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4.82/5
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Description:Standard features like oversized sealed bearing pivots, custom butted 6061-T6 tubing, spacious clearance for 2.4” tires, international standard disc brake mount, wrap-around head tube gusseting, in-house CNC machined suspension linkage with high aspect ratio rocker, and our legendary “Electric Sex” TIG welds yield an XC workhorse that is undeniably competitive at any price. And with trend setting innovations like replaceable bearing axles, optional quad bearing pivot sets, and an optional “3-4-5” adjustable travel rocker set, El Saltamontes is assured its place at the pinnacle of high-end hand built framesets.
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Submitted by
giffsamu
a Cross Country Rider
from LC, NM, USA
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | are they not all good | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | Wrench Science | | Strengths: | Its a beautiful bike | | Weaknesses: | Like Billy blanks said its a beer can | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 6500, Trek fuel | | Bike Setup: | fox talus, fox rp23, XT comp,true vativ odds and ends etc. | | Bottom Line: | very very very very disapointed in and with Ventana. I'm the dude that took the spill at a xc race last october '07 in NM coming down a gradual hill that then crossed a dirt road. Any who to make a long story short when the dust settled and after I had gotten back into the race I had noticed what seemed at the time as decal peal until I reached down and touched it and felt the ripple (Mother @##$$ piece of #$%@) the down tube was bent. Well like my buddy said I went with ventana because of all of the great and wonderful reviews, how the customer service is wonderful and the bike is great. Well to put it simply its not as great as people have made it out to be. You would think that only being 4 months old that ventana would say "yeah the waranty is still good here is another frame" or "hey send it to us well fix it" (because of the waranty thing) but no I did have to pay out of my pocket to have it repaired which sucks A$$ I had that freakin thing 4 months. any way my friend billy put it in a nice and clear light for everyone. If you are looking to buy a ventana I would look a bit harder, but hey maybe I just got the bad one, or the waranty that ran out in 4 months . Oh yeah Wrench Science the dudes who built it for me it never missed a beat. Your mechanics rock keep up the good work. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Deluxe
a Racer
from Pittsburgh, PA
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Scholl's | | Strengths: | Stiff, durable, customer service. | | Weaknesses: | Soft aluminum on rear triangle; clearance between bottom pivot housing and chain. | | Similar Products Used: | None really besides previous bike (other ride is SC Chameleon SS). | | Bike Setup: | Grinch green wit all da plop. | | Bottom Line: | 2.5 year review. First, little Billy, metal bends especially when you smack it off a rock - repeatedly or even just once. A fellow rider of mine works in auto metals with US Steel and that is apparent to most metal engineers. He is not sure that either alchemy or the Space Age can cure that problem. Second, I am not on the Ventana payroll. If I was, I wouldn't be living in this dump.
Now, Billy has a good point though. After about a dozen rides back in 05-06, my chain (and I know you shouldn't be in granny) chewed right through, or at least chipped away at, the aluminum chainstay nearby the pivot. The BB and crank were installed per manufacturer's specs (Shimano XT). It has been wrapped with a plastic chain stay guard and electrical tape ever since - no biggie. No structural integrity problems. Also, I am sure I smacked my seatstay off a rock as I endo'ed, but it did not seem that significant and it too bent, but not enough to impact pivots, bearings or performance. Third, the housing for the bottom pivot will get torn up if your chain flies off -which can happen on rocky downhills like Big Bear, WV or Tussie Mountain, PA. Perhaps, a titanium rear triangle would work better as it will be more likely to dent but not bend also? The set-up is already expensive anyway. I don't think it would be overly expensive for those who really want it. What about a carbon fiber option? I dunno.
Anyway, the bad rating in this chain is wholly undeserved. And I haven't gotten any birthday cards or swag for being Sherwood's "special friend." Conspiracies went out with the X-files Bill.
The bike has been through several endurance races and local races along with weekly rides over wet rocky terrain and has never failed. I will buy another Grinch again when I can figure out a way to hide it from the wife (Theresa - sorry about the Chameleon but it was given to me!).
