Salsa Marrakesh, any reviews?
05-26-16, 11:42 PM
#26
MrBill54
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I gave my Trek 7500 to my grandson so I filled the now empty space in my garage with a Salsa Marrakesh. Does a 61-year old need a Touring bike? Have I wanted one for over 30 years? Yes and Yes. Will I start with short tours? Yes. I just picked it up this morning and have only done a short 5-mile test. It's an amazing ride...
Last edited by whl; 05-26-16 at 11:46 PM.
05-27-16, 11:48 AM
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I gave my Trek 7500 to my grandson so I filled the now empty space in my garage with a Salsa Marrakesh. Does a 61-year old need a Touring bike? Have I wanted one for over 30 years? Yes and Yes. Will I start with short tours? Yes. I just picked it up this morning and have only done a short 5-mile test. It's an amazing ride...
the flat or dropbar? Go get some miles on it, and tell us about it
05-27-16, 04:54 PM
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We just bought ours about 3 weeks ago. I was concerned, I've never had a touring bike and its a little heavier than I'm used to, but it really rides so nicely. We like ours very much.
06-04-16, 08:04 AM
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Many people will buy these as framesets, like the LHT, which will not include rack. In fact, you currently can't buy the rack included in the Complete Marrakesh.
The main reason to be considering a Marrakesh is if you desire to build a 700c tourer with an IGH. Running deraillers on the Marrakesh makes the whole rocker dropout an expensive, superfluous, weight-adding complication which reverts to the problem of disc brake/rack mount interference, which were solved by the introduction of the chainstay-mounted rear disc brake years ago. If you are not seriously planning a Rohloff/Shimano IGH for your Marrakesh, then the Surly LHT/DT frameset is a better choice, since it will accommodate all normal racks.
Surly DT has a Rohloff OEM2 axleplate bolt hole inline with vertical dropout, so all you need to run a Rohloff Speedhub is an aftermarket EBB (Philcentric, Exzentriker) or easier and less costly, a chain tensioner such as Rohloff or Surly, and some of the DH tensioners would work too (Blackspire,DMR).
A Surly DT frameset with even the most expensive tensioning option (Philcentric) costs the same as a Marrakesh @ 650USD, and with a Blackspire tensioner is >100USD cheaper than the Salsa, which is enough saved to buy a Tubus rack.
The main reason to be considering a Marrakesh is if you desire to build a 700c tourer with an IGH. Running deraillers on the Marrakesh makes the whole rocker dropout an expensive, superfluous, weight-adding complication which reverts to the problem of disc brake/rack mount interference, which were solved by the introduction of the chainstay-mounted rear disc brake years ago. If you are not seriously planning a Rohloff/Shimano IGH for your Marrakesh, then the Surly LHT/DT frameset is a better choice, since it will accommodate all normal racks.
Surly DT has a Rohloff OEM2 axleplate bolt hole inline with vertical dropout, so all you need to run a Rohloff Speedhub is an aftermarket EBB (Philcentric, Exzentriker) or easier and less costly, a chain tensioner such as Rohloff or Surly, and some of the DH tensioners would work too (Blackspire,DMR).
A Surly DT frameset with even the most expensive tensioning option (Philcentric) costs the same as a Marrakesh @ 650USD, and with a Blackspire tensioner is >100USD cheaper than the Salsa, which is enough saved to buy a Tubus rack.
As for Marrakesh vs LHT/DT, there are other differences besides ability to run an IGH. Marrakesh has the following features not found on LHT/DT:
-Front Fork bosses for water bottles or 3-bolt cargo cages.
-Optional Flat Bar Geometry
-44 mm headtube
-Kickstand Plate
Now traditional road touring folks may not desire any of these, but the first 3 features certainly could be desirable for those wishing to make use of the bike's 2" tire clearance on gravel/fire road touring/light singletrack.
Many Rohloff users would never consider a pulley style tensioner, and aftermarket EBB (Philcentric, Exzentriker) are not ideal either.
I built a Marrakesh up this Spring, and so far am happy with it. Mainly used for it commuting so far, but did do overnight ride with it and a couple longer rides. I am most happy with how stable it rides loaded. But unloaded, you can feel (e.g. stiff) that this bike is built for some serious cargo carrying and abuse. Looking forward to using it on a 2 week, self-supported bike tour in Maine in a few weeks.
