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Salsa Cycles
Ala Carte Frame
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Submitted by
jeff jackson
a Cross Country Rider
from birmingham alabama
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | BoB's Bikes | | Strengths: | Beautiful construction. Clasic Look, totally rideable. | | Weaknesses: | It's steel, so it,s a touch heavy. I'm 6'4 so mine is huge... my bike! | | Bike Setup: | A mix of xt and xtr components, Avid Juicy fives, Maxxis Crossmark 2.1s. on sun ringle disc-o-fleas. | | Bottom Line: | If you are a steel hard tail kind of guy or girl, go for it. People ask me about it all the time. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Geoff Parkyn
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver BC Canada
Date Reviewed: November 1, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | "its still out there..." | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | privately | | Strengths: | The 06 frameset...This bike was built up by someone else..came with XTR, Mavic 321 wheelsetsFSA crabon fibre cranks and bars, so the components are great..just swapped out the older kenda rubber for some new XC Hutchison's | | Weaknesses: | The paint chips are feroscious...chain rub and shoe rubs has left some paint rub-off..The salsa rep replied to my enquiry about paint touch-up with "good luck go try a paint store" | | Similar Products Used: | old scholl rocky mtn hammer, new DeVinci depserado | | Bike Setup: | FSA carbon cranks/XTR derailluers hubs, Mavic 321 rims, Easton bars, Chris King headset, Manitou R-7 shock | | Bottom Line: | Like most who have ridden a great steel frame bike, I love this bike, the bright orange is kinda sic but this bike flies...my new devinci never gets ridden much now..this is a great XC bike | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Wood
a Weekend Warrior
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Alpine bikes in Aberdeen | | Strengths: | unbreakable frame ! | | Weaknesses: | not the lightest ... | | Similar Products Used: | ParkPre | | Bike Setup: | full XT group from 1990 - almost all still original and works like magic - a few Ringle bits ( purple ) original rasta skewers , Syncros gorilla series post with grey Flite titanium saddle , Salsa bars , stem , Wheels ? XTR hub on the rear , Ringle purple on the front ( cant remember the rims ..... Farmer John and Farmer John's cousin tyres ! | | Bottom Line: | my paint work ( white with Jellybean ) has held up very well since the late 80's ..... the frame is still as lively as the first day i rode it - and it's been all over Europe ( French Alps , Austrian Alps , Swiss Alps ..... ) what can i say ? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Piazzano
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | I'm not gonna tell you! | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Steel is still the real deal! Light, supple, responsive, durable, turns on a dime, what's not to like? | | Weaknesses: | None! | | Similar Products Used: | There is no equal, well maybe there is, but I haven't ridden one as of yet! | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR drivetrain/brakes, Mavic Crossmax wheels, Chris King Headset, Marzocchi Z1 Bomber 2002, Monkeylite riser bars. | | Bottom Line: | Okay, I've been wanting to review this frame for years. I purchased it at my LBS in 1998 and now have found the time to write this review, finally. As long as my Ala Carte does not get stolen, crushed by a tank, or rust and disinigrate, I will continue to ride this sweet bike, hopefully forever. I am on my second set of wheels and forks, but the frame remains the same. Relaxed geometry, light, supple, responsive, and quick. I am mainly a xc rider (no mountains in chicago to speak of)and this hard tail suits me perfectly. I have raced xc with it, but mainly just riden it for fun for the last 7 years. I can honestly say it is heaven to ride on this frame. For any previous reviews that have knocked the durability of the paint, mine has remained very new appearing despite many muddy rides, wet rides, and plenty of crashes! Powder coating with a clear coat final layer=durability. I still get many looks wherever I ride with this frame. It could be the orange paint, the chillies, but its definitely not me. Thank you for designing this bike Russ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris everist
