Timberjack Thread

Vto2.0 · Aug 11, 2018

You won't be disappointed if you go that route.

velcipede said:
I'm considering something to replace my Cannondale F29er Carbon, and that Ti TJ has got me intrigued. Totally different rides, I'm sure, but I'm looking for something lightweight, good for bikepacking and riding unloaded, and 29er and 27.5+ capable. On paper, the Ti TJ seems to check all those boxes.

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hamsterspam · Aug 11, 2018

velcipede said:
I'm considering something to replace my Cannondale F29er Carbon, and that Ti TJ has got me intrigued. Totally different rides, I'm sure, but I'm looking for something lightweight, good for bikepacking and riding unloaded, and 29er and 27.5+ capable. On paper, the Ti TJ seems to check all those boxes.

i don't regret buying mine,the ride is pretty darn buttery,it somehow manages to be comfortable,stable,and corner likes it's on rails,climbs like a mountain goat,floats down the hills...can't say enough good about the ti tj...

101 · Aug 12, 2018

phalkon30 said:
I'm 190lbs on a 29+ 3.0 tire, I run 15/16. Any less and the sidewalls just don't hold up, maybe try a little higher.

At the psi I run my Stache corners like a dream and never feels like a balloon

I'm running Surly Knards which have a pretty beefy sidewall. That being said, I upped my PSI to 15/16 this weekend because I was pretty heavy with bikepacking gear and I thought the tires had a little more spring to them. I might try 13.5/14.5 with an unloaded bike this week.

101 · Aug 12, 2018

ST_Paul said:
I normally run 16 17, but when I hit a flat corner fast the rear feels squishy. On everything else it feels fine. Maybe I need a tire with thicker sidewalls. The WTB Rangers in 2.8 that came stock didn't feel this squishy, I dont know maybe it's a mental thing.

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I found those WTB Rangers to be way too sissy on the sidewalks.

101 · Aug 12, 2018

Angel212 · Aug 12, 2018

101 said:

Nice picture dude,
I planning to do the Colorado Trail next year on my 40 birthday

Been checking some bikes and I shrink my search to 4 bikes

1.-Salsa Timberjack , Like the slx build( not the green color) so probably will go the custom build ( Timberjack Ti is out, too much money)

2.-Salsa Woodsmoke, Nx1 build. Cant find too much information on this bike review wise, only few, looks like dont sale well, but on paper looks awesome, can handler all 3 wheel size and the geometry is similar to the timberjack.

3.-Surly katare monkey or Krampus, good geometry and steel.

4.- Trek Stache, read tons of good review about it.

My budget will be around 2500 and may be can max to 3k

Anyone have any experience on this bikes beside the Timberjack.

Thanks

101 · Aug 12, 2018

Angel212 said:
Nice picture dude,
I planning to do the Colorado Trail next year on my 40 birthday

Been checking some bikes and I shrink my search to 4 bikes

1.-Salsa Timberjack , Like the slx build( not the green color) so probably will go the custom build ( Timberjack Ti is out, too much money)

2.-Salsa Woodsmoke, Nx1 build. Cant find too much information on this bike review wise, only few, looks like dont sale well, but on paper looks awesome, can handler all 3 wheel size and the geometry is similar to the timberjack.

3.-Surly katare monkey or Krampus, good geometry and steel.

4.- Trek Stache, read tons of good review about it.

My budget will be around 2500 and may be can max to 3k

Anyone have any experience on this bikes beside the Timberjack.

Thanks

I think the Woodsmoke doesn't sell well because it's a $3,000 hardtail without a dropper post. The geometry looks good and, bikepacking wise, it can host a good size frame bag, as can the Krampus. That being said, I think I'd lean towards doing a TJ, Krampus or KM build with a $2500-$3000 budget vs spending 3k on a Woodsmoke. The Rek would be a different direction completely.

If your thinking primarily of the CT, I'd closely consider weight because you're going to spend a lot of time pushing that bike. Frame bag space because that allows you more room to store heavy items lower on the bike. I would also consider lower gearing, probably another reason to do a build and stay within budget. Depending on your frame size, a F/S Bike can also really limit your seat post bag size thus make packing more difficult because of clearance issues. My GF have a small frame F/S Bike that is worthless as an alpine rig. It can't carry anything.