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Yo-Zilla
a Cross Country Rider
from Dem Hills
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Dupont | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Tough, reliable, well rounded geometry, quality craftsmanship, great paint AND THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE IN THE INDUSTRY. | | Weaknesses: | not cheap | | Similar Products Used: | Epic, Blur, Titus ML II, Titus RX100, NRS, Trek Fuel, Fisher Paragon, GT Karacorom. | | Bike Setup: | X9, XTR, Talas, King hubs and HS | | Bottom Line: | Ventana builds great bikes and stands behind them 100%. I broke my seat tube, just below the pivot weld. Boxed up my frame and sent it back. Sherwood calls me up, we discuss and the bike is fixed and shipped back to me at no charge. Wish you could have heard the response from Trek/Fisher, when I tried to file a warranty with them. My bike is set up 5 inch/AM. I ride it very hard, take beefy jumps, drops and lines that have made lesser bikes flex like "Beer Cans". I push my limits as much as I can, and because of this, I wreck often and violently. If I slam my bike on a rock, I am not going to expect the frame builder to fix it free of charge (BTW, I have done this and it did not dent). If my tube snaps out of the blue, that is the frame builders fault, not mine. I might be "atard", but I disagree with the fellow below, reviewing his friends bike... This bike is a joy to ride, every time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
billy blanks
a Cross Country Rider
from lc, nm, usa
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | chalk up another porc. rim | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | wrench science | | Strengths: | it is made of metal, albeit soft metal | | Weaknesses: | bends like a beer can | | Similar Products Used: | specialized, trek, gary fisher, santa cruz sl and blur | | Bike Setup: | full xt | | Bottom Line: | Honesty first: My buddy bought the bike after I mentioned the company and mtbr reviews to him. I heard such wonderful things about ventana. Wonderful customer service, wonderful bike, wonderful construction and everything in between. I almost bought the salty instead of the sc blur. I am glad my buddy beat me to ventana to help persuade me to get another santa cruz. In fact the bike looks good, the welds are very nice, very beefy, the cnc aluminum stuff looks very strong. Too bad the aluminum tubes suck anus. And the more I see the bike and ride it the more I am coninced this is the Trek Fuel part II. So if you like the fuel....check it out.....it looks prettier. So my buddy and I are at an xc race and he wrecks. FYI... wrecking happens as much as mt bike manufacturers would like to convince us this is an anomaly of acutal use....it happens and anyone that reads this and disagrees is an artard. A good mt bike should take a typical wreck with nothing more than some paint scratches. 20 foot hucks are another story. So he wrecked...but it wasn't that bad. He had some slight scratches but his bike was not so lucky. The salty downtube was bent like a beer can. But it is ok right?? He just got the bike like two months ago. Warranty covers it right??!! WRONG! My buddy calls up ventana and gets treated like a downhilling criminal. He ends up having to pay out of his own pocket for a pathetic wreck and a pathetic bike that can't take a normal wreck. And thus we see where the 1 flaming turd for the overall rating comes from. I am tired of seeing these small scale companies with their ten reviews claiming a "best of " rating in any MTBR category because somebody feels special for having an indie bike that no one else has, thus giving it five chilis for uniqueness. It is still just a trek fuel part II people!! There isn't any "special customer service" at these smaller companies. Every company is around to make a profit and that is where their heart lies. Advice: Buy something nice. Buy something with hundreds of great reviews and 20 bad ones and not something with 15 "special people reviews". I also have reason to believe that half of ventana's reviews are by ventana themself. I have spoken my peace. Take it for what its worth. Worth = 1 turd | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Any in Fruita & Crested Butte, Co | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Direct | | Strengths: | Most importantly, the company behind the ride. I can not say enough good things about them. Build quality, handling, versatile, forgiving, paint is DEEP. | | Weaknesses: | Me | | Similar Products Used: | Titus RX100, Blur, Epic, NRS | | Bike Setup: | XL Frame with quad rear bearings, 5 inch rockers, Push modified Float R and Talas, King HS, X9 shifters and rDr, XTR 960 cranks, Easton AM Havoc wheels, Thomson stem and post, BB7 brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Amazing bike. Switched over to the 5 inch rockers this summer after running 4 inch for 1.5 years. Thought I would lose some ability in the handling but this is not the case. This bike is still quick, precise, forgiving and super fun to ride. The extra inch makes the bike feel a little taller but its been a stunning upgrade in dealing with the rocky and rooty down hill sections. Still no problem to flick the rear in tight switch backs and turns and I think this bike climbs as well, if not better, than my Racer X 100. Also had my suspension sent to PUSH for the custom modification to suit my weight and riding conditions. Imagine the best possible bike you have ever ridden getting 20% better. The PUSH upgrades are worth every penny, especially the fork. Its like going from a shot gun to a sniper rifle up front. Ventana stands behind their product. I can tell you this from personal experience and because of this, I will ride a Ventana from here until they go away. Lets hope that never happens. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J.D.
a Cross Country Rider
from Ukarumpa, EHP, Papua New Guinea
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Lone Tree Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3550.00 | | Purchased At: | E-bay | | Strengths: | Best built frame in the business....bar none. Incredibly stiff with the quad bearings. Paint job in top shelf. Geometry is dead on for the type of riding I do, which is XC with some AM mixed in. Four inches of travel on this bike feels much more like 5+, compared to other full sus bikes I've ridden. When the set-up is on, this bike just performs, period. Customer service has been great, based on the experience of some of my riding buddies, but I have yet to have a reason to use it. | | Weaknesses: | I was tempted to say price, because they ain't cheap....but for the bike you get, the cost is actually reasonable. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bike Setup: | Frame: '06 18” El Saltamontes
Shock: Fox DHX 5.0 Coil
Fork: '08 Fox TALAS RLC (stays at 120mm 95% of the time)
Wheelset: Chris King ISO Mango 32 Hole/Mavic 819/DT Swiss
Front Der: SRAM X-Gen
Rear Der: SRAM X.O
Shifters: SRAM X.O Triggers
Chain: SRAM PC-991
Cassette: SRAM PC-990 11/34
Brakes: Avid Juicy Carbon
Cranks/BB: Race Face Deus X-Drive Black 175mm
Pedals: Time Atac Carbon
Headset: Chris King NoThread Mango
Handlebar: Easton Monkey Lite Carbon XC Low Rise
Seat Post: Thompson Elite silver straight 27.2mm
Stem: 110 x 6 Thomson Elite Black
Saddle: Selle Italia Flite
Front Tire: Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.25
Rear Tire: Schwalbe Albert 2.25 | | Bottom Line: | This bike handles like a dream and can take everything I have dished out. It descends phenomenally and stays on track. In tight, off-camber turns the lateral stiffness really is evident (a quality I have really appreciated over other full sus frames). I attack steep technical descents/rock gardens with much more confidence than ever and just when I think I'm at my limit, the bike shows me I can do a little more. I have heard a few complaints regarding climbing...and though this may be the bikes weakest point, I still climb better on this bike than on other full suspension bikes. I have the bike built a full 3 lbs heavier than my other (more XC only) bike, and I still am faster and more comfortable on the Ventana. If you want a frame that will exceed your expectations, get a Ventana. You will not be disappointed. This bike just makes riding pure fun again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam Wilson
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1950.00 | | Purchased At: | www.iridecycles.com | | Strengths: | Custom drawn tubes to meet Ventana Specs.