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | AZTrail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | friend | | Strengths: | Sweet long hz drops, light, cozy geometry | | Bike Setup: | Single speed | | Bottom Line: | After seeing pictures of this bike, Salsa said it was theirs. It has HUGE hz drops. They sent decals, one of which said "ala carte" I am skeptical however. It may even be someone's grage project. Nice beefy bike nonetheless | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim O'Mahony
a Cross Country Rider
from Port Orchard, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Suntop | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | well designed, time proven geometry, Columbus SLX tubing, sweetest ride ever! And a powder coated finish that has endured 12 years of abuse! | | Weaknesses: | Ross doesn't make them anymore! Check with Sean and Matt at SoulCraft... | | Similar Products Used: | When I bought this baby in 1991, I honestly doubt that there were many bikes on the market that I hadn't tried. My buddy ran a high end bike shop, and we got to try just about all the cool stuff....KHS, Salsa, Fat Chance, Rocky Mountain, Kona, Klein, etc.... | | Bike Setup: | I still ride with the XT top mounts, Shimano 600 rear, XT front, Phil hubs, King headset, and now, a SoulCraft rigid fork. Recently upgraded to Avid disc on front, and Control Tech V brakes rear. | | Bottom Line: | the bottom line is that Ross built me the BEST 2 wheeled friend I have EVER had. I have thousands of miles on this bike both on and off road, and with the sole exception of the old school 1 inch steer tube, there is not one thing I would change. When I die, they can bury me with my Ala Carte! If you want the same feeling, call SoulCraft(in the old Salsa factory in Petaluma), and tell Sean and Matt I sent you. You will not be sorry!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tristan
a Cross Country Rider
from colatown
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | the happy one | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | still rides like a dream. clims like a bat outta hell. | | Weaknesses: | none- to all ya'll posers whining about crappy paintjobs, sell your salsa to somebody who really rides. paint rubbing off on the chainstays? that happens on all bikes-it's call "chainsuck"! sheesh.
| | Bike Setup: | marzocchi Z-1, salsa stem and post, selle italia flite ti gel saddle, egg beaters, white industries hubs, sun 0 degree rimz, deore drivetrain:(, cane creek headset, hell bent riserbar, salsa rasta skewers and seat collar, oury grips woo woo! | | Bottom Line: | the bottome line is the salsa ala carte is the real steel deal. can't go wrong with cali chromo! i've fixed my only problem that i had with the bike at first-the low bb height. i was riding rigid for the first 5 months i had it, which was still nice, but i was hitting my pedals on roots and rocks. now that i've got a Z-1 up front, i no longer have that problem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tristan Moss
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbia, SC Usa
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | tsali | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Outspokin' | | Strengths: | rides great, pretty light(4 pounds for a 21') pretty color | | Weaknesses: | low bottom bracket | | Similar Products Used: | univega alpina506 (kinda) | | Bike Setup: | rigid. deore drivetrain, salsa stem and post
gonna upgrade when i sell enough dope | | Bottom Line: | this frame has made me a better rider. it just rides great. plus its got lots of personality and style too. you don't see too many of these around. i recommend the vino rojo color. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dirk
a Cross Country Rider
from Vermont
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Nimble, responsive, comfortable, clean welds | | Weaknesses: | paint | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Hot | | Bike Setup: | odd mix - sram shifting, xtr/valiant wheels, v-brakes, Judy SL and rockshox seat post | | Bottom Line: | I was looking for a quality steel hardtail to replace my venerable Teesdale-built Kona Hot, which was built out of no-longer-available Tange Ultimate tubing. The A La Carte wasn't at the top of my list, as it's rather pricey, but I ran across one for $300 new, so I couldn't really say no. The frame was built for a team but never delivered or painted, so I got a frame with no decals and what may or may not be original factory paint, so my paint job may not be representative of most A la Cartes. That said, the paint is not that durable.
The frame is beautiful in a retro way: nice Ritchey dropouts, not much slope to the top tube, Reynolds 853 tubing throughout without any frills. It does have a gusset at the head tube/down tube junction. It is fairly light for steel, right around four pounds.
