And let’s not forget you still get the same 700c Novatec WTB wheels along with the Teravail Cannonball tires. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. For this review, I rode Salsa’s top-of-the-line Journeyman Apex 1 650, which features an aluminum frame, SRAM’s Apex 1 drivetrain, Teravail Sparwood 650b x 2.1-inch tires, and TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes. Choose now! There’s nothing more enticing when picking a new bike for your adventures than finding several quality options to choose from. We'd prefer a tubeless setup, of course. West Coast, East Coast & Midwest warehouses. It also features SRAM Apex 1 gearing, which is perfect for venturing farther off the beaten path while riding or racing gravel. It also features SRAM Apex 1 gearing which is perfect for venturing farther off the beaten path while riding or racing gravel. Something else that differs from other models is the simple Fantail fork with Three-Pack Mounts. These tires have a semi-slick design with a fast-rolling low-profile center tread and slightly taller side knobs. This upright feel makes it more challenging to get into an attack position and charge downhill at speed, instead, sitting up and cruising is the order of the day. Our test bike came with WTB ST i19 TCS 2.0 rims laced to Novatec hubs. Interested in dipping your toes in the gravel riding pool but not sure if you want to dive in just yet? Salsa Journeyman Line. We have many more roads to explore on the Journeyman, so keep an eye out for a full review next month. The Journeyman is a comfortable and relatively efficient climber that is held back slightly by its heavier weight and more conservative geometry. GearLab is reader-supported. Journeyman Apex 1 650 offers the comfort and traction of a wider tire, and you’ll feel the difference immediately when you go off road. This improves the smoothness as well as the grip of the entire bike – so you can ride around reliably. This is a great entry-level bike that can open the doors to the wonderful world of gravel riding, with a versatile performance that is great for more casual riders and just about anything shy of serious competitive racing. But this wouldn’t be possible without the Promax DSK-330R brakeset – a fantastic option to keep the bike ready to stop at any time, even in speedy downhill roads. - Journeyman Aluminum 650b Drop Bar frame - SRAM Apex 1 11-speed drivetrain If you like the Salsa Fargo Apex 1, but find the price a bit too high, we recommend considering the Salsa Journeyman Claris 700. It also features SRAM Apex 1x11 gearing, which is perfect for venturing farther off the beaten path with a wide range and low-maintenance design. No, the frame is the central part of the entire build, so breaking it in any way will make it unusable. The Riddler tires are a great all-around option. Learn more at Salsa Cycles This is the most affordable of all Salsa Journeyman bikes, and it is totally worth it. Journeyman Apex 1 650 offers the comfort and traction of a wider tire, and you’ll feel the difference immediately when you go off road. You won’t have to worry about making hard corners and taking the trickiest of curves with ease. Salsa offers the Journeyman in both 700c and 650b/27.5" wheeled builds. The Salsa Journeyman Apexis an affordable aluminum-framed gravel bike that is ready to take on any adventure you are. Features Disc brake. Everyone loves a flat-bar design. It's nothing especially fancy, but the aluminum frame has a nice ride quality and all the frame and fork mount options you could probably ever need. If you’re holding some doubts about this bike and its models, here are a few common questions people make with their answers – they may help you out: Can I use the Salsa Journeyman with a suspension fork? As you see, the Salsa Journeyman is undoubtedly one of the most versatile bikes in the market. The Salsa Journeyman is available in three models; including the Sora (Which we’re reviewing), the Apex 1, and the Claris. 