[natureonthefly]

Alright rumor mill, any chance Salsa has a new steel hardtail in the works? I know the El Mar seems has long been replaced with the Timberjack, but I sure think Salsa is missing out on a big segment of the bikepacking/ultra/adventure scene without a non-drop bar steel hardtail in their lineup. I've owned a myriad of Salsas and Surlys, and I would be ecstatic to pick up a modern geometry steel HT that doesn't weigh the metric sh*t ton of the Surly KM. I know they both are under the parent QBP company, and I sure hope the latest marketing and branding moves haven't abandoned those steel roots forever. Anybody think it will happen? A boy can dream..

 

[RFrahm]

I’d be very interested Salsa!

 

[gregnash]

Brits are pretty much the only ones that are paying much attention to the steel aficionado market these days. Few little companies here and there but I think that Surly/Salsa will only ever keep their current line-up unless there is a massive resurgence of people wanting steel for some reason.

If you are looking for a 29er that could be versatile, I have personally been looking at the Cotic SolarisMAX as something that could be a fun singletrack shredder but still workout as a commuter/bikepacking/gravel grinder type bike.

As much as I love my old On-One Inbred 29er, there are days that I wish it was more than an XC bike so the days that I commute to the office, I could take a quick jaunt out to the trails (only a couple miles from my office) and shred some singletrack on it then commute home.

 

[natureonthefly]

I'll have to check it out. I'm thinking I may just build up another KM, but damn is that frameset heavy.

I have always found it comical that the country with the most oft endorsed crap weather is the breeding ground for so many awesome steel bikes.

With the explosion of bikepacking and subsequent attached market, I would think that the 'Adventure by Bike' mothership would be a driving force in that niche and I'm always amazed they dropped the El Mar. Salsa has designed some pretty cool bikes as of late, but I'm still convinced they're missing out.

 

[max-a-mill]

so i was as anti carbon as anyone 10 years back but have you ridden a carbon bike lately? if you have not IMHO you should do that first then decide if you want another steel frame. aside from it being "REAL" i see no benefits if your going with a standard production size...

 

[sgltrak]

Not sure how the weight compares to the KM, but if you want steel what about the Niner SIR9?

 

[natureonthefly]

so i was as anti carbon as anyone 10 years back but have you ridden a carbon bike lately? if you have not IMHO you should do that first then decide if you want another steel frame. aside from it being "REAL" i see no benefits if your going with a standard production size...

One of the other bikes in my stable is the new Warbird and it is an amazing bike. I couldn't be happier with it, and I've been on a few other carbon rigs: Stache, Woodsmoke, Cutthroat, Top Fuel, Remedy and they are all definitely sweet. They feel like rocketships compared to most of the bikes I grew up riding and cut my trail teeth on. There's just something about a steel hardtail I can't get over though. First world problems for sure..

I have definitely thought about the Sir 9 and love the look of it. Never had a chance to ride one though and I haven't come across any deals good enough to pull the trigger on one without a demo.

 

[gregnash]

so i was as anti carbon as anyone 10 years back but have you ridden a carbon bike lately? if you have not IMHO you should do that first then decide if you want another steel frame. aside from it being "REAL" i see no benefits if your going with a standard production size...

Yeah that is how I was up until I just got my REVVED Carbon Guerrilla Gravity The Smash. Such an awesome bike, but then again their aluminum bikes were awesome as well. I did not specifically go looking for a carbon bike but it just ended up that way.

As for the steel, there is quite a different "feel" to the steel bikes that I have not yet experienced with anything else. I can only describe it as a "warmth" and compliance that other materials just don't have.

With regards to the statement about the crappiest weather place producing the most steel bikes, well that is where Reynolds was born and currently is today. So they have a plethora of the top steel companies/materials made there on that small island. So that makes a lot of sense, like us looking for "US Made" products, why not build bikes out of a Brit made steel if you are looking to build a steel bike?!

 

[natureonthefly]

I didn't realize that's where Reynolds tubing came from, interesting. I don't mean to criticize the UK riders in any way, I've never been and there are plenty of times I think OH could give the weather a run for its money. It's just that the interwebs so often cite the rust and corrosion problems with steel, and it's an amusing irony that the steel cult is so strong there.

I'll be the first to admit I'm a sucker for Salsa's marketing, but I've had bikes from a number of companies. I think they're a company where a steel HT definitely makes sense in their lineup and they usually come at a decent price point. I'm with you there's a certain quality and personality to steel that just isn't in AL or carbon bikes. It may all just be in peoples' heads, but it definitely feels different.