I wanted a bike that climbed and accelerated well and was responsive without being harsh. Bombing downhill is less of a priority for me than climbing, low speed maneuverability, and comfort on long rides. The A La Carte does everything I want it to in a simple, yet very finely crafted package. If I was paying list for a U.S. built steel frame, I might have stayed closer to home and spent the same kind of money on an I.F. or a Wojick, but for what I paid for it, I am very, very happy with the Salsa. (My value rating reflects the MSRP, not what I paid)
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tom
a
from denver
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | reputation.....i f you consider this a strength | | Weaknesses: | THE PAINT JOB IS THE WORST.
CHAIN RUBBING ALL THE PAINT OFF ON THE CHAIN STAY. I DISCUSSED THIS WITH "P-MAN" AT SALSA, AND GET THIS, HE SAID THAT HIS FRAME DID THE SAME THING...HE WASN"T SURE WHY?!!!!
I AGREE WITH PREVIOUS REVIEWS... IF YOU LOOK AT THE FRAME WRONG, THE PAINT CHIPS. | | Bottom Line: | IT'S AN OK RIDE...BUT THE PAINT JOB REALLY, REALLY DETRACTS FROM THIS BIKE. ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL...LOOK ELSEWHERE. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Hollister, CA
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | all | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Trip Santa Cruz | | Strengths: | Great ride quality. Has the comfy steel ride. | | Weaknesses: | The paint job is worthless. It chips if you just look
at it wrong. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized, cannondale | | Bike Setup: | Easton carbon straight bars, Bontrager stem, King headset,
Rock Shox SID SL, Salsa seat and post, Time pedals,
Mavic Wheels, XT everything else. | | Bottom Line: | A little expensive. Paint job should be better for the
price, but overall it's a fun ride and I'm happy with it.
The steering is scary fast. It took me a while to get used
to it. You have to just have a little faith at
first and then as your confidence with the bike grows
it get's less scary. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phatogy
a
from Louisville
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | ALL | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Second Hand | | Strengths: | Great ride, cool colors, different, quality of construction, 853 | | Weaknesses: | Paint job quality is not that great.
Can't fit a wide tire in rear.
LOW BOTTOM BRACKET | | Similar Products Used: | First steel bike | | Bike Setup: | Z2, xt, lx, velocity rims | | Bottom Line: | It's great bike, great ride but the low bottom bracket just blows...I hit every rock and root in the trail with my pedals. Of course it wouldn't be that big of a deal if there weren't any of them. I guess I should have bought a "East Coast" frame. I though the East Vs West was B.S.
I knew East coasr bikes had taller BB than normal but I didn't know West coast bikes had lower BB's than normal. It makes the bike stable in descents but...
I can't believe nobody has commented about the BB before.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter Polack
a Cross Country Rider
from Meriden CT USA
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Quality construction, no surprises geometry, special features for durability | | Weaknesses: | Not powder coated; no longer offered in Reynolds 525. | | Similar Products Used: | 1990 Bridgestone MB-3, 1984 Specialized Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | Parts of note: Bullseye front hub, Rock Ring chainring protector, Independent Fabrications Rigid Fork. | | Bottom Line: | The easiest way to understand my opinion of the Salsa Ala Carte is to see what my ÒframeÓ of reference is. Therefore, IÕll first describe my previous ATB, then list the two framesÕ specs side by side for comparison.
My previous frame/bicycle was a 1990 Bridgestone MB-3. The frame was made of regular Ritchey Logic tubing (not Prestige). The rigid fork was also Ritchey Logic. Bridgestones were known for Òroad bikeÓ geometry within their mountain bike line. That is, their seat angles were relatively steeper, and their top tubes relatively longer than the norm. They also had the steepest head angles in the business. It was a great bike; the short rear end gave great traction on steep uphills, the long top tube helped minimize ÒendosÓ and promoted an aggressive, road-like, flat back position, and the steering was great for tight, technical stuff albeit a little fast at speed. The frame was neither too stiff nor too flexy. After ten years, it broke.
