The Caballero “a hyperactive comfort creature”. Four fully-active inches of front and rear travel on a lightweight and dependable chassis take you up the hill and through the woods.
Submitted by
Rick King
a Weekend Warrior
from Gilbert
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2007
Strengths: Light, stiff and one of a kind on the trails!
Weaknesses: Tall and short. I am 6'1" and was used to my Fisher...seemed a bit compact for me so I bought a 110mm Thompson Neck & angled seat post to give me more stretch. I DO NOT like the top bar height but the bike performace compensates for that.
Bottom Line:
This bike for me has been outstanding, I put the top of the line parts on it and as with anything else, you get what you pay for. The bike is a bit compact for my taste (I am used to the long Fisher long & low top tube) but this bike more than makes up for it in every other way, smooth over technical areas and the suspension is plush! Who needs and active lock-out, when your suspension is made to perfection you don't need it! Highly recommend this bike/frame if you can get your hands on it, nice to be an original amongst Specialized people...
Bike Setup: XTR Cranks, derailure front and back, XTR shifters and brake levers, Ti brakes, Cross Max wheels, Marzzochi Bomber forks, and Thompson seat post & stem, and King head set. The bike is a Lg and loaded and weighs a scant 23.7 lbs. This thing rocks...did I mention I have NEVER seen another like it on the trails...keep your Specialized Epics...
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Submitted by
DMC Mac
a Cross Country Rider
from Great NW
Date Reviewed: December 26, 2005
Strengths: Lightweight, Stiff, Durable and did I say LIGHT?? Scandium is your friend!! BANG 4 DA BUCK!!
Weaknesses: Soft frame material and paint chips but if you want beauty why get on the mountain at all........ This frame is a sleeper- get one if you can!
Bottom Line:
A Weight Weenies Dream with all the burliness as well as finess of anything out there. Rails downhill like a laser and climbs like a mountain goat on roids!
The frame has just been discontinued by Salsa with the El Santo replacing it with a different configuration on the rear shock. Be unique and ride something with a different flavor and get your butt on a Salsa, you won't regret it!
Bike Setup: Cabby Frame, Hope minis, Crossmax disc, FOX Float 130L(plush), XO build w/shorty grips, UST Bulldogs from Hutch and ODI ruffians- Sub 25lbs!! Also Topeak Enduro helmet HID for NITE Excursions..3x a week minimum!
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Submitted by
ariel dekel
a Weekend Warrior
from reshafim, israel
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2005
Strengths: rigid like nothing else, rear susp' feels like stable platform though my shock is RS Sid, can't feel the bobbing if there is any at all, climbs like a goat (even with a lousy "engine" like me…)& descents like hell
Weaknesses: non so far
Bottom Line:
I was looking 4 a great XC/all-around bike that will b Light enough even with some semi heavy-duty setup. Built it around 13 KG with "SLIME" & it feels much lighter, they're very fast with good precise steering on tight trails & can handle some air when I'm on the mood. After 2 years on this machine I can say for sure that I have one of the best fun bikes in the world. Best value 4 money by far, give them 10 chillis (value+overall rating) because of the smile on my face every ride even without XTR!!!
Bike Setup: full deore (shifters,Derailleurs, cranckset & hubs). avid SD5 brakes. salsa semi rear& delgado front rims. DT champion spokes. salsa shaft seat post & moto ace stem/riser bar. serfas DDVADO seat. kenda nevegal front & knarly rear tires. manitou black elite 100-80 2003 fork & RS sid rear shock dont mind the extra wighet when i'm 90 KGS & it not so bad anyway.
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Submitted by
Nathan
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2005
Strengths: Paintjob, weight, price!!!.
Weaknesses: None really. This may have been my fault as I assumed the "lube" that comes on SRAM chains would be sufficient. I added some of my own lube after the ride and the chainsuck did not reoccur.
Bottom Line:
A great product. These bikes are full scandium tubsets, light, and best of all a great deal. Some have complained about the stock SID rear shock but I have not had any issues with it. This is my first Full-Suspension so I may be easily impressed.
