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Average Rating
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4.53/5
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# of Reviews
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17
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MSRP
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Weight
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More Products from Salsa Cycles
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Description:True Temper OX Platinum, main triangle and CroMoto Grande fork
Geared or singlespeed compatible
Fits up to 29" x 2.3" tires
135mm rear spacing
Standard 1-1/8" headset
Seatpost diameter: 27.2mm
Seatpost clamp: 30.0mm
ISO disc tab mounts only
Front derailleur clamp: 28.6mm
Bottom bracket: 68mm
Includes Salsa Lip-Lock™ seat collar and Bushnell EBB
For use with 75-85mm travel 29" fork
Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large
Color: Tomatilla Green or Superior Blue
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Submitted by
dankilling
a Racer
from Eastern PA
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Sals | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Saucon Valley Bikes | | Strengths: | Steel(!), versatility, paint, ride quality. | | Weaknesses: | A few bubbles in the paint here and there but nothing major. I usually prefer cable routing under the top tube instead of under the down tube. | | Similar Products Used: | Surly KM, Niner EMD, GF paragon, Kona Unit, Kona Kula 2-9, Haro Mary | | Bike Setup: | Frame-only build using my parts. Singlespeed setup, Usual suspects from CK, Mavic, Thompson, Magura, RF, Sram, Rock Shox | | Bottom Line: | This bike literally melted into me on the first ride. I took this one on one of the gnarliest local trails at night for the inaugural outing and I never had to think about the bike (except when I almost scratched that sweet paint!) The ride is compliant without being whippy, cornering is stable but still responsive, climbing is mindless. Like I said, the bike melts into you so all you have to do is focus on riding, not on finessing with the bike! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
beastwood9
a Cross Country Rider
from rochester, mn
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | EMS | | Strengths: | handling
frame quality
0verall spec quality
corners on loose terrain like a mo-fo (I weigh 200# was was easily able to run the monster tires sub 20#) | | Weaknesses: | weight
no tubeless option on wheelset
non hydro brakes
| | Similar Products Used: | ventana el rey (test rode)
fisher cobia rigid
Quiver:
fat city rigid 26"
F500 26"
Epic Marathon 06
Lemond tourmelet
KHS montana comp rigid | | Bike Setup: | stock except a longer and higher stem
size XL | | Bottom Line: | I think its a tad over priced at full retail, I got it for 20% off and in sales tax NH and that seems fair. I was considering the specilized stumpy which prob has a worse frame but a lot more spec if you compare retail to retail. Bought this b/c of price and future plans to SS.
This bike feels like a monster truck in the woods and not just b/c it is an xl size. Despite it being rigid it really romps. Feels like I expected a 29er to feel like, have ridden others that don't convey the big wheel advantage as well. The rigid fork, as noted by others, is sweet. Will prob add a sus fork at some point just to see.
Most likely mods would be
1) lighter wheelset/tubeless tires
2) Hydro brakes | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CJ
a Cross Country Rider
from North Vanocuver
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Like I could pick one around here | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Mighty Riders | | Strengths: | OX platinum frame and fork, superb handling, compliant but still has excellent tracking and energy transfer. Dialed geometry, great component spec - no non sense, light yet durable Love the sram x-9 so positive. Solid wheelset. | | Weaknesses: | That gorgeous paint, wanna cry every time I see a chip or a scratch. I thought I had given up caring about my off road bikes but this one just too pretty. | | Similar Products Used: | Lots of steel 26 hardtails, Brodie, Rocky, Jamis Cross bike and tons of other free ride and road stuff. I've been at this for 20yrs+ | | Bike Setup: | Stock - until I can afford a Fox F29 | | Bottom Line: | Best bike purchase in years! I bought with the idea I would largely commute on it with slicks. Well haven't taken the nobbies off yet and I have taken on rides that guys on 5 & 5 bikes hesitate on. That rigid front fork is the nicest rigid fork I have ever ridden, I love it. But our XC around here is free riding for most places so time for 100mm to save my back and neck.