Perfect beautiful welds.
Headtube machined for perfect fitting of headset cups.
Solid and stiff frame, no frame flex while cornering.
Beautiful CNC machined areas on frame.
Best paint job I've ever seen on a frame.
Great cable routing.
13.2" high bottom bracket, clears roots and rocks better.
Ventana 30% off next frame trade in policy.
Climbs Great, RP23 makes it climb better than a hardtail.
Descends Great, There's not a line the Salt can't handle.
Tracks Great, Point and shoot... it goes where it should.
Suspension is amazing, Keeps the tires planted to the dirt.
Hand Made with quality and pride in the USA!!! | | Weaknesses: | My 16" frame was too small for the sweet Ventana Stainless Steel Headtube logo. Not a big deal... I can live with it. | | Similar Products Used: | Ventana Pantera, 2004-till July 2007
Chumba XCL, June 2007
Yeti 575, 2004-2005
Santa Cruz Heckler, 2003-2004
Santa Cruz Blur, 2002-2003
Santa Cruz Superlight, 2001-2002
Jamis Dakar Pro, 2001-2003
LiteSpeed Obed, 1996-2001
GT Zaskar, 1994-1996
GT LTS, 1994-1995
Schwinn Moab, 1992-1994
Ozark Bikes, 1991-1992
Huffy... 1991, My first Mountain Bike, if you could call it that... it was trashed after 5 rides. | | Bike Setup: | Ventana El Saltamontes 16" frame, 4" travel
Ventana Quad bearing upgrade
Mavic Crossmax SL wheelset
Chris King headset
Fox Talas Fork RLC 2004
Fox RP23 Rear Shock
WTB Laser saddle
Time Composite Peddles
Avid BB7 mechanical disc brakes
Easton Monkeylite SL Riser Carbon Bar
SRAM X0 triggers
SRAM X9 rear D
Avid levers
Race Face Dues Crank
Race Face Stem
Easton EC70 Carbon Seat Post
Avid Flak Jacket brake cables
Jagwire Shifter cables
Panaracer Fire XC UST tires | | Bottom Line: | This frame absolutely rocks! From the very first spin of the cranks it felt different from every other bike I've ever had... it felt better, felt right. As I began the climb into Dark Mountain, it climbed with perfection, the tries stayed planted to the dirt... it climbed like a mountain goat. At the top we blazed across a ridge with tight twisty rolling turns... it hooked up and navigated everything like it was on rails. We hit the downhills with switchbacks that had 4 to 8 foot burms... smokin fast, carved through the burms like it was surfin a wave and hooked up perfectly in every turn. I was nothing but grinds and was laughing like a mad man... and the whole time I kept thinking "Perfection".
I never could have imaged how perfect this bike would be. I am completely amazed with this frame and for the first time in 15 years of riding I can honestly say... I'm riding a bike that is better than I can ride.
So now let me explain this comment. I've ridden many different bikes over the years and I'm sure most of you have too, but in my experience there comes a point as you get to know each bike that you reach the bike's limit of what can be done with it and you just can't push it any further without wrecking... the bike simply will not perform any better. Well the Salty's capabilities are so far beyond and superior to the capabilities of any other frame I have ever ridden before, that it has opened many new doors for me to improve my technicals skills and push my skill levels even further and harder than ever before.
I've only ridden my new Salty for about 65 miles so far, I don't even really know the bike, I'm not tuned in to what this bike is capable of and yet with only 65 miles under my belt on my new Salty, my technical skills have already shown huge improvements compared to all previous frames I've owned in the past. I can't wait to see what the Salty will be able to do as I get in sync with the frame. And that's also what is blowing my mind... within only 5 miles of riding my new Salty, I felt more in sync with it, than any other frame I've ever had. I just can't get over how great of a frame the Salty is and how well it performs.