Bike Setup: Full SRAM X.O with Twist Shifters and PG-990 Cassette, Avid BB7 Disk Brakes w/ SD7 levers, Sette F2 Riser Bar, FSA BB and Headset, Mavic x139 Wheelset, Manitou Skareb Super, and Race Face Turbine LP Cranks.
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Submitted by
Jesus Del Rio
a Racer
from Torreon, COAH, Mexico
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2005
Strengths: Light, stiff, excelent handler
Weaknesses: None discovered on the frame. The Rock Shox shock is a pain to adjust.
Bottom Line:
After 11 years riding hardtails finally decided to switch to full suspension due to back-pain troubles. This bike is perfect for the transition. If set right, the rockshox shock feels firm and the frame solid. Havent been able to get the exact tune on the rockshok, I am thinking of getting a Manitou SPV instead. It either feels too harsh or with some pedal induced bobing. The deus crankset and the scandium frame really make this rig rigid. If you switch to a better shock with anti-bobbing this is a great bike for racing and doing long rides. Great value for the money. I am giving it 4 chilis on overall rating because of the rocksox shock.
Similar Products Used: Litespeed Obed Hardtail, Cannondale Delta 1000 Hardtail
Bike Setup: Manitou skareb super with SPV, XTR front and rear, race face deus crank, easton carbon seat post and handle bar, mavic crossmax XL, hutchinson mosquito, chris king headset, ritchey wcs stem, flite saddle
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Submitted by
Darren Galvin
a Cross Country Rider
from Wellington
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2005
Strengths: The biggest strenght I have found in this bike is it`s steering.I ride some tight technical trails and this is just a point and shoot bike and then wait for the next bend.
Weaknesses: I bought this with the SID rear but throw this away in favour of Fox RP3.If there is a weakness I would have to say its short ,recommend keeping riders weight back.
Bottom Line:
I bought the frame and built this up with top parts and its now weighing in at 23lbs with fox front and rear.Although I have extremly high spec`ed bike I love this frame and I won`t be replacing it anytime soon.I have ridden alot more expensive frames but I love the 4inchs front and rear and also the sealed bearing set up for the smaller bumps as the feedback is great with shocks set up right. you can feel exactly what is going on.
Similar Products Used: Trek , Gary Fisher , Santa Cruz , Cannodale , Specialized
Bike Setup: Race Face,Moots ,XTR,XO,FSA,Avid,Everything
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Submitted by
Viper
a Cross Country Rider
from Canberra, ACT, Australia
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2005
Strengths: Light strong frame. Minimal bob if careful with shock set-up. Plush, quality travel - very comfortable ride for epic rides. Excellent value frame for price - hard to beat on quality/performance terms. Note similarity to the Rocky Element SC frame for many dollars less!
Weaknesses: None so far though I swapped the Rockshox Dual air shock for a Fifth Element Air. Tried a Swinger 3 way as well but preferred the 5th Element control.
Bottom Line:
Best value epic trail bike I have tried. Elseworth Truth would be nice but at a third of the price for the frame here in Oz this bike is the goods! Light (25.8lb) and sooo comfortable/competent on those long back-country rides.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Epic (03) and Stumpy FSR - found the Salsa more precise in technical trails though the shock can jack up under hard braking.
Bike Setup: Salsa Cab (04), Fox Float RLC fork, 5th Element shock, SRAM XO/X9 triggers, Chris King H/S, XT Hollowtech II cranks (wow), Mavic Crossmax, Easton stem etc, Maxxis Larsen TT 62a tyres
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Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Adelaide, Australia
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2005
Strengths: Everything!! Climbing, amazingly light weight, looks. BARGAIN PRICE, PAID $715 FOR THE FRAME!
Weaknesses: Nothing yet.
Bottom Line:
Incredible feel, climbs amazingly well, esp with spv fork, cannot believe how much more confidence this bike gives you. I have finally got the bike i have been wanting for years... Want something different from what everyone else has, people to say 'wow'???? GET ONE NOW!!!!!
Similar Products Used: First dually, decided to go for something good, after riding hardtail for 6 years
Bike Setup: 03 Cab, Manitou Skareb platinum, mavic 717 disc with xt centre lock and xt hydro brakes. XTR front and rear derailleurs (soon to be sram xo and x9 triggers), chris king headset, truvativ stylo team cranks, answer pro taper carbon bars, thomson stem and post.