 

[gregnash]

Yeah it wasn't until recently when I was doing research on steel FS bikes that I found out that Reynolds is based in the UK. But definitely makes sens when looking at it from teh point of "support local" type mentality.


And don't get me wrong, I believe that most companies should have a versatile steel hardtail in their quiver as there are plenty of people who would go after one. I mean look at the reviews people have of the Chromag Rootdown BA or the Guerrilla Gravity Pedalhead, Nukeproof Scout and the like. Lots and lots of people out there that love the feel.

 

[scoon]

Alright rumor mill, any chance Salsa has a new steel hardtail in the works? I know the El Mar seems has long been replaced with the Timberjack, but I sure think Salsa is missing out on a big segment of the bikepacking/ultra/adventure scene without a non-drop bar steel hardtail in their lineup. I've owned a myriad of Salsas and Surlys, and I would be ecstatic to pick up a modern geometry steel HT that doesn't weigh the metric sh*t ton of the Surly KM. I know they both are under the parent QBP company, and I sure hope the latest marketing and branding moves haven't abandoned those steel roots forever. Anybody think it will happen? A boy can dream..

https://eskercycles.com/products/hayduke I have one of these that I will be building later this week.

 

[natureonthefly]

https://eskercycles.com/products/hayduke I have one of these that I will be building later this week.

Very curious to hear your thoughts on how that build turns out. Seems like a pretty sweet bike that ticks a lot of the adventure hardtail boxes. My understanding is that those replaced the previous Advocate Cycles Hayduke, which was the brain child of a previous Salsa bike designer? Might make for a great alternative.

 

[scoon]

Your understanding is correct. When I get it built, I'll post back.

 

[KVV]

Your understanding is correct. When I get it built, I'll post back.

If you're building it with 29" wheels, I'm really interested to know what will the actual BB height will end like, and what is your choice of fork. As much as I like it as a concept, it really seems to be designed for 27.5x2.8 wheels max. But the rest is sweet.

 

[SF Trailboy]

Wow I wish I hadn’t opened this thread the hayduke is everything I love about steel hardtails. I currently ride a Ritchey p-29 and am torn now. If the currency rate between Aud and Usd wasn’t so bad I’d have bought one on first site.

Must resist... at least a day or two anyway

 

[scoon]

I am building with 27.5 wheels and 2.4 tires. Esker says the rear will take up to 29x2.3. Maybe some bigger meats will go in for now I will be "runs what I brungs".

 

[gregnash]

There is also the RSD MiddleChild that offers more of a Adventure/Trail advocacy type ride.

I guess the question is.... what is needed to check all the boxes to make a "good" adventure mtb?

- Modern(ish) geometry
- Fork travel up to 120mm?
- 27.5+ compatible (for 29er lovers?)
- Boost rear with thru-axle?
- Multiple bottle mount braze-ons?
- Pannier mount compatible?
- Dropper post compatible? (up to 125mm?)
- Certain headtube length?
- Tapered steerer?
- 2x/3x front compatible or only 1x?

 

[tedsti]

Some more Hayduke info here
https://forums.mtbr.com/singlespeed/hayduke-lives-1101677.html

 

[natureonthefly]

There is also the RSD MiddleChild that offers more of a Adventure/Trail advocacy type ride.

I guess the question is.... what is needed to check all the boxes to make a "good" adventure mtb?

I think you nailed it @gregnash. Surely I'm not in charge of marketing and no one really cares of my opinion, but I think that ticks just about all of my personal boxes.
- Ability to easily switch between rigid and a 100-140mm travel fork
- Tapered steerer
- Modern geo (ie not pure XC)
- Likely Boost though spacing is its own discussion (I think Surly's Gnotboost design is pretty ingenious as well as the alternator plates from Salsa to keep options open)
- Braze ons for at least 2 bottles within the frame and I also like the TT and DT options
- Dropper post compatible
- 29er with ability to run 27.5+ if desired
- +/- rack mounts
- I think 1x is fine, but again options are always appreciated
- *And for me personally, steel. It's asking a lot, but I wish for something that balances durability with a reasonable weight

 

[twodownzero]

What's wrong with the Karate Monkey? I absolutely love mine. What would a Salsa branded steel hardtail do that the Karate Monkey doesn't do already?