Originally Posted by
Mr. Underbridge
People knocking the bike as being overdone may not be getting the point of it. If you buy this thing, you're not getting the complete bike. You're getting the frame and fork. At that point, what you have:
*an extremely versatile frame with a geometry designed to accept whatever your throw at it
*A bike with discs with mounts inside the rear triangle to keep them out of the way
*braze-ons wherever you could conceivably want them
*Clearance for any tire you want, including fenders
That's pretty nice. To me, that's a bike you can ride all year, anywhere. It need not be a slouch on the road, either, with 32 or 35mm slicks.
As to the price - as pictured, it's pricey, but they've also got the thing totally tricked out with what looks to be full XT hardware and Dura-ace bar ends. But $650 seems not-too-excessive for a good frame and fork, if you used sensible components you could build it up to a nice complete bike for $1300.
Just can't let this thread die, I'm sorry but even at 1300 bucks? For a Salsa that could tote a pony keg...it's not worth it. A proper Karate Monkey, while I'm not a fan of the horiz. dropouts disc brake thing, could be done far cheaper. I like Salsa's products don't get me wrong. But some one was on the pipe when they started adding brazeons to the design.