The Salty tracks, climbs, corners, descends and rides better than any other frame I've ever owned before. I was going to wait about 6 months before I wrote this review, but after 65 miles on my new Salty, I see no point in waiting any longer. The Salty is a great frame and I'm amazed at how well it performs!
This bike frame is PERFECTION! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve McCaughan
a Weekend Warrior
from Christchurch
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Strengths: | Quality of build is outstanding, has held up like new after one year with three rides per week off road, no creaks in bearings yet, versatile in most terrain, pedals effeciently, no chain suck ever, suspension feedback gives great feel in rear, lateral stiffness, ride from centre geometry, paint has held up well, strong solid deralliar hanger, still have not ridden another bike I would rather own. | | Weaknesses: | Still none after 12 months of use! | | Similar Products Used: | Ridden most 4-5" bikes over the last couple of years. | | Bike Setup: | Crossmax SL, full XTR, Thompson straight seatpost, with Talas 90-130 and 06 RP3 med set propedal, carbon oval bars, quad bearings, weight 27.2 lb with pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up review now that the novelty of the new bike syndrome has worn off.
The frame has lived up to my expectations as being a versatile 4" trail XC bike.
It still looks like new thanks to the quality of paint.
I have become very comfortable with the ride.
The Salty has a short wheelbase and this transmits to a bit of lift on the front wheel on only very steep terrain compared to the newer geometry frames. This also makes the bike slightly more twitchy coming down hill compared to other bikes I have owned.
The handling in every other way more than makes up for it being able to negotiate very technical terrain with precision.
Now I'm used to it I love this set up which works very well on tight technical trails and fast single track as well as tight climbs.
This may be tempting fate but I dont fall off this bike as much like others I have owned and I put this down to the frame offering great handling with enough feedback to read tricky situations. The bike is also highly manuverable for the majority of riding situations, single track, rock gardens etc.
The rigidity of the frame is great and is most noticable on climbs. Did I say this bike climbs really well. I love climbing and have a race hardtail and a horst link top end bike (which I never ride now). This is my favourite ride.
Theres not a lot of marketing hype behind this bike, just riders in the know who own them. If you want one bike for XC riding on a variety of trails (and money is not a major)then you should test ride one of these.
One concern I had was the 71 degree seat angle however this has proved to be unfounded because with a straight seat post I can get over the pedals for max power transfer, no problem. This bike has no pedal feedback either or brake jack, its just as good as my horst link bike.
I have never regetted the quad bearing upgrade as the bearings are still like new having the load spread over twice the surface area and for only 75 more grams in weight.
Out of saddle effort does produce bob on this bike. I used to be anal about this on other suspension bikes I have ridden. I now realise that you cannot get all the benefits from an active suspension set up and its out of saddle bob is inline with most other full suspension bikes I have ridden that work! On the trail I hardly ever leave the saddle for long so it just isnt an issue.
I have ridden some very nice exotic bikes over the last year but for me this is still the best bike I have ridden In the last year I have not been tempted by any other bike. That probably says it all (because if I was honest)if there was better, I would buy it but I have not found it at this stage!. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
P
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Shutes - Fruita | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | MTBR Classifieds | | Strengths: | All around, the pinnacle of quality. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | RX 100, Epic, Blur, NRS | | Bike Setup: | X9, King, XTR, SD7, FloatR, 4inch, RLC110MM | | Bottom Line: | Best bike I've ridden, period. I have a 05 Titus RX100 that is collecting dust. Both have 4 inches of rear travel but the higher bottom bracket of the Salty makes it feel bottomless. Handling is razor sharp. Customer service, well, they returned an email on a Sunday? Ventana is the best in the business. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dave
a Racer
from folsom, ca
Date Reviewed: December 5, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Factory | | Strengths: | looks, performance, quality, finish, make a 22 inch frame | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | tracer, c-dale | | Bike Setup: | xo, x-max sl, thompson stem, carbon bar, dean ti seatpost, xtr cranks | | Bottom Line: | hands down the best bike i have ever ridden. climbs well, descends well, stiff. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Neil
a Cross Country Rider
from Midwest/West
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Buffalo Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Lateral Stiffness, Solidity of frame, beautiful construction, weight | | Weaknesses: | Not with this one. | | Similar Products Used: | So many FS bikes, I can't list them- mostly boutique frames | | Bike Setup: | 819s/USt tires, X9, RS Revelation, 4" rockers | | Bottom Line: | An amazingly well-built bike. Great balance and the initially tall feeling (high BB) slowly becomes a huge advantage and feels better with each ride. It has no flex and pedals well. Handles even slow techical sections superbly and with great precision. What more can I say? I'm pretty critical too and I can't find any flaws with this bike- not in the construction and not in the ride. I can give no less that five flaming peppers. I just hope I keep making enough money t0 buy bikes like this. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Paterson
a Cross Country Rider
from Indianapolis, Indiana. USA
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Yankee Springs in Michigan | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$5500.00 | | Purchased At: | Wrench Science | | Strengths: | The lateral stiffness that ventana is know for is even better than I could have ever thought! The build quality and finish on this frame is by far the best in the business...and it's not even close. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | None...A Kona Dawg Primo was the closest but I have never been on a bike this amazing! | | Bike Setup: | Full 2007 XTR Drivetrain (and why can't I review that stuff out here yet...it is amazing), Chris King hubs & headset, Thomson seatpost and stem, Magura Louise brakes w/ventidisc rotors, Easton carbon downhill bar, 2007 Fox Talas RLC & DHX 5.0. | | Bottom Line: | This was truly a "build my dream bike" project...and after just a week and a few rides it is obvious that my goal has been met and exceeded.