Bridgestone Salsa
Frame Size (C-T) 17Ó 17Ó
Effective Top Tube Length 23Ó 22.17Ó
Seat Angle (Degrees) 73.5 73
Head Angle (Degrees) 72.5 71
Chainstay Length 16.75Ó 17Ó
Fork Rake (mm) 40 41 (IF Fork)
Wheelbase (cm) 103 104.4
Stem Length (cm)/
degrees rise 11/+20 11/-6
I will say I chose the Salsa sight unseen. Their other products such as their seatpost, welded stem, and skewers seemed well thought out and that was good enough advertising for me. Checking the reviews on the mtbr.com website confirmed what I suspected; the reviews alone practically sold me on the frame.
As far as what I paid for the frame, I canÕt tell you. As a bike shop employee, I get a hefty discount, which would break hearts and wouldnÕt be fair to divulge. Expect to pay about $1k +/- $100 for the frame. Salsa frames are only available through your local bike shop. Any shop that orders spare parts through Quality Bicycle Products (QBP) can get one for you.
The finsh is a tough Òwet paintÓ; itÕs not peeling off easily at the dropouts like a lesser job I experienced. I wish the frames were powder coated; powder coating is even tougher which is more conducive to what mountain bikes endure. Also, the decals arenÕt clearcoated so you image conscious types beware, but theyÕve held up well for me so far.
Tubing-Note that the frame has Reynolds 853 butted main tubes ONLY. The rear end is True Temper OX Gold.
Features-The lower head tube has a reinforcing ring to protect it from ovalizing, a good precaution for the ATB environment. The upper end underside of the down tube has a gusset welded onto it to reinforce the junction from frontal impacts and the forces seen from suspension forks. The seat tube slot is on the front side so that tire spray wonÕt have another way to send dirt and water down the tube. The frame was perfectly aligned except for my rear dropouts, which were 1.5mm short of proper spacing, so that the wheel needs a little tug to drop in. The visible insides of the tubes were immaculate and cleanly machined. Paint in the BB threads made starting the fixed cup difficult so I proceeded with caution. It took me about ten minutes to ensure I wasnÕt cross threading things and was somewhat frustrating. However, once I got it started properly it threaded in easily.
Chainstay clearance- 2.1Ó tires will be a cinch to fit. However, the drive side seatstay is not flattened far up from the dropout end. The result is that shifting from my smallest cog to the second cog is removing the paint from the seatstay. This only occurs while in the big chainring, and hereÕs why: IÕm using a non-microdrive crank with a 46T large ring, and a 12T cog. The frame is probably designed for compact drive cranks where a 42/44x11T is the norm. It is not impeding my shifting, though, and not removing metal.
The two sets of waterbottle bosses are mounted low on their respective tubes which facilitates use of large size bottles. When I mounted my cages, from two different manufacturers, they interfered with each other. I switched position of the cages, seat tube vs. down tube and the problem was solved. Obviously, cages can vary on how they sit on the tube. Literature says the frame comes with their quick release style seat collar. I asked Salsa via e-mail if I could have the non-QR style collar and they said sure, just list that on the order form. Whichever you choose, youÕll get the most well thought out clamp in the industry-the threaded portion of the clamp pivots so no matter how tight you cinch down the collar, the bolt WILL NOT develop a permanent bend as others do.
Fit- Equally important to me as frame size were standover height and top tube length. The Bridgestone fit me fine, but if I chose the closest sized Salsa which also had a similar top tube length, I would give up about 1Ó of standover height. This is because the Bridgestone was designed without regard to suspension forks. I chose the smaller frame with a shorter top tube. I chose a stem for the Salsa that would give me the same effective top tube and stem dimension AND the same stem height . (I calculated the effective length of respective stems with simple trigonometry.)