My build
06-04-16, 10:01 AM
#30
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Thread Starter
Awesome, thanks for the info and update! Chris
06-04-16, 05:43 PM
#31
-
The Salsa Alternator...
My build
My build
06-05-16, 06:19 AM
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I had the crazy bars on my previous touring bike build, and like them. The only issue I have is that there is a big difference in reach between the hand positions, so choosing ideal stem length for both can be a compromise. I would tweak the design by rotating the forward extensions back slightly to decrease reach. They work quite well with my large rando bag, while a Jones bar would probably interfere with its inboard positions.
AC also has a review of the crazy bars:
https://www.adventurecycling.org/res...gical-persons/
06-05-16, 02:10 PM
#33
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thanks! The Marrakesh also does have cable routing for the Rohloff. The cable guides to the rear brake essentially have an extra little flange on each side for the two Rohloff cables. Only downside is that they run on the top tube/seat stay, while the ideal routing for Rohloff would be on down tube/chain stay.
I had the crazy bars on my previous touring bike build, and like them. The only issue I have is that there is a big difference in reach between the hand positions, so choosing ideal stem length for both can be a compromise. I would tweak the design by rotating the forward extensions back slightly to decrease reach. They work quite well with my large rando bag, while a Jones bar would probably interfere with its inboard positions.
AC also has a review of the crazy bars:
https://www.adventurecycling.org/res...gical-persons/
I had the crazy bars on my previous touring bike build, and like them. The only issue I have is that there is a big difference in reach between the hand positions, so choosing ideal stem length for both can be a compromise. I would tweak the design by rotating the forward extensions back slightly to decrease reach. They work quite well with my large rando bag, while a Jones bar would probably interfere with its inboard positions.
AC also has a review of the crazy bars:
https://www.adventurecycling.org/res...gical-persons/
I considered the Crazy bar when it appeared 2-3 years ago but decided against them. I have since read reviews similar to yours (excessive range in reach). I've thought about a Surly Open Bar with barends added near the center (if they'll clear the bends). This would approximate the geometry of a Crazy or Jones bar with perhaps some latitude for bar-end positioning independent of the Open bar itself. This setup may interfere with bar bag.
I've settled on conventional compact drop bars on one bike and 5d bend "flat" MTB bar with the now-discontinued Cane Creek Ergo bar-ends on another bike.
06-08-16, 07:58 PM
#36
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06-09-16, 06:36 AM
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I have been bitten by the touring bike bug. I haven't bought one yet as I have no money But I have been researching them. And the Marrakesh was one of the one I was looking at.
Well, yesterday I needed to take my road bike to my LBS because of poor shifting - turns out I was on the verge of a cable breaking which it did in the shop. Lucky me. Anyhow I happened to mention to my favorite LBS owner that I was thinking my next n+1 would be a touring bike. And what do you think he has in the store? A Marrakesh in my size. I think he should have stocked a bigger one as my size is the 52 which is recommended for up to 5'5". I didn't buy it but I am really thinking about putting it on layaway.
But I have been researching them. And the Marrakesh was one of the one I was looking at.Well, yesterday I needed to take my road bike to my LBS because of poor shifting - turns out I was on the verge of a cable breaking which it did in the shop. Lucky me. Anyhow I happened to mention to my favorite LBS owner that I was thinking my next n+1 would be a touring bike. And what do you think he has in the store? A Marrakesh in my size. I think he should have stocked a bigger one as my size is the 52 which is recommended for up to 5'5". I didn't buy it but I am really thinking about putting it on layaway.
06-09-16, 05:52 PM
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https://www.flickr.com/photos/theqpb...posted-public/
We are really enjoying our bikes. Here's a link to them, taking a rest while we take a short break.
We are really enjoying our bikes. Here's a link to them, taking a rest while we take a short break.
06-09-16, 11:25 PM
#39
MrBill54
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Mine is a drop bar. Same thing happened to me... I walked into my LBS and saw her. She was even my size, a 52. It was love at first sight...
06-12-16, 05:00 PM
#40
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I ordered this bike and it's been 10 days and should be in soon. I'm curious what kind of front rack everyone is using? I think black would be best to match the rear rack. I would need it for long distance touring. I'm very excited I got the 2017 with drop bars in orange. Thinking of the red Ariel bags think they'd be ugly? Black is not visible and I don't like the yellow.
