[Phippy]

I've already decided that Ventanarama will be building me a new bike over the winter season. My problem is I can't decide over the El Fuego or Salty. My riding consist of very fast rocky, rooty, lung sucking climbs and lots of singletrack, obviously I must come down want I climb. Basically looking for a race setup that will double as my trial bike.

My choices are a El Fuego but Sherwood can make me the older lighter front triangle(additional cost) teamed up with the double bearings in the rear. Downside is I pretty much limited to 80mm with the paper thin tubing. No matter what I'm gonna go with a 5th element when they are available from Ventana.

My other choice could be a Salty. Sherwood has a couple of 17" bushing frames left over that we all know are pretty light. I weigh about 170 with gear so flex shouldn't be a issue. I could always upgrade to the stiffer rear with double bearings later if needed. My concern is like most Salty reviews is the front end seems to be abit on the tall side. Probably could counter this with a flat stem(FSA )and bar or just take a Fox float 100 and set it to 90mm. I wouldn't think this would unbalance the bike to much. I just wondering if I might be bothered by the slacker angles. I've always rode very quick steering hardtails and my only F/S I've owned is a 01' RacerX.

Any thoughts on helping me along here would be great. I'm still steering towards the El Fuego but a 4" lightweight Satly just sounds like the ticket matched with a 5th element.

 

[Ciclistagonzo]

Phippy, you may want to check on the availability of the Bushing Salty's, I just picked one up and so did my riding buddy, and I THINK we got the last ones.

If that's the case, personally I think getting the Salty with the 3-4-5 rocker and a TALAS would be your ticket, It would give you everything you want except for being super light. Oh and usings Fox fork will give you tighter angles due to their short axle to crown heghts.

OLE!
Aaron G.

 

[Phippy]

thanks Aaron, can you post a pic of your bushing Salty. Will have to call Sherwood and see whats left.

 

[Ciclistagonzo]

No Pics of the complete bike yet. Just finished putting it together last night.

Will take some this weekend and post soon.

I did post some frame shots a while back though..
http://forums13.consumerreview.com/[email protected]@.efde35c/8

Hope the link thingy works.

OLE!
Aaron G.

 

[Phippy]

Aaron, just scooped up the last 17" bushing Salty in Super dust. I mentioned to Sherwood that we've talked and said you were right outside his shop. The frame weight was 5.8 with CK headset. I couldn't believe the price as well. Think I might go exchange the fox float for the 3-way Stinger or the Ava which ******* seems to be getting very good results with on his El Fuego.

Anyways post some pics of yours once you've completed the bulid. Gonna try for 24lbs, shouldn't be to hard.

later

 

[JerseyRich]

Here is mine!!!

Not Aaron, but here is a pic of my bushing Salt. Been riding it for almost a month now and love it. I ordered a Swinger 3-Way for it, but unfortunately, it had problems and had to go back to be rebuilt.

<img src="https://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/IMGP0839.jpg">

 

[Rumpfy]

IIRC, the Fuego and the Salt are, for the most part, the same frame. The difference should be in the rocker arm options. I could be wrong.
But, from what it sounds like, you may get a more versatile bike going with the Salt. Some people like the 4" rocker but I opted for the 3-4-5 quad bearing option and I use it often.
I'm weighing in at about 27lbs...but I should go up witht he addition of disc brakes and Psylo...
You should be capable of 24lbs.
Is Sherwood replacing this frame with the X5?

 

[Phippy]

Nice rides people. What size are your Saltys and how tall are you and your inseam. I'm 5'9" here with a 32.5 inseam. The 17" should fit me great as I have to be able to get behind the saddle.

Sherwood never stops making different models as he always keeps extra tubing laying around to create any model he has made in the past. The X-5 is just another beauty in the stable.

JersyRich is that a Fox 125 on the front of your Salty if so how does in handle in really steep climbing? Thinking of going with the 100X for racing purposes.

 

[Rumpfy]

SID 100 with Monkey Lite low risers with no major climbing issues.
I'm just shy of 6'0" and I opted for the 17" frame. As you can see I've got a lot of seat post....but I'd rather toss around a smaller frame.
That and all the weight savings!

 

[JerseyRich]

Measurements

It is technically a Vanilla 125RLC, but its set to 100mm. Im about 5'11" with a short 33" inseam and also on the 17" with a 120mm stem. Top tube is 23", so a little on the short side for me. My previous ride was a Superlight with a 23.25" tt but I just got a longer stem and its felt fine.

I read a lot of the talk about the front of the Salt riding high up front before buying too and was a little confused. Given that it had a shorter headtube than my SL and the bar height can only be a-to-c + headtube + spacers + stem rise + bar rise. I think the opinion comes from the way the Salt tends to ride fairly deep in its travel with the stock Float. A platform shock seems to be the remedy for this. But Im still waiting to get my 3-Way back from Manitou. Even though it wasn't working right when I had it it did seem much more snappy with the Swinger. More like a race bike.
JerseyRich

 

[HammerSAC]

Either way...

You are going to get a great bike. I wouldn't go with anything less than 4" of travel. I have a Hammerhead and a friend of mine has an El Fuego w/ bushings. El Fuego is only slightly stiffer after I upgraded to the new Titus swing-link. I'll still take the comfort and stability of the Hammerhead any day on any ride. Salty was a close second when I bought my bike.

The rear-end adjustability on the Salty is something I know I would never use. I know I would use the adjustable travel shock on the rear of a Switchblade though. I would go with the standard 4" rocker, but that's just my opinion.

Good luck, you can't go wrong with a Ventana, and I KNOW that Sherwood will take care of you and your frame!