Climbs like a goat, amazing tracking off camber and with 30psi in the tires she is almost as fast as my Cross bike. I honestly think that this bike with the rigid and a suspension fork covers more ground than any other bike going. Well done Salsa! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
climbbikeskione
a Racer
from Wild West
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | The long singletrack Epic | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$390.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Great compliance and stiff pedal transfer. Good Geometry for a tall dude (6'3") with long legs and arms and short torso...It just simply feels right for me. Quality construction and nice paint job. The Bushnell EBB is much better than the GF version...no creaking or slippage. Versatile...can be geared if I give up on the SS thing...Please...probably won't be neccesary but a nice feature... I am a huge Salsa fan and maybe a bit biased but this frame is exceeding my expectations so far. Time will tell and I will update in the future. | | Weaknesses: | Paint chips easily. Yeah that's all I have so far. | | Similar Products Used: | My first 29er was a XL 21" '06 Voodoo Dambala Rigid SS Setup, damaged in a race...followed by a quick buy replacement XL 21", '05 GF Rig rigid SS set up. And I also ride a L 20" Salsa Dos Niner with Sus fork and 1x9 gearing setup. | | Bike Setup: | L 20" frame w/ rigid salsa fork, SS setup. Old skool Kooka cranks, Bontrager tubeless stans w/WTB exiwolf tires | | Bottom Line: | This is a short term review after only a few rides...Maybe it's the excitement of a new bike but my first impression can be summed in one word...BUTTER! This frame is by far the most compliant rigid 29er I have ridden of the three I've owned. I feel much is owed to the fork and rake setup. Steel is Really the Deal! It is also the stiffest in out of the saddle single speed efforts. I had a huge grin on my face most of the ride...even with two crashes on my first real Epic. I was going into lines much faster than before because of the smooth ride and efficient pedal transfer...hence the crashes. Luckily the frame came away clean...not a scratch. I cannot say the same for my body. The geometry is dialed for me and I feel more comfortable on this frame the the other three I've tried. I gave good reviews to the Rig but the Salsa just feels more natural, even in a L vs the XL RIG. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pmac
a Racer
from Midwest
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Brown County, IN | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | various | | Strengths: | Comfort, geo, SS/geared option, handling | | Weaknesses: | EBB creaking/loosening | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh XXIX | | Bike Setup: | SS, DT240s on Stan's Arch, Cromoto grande fork, 2.55 We | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. Quick handling and that silky steel smoothness. The bike really didn't come alive until I changed it to SS and put on the light wheels. The back end with the EBB and drivetrain felt real heavy in stock mode. Once removed, the lightened rear end became easy to kick around and the bike climbed better. Highly reccommended for comfort, simplicity and even a race or two. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Hunt
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkeley CA
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$930.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheels of Justice | | Strengths: | True to Salsa heritage, a nice mixture of stability and responsiveness. Ah, the feel of steel. | | Weaknesses: | Some of the finish work is a little rough, flashing left on down tube / head tube gusset and burr in seat tube. Some people may want to run linear pull brakes and some people may be putt off by the eccentric bottom bracket. Paint is pretty but not super durable. | | Similar Products Used: | Surly Karate Monkey, Marin Pine Mountain 29er, Stumpjumper 29er, Voodoo Canzo 29er. | | Bike Setup: | All Salsa hardware, King hubs and headset, Avid BB7 brakes, Paul levers, RaceFace cranks and BB, WTB Weirwolf tires, Bontrager RaceDay saddle. | | Bottom Line: | I've been a long term single speed rider and after trying the Marin Pine Mountain 29er I had a good idea what I wanted and what I didn't want out of a 29er single speed. First it had to be lighter and have lighter wheels than the Marin, second I didn't want a suspension fork. I had a disc brake equipped single speed in the past and it was a pain to adjust the chain tension with rearward facing drops so I figured (with some reservation) that an eccentric bb may be the way to go. Sure, it's a little extra weight but since you can adjust the chain tension, and raise and lower the bb height to suit your riding conditions with a single 4 mm wrench I think these outweigh a minor weight penalty.
How does it ride, blabber mouth? Very well, thank you. Compared to the Surly Karate Monkey it's more nimble and refined. The True Temper tube set has a more of a spring like quality vs the works man like Surly and compared to the Marin even the Karate Monkey is more aggressive.
As with my Karate Monkey the key to any 29er is to build as light of weight of wheel set you can ride safely. The Salsa Delgado 29er disc rims are super light and a great value for the price but are not recommended for a tubeless set up.
Tire clearance in the rear is tight so I think the 2.5 Weirwolf is just about as big of tire you want to use.