FRAME = This is easily the stiffest frame I have ever been on (laterally). It tracks so well that it is hard to believe. I have always felt significant flex in my frames in the past when things get dicey or when I really need to mash...but this one doesn't have that flimsy feel at all.
RIDE/SUSPENSION = With the new talas on the front giving you quick 100/120/140mm adjustment of travel this bike really becomes a great do everything bike. With the DHX 5.0 coil on the back this bike really pedals with the efficiency of a hardtail...which made the think my setting were off, but as soon as I hit the bumpy stuff the suspension just gobbled it up.
DRIVETRAIN = The 2007 XTR was worth the wait...I have never experienced such amazing precision in shifting (and I used the last generation of XTR as well). Stiff, percise & light...just not cheap!
This is truly my dream bike...and one that I plan to ride for a long long time. I cannot think of a part that I would even be tempted to replace.
I went for a ride on Saturday and while I was getting ready to head out some guys came over to admire my new steed. As they looked at it (it is a little beefier because of some custom upgrades to the frame) they started joking about how I was going to need this bike on the mountains of Indiana. Then they picked it up and it was funny to watch their eyes widen as they realized how light my bike was (much lighter I suspect than their much smaller and weaker ponies).
A do everything bike that is under 30lbs is now more than just in my dreams now...it is in my garage and whenever I want I can go get it and hit the trails!!!
If you have any questions about this frame or any of these components feel free to email me...I would love to tell you whatever I can and show you some cool pictures and a bike that rides even better than it looks!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a Racer
from Oxford
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Riverside UK | | Strengths: | Compliant, responsive and beautifully finished. | | Weaknesses: | When you decide to buy a frame like this - buying the best kit becomes adictive. Makes you lust after more technical challenges. | | Similar Products Used: | See previous review below | | Bike Setup: | See previous review | | Bottom Line: | I have had a chance to thrash this around my favorite trails and time to get used to it and swap around the componentry. The build weight is now 31lb due to a FSA crankset - an immediate improvement.
With 5/6 inch travel option my abilities are generally matched to 5" travel. The handling is affected in 6" but this may also be due to getting used to it - making you sit high in the saddle is harder to rail into the corners taking the edge of fast single track handling until you are used to it.
The Marzocchi fork slackens the head angle making climbing difficult until you slam down the fork ETA adjustment, but I just cannot push this hard enough down hill - I am the weakest link!
Bob is limited within 5" travel, but slightly more pronounced in 6", but depending on tyre selection - climbing ability is good.
It has improved my riding skills to the all mountain category and the salty has saved my skin a few times.
If you want every ride to feel special, turn a few heads and to make you go that bit further, then this is the pay back you can expect.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Edwards, CO
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | A10, area51 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | (frame)sherwwod (parts)various | | Strengths: | Customizable frame from ventana. Very well built. Decent weight, good handling. | | Weaknesses: | Not for the weak of wallet. | | Similar Products Used: | I own a titus racer x also. | | Bike Setup: | 6" rear travel w/fox DHX 5.0air shock. Maverick 150 mm fork,XTR drivetrain,Carbon bars and seatpost, Chris king headset, Time ti pedals,Heyes carbon breaks. | | Bottom Line: | Semi custom frame (X5 geometry build for 150 mm fork and lowered top tube for a little better stand over height). Bike fits very nicely. 6" travel bike that climbs like a 4" bike. DHX shock works amazing. Almost no bob on climbs using propedal. weighs in just under 28 lbs.. I would recommend this build if you ride all day on trails that get rough, loose,rooty, or ledgy (and you intend to beat everyone to the bottom). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark brenner
a Weekend Warrior
from northbrook, Il. USA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | any and all | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | dreamride | | Strengths: | As in all the previous reviews ..... best swingarm, best finish, best welds, best strength to weight ratio, best materials and best service in the industry. | | Weaknesses: | Are you kidding? | | Similar Products Used: | Does it matter, unless your on a tight budget | | Bike Setup: | 2003 in red with 6" custom rockers, quad bearings and Romic DD coilover, Marzocchi AM-1 130-150 fork, Magura Julie discs, xt/mavic 321 with WTB Moto (2.24), FSA Team Issue Carbon cranks, SRAM X-9, Time ATAC pedals, etc. Current weight between 30-31 lbs. My current setup with the very steep head angle, provides a super quick handling
all-mountain/trail bike that I can ride and enjoy anywhere under all conditions. | | Bottom Line: | What can I say that hasn't been said. Until I learned about Ventana, I was another bike shop/magazine-influenced clone/homer, ready to eat whatever was fed to me. I have since been enlightened.