Compromised frame bag space and compromised seat post hauling, when combined, are two significant drawbacks. Obviously people do the CT and do it well with everything from SS rigid to trail bikes. From my experience, though, a titanium hardtail with low gearing and lots of frame bag space is the ideal candidate. Racers doing the CT in 5 days are going to pack differently than a person doing the race in 12-20 days. You also need to consider your budget for upgrading your Backcountry camping gear and bikepacking gear (if you need to) because that will ultimately be just as important as the bike itself. Is your sleeping bag light and packable enough? Are you going to carry a stove? Do you have the right sleeping pad? Are you going to ride at night? If so, you may need lights and a power bank? Etc ad nauseam. If this is in fact what you're planning for, be sure to build every aspect into your budget because a nice Bike will not offset crappy Backcountry gear. A steel hardtail might last you the rest of your life. A trek stache will be completely archaic in 4 years (which may be just fine but something to consider).

Angel212 · Aug 12, 2018

Thanks for the reply, my plan is spend around 2k on the gear beside the bike, so total budge will be around 5k for all. Been checking website like bikepacking.com, and the bikepacking forum here, i have some ideas about the gear and I know i can get a decent equipment with 2k. Im locate in north Texas , so we are really limited on the bikepacking routes unless u want to drive for few hours, so im not be a regular bikepacker may be few times a year if i can make the time and money to travel
With the bike I will like to have something good for single trail, to use every day if a want and take a break from my FS, something I can mutate on different bike with some components.Like use as single speed, bikepacking or single track, Geometry on the timberjack check all this marks but the ALU Frame really turn me off ( only 1 hardtail ALU bike and was harsh like hell then I jump to FS carbon bikes and never look back).

Im sure the the best of the world will be the Ti Timberjack but 2.5k frame is beyond my budget, KM is on the top of my list and his price for full rig is around 1500, with few more $$ can get a good fork and change some parts, but I really love the geometry on the Timber, the woodsmoke make me think a lot but really cant justified his Price/Components ( to much tax on the carbon frame) but that frame can handle all tire sizes, single speed, even belt drive. I Been waiting on the clearance time for salsa. I know they just update some of his bikes and may be they will with Timberjack and Woodsmoke soon.

101 · Aug 13, 2018

$2,000 should definitely get you set up gear wise. Based on your description, I think I would consider one of the steel frames, be it the KM or the Krampus. A boutique brand would also be worth considering and within your budget: https://mythcycles.com/bikes/wyvern/

Central Scrutinizer · Aug 13, 2018

+1 to everything hamsterspam said. I'm really digging my ti TJ.

phalkon30 · Aug 13, 2018

Angel212 said:
Nice picture dude,
I planning to do the Colorado Trail next year on my 40 birthday

Been checking some bikes and I shrink my search to 4 bikes

1.-Salsa Timberjack , Like the slx build( not the green color) so probably will go the custom build ( Timberjack Ti is out, too much money)

2.-Salsa Woodsmoke, Nx1 build. Cant find too much information on this bike review wise, only few, looks like dont sale well, but on paper looks awesome, can handler all 3 wheel size and the geometry is similar to the timberjack.

3.-Surly katare monkey or Krampus, good geometry and steel.

4.- Trek Stache, read tons of good review about it.

My budget will be around 2500 and may be can max to 3k

Anyone have any experience on this bikes beside the Timberjack.

Thanks

I own a carbon stache, and loved it so much I bought my wife the TJ (she's shorter than me, and I didn't want to spend the money on another stache). I'm really digging the plus size slack geometry category, I call it my rowdy hard tail.

You may want to consider the Trek 1120, it's the bike packing version of the stache with lots of hangers and a rigid fork. After your trip you can remove the hangers and still have a pretty rowdy rigid bike. The plus size tires soak a lot of chunk up

kimble__ · Aug 19, 2018

TJ sizing

Hey all, utter mtb noob here with a question on frame sizing. I'm 5'4" with a 29 inseam and can't figure out XS vs SM on the TJ.

I think I understand the smaller sizing means nimble and larger means stability and speed, but any real world experience would be helpful.

I'm also planning on sticking with the 27.5+ wheels for the local singletrack/chunky stuff, and grabbing a 29 wheelset for longer gravel-type rides. Is this reasonable?

tia--

tfinator · Aug 19, 2018

kimble__ said:
Hey all, utter mtb noob here with a question on frame sizing. I'm 5'4" with a 29 inseam and can't figure out XS vs SM on the TJ.