Cheers, janine
Cheers, janine
06-13-16, 08:06 AM
#42
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Thanks for your input!!
06-13-16, 10:40 AM
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I totally agree. This feature seems out of place on a touring bike. I can't imagine ever converting a purpose-built tourer to single speed. As a cyclist, I am happy having a dedicated single-speed (my Surly Steamroller) for commuting/city riding in addition to a proper tourer. That's just me. Salsa says that these things are bombproof, and perhaps that's true. Maybe I'll be able to look past this and pick one up.
06-14-16, 08:46 AM
#44
juneeaa memba!
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Patti's Marrakesh
Bear with me here, I may have issues with the pictures.
Patti has a Marrakesh that we've been touring with this year.
We have been doing some pretty burly stuff with it, where a mountain bike would have been arguably a better choice...but I t has proven equal to everything it's been pointed toward. The first picture was taken a couple of days ago in the mountains of western Idaho. We combined about 70 miles of gravel and dirt with 30 miles of nasty rail grade and about 170 miles of pavement. The most demanding part of the ride was a crappy rutty dirt and gravel descent of about 1500' coming back out of the mountains. Patti would have let me know if something sucked.
The second picture was taken on the rail grade that crosses the island park caldera in eastern idaho. That was a two day trip a few weeks ago. We did about 55 miles each day on gravel, sand, or ballast (this isn't a rail trail, no improvements). We did about 15 miles of pavement on the second day to hook our loop together.
Patti was carrying about 30 pounds including water. It has a Tubus front rack and a bodyfloat seat post (boy, was I jealous).
The bike is not light, but it is very strong and stable. If you were strong enough you could probably lug an elephant along.
I argued for the alternator dropouts...the weight that they add is minimal, and may allow for an IGH hub in the future.
Patti has a Marrakesh that we've been touring with this year.
We have been doing some pretty burly stuff with it, where a mountain bike would have been arguably a better choice...but I t has proven equal to everything it's been pointed toward. The first picture was taken a couple of days ago in the mountains of western Idaho. We combined about 70 miles of gravel and dirt with 30 miles of nasty rail grade and about 170 miles of pavement. The most demanding part of the ride was a crappy rutty dirt and gravel descent of about 1500' coming back out of the mountains. Patti would have let me know if something sucked.
The second picture was taken on the rail grade that crosses the island park caldera in eastern idaho. That was a two day trip a few weeks ago. We did about 55 miles each day on gravel, sand, or ballast (this isn't a rail trail, no improvements). We did about 15 miles of pavement on the second day to hook our loop together.
Patti was carrying about 30 pounds including water. It has a Tubus front rack and a bodyfloat seat post (boy, was I jealous).
The bike is not light, but it is very strong and stable. If you were strong enough you could probably lug an elephant along.
I argued for the alternator dropouts...the weight that they add is minimal, and may allow for an IGH hub in the future.
Last edited by luker; 06-14-16 at 08:51 AM. Reason: Pictures are foofed
06-21-16, 07:12 PM
#45
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Picture of my new ride!!
https://https://instagram.com/p/BGrZJIGyO9S/
It's a heavy sucker shifting isn't as smooth as my sturmey archer hub. Rides smooth. Haven't ridden it loaded yet but the geometry is almost exactly identical to my new trek Emonda SL8. Fits me like a glove. Love it!
Janine
It's a heavy sucker shifting isn't as smooth as my sturmey archer hub. Rides smooth. Haven't ridden it loaded yet but the geometry is almost exactly identical to my new trek Emonda SL8. Fits me like a glove. Love it!
Janine
06-21-16, 07:41 PM
#46
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Trying again
Attempting to resend grrr
06-21-16, 07:43 PM
#47
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Another pix
The 2017 Marrakesh!!! Morange!
06-21-16, 07:50 PM
#48
Fred For Life
06-21-16, 08:06 PM
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I'm sorry
The one of me and my dog? I did that as I've been accused of being someone called squeezebox by like 3 people or so. Just trying to show I'm really a person. Sorry for the trouble 😌
06-21-16, 08:06 PM
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That name just sounds like a strip search waiting to happen. I would have to wait at least until Justin legalizes the bud before getting a test drive on that one. Or alternatively it sounds like the kind of bike that could get lost in the shuffle of trying to port all one's CSNY LPs to a PonoPod.