Without spending big big money for a steel frame the El Mariachi is a great riding bike, for taller guys the whole '9er movement is the way to go. For larger riders (over 200 lbs) save a little money and build up a Surly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from York, PA
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Fair Hill Park, MD | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$575.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikeman.com | | Strengths: | Good paint, very responsive. Steel has a great feel. Cable guides for going geared. EBB for SS setup. Versatile do it all 29er. | | Weaknesses: | The geometry is a feels a bit larger than the spec'd size says. I am 5'7" and I ride a medium, but I probably could have gotten away with a small. | | Similar Products Used: | Surly Karate Monkey, Raleigh XXIX | | Bike Setup: | SS, 32X18, avid bb7 brakes, rigid cromoto fork, delgado rims with Chris King hubs. | | Bottom Line: | Great frame at an excellent value. Set it up right and the bike can do anything. I am very pleased with the Salsa. The guys at Salsa have great customer service. My only suggestion is that if you are going to buy one, be sure to ride and size it up first. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Durham, NC
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything in the Pisgah Ranger District | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Frank's Cyclery | | Strengths: | Frame geometry and feel
1x9 drivetrain
| | Weaknesses: | Stock wheel tension | | Similar Products Used: | 2002 Giant Rainier (26" hardtail) | | Bike Setup: | Stock except 80 mm Reba | | Bottom Line: | This bike has far exceeded my expectations. This is my first 29" bike, so some of it may be related to switching from 26" -> 29" wheels, but the frame is great w/ an 80 mm fork up front. The larger wheels and a little vertical give with the steel frame make this a great all day ride. The 1x9 drivetrain is a great match for my riding style, and the option to go SS w/ the EBB is a plus. I weight ~155#, and the wheels have me a little concerned - the stock spoke tension left a little to be desired. If you're a heavier rider, definitely look into swapping out the wheelset for something more heavy duty. Not the cheapest bike out there, but worth every cent in my opinion. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond, VA
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | JRPS | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Cobblestone Bikes in Ashland, Va. | | Strengths: | 2007 bike has Great looks and good overall value for $1500!
As with OnOne, I was very surprised with the overall quality of the OEM Salsa tidbits, including ultra cool Ano Blue flip-offs and seat post clamp.
Salsa as a company. Very helpful and good customer service.
5 year warranty. | | Weaknesses: | A little disappointed w/paint that chips easy. I know, I know, it's a mountain bike, they chip. But this paint is a little too soft, I have other bikes that are 5-15yrs older with more miles and more paint. | | Similar Products Used: | OnOne Inbred. | | Bike Setup: | Factory Salsa El Mariachi build. I added a Moots Ti seatpost and handlebar; plus Magura Marta SL brakes, & Ergon grips. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike, it climbs well, rides well, handles quickly and has taken me XC, as well as Up & Down the mountains many times in the past 9mos.
I only gave it 4 for value, because I think there is always a little room to pay a little less or for the companies to give a little more.
PS> I did buy a second El Mar. frameset for a future build! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J.W.
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond, VA
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Frame has plenty of vertical compliance, but very little lateral flex. The handling is excellent for me. I am 5'8" on a size small and my 26" FS now feels like a bmx bike. It climbs like a goat, of course. The traction with the 2.3" tires is unbelievable.
I have heard many complaints about Salsa's paint, but mine is top notch. Probably the best paint I have ever seen on a mtn bike. | | Weaknesses: | I broke the frame after 1.5 months of riding, right at the weld on the downtube and head tube. It was a catastrophic failure causing the another failure in the top tube right at the seat tube gusset. I dislocated my shoulder in the process. It broke while I was pedaling up hill. Salsa replaced the frame but it took over a month. It doesn't make sense, I only weigh 160lbs.
The EBB creaks and doesn't hold the chain tension that well. | | Similar Products Used: | Redline monocog, Surly Karate monkey, Soma Juice, Kona Unit | | Bike Setup: | SS 34X18, Chris King hubs, Moots ti seatpost, salsa carbon bar, 2.3 tires | | Bottom Line: | Excellent bike. Even though the damn thing snapped on me 1.5 months ago, I still love the bike. However, if I had to do it again, I might consider a Niner Steel Frame hardtail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cottonball
a Cross Country Rider
from Pa.
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Full Cycle | | Strengths: | Steel,EBB,Fork with Frame, Nice paint. | | Weaknesses: | Notin | | Similar Products Used: | 29ers I have owned, Surly, GF Rig, Dos Niner | | Bike Setup: | SS 32/20, Paul rear hub, CK front. Shimano 180 cranks, White Ind. 20t freewheel, Thomson, CK hs, other stuff | | Bottom Line: | I bought the frame at a great price but after a year I have seen prices getting closer to what I bought it for. I really wanted to try a steel frame 29er other than the Surly. It was between the Salsa and a Niner, got this at a really good price so I couldn't pass it up. I am really happy with it. Used it as a geared bike for a short time but I really like it for a SS. Nice paint, had to grease the EBB, no big problem, paint seems to be pretty good but paint always gets marked up. It is a very good handling bike. I got very lucky, I think this bike fits me better than any other I have had. I just tried bigger tires and it really smoothed out rocks and roots. Just a very nice frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Littleton, CO.
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Buffalo Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Steel-relativly inexpensive for a complete bike with good componenets- | | Weaknesses: | EBB creaks-A little slippage with the shaft seat post. | | Similar Products Used: | Dos Niner | | Bike Setup: | Rigid, single speed 32x20 | | Bottom Line: | I love how this bike rides, it has become my favorite bike to ride in my stable, my 26 SS and my Dos Niner have had a little time off since I purchased this bike.
I was a little leary jumping on to a rigid bike after riding suspension for the last 15 years or so, my first ride on the El Mar, my teeth were chattering. But after the second ride on this thing I get it. The bike handles extremely well, probably the best handling bike I've owned and it's very comfortable even on long rides.