Being a hardcore gearhead, I especially appreciate Sherwood Gibson's amazing frames. Without a doubt, Ventana framesets are the standard by which all others must be measured, and all fail to varying degrees when compared directly. Riders over 200 lbs shouldn't even consider any other frame builder, due to the extreme stiffness and strength built into Ventana frames.
Considering their overall superiority, they are a bargain. Don't be fooled by flashy marketing and $-driven reviews, nothing in the world compares to a Ventana frameset. Also, they are performing art that look just as good in the living room or on the wall, just beautiful! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from West Rand, Gauteng, Soth Africa
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | West Rand Cycles | | Strengths: | Awesome geometry, great clearance, Paintwork outstanding. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Jekyll, Cannondale Scalpel | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Black, Fox Float, SRAM X9 shifters | | Bottom Line: | This is the kind of bike you can ride all day every day. Have raced the Crater Cruise (www.cratercruise.co.za), 24hr (www.omni-motion.co.za), Sabie Experience (www.sabiexperience.co.za) and am intending on riding the Cape Epic 2007 (www.cape-epic.com). This bike is a great descender and climbs well (unlike the rider). It is amazingly responsive with the geometry allowing the rider to really get agro at speed. This bike is simply awesome. If you're into endurance this is your choice. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
superfly7b
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anything long and technical | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | www.mtnhighcyclery.com | | Strengths: | Incredible Ride! | | Weaknesses: | I would like the head angle a bit more slack; it is a tiny bit squirrley on super-steep, technical downhills. Not the most efficient climbing machine. | | Similar Products Used: | Intense, Santa Cruz, Turner, Titus, Nicolai | | Bike Setup: | PUSH Industries suspension
XTR Drivetrain/shifters
Chris King hubs & headset
Avid mechanical brakes, big old rotors
Easton carbon post and bars
| | Bottom Line: | So I've now got a year of VERY hard riding on this bike and everything is holding up beautifully...
The frame rides beautifully. It is possibly the most neutral, reliable positioning I've ever felt on a bike. Going up is comfortable, down feels safe, going fast is just plain fun. My only complaint with regards to geometry is that I feel the head tube could be slackened out a degree or so. On really steep, nasty descents I feel like I'm right above the bars and prone to endo (though I haven't yet). I rode an Intense for the last 6 seasons and this is the only feature I liked more when riding the Intense (as well as the Santa Cruz Blur 4X).
I mainly focus on endurance riding: 24 hour races, 100-milers, etc. This bike takes the abuse of an entire day in the saddle and maintains comfort throughout.
Out of the saddle, the Ventana isn't the most efficient climber--especially compared to the Specalized or VPP designs. In the saddle, it climbs perfectly and tracks beautifully.
The suspension was done by PushIndustries.com. Darren knows what he is doing. He's essentially the mad scientist of the mountina bike suspension indiustry. The ride he creates is simply perfect. He takes your weight, riding style and local terrain into account when setting up the suspension. I can't say enough good things about his work.
Same goes for Mountain High Cyclery. The owner Larry is who I dealt with there. I had a limited budget (my last bike was stolen and I had to build up the Ventana without going too much over the amount of my insurance check). Not only did Larry build me my absolute dream bike with the absoulte best parts, but he did so at a better price than I would have ever dreamed. There is nobody better in the industry! If you want a Ventana, Turner, Moots, or Sycip, call him!
In the end, this bike is the absolute best on the market if you are looking for an all-around bike that you can race, ride all day, and even tackle some urban assult or light-duty DH (you can get a 6" swingarm and coil shock!). The craftsmanship is amazing and from what I've heard, Ventana's customer service is as good as it gets (but I have had no bike problems and no need to call them up thus far). The two minor annoyances I mentioned above should not deter you from looking at this bike. The climb is still better than anything was a few years ago (and is still among the top today--just feels a hair mushier out of the saddle than a few other designs--but those other designs don't descend nearly as well). And the head tube angle can be mitigated by your cockpit setup.
In the end if you want the perfect do-everything bike, look no further. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marshall
a Weekend Warrior
from California
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Bicycles unlimited | | Strengths: | Quality and crafsmanship, welds, super stiff rear. Handleing is spot on. Ability to custom order and speak directly with the builder. Hand built in the US of A | | Weaknesses: | Dhx air limits travel (shock problem not frame). Havew to remove upper shox bolt to ad air. | | Similar Products Used: | SC Heckler, BLT, Truth, on and on and on........ | | Bike Setup: | Pushed Vanilla 130, King mavic 519, XT mostly, Juciy carbon 6/7, Gravety post. | | Bottom Line: | Custom ordered my frame and received it in 7 weeks. I was told 7 weeks and recived it in 7. Almost unheard of in todays bike world. Because its custom it fits better than any of my over 20 bikes in so many years. No break jack, rails corners and climbs great. I cant be any happier. Not sold on the DHXair yet but will give it time to get dialed.