The Ala Carte sports a shallower seat angle than the Bridgestone but longer chainstays. For a short rider like me, having as much weight as possible over the rear wheel is a luxury and a key to good traction that taller riders take for granted. Likewise, while my SalsaÕs top tube/stem combo is equal to the Bridgestone, with the slacker head angle and resultant longer wheelbase, IÕm hoping I can still keep the front wheel pinned down on climbs while anchoring the rear wheel for traction.
Tips: When installing your fork, mount your stem/bar combo BEFORE you cut the steerer to length. Swing the bars to ensure they clear the top tube. One crash is all it takes to dent something that could have been avoided. I learned this lesson AFTER I cut my steerer. Also, the seatstay and chainstay bridges are threaded for rack/fenders but no bolts are provided. Put some in to help keep water out.
The one glaring problem I had with the frame was the seatpost would not hold its height adjustment. It would slip down about 1Ó in 10 miles. IÕve been wrenching bikes too long to require a torque wrench to tighten this bolt properly, so I knew something else was wrong. I measured everything with calipers and all was in spec. I took two courses of action. First, I noticed the seat tube slot was shorter than on other bikes. It barely cleared the bottom of the seat collar, and in fact measured 10mm shorter than is common. The shorter it is, the less clamping forces will have an effect on cinching down the tube to hold the post. I lengthened the slot to the standard 25mm and drilled another relief hole at the lower end.
Second, the location of the scratches on the post indicated the seat collar was the cause and not the seat tube itself. Most collars have a lip at the top end to keep the collar at the end of the seat tube. So, I rigged up a little jig to remove some of the lip by hand sanding it, checking my progress with a caliper gauge. I sanded until the two I.D.s were about 0.2mm apart. The two approaches worked; the seatpost now holds its height.
So, IÕve now got my position matching my old bike. How does the Salsa ride? ThereÕs no wheel flop in the front end. The slacker head angle cum slower steering gives me greater slow speed line changing ability. At higher speeds, you really need to use counter steering to change your line, though. Even though IÕm a touch further back from the front hub, I can easily keep the wheel pinned down on steep climbs. And although the chainstays are 1/4Ó longer, I canÕt detect any loss of traction. The frame is neither stiff nor flexy; itÕs just fine.
Aside from the seatpost snafu which I was able to identify and correct, IÕm really happy with the frame. I never want to be another mass market drone/clone, which is one reason why I bought the Salsa. If youÕre interested in something out of the ordinary, you canÕt go wrong with the Ala Carte. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Ft. Collins Co. U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Horsetooth Mountain Park | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Delta Cyclery Stockton Ca. | | Strengths: | Classic,steel,bomproof,telepathic handiling. | | Weaknesses: | none,zero,nada,zilch. | | Similar Products Used: | Fat Chance Monster Fat,Yo Eddy,Bontrager Race,Specialised S-Works steel,M-2,Canondale M800,Catamount SL | | Bike Setup: | Columbine rigid 1" theaded,Cane Creek h.s.,Salsa crmo. stem,Bontrager riser,Ritchy levers,W.T.B. Speed Masters,Race Face cr.+ b.b.,White Br. Rigida frt.,Spot1+1,Mav.D521 rear,Spot 34t ring,Paul tentioner.No Shimano!Under 20 lbs. Brick red. | | Bottom Line: | Bought it in 90` as an insurance replacement for the Monster.When I called to talk bikes, Ross answerd the phone.This guy is for real,and man can he talk!When I asked him how much it weighed, he asked me how much I weighed(220)."No worries,it will last". She was black w/rasta jelly beans,it looked like my five year old had painted it.Cool! With non adjusted geometry a Mag 20 and clipless,I flailed.I striped the fork and she came to life.What can I say? This bike has been there and back countless times.I will us all the classic hyperbol about the ride,quick but stable,stiff yet compliant,understated crafstmanship.Thank you Ross for building me the best friend I`ve ever had.I hope the people at Quality will keep the fire burning at Salsa.Remember, there is always the boys over at Soul Craft.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Sonora
