Originally Posted by
C. Law
...I've ridden the Salsas that are recommended for this kind of trip (Vaya, Journeyman, and Marrakesh). I liked the steel frame of the Marrakesh, but the aluminum rear rack worried me for such a long trip. I was reassured that they made it extra strong to compensate. It was the only of the three Salsas I rode that has three front gears and is steel. The other two were great bikes but aluminum frames and only two front gears...
Salsas Journeyman frame is aluminum.
Salsa Vaya frame is steel, and has been for 9 years now. Up until last year the
base model had a steel fork, now carbon fork is the only offering.