I think $1500 for this bike is a good deal, I put my Brooks B-17 on this thing and it weighs a respectable 25.25 lbs with pedals.
I would do 5 all the way around if not for the creaking I get in the EBB and the slippage of the shaft post. All in all a great bike for the money.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | PSP | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Cobblestone Bikes | | Strengths: | Great looking and good value as a complete bike. All Salsa components seem to work well which surprised me. I usually use top-self components, but no need here until I break something. Paint scheme/ Bling factor/ Salsa Service! | | Weaknesses: | Paint. My frame is full of chips and rubs marks with about 100 miles on it. In fact, my chainstay on this looks as bad as the one on my 19 yr old Giant Iguana.
** Use frame protectors and chainstay wrap. | | Similar Products Used: | OnOne Inbred | | Bike Setup: | As is from Salsa, but I just upgraded to a Ti seatpost and handlebar for some added bling and comfort. | | Bottom Line: | Salsa makes a Great bike, handles almost as fast as my Scalpel, buy complete bike for best value with this frame set. I am thinking of buying a second one for an SS.
Rides much smoother than the 4130 Inbred.
Climbs and rails singletrack with ease and took me less than 10 mins to feel like I'd been riding the bike for years.
5 Chilis for value as complete bike.
4 overall because of weak paint. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dude
a
from Richmond
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Speedgoat | | Strengths: | smooth ride from the True Temper tubing
Reba crown clearance
EBB for versatility and easy rear wheel removal
paint job is sharp and frame comes w/ matching fork | | Weaknesses: | little pricey for a non-custom frame
downtube cable bosses
| | Similar Products Used: | Soma Juice (also a great frame and great value) | | Bike Setup: | Delgado/XT wheels
1x9 Sram x.7
Reba 80mm fork
| | Bottom Line: | This frame is a step above my Juice and a quick handling ride...not the best value in a 29er but a great frameset nonetheless...time will tell on the durability but so far, so good - riding good steel is the best IMO. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Arlington VA
Date Reviewed: December 22, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Great looks, good BB stiffness and ride compliance balance, decent weight, versatility | | Weaknesses: | When frame arrived EBB would not rotate freely in frame | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher X Caliber (geared | | Bike Setup: | SS | | Bottom Line: | This is a great frame\fork combo. I like the ride quality and handling of the bike, tried with a Reba but mainly use it rigid. Green color is unique and looks good. Seems to be a bit smoother than the X Caliber I briefly owned, and I notice no lateral flex from the frame either. I have started using this as my main ride, and am pleased with my decision to purchase the Salsa. My LBS spent quite a bit of time smoothing the oustide of the EBB insert in order to get it to rotate freely. So far, no creaking or slipping issues, despite being a heavier rider. If it hadn't arrived with some chips and the EBB issue, I would rate it higher | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chad
a Cross Country Rider
from New york
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1099.00 | | Purchased At: | Web Cyclery | | Strengths: | great XC bike and geometry is super comfortable, excellent fork and LE paint job is beautiful. | | Weaknesses: | not so pretty welds and paint chips really easy! | | Similar Products Used: | Jamis Dragon | | Bike Setup: | new Surly hubs, Salsa Delgato rims, Maxxis Ignitor tires, Hope Mono-Mini brakes, Mary bars, Tioga Spyder saddle, Truvativ Stylo SS cranks, Eggbeater Sl's | | Bottom Line: | I would highly recommend this frame to anyone looking for a 29er. This bike is a solid performer, excellent handling on the singletrack, great when climbing and super comfortable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gomez
a Cross Country Rider
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1050.00 | | Purchased At: | SpeedGoat | | Strengths: | The Limited Edition Paint Scheme is gorgeous and the geometry and ride characteristics are superior. | | Weaknesses: | Weight weinies might think this frame is not as light as they want.....but its not an issue for me. | | Similar Products Used: | Moots Mooto-X | | Bike Setup: | I-9 Wheelset with Salsa Delgado Disc Hoops
Avid Carbon Disc Brakes
XTR Crank with Boon chainring
King Cog, KMC Chain , Singlespeed
Easton Carbon DH Risers, Thomson Seatpost
| | Bottom Line: | I thought it would take some time to get used to riding a rigid fork again after over a decade of riding suspension forks, but the combo of big wheels and 2.3 tires made the transition a no brainer. I thought I would't ride this new bike at the more rocky trails and keep it mostly on smooth singletrack trails, but soon took it to Kettle and Nine Mile and just fell in love with the handling and carving of the El Mariachi. Salsa hit the g-spot with this bike. I have about a month and a half of rides (about 25 sessions) and the bike has taken evry trail that I've thrown at it (in stride). I would recommend this frame to cross country riders and even clydes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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