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Pinball | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Pullins Cyclery Chico | | Strengths: | Steel is real!!! Sweetest hardtail I've owned very nimble on single track and quite stable at downhill speeds. I bought it in the summer of 94 with full XT and manitou three's up front. And one of the most coolest paint scheme's I've ever seen. Metal color frameset with red chili pepper's handpainted all over. | | Weaknesses: | One inch headset enough said | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper, Fisher Paragon, | | Bike Setup: | Manitou EFC shocks, Paul Stoplight MC brakes, Cook brother cranks, Chris King headset & Hubs, Syncros stem , seatpost & rims, XT drivetrain & shifters. | | Bottom Line: | My Baby, never get rid of it. Just lookin for a set of old Marzocchi's (Z2 or Atombombs). And enjoying the feel of steel. Peace on Dirt :) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark T-SAFF RACING
a Cross Country Rider
from ST. LOUIS MO
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | TWO ELK MINTURN | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | WHEEL BASE, VAIL CO | | Strengths: | DOES EVERYTHING, WHEN I LIVE IN VAIL I RODE THIS BIKE IN CROSS COUNTRY RACES, BIG MOUNTAIN DOWNHILLS, DUAL SLOLAM RACES, STOCK TRIALS, HILLCLIMBS, COMMUTING, ETC. THIS BIKE IS STRONG, FORGIVING, NIMBLE AND EATS YOUR OLD MANS SUSPENSION BIKE FOR BREAKFAST. STEEL RULES, ALLWAYS HAS, ALLWAYS WILL. | | Weaknesses: | ABSOLUTELY NONE | | Similar Products Used: | STUMPJUMPER (PRESTIGE)
STUMPJUMPER M2 (HATED IT)
KHS (POOR QUALITY) | | Bike Setup: | NOLEEN MEGA AIR FORK, RACEFACE CRANKS, SALSA STEM, SYNCROS POST, PROFILE CARBON RISER, 217'S, 1-SPEED (32/16) 20 LBS! | | Bottom Line: | IF IT AIN'T MOTO, ITS WORTHLESS | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from parkersburg, wv
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | STEEL IS REAL!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Weaknesses: | DON'T INSULT ME. | | Bike Setup: | ICON CRANK, XTR COMPONENTS, YETI RISER BAR, TITEC STEEL STEM, CROSSBOW SADDLE | | Bottom Line: | COMING FROM A ALUMINUM TREK TO THE SALSA, I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING ELSE.I'VE RODE IT IN 24 HR. RACES, ROOTS ROCKS, AND SOME TIGHT SINGLETRACK. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS POINT THE WAY AND HOLD ON, SHE'LL TAKE CARE OF THE REST.FOR THE PRICE, YOU CANT FIND A BETTER CUSTOM STEEL FRAME. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hong Lee
a Cross Country Rider
from College Place, WA USA
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | South Mountain (Tempe, AZ) | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Awesome low speed handling! I rode this frame for about five years or so (now retired but repainting it!) and I haven't had better frames for slower speed riding. Another strength would be that this frame takes abuse!!! This is very strong frame. It weighs more than most modern steel frames (mine is 4.5lb 44cm size(17in)) but it gives me a confidence when I am riding hard! | | Weaknesses: | My frame is purchased in 1992, I bought with jelly bean color (or rasta color) and they did not put clear coat over the jelly bean paint job so paint wasn't so great but this is very minor detail... I heard they did it this way to save air pollution...??? I dunno... the other thing is that it is hard to find 1 in steer tube forks nowadays... Back then there was plenty of them... (I put RockShox Mag-20 then MAG-21...) | | Similar Products Used: | Slingshot, Bridgestone MB-1, AmpResearch B5, DBR WCF frame, Cannondale CADD3 frame (non-headshok model) | | Bike Setup: | it was:
