x9 dearailer/shifters, mavic crossland, avid exlixisr, fizik, thompson seatpost/stem and some ergon grips
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Submitted by
von_schmirrinoff
a Cross Country Rider
from Louisianna
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2009
Strengths: Quick, Light, Responsive, Comfortable, and Speed Incouraging
Weaknesses: None really
Bottom Line:
This bike will make you want to race any moving object in the woods. The carbon seat stays not only look good; they help it respond when you mash the pedals. I'm running it with a 80mm fork like salsa suggested and when I'm climbing long and hard out of the saddle the front end never looses its path or bobs. This bike doesn't ride as supple as a steel frame, but the rear end does dampen some of the vibrations as apposed to a full alluminum frame. I built my bike with a tight budget(<1000) and it weighs in at just under 25 lbs. It rides fast and agile like a full on race bike, but it has the lateral stabillity to rail banked turns at 20+ mph without apprehension. The paint job is awesome, the pics don't do it justice. The color is not that loud, obnoxious, brass looking gold that comes to mind its more toned down and "dirty" like salsa says.
This bike is a Great value and a killer price to get a race quality frame, that you can ride everyday
Not only is the bike HOT it rides great! Less than 20lbs. If you want a race bike, buy it; if you want a comfortable, fast bike for the trails, buy it; if you want to putts around getting dropped by the team, don't buy it.
Bike Setup: '08 XT drive train (the new dual action shifters are where it's at), '08 Fox F80 (great fork xc and stxc), thomson stem and seat post, Chris King headset, EC90 bars (super narrow great through the trees), mavic SL wheels with Maxxis Larsen TT UST tubeless tires
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Submitted by
a Weekend Warrior
from Drexel Hill, PA 19026
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2007
Strengths: I thought this bike handled everything well before, but now, with the reduced weight and even better parts, the ride has really taken off and the Moto Rapido is actually more comfortable than my full-suspension Jamis Dakar XC Pro!!!!
Weaknesses: paint scratches easily
Bottom Line:
This is a follow-up review to my previous one from 7/22/06. I have changed the bike substantially and it now handles even better than before and it is even lighter as well.
Similar Products Used: Old Moto Rapido setup (see 7/22/06 review), Nishiki Alien, Trek 8500, Raleigh M-8000.
Bike Setup: '07 FSA K-Force Light hollow carbon crank, '06 Manitou Nixon Platinum Air 145mm, '07 Formula Xero Element XSM-1 disc wheels, '07 FSA K-Force Light carbon handlebar, '07 Ergon GC2 grips with separately adjustable Ergon bar ends, '07 XTR PD-M970 clipless pedals, '07 XTR CS-M970 cassette, Chris King headset, Thomson Masterpiece seatpost, Thomson Elite handlebar stem, Avid BB7 disc brakes, Bontrager Revolt SS (26 X 2.1) MTB tires, XTR 961 SGS Fr. & Rr. derailleurs, XTR/Dura-Ace CN-7701 chain, XTR 960 shifters/brake levers.
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Submitted by
Nathaniel Dixon
a Cross Country Rider
from Cambridge, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2007
Strengths: Light, responsive, comfortable, handles well. Makes me wonder why I spent so much time on a fullie. It's also dead sexy.
Weaknesses: The carbon stays, although responsible for light weight and excellent ride quality, are easily damaged.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike and wish I had more time to ride it (or more places to). The only thing I don't like is that the carbon stays seem a bit vulnerable. If you tip over on a rocky climb (as I did the other day), you risk cutting them up. Sometimes I think that carbon just isn't a great material for a mountain bike. Maybe I just need trails more suitable for an 80 mm travel HT.
This is a very light an great looking frame. Some carbon frames 80-100 grs. lighter are priced twice this one (1400 grs. 16"). I prevously had a Felt 15.5" aluminum-carbon seatstays frame that used to climb a little better (this one climbs well too), but this frame's geometry is way friendlier with any 42-yr-old lower back as myself. If it ain't Moto, it ain't worth it!
Similar Products Used: Litespeed pisgah, SPZ rockhopper, Felt RXC-Pro
Bike Setup: XT-XTR drivetrain, Juicy Brakes, Recon fork, Thomson post and stem, mavic wheelset
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Submitted by
a Racer
from Ft Collins,CO
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2007
Strengths: weight,this thing climbs like you can't believe (stick it in the face on anyone that tells you that a full suspension can climb like a HT...they can't) and price
Weaknesses: Stiffness....but you can deal with it and whoop anyone on a climb...so don't worry about it. Oh yeah...and the tubing walls are VERY thin...dont know how well they will take a crash...so keep the rubber side down
Bottom Line:
Climbs like a champ, but flexes a little on hard fast downhill. If you like to climb...buy it...if you like to go downhill fast and dont climb much...look elsewhere
Submitted by
Doug Szabo
a Cross Country Rider
from Haddon Heights, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2007
Strengths: Very Responsive, Extremely forgiving on the rougher trails and root sections
Weaknesses: None, this thing rocks
Bottom Line:
Very light frame set and extremely responsive - makes no sense that a frame with carbon seat stays responds so well on hard climbs. I've broken two chains and a pedal on climbs and this bike refuses to flex. I would recommend this bike to anyone who wants a good solid performing bike and not a huge budget. Frame up with excellent components for under 2k, can't beat it. True, the paint is a bit weak, but who is going to care about the shine of your bike when you glide past them on a climb?
