Salsa Cycles has updated its line of steel bikes for 2021, just in time for anyone planning a summer of bikepacking in the wilderness. While no changes have been made to the framesets themselves, the Fargo, Vaya and Marrakesh are now sporting fresh new colorways and build specifications.
The Minnesota-based brand, which is sibling to Surly and All-City, is well known for its steel off-road and adventure-style offerings. With so much more demand for bikes at the moment, this will be welcome news to anyone who's been planning to explore their local area better on two wheels this year.
Here's everything we know about the 2021 models of Salsa's Fargo, Vaya and Marrakesh bikes, along with their prices and availability.
Salsa Fargo 2021: build and specifications
The Fargo is Salsa's original steel drop-bar 29er mountain bike, designed for mixed-terrain riding and bikepacking adventures.
The 2021 Fargo uses a custom-tuned triple-butted Chromoly steel frame with a Firestarter 110 carbon-fiber fork, and features stable geometry, including a 69-degree head tube angle, for predictable handling over long periods of time. It's a versatile frameset that's compatible with a variety of drivetrain setups as well as a multitude of cargo-carrying options, making it an ideal mule for the two-wheeled nomad.
Its Alternator v1.5 dropouts enable you to adjust the length of the chainstays between 455 and 462mm, as well as making the frame compatible with belt drives and single-speed setups. There's clearance for up to 29x3in tires (though the XS frames have a smaller clearance, exact number TBC). You could also set it up with 27.5x3in rubber instead if you so wish.
The frame and fork have plenty of mounts for bikepacking bags and water bottles for multi-day rides, and the Fargo is available in five sizes (XS-XL). You can buy the frameset to set up however you wish, or the complete build which features SRAM drivetrain components, WTB wheels, and Teravail tires.
In addition to the steel bike, a titanium version is also sold as a frameset.
Salsa Fargo 2021: price and availability
- Fargo Apex 1: $2,399 /$1,099 / £1,100
- Fargo Steel Frameset: $1,099 / £1100
- Fargo Titanium Frameset: $2,999 / £3,000
Salsa Vaya 2021: build and specifications
The Vaya is Salsa's steel all-road adventure bike that can tackle anything from the smoothest pavement to washboard gravel, with bikepacking bags attached too. This bike is similar to the Fargo, but for riders who prefer more road than singletrack.
In addition to the steel frame and carbon fork, a standout feature is clearance for 700c x 45mm tires. Fenders can be mounted with tires up to 38mm in width. There are ample mounting options, with three-pack mounts for additional cargo on the fork, internal routing for dynamo hub cables, and an accessory mount on the underside of the downtube.
The Vaya is available in six sizes (49.5, 52, 54, 55, 57 and 59.5cm) either as a frameset or fully built with a Shimano drivetrain, WTB wheels and Teravail tires.
Salsa Vaya 2021: price and availability
- Vaya GRX 600: $2,499 / £2400
- Vaya Steel Frameset: $1,099 / £980
Salsa Marrakesh 2021: build and specifications
Finally, the Salsa Marrakesh is a long-haul world-touring bike designed for riders who are clocking the most miles. A triple-butted steel frame and fork are combined with touring geometry to keep the bike rolling smooth and steady, even when fully loaded with bags.
There's clearance for 700c x 50mm tires (40mm with fenders), and the bike comes with racks in the rear and front pre-installed. The drivetrain components and wheels are all provided by Shimano, while the tires again come from Teravail.
The Marrakesh is available in six sizes (50, 52, 54, 55, 57 and 59.5cm), and can be set up single-speed or with a Rohloff hub. It also features the Alternator dropouts found on the Fargo, allowing for an adjustable chainstay length between 455 and a massive 472mm. Having it at the maximum wheelbase will make for some extremely stable and predictable handling while fully loaded with cargo. Final tour-ready features include a mount for a spare spoke, as well as a kickstand plate.
Salsa Marrakesh 2021: price and availability
- Marrakesh Alivio: $1,799 / £1990
- Marrakesh Steel Frameset: $899 / £870