For doing a custom the price is right there with most non-custom rigs. Could go on and on but if anyone has a question just ask, you wont be diapointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve McCaughan
a Weekend Warrior
from Christchurch
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Port Hills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | Locally | | Strengths: | Frame quality is amazing, Paint finish, Quad bearings, rigidity in the rear end, active suspension that works, strength,handling and its not common. | | Weaknesses: | When I first read these reviews when deciding I could not believe there was no weakness with this frame but there isn't! | | Similar Products Used: | I have test ridden, Blur LT and classic, Yeti 575, Titus motolite, Intense spider, Jamis XC pro, VT2, Trance 1 and Reign 1. I have compared all these bikes wanting a strong one bike does all approach. | | Bike Setup: | All drivetrain XTR with normal rapid fire shifters with Thompson stem, post and Crossmax SL wheelset, Oval carbon bars, Chris King headset, Laser Ti saddle, Pedro lock on grips. 20"frame I am 6ft 1' and have 120mm 5 degree stem.RP3 and 06 TALAS weight 28lb with pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I have read nearly everything in the last 12 months to help me make the right decision for my next bike. I have also spent considerable time test riding various bikes. The lessons I have learned is that you need to ride the bike to make a decision. As can be seen I have checked out several top end bikes. My goal was to have one bike that was flexible for a wide range of trails and still be ok to race in the odd event which I do about five times a year. I love climbing more than downhill so this was also a consideration. I was influenced by mags and after much thought and testing ordered a BLUR LT. The day I ordered it (4 week wait), I met a guy on my local trail with a Salty which I was not that familiar with. I had just test rode the Blur the night prior and quite liked it and also liked the "bling" factor of owning a Santa Cruz. Olle offered me a ride of his Salty and after 250mtrs I loved it. I got off on riding this bike. Reasonably lightweight(28lb), plush and the handling so rigid in the rear end made this bike track like I never thought possible! I have now done 200km on my bike off road on technical singletrack on my new bike. It weighs 28lb dead. It climbs better than the Blur, I test rode, but comes down so much better for me. This bike has an excellent balance of a good bottom bracket clearance, with tight seatstays and good head angle to just make it work. I am 6ft1" and are riding a 20" with RP3 and Talas fork. For me this combination is flexible and suits my riding styles. One last thing is this bike's suspension, while not high tech VPP, XVP etc just works! It is active under braking with no harsh tendency's and also incredibly compliant over small bumps. I would highly reccomend any rider looking at a one bike does all (4"-5") check out a Salty if you can. I have to finish that I am riding with 4" rockers but it feels like 5" plus of travel compared to other bikes I have rode, thats how well the suspension works! Stiff frame gives very fast acceleration and very little BOB on Propedal setting while climbing certainly no more than Blur etc! This is my honest opinion of the Salty from a very keen MTBr who rides off road at least three times weekly! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a Cross Country Rider
from Oxford
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | 7 Stanes Scotland | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Riverside UK | | Strengths: | Strong, sturdy, sharp and precise handling. Responsive suspension, immacculate finish. | | Weaknesses: | A little sluggish but this is more down to the "all mountain" build I have used (weighs in at 34lb), and a little high in 6 inch travel mode - but this is good for techno stuff & down hill. | | Similar Products Used: | Spesh Ground Control 96 model fully upgraded with BETD linkage set. | | Bike Setup: | 18" frame with 5-6 rocker & qaud bearing, Marzocchi AM1 6 inch long travel forks, fox DHX5 air rear shock. Thomson seat post & stem, Easton ali risers, hope pro 2 hubs, mavic UST wheel build, Shimano LX discs, WTB stealth saddle, lock on grips, Bonterager Jones tyres. | | Bottom Line: | I have only ever owned 1 other full susser (for 9 years) so I spent over 2 years researching the frame convincing the wife not to buy the widescreen TV and researching the kit to build a dream machine. I orignally wanted a 5 - 6 inch travel rig weighing in at 28lb. money no object. Looked at Whyte 46, turner 5 spot and X5 and other non 4 bar designs e.g Santa Cruz. and even another spesh. Enter Lee Bridges "Dreambike.com" web site which pursueded me to my final selection and most of the build - and he seems to have some strong opinions on custom bikes and a lot of his fleet are Ventana based designs. I never even trialled a spot or 46!
6 months down the line given the British Winter is not a fair trial for this machine, but having just tried out the 7 stanes trails in Scotland - I am the only limiting factor. I spent a lot of time holding it back, it goes up like a rat up a pipe, and rails corners - but the tyres limit my confidence a bit. With the pro pedal there is very little bob except in 6 inch mode (what do you expect?).
This build is safe for screaming down hill, technical boulder fields, and sharp enough for XC (the majority of my riding). I could build this bike into a 28lb race whippet but this is all about options - I can change the geometry with a shockpump, change the handling to so many combos with the AM1 & DHX5, but all I wanna do is quit work and ride. Note this build does not make it a master of any discipline, just the one machine I will spend a lot of time with. I have a Kenisis Maxlight hard tail for lightweight XC and British winter gloop, the salty is a comfort get-me-out-of trouble all day hacker that looks great (Grinch Green metallic finish with black finishing kit).
When I first got this bike the steering was so sharp I fell of on easy stuff. I also had problems with the DHX5 lockdown (see posting), and also the Bonty tyres are sketchy & have let me down a couple of times, so I will get these sorted and post again at 12 months.