Deore XT/XTR, CookBrothers cranks, syncros Ti BB (triple baring one), Mavic 231 then 217 later. Chris King HS..., and of course Salsa Stem!!! | | Bottom Line: | GOOD Solid frame, this is the frameset I started mountain biking on... and I still own the thing... It is one of the better frame! Mine is built with Columbus CroMo OR tubing with Ritchey dropouts and I guess they use different tubings now... Their customer service has been better than any other company... They were nice, when Ross Shafer was head of Salsa and now, I guess under different management and still they are nice people!!! I asked Salsa for new decals for my old Salsa frame and the gentleman aka "the Pman" sent me all the decals for my frame AND he gave me a Columbus tubing decal as well! Now, I call this customer service!!! These guys kick butt! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Slim Tree Shadow
a Cross Country Rider
from Oregon
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Roll Your Own | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Bottom Line: | Oooh.... what artistry. This steel framed Ala Carte gives a remarkable ride. Nice flex from the Reynolds steel tubing, Ritchey dropouts, beautiful detail work on the welds. I outfitted mine with a Marzocchi SuperFly shock and other goodies. The ride is unparalleled on tech singletrack. Climbs efficiently, but it's not the lightest hardtail out there... this is not a detraction by any means. Does very well on fast downhills. You will feel that steel really is real when you throw a leg over this frame and point it through a smooth, pine-duff, twisty, banked and fast piece of trail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Apple Valley, Minnesota
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Lutsen #32 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | It's steel, tracks like no other frame in the world, looks beautiful, it almost thinks for you. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | bontrager race lite | | Bike Setup: | 17" frame, amp research f3xc fork, salsa seatpost, salsa stem, cane creek headset, xt derailers, xtr bb, time pedals, real hubs,bontrager racelite handelbar, paul brake levers, salsa grips, wtb saddle, xt shifters, ritchey logic pro crank | | Bottom Line: | the bottom line is that there really isn't a bike out there that rides like the classic geometry of a salsa. I mean these ala cartes are direct descendants of the original motos an these suckers track like no other, ride like no other and perform like no other bike in the world. Also salsa itself is run by great people even though it's not the original owners. I bought mine directly from salsa, don't try to yourself you can't, and the folks are the nicest you'll ever meet working for a bike company. And really take my word for it get the dwntube cable routing and the tequila green paintjob you'll thank yourself. The way these bikes are handcrafted is amazing every tube is sealed off and the chainstays and seat stays come in with the ends capped off instead of round ends. this bike truly is art at it's finest you won't find another like it and at this priceif you can justify it it is really unbelievable considering the mona lisa sells for millions of dollars and you can't even ride that. I think the peson that should be looking at this bike is someone that is looking for the utmost qaulity and is looking for the best ride possible. This bike does deliver and if you are coming off of an aluminum frame will not beleive how much difference a frme like this matters, it is truly unbelievable. If it aint moto it's worthless, baby! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Troll Master
a cross-country rider
from Bend Oregon boooooy!