I think I understand the smaller sizing means nimble and larger means stability and speed, but any real world experience would be helpful.

I'm also planning on sticking with the 27.5+ wheels for the local singletrack/chunky stuff, and grabbing a 29 wheelset for longer gravel-type rides. Is this reasonable?

tia--

Wheel/tire strategy is reasonable.

Those generalizations on sizing are exactly that-general. One versus the other may also dictate if you have a lot of back pain or other fit issues. You should try to test ride, or test a couple bikes with similar top tube lengths or other geometry to see.

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kimble__ · Aug 19, 2018

tfinator said:
Wheel/tire strategy is reasonable.

Those generalizations on sizing are exactly that-general. One versus the other may also dictate if you have a lot of back pain or other fit issues. You should try to test ride, or test a couple bikes with similar top tube lengths or other geometry to see.

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Thanks - any suggestions on bikes with similar geo? There's no TJs anywhere around or I'd totally hop on one.

I think either size would work, but I'm not sure what i should be looking for. I saw someone mention standover on techy ascents and that's definitely happened to me before, but the TJ's are pretty similar there.

hwcn · Aug 20, 2018

kimble__ said:
Hey all, utter mtb noob here with a question on frame sizing. I'm 5'4" with a 29 inseam and can't figure out XS vs SM on the TJ.

I think I understand the smaller sizing means nimble and larger means stability and speed, but any real world experience would be helpful.

I'm also planning on sticking with the 27.5+ wheels for the local singletrack/chunky stuff, and grabbing a 29 wheelset for longer gravel-type rides. Is this reasonable?

tia--

I be willing to bet u r a small.

tfinator · Aug 20, 2018

kimble__ said:
Thanks - any suggestions on bikes with similar geo? There's no TJs anywhere around or I'd totally hop on one.

I think either size would work, but I'm not sure what i should be looking for. I saw someone mention standover on techy ascents and that's definitely happened to me before, but the TJ's are pretty similar there.

I've got nothing for you, but just check the effective top tube, stack, and reach and see what other hard tails you can ride. I suggest erring on the side of needing a shorter stem then longer. So, a small may be right but everybody is different

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Darth Lefty · Aug 20, 2018

I've learned the tires on the NX 27.5+ are not true tubeless. They set up all right, but they seep sealant. This doesn't bother me too much, I think I'll be wearing it out commuting anyhow

ST_Paul · Aug 20, 2018

kimble__ said:
Hey all, utter mtb noob here with a question on frame sizing. I'm 5'4" with a 29 inseam and can't figure out XS vs SM on the TJ.

I think I understand the smaller sizing means nimble and larger means stability and speed, but any real world experience would be helpful.

I'm also planning on sticking with the 27.5+ wheels for the local singletrack/chunky stuff, and grabbing a 29 wheelset for longer gravel-type rides. Is this reasonable?

tia--

I'm 5'5 and I own a size small, personally my peas and carrot are on the top tube when I'm standing normally on the bike. Also if your looking to go tubeless, the stock tires leak through the sidewalls. Check and see if their are any lbs in your area that sell Salsa bikes and make your decision.

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defdes · Aug 21, 2018

I just bought my first new MTB in 25 years, Timberjack SLX. I am loving it though the plus size tires are taking some getting used to along with getting my 53 year old body back in cycling shape. I used to race back in the early/mid 90's. The bike I just retired was a hand built Mountain Goat with Deore XT grupo and Manitou 4 forks. I am really loving this site, I look forward to mining the minds of the many more experienced riders here.

Flash · Aug 21, 2018

Csainthenry said:
Not trying to be spammy, but I'm selling my barely-used 2018 TJ frame...2018 in Blue. Will include chartruese grips to match the Salsa logos, 142x12 swingplates and axle as well as the factory 141x10 plates/skewer/rear wheel. Thinking $300 for the set.

Theres a pic in the forum somewhere, otherwise I'll take a better one soon.

Anyone interested??

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Is this available? Where are you located?

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Timberjack Thread

Vto2.0

hamsterspam

101

101

101

Angel212

101

Angel212

101

Central Scrutinizer

phalkon30

kimble__

tfinator

kimble__

hwcn

tfinator

Darth Lefty

ST_Paul

defdes

Flash

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