52cm. … The simplicity comes from the 8-Speed Shimano Claris GS derailleur, which pairs up with a KMC X8 chain to deliver excellent speed changes at any time. The WTB Riddler tires are a tester favorite and they perform well in a huge range of conditions. Category: Gravel Bikes. It comes with the perfect combination of SRAM Apex 1 XSync 40t crankset as well as an SRAM P1130 11-42 cassette, working along with the SRAM PC1110 chain – offering the reliability, smoothness, and performance for any ride. The WTB Volt saddle is also a tester favorite with a comfortable width and slightly cradled shape for settling in on long climbs. We gave the Journeyman high marks for its versatility. Whether you want to maneuver like a master or enjoy a smooth ride – this fork makes it all possible. Finally, we can’t forget about the super comfy design with WTB Volt saddle and the Salsa Cowbell handlebar with Gel Cork Bar Tape. This pairs up amazingly well with the set of Novatec WTB wheels with Tevarail Cannonball tires at 700c – ideal for proper traction and excellent smoothness. The Journeyman is the least expensi… This is the least expensive model we tested, yet it exceeded our expectations and we have no hesitation recommending this versatile bike to just about anyone. Boasting the same Journeyman geometry for comfort and handling ease, you now can enjoy the Claris model – perfect for anyone who wants a more straightforward bike. These rims are tubeless compatible although it comes setup with tubes inside of the 700 x 37c WTB Riddler Comp tires. But it is really the aluminum frame with a Fantail Deluxe Fork that stands out so much. 50cm size 6 sizes (50cm to 59.5cm) size 59.5cm. Apex 1 700 Flat bar Sora 700. You won’t have anything to complain about with the Claris 700 from the Journeyman series. With three-pack mounts on the fork, frame bag mounts on the top tube and compatibility with front and rear racks and fenders, the Journeyman is ready to take on bike packing or bike touring adventures. There’s a bike for almost anyone in the Salsa Journeyman array. Bookmark. The Journeyman brings a comfortable, easy-going, and reliable performance to the table and it gets a nod for its versatility with its wealth of accessory and rack mounts. Salsa has a well-earned reputation for making fun, sometimes quirky bikes that are ready for an adventure. Privacy | Cookies | Terms, The world's most in-depth and scientific reviews of gear, The Salsa Journeyman is an affordable and highly versatile entry-level gravel bike. This includes a Cowbell handlebar that has been designed with gravel riding in mind with a light 12-degree flare for a more natural riding position. It had 440mm long chainstays, a 1060mm wheelbase, and the bottom bracket was 279mm high. Salsa Journeyman Review. Frame Aluminum. Thanks to a superb set of Novatec WTB builds with Teravail Cannonball tires at 700c – you can expect to go smoothly and reliably through the hardest of terrains. If you're interested in getting into gravel riding and you're looking for a versatile bike that's good for just about everything, check out Salsa's affordable Journeyman. The shorter reach and taller front end put the rider in a very comfortable but quite upright position. Note the massive tire clearance of the frame. The Journeyman Apex 1 comes equipped with, not surprisingly, a SRAM Apex 1x11-speed drivetrain. In recent years, gravel biking has exploded in popularity... the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Lightweight, nice build, excellent bland of frame stiffness and compliance, Modern gravel geometry, 20mm of Future Shock Suspension, SWAT storage, offered in 11 different builds, Inexpensive for carbon, compliant seat post and handlebar, Can feel harsh over the rough stuff, narrow non-flared handlebar, 2x drivetrain, non-aggressive tires, quirky geometry, Anyone interested in dabbling in the world of gravel riding should check out the versatile and affordable Salsa Journeyman, The Stigmata earns our Editor's Choice Award for its impressive and well-rounded performance, Lightweight and uncompromisingly stiff, the Hakka MX is a very fast and efficient gravel bike, Capability, comfort, and versatility are the hallmarks of the redesigned Diverge Comp Carbon, The Revolt Advanced 3 is an inexpensive entry-level carbon fiber gravel bike, WTB ST i19 TCS 2.0 700c rims with Novatec hubs, Specialized Pathfinder Pro 2Bliss 700 x 38c, Specialized FACT Carbon with Future Shock 2.0, Specialized Body Geometry Power Sport, steel rails, Specialized Adenture Gear Hover, 12-degree flare, Tire clearance up to 51mm with 700c wheels, Offered with 700c x 37mm wheels and tires (tested) or 650b x 2.1". You won’t have to worry about long stops or irresponsive brakes – it will always perform as you need it to. Bookmark. This iteration costs around $1,500 and gets you the mid-range SRAM Apex 1 groupset. We would quickly replace the