Commuting - My New (to me) Salsa Vaya

I found a smoking deal on an original Root Beer Salsa Vaya on CL (half of new). From talking with the previous owner and looking the bike over, I doubt it has more than a half a dozen rides on it. He did say that he had it on a trainer. The Root Beer Metallic paint is beautiful. The 700x42 Conti's look like they barely touched asphalt.

The only gotcha . . . bent RD hanger (which is causing some shifting issues). Luckily the frame is steel so it should be easy enough to straighten out. For $850, I can't complain. LBS will probably charge $50 to fix.

I do need to get a new Brooks. The B17 on my Cross Check is black and just doesn't match. I am thinking B17 Imperial, but can't decide between Antique Brown and Honey.

I call it the Super Deluxe Vista Cruiser. Rides like a Cadillac (as my dad would always say). I have never had STIs before, I'll see if they grow on me. I was going to go with Woodchipper bars, but I am liking the Bell Lap so far (much better than traditional drops).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/albinoazian/IMG_0904.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/albinoazian/IMG_0903.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/albinoazian/IMG_0900.jpg

Congrats Divtag!

Ride the hell out of it!

Yeeaaay for Divtag!!! :love::lol::speedy::lol::love:

- Slim :)

PS.

It's really a very nice bike!!!

Awesome bike!!! Love the root beer brown, too!

Seriously man....I think the Vaya is the best all around bike on the market right now. I use mine for everything....commuting, road riding, touring, etc. I keep mine set up for wet weather with fenders. Awesome looking ride.

I was looking on the Vaya thread at MTBR and I saw a couple with Antique Brown Brooks, that is probably what I will go with. Here is a post of the best looking one in the thread: http://forums.mtbr.com/7133150-post3.html.

Now I just need to "accessorize" beginning with the Brooks saddle and adding a rack, but where to go from there . . .?

jelus, love the vayas

You can fix your derailleur hanger for under $60 with this park tool (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/TL289H00-Park+Tool+Dag-2.aspx). I bought one after I bent the derailleur hanger on my crosscheck. Works great, and is a nice tool to have just in case you ever have another bent hanger.

The antique brown matches the paint, but the honey provides some contrast. I like both just about the same, but I think the brown's a little nicer with the stock silver seat post.

I also like the root beer paint job a lot, and the bike in general. How heavy is it?

I decided a few months ago that the next bike I buy will be a drop bar disc brake 700c bike with generous tire clearance, and ideally pre-configured with a nice wide 11-32/34 cassette.

Not sure on the weight. Light enough for me. Seems lighter than my Cross Check, but it has a Brooks and a Rack. It seems lighter than my El Mariachi, also.

LBS fixed the RD hangar for $15. Good as new. :) Now I need a new Brooks, rack, and . . . ?

Shiny metal fenders.

Now I just need to "accessorize" beginning with the Brooks saddle and adding a rack, but where to go from there . . .?

The Tubus Fly rack worked out well for me. It comes in silver, black and SS.

Enjoy the Vaya, I sure like mine.

http://rad.smugmug.com/photos/i-XjD4h8p/0/M/i-XjD4h8p-M.jpg

Anybody use Salsa's Wunderlust Rack?

Very nice.

Anybody use Salsa's Wunderlust Rack?

Yup, I have a Wanderlust on the back and a Minimalist on the front. Works and looks great.

nice! i was in the same boat when looking for a new commuter after my last frame cracked.

found a wild deal on a vaya as well and havnt looked back since :)

There are some pics of my Vaya on my blog:
http://mountainbikechuck.blogspot.com/2011/09/friday-morning-ride-report-urban.html
http://mountainbikechuck.blogspot.com/2011/11/brazos-bend-state-park-overnighter.html