Similar Products Used: Trek 8500, Canondale Scalpel
Bike Setup: Bontrager wheels, Thompson Stem, Rock shox revelation, salsa shaft seat post, Race Face Cranks, XT all else
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Submitted by
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis, Mn
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2006
Strengths: scandium tubing for strenght yet lightweight. carbon seatstays a definate difference on the trail.
Weaknesses: none. almost too sexy to ride.
Bottom Line:
For how light this bike is, it is a stiff and supple ride. I have never ridden a bike that climbs as well as this thing does. It decends with ease as well. This bike is perfect for the weekend warrior or cross country freak. A good price for what you get. "If it aint' moto, its worthless" So go out and get one eh?
Bike Setup: Sid Race. XTR/XT components. Avid SD Ultimate brake calipers w/speed dial SL levers. King headset. Race Face Deus crankset. American Classic MTN350 wheels. Maxxis Ignitor 1.95 tires. All in all, this bad boy tips the scales right around 21.5lbs.
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Submitted by
a Cross Country Rider
from council bluffs, ia, usa
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2006
Strengths: LIGHT LIGHT LIGHT
Weaknesses: paint like everyone else says is just too thin
Bottom Line:
I am 6'2" so I got the 20" frame and it's still just 23 pounds. I do mostly just xc trails or road riding and the bike just flys on either. My steel Jamis was actually a little smoother ride but didn't climb nearly as well. For a combo of looks, ride, and capability it is the best thing I found. If you ride alot of single track or road/xc try to get your lbs to get one in and try.
Similar Products Used: Marin rock springs Jamis dakota xc
Bike Setup: Full XT drivetrain, Chris King hubs laced to mavic 819's with DT revolutions
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Submitted by
a Cross Country Rider
from Wallingford, PA (USA)
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2006
Strengths: really easy to go uphill with and very steady downhill descents, rear end is very stiff, thanks to carbon seatstays. Scandium frame and all carbon seatstays for $800.00
Weaknesses: paint scratches easily
Bottom Line:
You want maximum bang for your buck?? Try this frame BEFORE and AFTER you try an all-carbon frame. I looked at Trek's Elite 9.8 and 9.9 frames first (over $2,000.00 more), but this Salsa felt much better. I have a 16" frame, as I am 5'4" and it weighs just 3 pounds.
Similar Products Used: Trek 8500, Raleigh M-8000, Nishiki Alien.
Bike Setup: Cane Creek WAM Ti wheelset, Easton EC90 handlebar, Thomson Elite stem, Chris King headset, Race Face Next LP crank, Bontrager Triple XXX Lite seatpost, 80-120mm Rock Shox Duke XC fork, XTR 9-speed drivetrain, Bontrager Revolt SS tires (26X2.1), Avid Arch Rival v-brakes.
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Submitted by
Ed Vega
a Cross Country Rider
from Mexico
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2006
Strengths: 1.- Weight(3.2lb for 18" frame) 2.- Scandium and Carbon fiber seatstay(Awsome quality on finishings) 3.- Price
Weaknesses: Maybe not a weakness,but paint is too thin.
Bottom Line:
This bike climbs as a deere and runs like devil!!!.Rear carbon seatstay adds dampening like a small suspension,and stiffness control on curves.You just need to pedal less to get speed,and I really don't know what it is but it feels quite different above other bikes.It might be geometry?,or lightweight,or scandium and carbon seatstay?,but it's really fun,fun,fun to ride this bike. If you want to see you buddies on your back,Get one!,I highly recommend this frame.
I have a chance to get a 2009 moto rapido which I would love to have but the frame is an 18" and I usually ride upright on a larger frame for city cruising. My question is, for of Read More »
Hopefully this is a dumb question. Just curious if there will be any problems using XX or the newest XTR/XT 2x10 components on a old black Moto Rapido? No clearance problems with t Read More »
I just bought a 2010 and am waiting on it. I had planned on turning it into a single speed. It currently has XT parts. I wanted to use it for my single speed adventures but I'm sec Read More »