WTB Riddler Comp tires that come on this bike and can't be set up tubeless with a set of tires that are tubeless compatible. Whether you want to go on the road at maximum speeds or achieve maximum traction and extra handling off-road, this bike makes it all possible. Especially if you love versatile bikes that can go on the road as well as off-roading without ever feeling less than ideal – then you’ll find these models perfect for your needs. Journeyman Apex 1 700 has 700c wheels for more speed and … The Journeyman is a comfortable and capable bike on the descents but it has a bit of a speed and aggressiveness limit. The WTB Riddler tires are a solid all-around choice and as a rear tire, it provides good traction on a huge range of surfaces and conditions with minimal rolling resistance. The Journeyman Claris 650 runs 27.5” tires and has all the attachment points you need to customize your bikepacking setup. It comes with either a drop or flat handlebar, and the flat bar version costs just $799. And when you consider the different sub-models it offers – then you get even more options to pick from. Handling will be improved exponentially, especially when it comes to maneuvering around obstacles and taking fast corners when needed. Beyond that, rather than upgrading this bike, we'd expect that riders whose skills or needs outgrow the Journeyman would be better off upgrading their entire bike. Journeyman Apex 1 650 offers the comfort and traction of a wider, WTB Nano 2.1-inch tire, and you’ll notice the difference in traction and ride quality immediately when you go off-road. The Journeyman Apex will follow along with the rest of the Journeyman models in that the Apex level bike will be offered in both 700c and 650B models. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support, Inexpensive, versatile, many frame mount options, Heavier than the competition, budget build. Journeyman Apex 1 650 offers the comfort and traction of a wider tire, and you’ll feel the difference immediately when you go off road. The Journeyman Apex 1 700 comes with a 40t single up front, and a 10 – 42 11 speed cassette out back. If you’re painting the bike yourself, test the paint before using it to make sure it matches what you want. Salsa Journeyman Sora Gravel Bike Review. This includes the cranks, shifters, and rear derailleur. Yes, we recommend taking it to a hobby shop or automotive garage for that. Journeyman Apex 1 700 has a 700c wheel for more speed and efficiency when you're primarily riding on roads. We’re reviewing 5 of the best models on this set as well as explaining common questions most people have when choosing. 2019. The derailleur is a Shimano Sora GS 9-speed, which pairs up with a KMC X9 chain. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The geometry of the Journeyman also lends itself to a more relaxed approach while climbing. Then go for the practical Sora Flat-Bar model. The Salsa Journeyman is an all-road bike with the chops to fulfill a wide variety of missions. This design allows the user to drop down a little less and achieve a slightly cozier posture. Explore the full Salsa Journeyman line at www.salsacycles.com. A versatile bike for casual gravel riders. - Journeyman Aluminum 650b Drop Bar frame - SRAM Apex 1 11-speed drivetrain As a rule, Salsa doesn't skimp on frame mounts, and the Journeyman is no exception. The Salsa Journeyman Apex is an affordable aluminum-framed gravel bike that is ready to take on any adventure you are. It prefers a little more of a casual and cruisy approach, and so long as you're not pushing the limits of speed or terrain it feels solid. Cutthroat Apex 1 combines the redesigned Cutthroat carbon frame and fork with the tried-and-true performance of SRAM’s Apex 1 drivetrain. The component specification of the Journeyman Apex was solid on the uphills. All these are available in both 650b and 700c wheel and tire options to fit your different tastes. With this Salsa Journeyman review, you’ll learn everything there’s to know about the set, the different models available, and how much you can get out of each. It is one of the most responsive out there. The Journeyman Apex from Salsa is the basic model – the one with the most straightforward yet most reliable, practical, and efficient build. These are budget components to be sure, but our expectations of their performance were easily exceeded out in the field. 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