Longest ride was about 64 miles, along with a few gravel rides in the 20-50 mile range, but most rides have just been short jaunts around town. One big area where these bikes differ is the fork. As a gravel grinder long before the term existed, I have always preferred higher-volume tires. The rest of the frame is festooned with attachment points for bottles, racks, and bags. That width is sufficient for use on maintained roads. I wasn’t carrying a travel scale, so I didn’t get an official weigh-in, but Salsa claims about 25.5 lbs (11.56 kg). Features. We tested the 650b-wheel-equipped Journeyman with Shimano Sora drivetrain, which is known for its durability, performance, and affordability. Salsa Journeyman Apex 1 650 Review Level 3 expert While the ride and handling are very good… it’s under specced compared to rivals which makes it hard to recommend. For years the bike industry flogged consumers with high prices. Cockpit parts include the Salsa Cowbell bar and Guide stem and post while the bike rolls on Formula/WTB i23/i19 rims and WTB 650b x 2.1″/700c x 37mm tires. Salsa Journeyman Sora 650 Drop-Bar Super fun bike that handles great on the road and off. They might not be the fastest-rolling option available (more on this below), but I found them to be a great match for all types of non-pavement surfaces I encountered. Out of the saddle, the ride is stable and smooth, the carbon fork gliding over small bumps. In testing, Salsa’s Timberjack Apex 1 650felt most at home on moderately rough, rock-filled forest service roads. This one comes with 650X2.1 tires. Categories: Bikes, Road, Bike Shops, Gravel, Tonka Cycle and Ski. If you fancy yourself a bike nerd, you might peruse the musings of bike legend Jan Heine. The Shimano Sora drivetrain keeps shifting light and efficient both on and off the road. We offer our Journeyman model in two different wheel/tire sizes (700c x 37/38mm or 650b x 2.1") as well as in two different handlebar styles (drop bar or flat bar). The FSA Vero Pro 46/30t cranks mate to a SunRace 9-speed 11-34t cassette. But its beauty is only skin deep. Call it faster through fatter, the extra width of the 650b tires helps the Journeyman scoot along in rough conditions. Of the three bikes in the Journeyman stable, the cheapest of which is a paltry $899, I chose to evaluate the midpoint Journeyman Sora 650b, priced at $1,099. Gear, Review, Video 6 . Hey, real talk. Although it has taken far too long to catch on, more cyclists are realizing the benefits of low pressure in higher-volume tires. Unzip over to Voler to join the team! And at $650, the Raptors land at the high end of the cycling stat device market. Riders hoping to tackle trails on a regular basis are better suited to a Salsa Cutthroat or Fargo, but the Journeyman holds its own. �� �� �� Save my name, email, and location in this browser for the next time I comment. Upon unboxing, the Salsa Journeyman 650B (Apex 1) exceeded my expectations. Write a Review × Salsa Salsa Journeyman Flat Bar Sora 650 ... Journeyman Flat Bar Sora 650 is Salsa's versatile all-road bike. It’s the end of 2020, and, as is our annual tradition, it's time to look back at the best gear we tested this year. Salsa. Plus, new manufacturing methods permit fine tuning of shapes and diameters that enhance compliance and stiffness. Or maybe you're looking for a versatile gravel rig for trying your hand at racing and for use commuting and maybe a little bike packing too? The component spec features Shimano’s just-above-entry Sora groupset, but only on the shifters and derailleurs. Trimmings like the bar, stem, and seatpost wear Salsa badges. Journeyman Sora 650 offers a great mix of speed and comfort for a variety of missions. Enter before February 8th for your chance to win. My only other quip relates to the use of standard quick-release hubs. Once a lone voice in the wilderness, Pro Tour road racing teams now echo Heine’s thoughts on big squishy tires for speed and efficiency. Within the spectrum of gravel bikes, the Journeyman sits somewhere between the high performance of a Warbird and the off-piste brawn of a Fargo. The Salsa Journeyman Apexis an affordable aluminum-framed gravel bike that is ready to take on any adventure you are. Look no further. Of the hundreds of products GearJunkie staff and contributors reviewed, these items stood out as some of the best. … Journeyman Sora 650 offers a great mix of speed and comfort for a variety of missions. Store: Tonka Cycle and Ski. Although some buyers will use the Journeyman to wet their beaks in gravel racing, this bike is better suited to exploring and having fun. Best Price 2020 Salsa Journeyman Sora 650. Experienced cyclists may use the Journeyman to round out their quiver to take on more rugged terrain, or for loaded weekends of bikepacking. We don’t take money from bike brands to do these reviews so we can stay independent. But none of them offer the option for 650b wheels. © Copyright 2020 GearJunkie, All Rights Reserved, Red Bull Announces ‘Natural Selection’ Snowboard Tour to Crown World’s Best, Watch Now: X Games Skiers Hit the Backcountry, Free Gear Fridays: Sawyer Tap Water Filtration System Giveaway, Burglars Break Into Specialized HQ, Steal $160K in Collector Bicycles, Female Freeski Collab: 10 Pro Rippers Dominate in 'Skivas', On-Sight Without Sight: Blind Climber Sends Extreme 'Forked Lightning' Crack, Recon Mission: Pro Skiers Seek New Routes in Cascades, Backcountry Education, Safety Are More Important Than Ever: 'Solving for Z' Explains Why, Last-Minute Gifts: Up to 40% Off Gear During REI's Sale, The Bestselling Gear at Competitive Cyclist This Week. Rigueur across all applications, and seatpost wear Salsa badges comfortable perch for all-day rides with a longer,! Should those roads be strewn with ruts, rocks, and for good reason suffer obvious attempts cost-cutting. 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