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Submitted by
Jorenz
a Weekend Warrior
from Mandaluyong City, Philippines/Addison, Illinois
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2004
Strengths: Sweetness incarnate. This baby is LIGHT!!! I like the way the suspension tracks the trail when you swerve into a curve; I also like the fact that I sense no bob on the uphills. (Of course, I've only had it for less than a month.)
Weaknesses: None so far. Hopefully, I will not need to get back to you on this ;)
Bottom Line:
I'll say it again, this thing is sweet! For an XC rider, the Salsa Cabalero's scandium frame offers a world of possibilities- from a weight weenies delight, to a trail- adventurer ready rig. I originally wanted to get a Yeti ASR which is definitely one of the sweetest rigs on earth, however, with a little "salsito" on the way, it was best to save some dough and pony up for something more reasonably priced. In any case, owning the Cab is buying into the philosophy that says bang for the buck is the way to go. As for me, I am definitely happily "banged" ;)
Bike Setup: Sun Rim DS2's, Am Classic Dis Hubs, Avid Mech. Discs, Fox Float 100 RL, ARC stem and post, Easton Monkey Lite SL, FSA Carbon Pro Team, Crank Candy SL's...
Strengths: This frame absolutely rocks, it rails the corners, climbs like a mountain goat and is just as smooth as butter.
Weaknesses: The sid rear shock is a huge disappointment. First one had a bad seal inside, gained negative pressure, second shock bad from get-go, piston sticking when rebound anywhere but fastest setting.
Bottom Line:
I bought the frame for the warranty, and weight, suspension stlye looked bomb proof and has been so far. I've had the bike for a little over a month and have over 200 miles on it, other than that piece of s*#@ rear shock, this bike is absolutely awesome. It has re-energized my legs and lungs. I've gone through two Sid shocks, luckily my Fox shock fits and I can still ride or I would really be pissed. FYI, if your local bike shop deals with QBP, they can get these bikes for you, a fact I found out a bit later then I would have liked. I would recommend this bike to anyone looking for a full suspension ride.
Similar Products Used: Rode Epics, Trek Fuel 90, Santa Cruz, GT
Bike Setup: Fox 100 RLT,XTR shifters, rear der, XT front der, Mavic Cross Max Rims, Thompson Seat post, WTB, Laser TI seat, Easton Carbon Bars, Titec Ti Stem, FSA Head set, Crank Bros egg beater,
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Submitted by
Josh H
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2004
Strengths: Lightweight Stiff No pedal feedback (if set up correctly) Sweet paint job
Weaknesses: Rear shock seems to have a break-in period. I hated the suspension feel for the first 20-miles or so...then it seemed to instantly break-in and feels great now.
Bottom Line:
This is one sweet ride. I could have put it together for less, but I really wanted a bike that I wouldn't be back at the store buying parts for in two months (I'm known for that).
I am completely satisfied with my new ride. It's a hell of a climber, and it blows the tires off my old hardtail on the descents. This is definitely a cross-country bike, but it'll handle a little gentle air now and then. The biggest drop I've done so far is about 3-4 feet and it landed buttery smooooooth.
My only complaint is that I put a 125mm fork on it. It feels a little sluggish in the corners with the extra inch of travel, but that's my own fault I guess...I listened to the bike shop that sold it to me, and I should have gone with my own knowledge and preference. I will say, though, that the ECC on that Marzocchi Marathon is great for climbing, and the fork is super plush.
We'll see how it REALLY performs at 24-hours of Adrenaline in October!
Similar Products Used: Tested a couple of others. Best ride was Intense 5.5evp, but couldn't justify a price tag over $5000
Bike Setup: Medium Caballero, XTR cranks, XTR rear der, XT front der, XTR dual-control, XT brakes, Mavic 717's w/XT hubs, Specialized Roller Pro 2.0" tires, Marzocchi Marathon SL 125mm, Time ATAC XS peds, Raceface Air Alloy Riser-bar, Chris King Headset, Thompson Elite post and stem, WTB Laser Ti Saddle.