Date Reviewed: February 11, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Ah the Salsa Ala Carte. True moto goodness. I love this frame. I bought mine in November of 98 and it came outfitted w/some less than stellar components. I have been gradually upgrading these as I've needed to. I must say that this bike tracks better than my last steel frame -- which was a Ritchey Comp. Beautiful on the singletrack. It just carves your line of choice up with no back talk and leaves those suspension sluts wishing they could do the same thing. It is stiff. I'm used to that kind of a ride, but for those that have been babied by squishy suspension in the rear - watch out! You won't like this bike. It is really fast downhill too. I'm am very stoked to give 5 chilis to the old schoolers at Salsa for making quality frames. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a cross-country rider
from Madison WI
Date Reviewed: July 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
When #&*_+ Trek bought Bontrager i had to replace my Racelite with a another solid traditional hardtail. The ala carte has never let me down it gets me through everything with a minimum of fuss. If you want a classic trailbike to help keep your head above all the hype and baloney you can't go wrong here | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a cross-country rider
from socal
Date Reviewed: May 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
A ride for slow old men? HA! A lack of knolwedge of the history of mountain bike design is apparent...Ross invented the modern geometry (71/73 ~17 stays). When Ritchey and Fisher had slack bombers, Ross was building solid, crisp-handling bikes. And Salsa continues to be one of the most confidence inspiring rides out there. My '91 Ala Carte (with hand-painted Rasta-Flag colors) is still ready for action every day. Bomb proof. Predictable. Still can drop silly little kids with their stupid-light FS-caca-bake on the climb AND smoke them downhill. Why? Cause I can pick a line with this bike (does anyone remember how to do that? One problem with suspension...), and it goes there.This is a great frame, with a time-tested design. It is absolutely bomb proof, and Salsa (and especially Ross) is a great company. When I was living up in San Francisco I called Salsa up to see if I could get a Logic fork to replace my heavy Bontrager comp. They said no problem, and even painted it to match my frame!From the company that invented chilies and bikes....5 big ones. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dirque
a cross-country rider
from Marin
Date Reviewed: March 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Best steel frame there is. Period! No ifs, ands, or buts. This is a work of art, I am constantly amazed at the responsiveness, acceleration, nimbleness, and overall twisty, technical, singletrack devouring that this bike provides. If you bought something else but didn't pay as much, that's understandable. If you paid the same or more for a different steel hardtail, you blew it! If you have not ridden this frame, you are doing youself a diservice! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andor Kiss
a cross-country rider
from Victoria, BC, CANADA
Date Reviewed: October 20, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The nicest, fastest, most responsive frame set I have ridden. If you chose to use a suspension fork, ask Ross at Salsa to increase the head tube angle by a degree and this will eliviate the retro feel that some aluminum frame/suspension/no-handling-skills riders complain about. The Salsa is strong, stays stiff for years (mine is four years old) and handles all terrain well. It is a bike for people who want to be able to race as well as ride an eight hour off road exploration. This is a hard-core's bike for people who feel mountain biking is a way of life, not a one-upmanship status symbol gizmo. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a cross-country rider
from Fort Llatikcuf,CO
Date Reviewed: September 18, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The Ala Carte is a time tested retro piece of steel. With its relaxed geometry this bike devours technical single track like no hardtail aluminum bike. Even on the hariest downhills I've found no need for overweight and high maintanence full suspension frames. Steel is real. Ross knows. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a cross-country rider
from Mill Valley, CAFre
Date Reviewed: July 9, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Friend of mine bought the Salsa and I rode it. Not impressive. Soft around bottom bracket compared to some others. Huge loose triangle geometry is too retro, creates softness as well as bad stand over and body positioning. My friend is much slower off rode than on the aluminum GT he traded in (not that I like the GT either). He falls a lot on this bike, and has had to slow down considerably and avoid technical situations. Sad thing is, the bike fits him perfectly. Another friend has one and he took it to Tibet to tour for four months -- worked great for that. So maybe this bike is better suited to more mellow, mature, old man type riding. It was plush and stable when level and going in a straight line, but I sure didn't like it. And out of the saddle was the worst, sloppy even with a very stiff crank. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dale Peterson
a cross-country rider
from Fairfax, California
Date Reviewed: October 1, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I have been riding on this frame for about 3 months now, and I love it. It
is really sturdy, and handles great. These frames are hand-made in Petaluma,
California and use double butted Columbus steel tubing. They aren't very
light, about 4.4lbs on the 46.5cm frame. They come in a variety of colors,
and they are powder coated then clear coated for a super durable finish.
If you are looking for a sturdy frame to last a long time, these fit the bill,
otherwise, go for some aluminum or titanium frame if you can afford it. | | Overall Rating: |
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