Hi everyone,

New forum member here. I saw a while ago that there was some interest in the Salsa Marrakesh, as I was interested in it to. On Friday, I went and bought the small flat bar. I previously saw the large in the bike shop, and didn't ride it because I knew it was too large for me. I first test rode the medium, and the reach was very long, and too long to be comfortable for a long period of time. I then test rode the small and it was just right. I took it on its first ride yesterday for 28 miles, and the bike is very stable! (I rode it down some steep down hills. ) It comes with the Schwalbe Marathon Plus, which I have inflated to 65 psi.

The bike comes with a Brooks narrow size, but the bike shop let me swap it out with the standard size. This is my first Brooks saddle, so I'm still getting used to it. It does feel more stiff against my behind than I'm used to, but I suppose there is a breakin period.

The description of the bike I read online said it comes with the Salsa Alternator rear rack. However, the specs for the Alternators I read have it listed at a max load of 15kg. On this rack, it says "max load 27kg (60 lbs)", so it looks like Salsa has redesigned this rack for the Marrakesh. This is closer to the specs for the Wanderlust HD rack.

Hope you enjoy your new bike.

Will a magnet stick to the rack? If not, then it's not steel, which is how Salsa achieves the higher load rating on the Wanderlust HD, as it appears to be otherwise identical to the lower-rated Al Wanderlust. If a magnet will stick to the rack, then Salsa must have taken to heart complaints that it's Alternator-dropout equipped Vaya, Fargo and Marrakesh were handicapped by their dependence on the unique 15kg-rated Alternator rack, and have thus debuted a new rack model, the "Alternator HD".

Seeker, thanks for the tip. I tried a magnet all over the rack, and it appears to be aluminum. If it's not steel how do they accomplish the new weight rating?

Damn I thought that we were talkin' about salsa.

No body here being <They> You have to find out who "They" are and ask them yourself ..

Engineers Like Triangles ..

Maybe QBP the huge distributor that Owns the Salsa And Surly Brand names will tell You..

Sunday they may be at the MN football game ..

...except quite often people here know how 'they' accomplish things. So asking if anyone knows is quite appropriate, especially after such a knowledgeable and detailed post concerning 'their' racks.

That's a good question. Why don't you call Salsa tomorrow and ask them your question. I'm sure several potential customers reading this thread would like to know how the Alternator Rack load limit increased 80% (must be one helluva sticker).

Mine does have a chili pepper on it.

I spent a week in Marrakesh back in '85.

Did you get any clarification from Salsa on the rack identity/capacity?

Yeah, I called Salsa. I asked why their website states Alternator 135 is standard on the bike, yet the rack that comes with the bike is much heavier load rated. He said this is an OEM version of the rack specific with the Marrakesh, and that the specs for the Alternator racks are not changing. It was tested for the stated rating.

Sounds like BS to me. Good thing is you'll probably never carry 27kg in the rear anyway.

Emailed Salsa and they confirmed the marrakesh completes get a unique, stronger rack. It might be available for individual sale later this summer. Don't really care about the weight ratings, but would like a lower version for the marrakesh frameset that i am about to purchase.

How is it made stronger if it appears identical to the 15kg rack and is made of the same material?

A shorter rack would be stronger. And i do believe the standard rack is conservatively rated. Or maybe it is a stronger version of aluminum. Intended use could also change the rating, as the standard rack can be used on their mountain bikes which see more severe shock and vibrations.
Perhaps a combination of all 4.

What's shorter about it - it appears dimensionally identical to the Alternator 135?

It's your purchase and you can believe what you wish. I certainly hope you enjoy your new toys.

However, I believe Salsa simply ordered some decals from the local printer and upgraded the existing rack's load rating by 80%, so that the inordinately low load rating would not discourage sales. The OP basically suspected this too, which is partly why this thread exists.

I think it's important to bring attention to apparent shenanigans in the touring bike biz. As usual, it's ultimately up to the actual customer to glean the truth from the sales pitch.

Comparing photos, it looks shorter to me. Look at photos of the standard rack on a vaya. Do you have a link to a dimensioned drawing? From my what i have seen, salsa/qbp seems pretty conservative on ratings and liability. Yes, of course they like to over sell certain details, opinions, and features like every other business. But i don't see them out right making up numbers, especially when they refer to having done actual testing for ratings.
Again, these numbers are somewhat irrelevant. 33 lbs is probably more than the average tourist will ever carry and includes healthy margin of safety at typical riding conditions on pavement.

This spec sheet shows the two racks have different dimensions. go to the last page. The low deck rack is shorter and narrower.

https://salsacycles.com/files/tech/12...ack_INST_F.pdf