This is not a comprimise bike and Sherwood at Ventana (he has the designer pedigree behind the original turner designs) and a long history in the quality full susser market, and Alan at Riverside have been more than supportive in developing the perfect companion bike for the selective mountain bike rider! Thanks to Alan for recommending the awesome LX brakes too! I honestly think it would be hard to be disappointed with this frame with a part X change policy from Ventana and expendable kit, you build this bike to what you want it to do. Conclusion: Highly recommended!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam Samaha
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | The wide open desert | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$6500.00 | | Purchased At: | | | Strengths: | Ti Frame version of the venerable Ventana El Salt.. Nuff said. | | Weaknesses: | Price is more than the regular Ventana made frame, which itself is not cheap. | | Similar Products Used: | Jamis Dakar, Trek EX7 | | Bike Setup: | Moots Cinco Ti frame
Fox Float 32 RLC front shocks
Fox Float RP3 rear shock
X9 Chain
XO rear derailleur / XTR front
XTR Crank / Cassette
SRAM XO shifters
SAINT Brake Levers / Res.
XTR Brake Calipers
Goodridge Metal Breaded brake lines
Hope 2-piece floating Discs
Chris King Titanium Headset
Thomson Elite X4 stem
Easton Monkey Lite XC Carbon bar
Pedro Grips
Moots Laidback post
WTB Diva saddle
Total weight 28lbs. | | Bottom Line: | I wanted just one bike... I planed to spare no expense. I actually ended having to cut a lot of expenses because I realized that the sky is the limit when it comes to top of the line bikes.. with the buildup I chose, and this frame, I believe I have the ultimate bike for all seasons.. a sort of bike version of the modern SUV.. I can ride it on the street, the dirt trails, and up a mountain trail all without any regrets. The 5" travel means I can take trails that are certainly beyond my level of skill, and the RP3 Float rear shock's adjustments allow for great pedal efficiency for the street...
The Moots workmanship is also second to none in terms of Ti frames. I think Seven may be the only other company that can weld Ti as well.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve A
a Cross Country Rider
from Brisbane, Australia
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Brisbane Forest Park / Daisy Hill Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Paint – Awesome. Very strong, in fact I don’t think I’ve noticed a single chip in it yet after around 6 months of very regular riding including several endurance events. There’s probably some there but my previous bikes would be blasted by now. The colour range is short but very sweet. Exciting bright colours that stand out in the sun.
Build Quality – Simply put … it’s the best. No other bike I’ve ever seen or heard of is better. The painting is particular even inside tubes. The welds are Ventana’s ‘baby’ …they called ‘Electric Sex’ Welding and like the rest of the build process it’s a handmade, quality ensured job. Extra gussets are where they need to be and the bottom bracket area is reinforced with a clever design that spreads the load but doesn’t add weight.
Balance – Very few bikes I’ve ridden are as balanced as this bike. It seems to leave a jump or water bar knowing how you want to fly and lands sweet every time. Some bikes are twitchy in the air but the El Salt seems to stay very solid. The same is said for the cornering. The bike seems to almost squat into the turns rather than bouncing or skipping through them … it feels very planted.
Geometry – I find that the geometry seems to suit a fork around the 100mm best for general flat riding but loves the 115mm the Reba gives it when the descents hit or the going gets bumpy. For me it suits perfectly as I do lots of both … racing and general trail riding. I do think having an adjustable fork of 80- 85mm for climbing and out to 115mm – 130mm for descents is a must with this frame though.
Climbing – Like most 5 inch travel bikes the front end becomes a bit sketchy on the steeper climbs so good technique is needed there. I use my 85mm setting on the fork regularly to help with this and find I climb as well as most people when I do.
The SPV 3 Way Swinger shock is awesome on all climbs, eliminating the pedal induced bob but still allows the travel to let the tyre crawl over rocks without losing traction.
Descending – As I said above, wind out the fork to 115mm or better and the bike handles beautifully. VT’s and other similar bikes I’ve descending quickly on tend to skip around but the Ventana rarely does. All bikes move around a bit on fast, rutted descents but this bike seems to soak it up and give plenty of time to feel what’s going on. I’ve always been a reasonable descender but the Ventana has made me quicker.
Braking – Different designs can produce different braking characteristics. The Ventana runs what is essentially a 4 bar setup with the rear pivot on the seat stay rather than the chainstay. Some say this produces a virtual single pivot action. It doesn’t bother me what it does because works well. I do find on some rare occasions that I will get a bit of chain feedback when braking hard on descents and the suspension is compressed. It’s a momentary thing so again no bother to me. I did find when I first got the bike built up that I was locking the rear wheel too often in single track corners… something I like to avoid at all costs. It took a bit of conditioning to breed this out of me after the same automatic braking habits I’d developed on my last bike weren’t causing this. Same brakes on the other bike as well. Now though I find no problem and others who have ridden it haven’t mentioned it so I think it was just me.
Suspension – I’ve pretty much mentioned the suspension enough throughout the review so no need to re-hash here. Simply put, it works perfectly for me due the mating of the SPV shock and the 4 bar design. When I put the power down the shock locks up and the |
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