Foreword:
I’m commonly dubbed because the overbiker. My “highway” bike suggestions the scales at 26lbs, has carbon enduro rims, a 180mm dropper submit and a couple of.25” tires. I usually generally tend to show what is often a quite sporty bike, right into a chunkier, dirt-focused experience. It normally occurs after a giant mechanical failure or crash the place I persuade myself that greater tires or beefier components would’ve prevented the problem. Typically that is true, and others I find yourself taking pictures myself within the foot. Further weight and chunky tires have a tendency so as to add quite a lot of resistance, growing effort. I’m good at tuning that out for probably the most half, however then I get invited on rides with the race crew. With regards to maintaining with my associates on their quick bikes, it might probably generally turn out to be a little bit of a difficulty.
Your North American Editor, Anne-Marije Rook, is amongst these commonly giving me flak for overbiking, arguing that I might be a lot sooner (editor’s be aware: even sooner!) if I merely rode a zippier bike. We lastly had the chance to place that to check with this Salsa Warbird C Power AXS Broad overview bike. I don’t race gravel however I admittedly was fairly excited to provide this factor a go.
2024 Salsa Warbird C Power AXS Broad: at a look
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
- Body: Warbird Carbon
- Fork: Waxwing Deluxe V2
- Colour: Mustard Yellow
- Groupset: SRAM Power AXS
- Gearing: 2×12 consisting of a 10-36t cassette and 43/30 crankset
- Brakes: SRAM Power AXS HRD with 160mm SRAM Paceline rotors
- Headset: FSA NO.42/ACB
- Stem: Salsa Information
- Handlebar: Salsa Cowbell Carbon
- Bar Tape: Velo anti-slip, shock-proof silicone tape
- Seatpost: Salsa Information Carbon
- Saddle: WTB SL8 Medium Cromoly SL
- Entrance Wheel: DT Swiss 370 12 x 100mm hub, WTB CZR i23 700c carbon rim, 24h
- Rear Wheel: DT Swiss 370 Ratchet LN 12 x 142mm hub, WTB CZR i23 700c carbon rim, 24h
- Tyres: Teravail Cannonball 700c x 42mm, Sturdy casing, tubeless-ready
- Value: $6,999 USD
Preliminary impressions:
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
Once I picked up the brand new Salsa Warbird from my native bike store, the very first thing I seen was how sharp it seems to be. The Mustard Yellow is a superb hue, and would go very well with any little bit of equipment. The Warbird is gentle — to me. My 54.5cm check rig tipped the scales at 18.7lbs with out pedals and cages. Nonetheless, the bike is clad with all of the doable mounts you may need, cable routing is no-nonsense, there’s routing for a dynamo hub and a dropper submit, and it comes with sturdy casing cannonballs. As one other reviewer write final yr, it really is “a race bike for the folks”.
No shock actually because the Salsa Warbird is the OG gravel bike. Since gravel was created as a class, the Warbird has been there, providing adventurers a motorcycle able to shortly and comfortably masking a mess of surfaces. In that very same timeframe, we now have seen gravel bikes pattern extra towards their shreddier, off-road brethren. Dropper posts, suspension and greater tires have turn out to be extra of a commonplace. It isn’t unusual for folks to have a look at a gravel bike and make some type of snarky “simply experience a mountain bike” remark. Now I don’t wanna make this overview right into a dialogue about “what’s gravel”, however I want to use that to level out that gravel in 2024 is such a broad class that it’s close to unattainable to create a motorcycle that checks all of the containers.
For somebody who’s extra on the mountain bike facet of issues, and this Warbird (with a number of choices) would test the vast majority of containers that I’d come to anticipate from a “gravel” bike. On the identical time, I believe that this platform would additionally test a majority of containers for somebody extra road-oriented and people on the lookout for a race bike.
Over the course of 30 days, I got down to check the Warbird on a handful of various kinds of rides to see the place the platform excelled, the place (if?) it was missing and whether or not it allowed this overbiker to maintain up with my quick associates.
Building & Geo
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
That is Salsa’s fourth evolution of the Warbird, and with it comes some geometry tweaks, the largest replace being longer prime tubes. This permits for a equally lengthy wheelbase whereas shrinking the stem and cockpit to provide the bike snappier dealing with whereas sustaining the general stability.
I’m testing the 54.5cm, which is a brand new dimension because the earlier v3 Warbird got here in a 55cm. Here is how the most recent two generations evaluate in geometry:
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Outdated (55cm) | New (55cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Attain | 377 | 371.97 |
| Stack | 567 | 565.97 |
| Seat tube | 520 | 475 |
| Headtube Angle | 70.5 | 70.75 |
| Seat Tube Angle | 73º | 73º |
| BB Drop | 70 | 70 |
| Chainstay | 430 | 430 |
| Wheelbase | 1025 | 1022.39 |
| Fork Offset (Rake) | 45 | 50 |
On prime of the up to date geometry, Salsa has given the Warbird some additional utility:
- Class 5 Vibration Discount System
- Twin wheel dimension functionality — 700×45 or 650×2.1”
- Elevated dimension vary
- Up to date body layup with elevated energy switch, extra dampening, and decrease standover
- The body is totally kitted for bikepacking with bento mounts, fork mounts, downtube mounts, and as much as three bottles contained in the body (56cm + above)
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
The bike will be run with a single ring or double ring within the entrance. Should you select a mechanical entrance derailleur, it’ll occupy the routing for a dropper submit. You will get 2x + dropper in the event you go along with a wi-fi mech. All the cables are internally sleeved, making cable routing a breeze. Like several good gravel bike, the Warbird has mounts for full-fenders, and is suitable with a rear rack when utilizing their rack tailored seat collar.
The driving
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
I took the Warbird out on a handful of rides to see the way it might deal with a wide range of conditions. I didn’t compete in any races, so I can’t touch upon its podium prowess. I can, nevertheless, let you know about how simple this bike is to dwell with, and the place I see it really shining. I dwell within the Pacific Northwest the place our “gravel” rides can get somewhat carried away. Quite a lot of surfaces, loads of steep climbs, singletrack descents and all of the shenanigans alongside the best way.
First Journey — Round city
I headed out for a favourite hilly native loop that included crossing city and heading up into the hills. At first all I might take note of was how slim the bars have been for me, however after a couple of minutes I started to seek out familiarity. Out of the gate, the Warbird was noticeably smoother than what I remembered carbon frames to really feel like. It rolled via the chatter of the damaged metropolis streets with ease. Shifting on the Power AXS is buttery clean, and having all the additional gears was handy on the streets. The bike likes to climb, and I felt noticeably much less fatigued when giving it a tough effort up greater grades. On one specific filth part that climbs nearly 500’ (152 meters) in three quarters of a mile, I discovered myself tapping for the granny gear (38-46) that I’m used to on my private bike. The terrain was exceptionally mucky on this go, within the dry months of summer time, the taller gearing would doubtless be advantageous. On the highway descents, the bike likes to maneuver. The longer wheelbase feels steady and comfy when getting as much as greater speeds on tough roads. On my first extra technical descent, a firelane, I felt a bit like a fish out of water with the inflexible seat submit. On sections the place I’d usually simply pull my entrance finish over a rut and plow via, I felt rather more hesitant. The bike undoubtedly wished extra, however apparently my abilities want transforming! It was a studying expertise for me, and I loved getting somewhat terrified on a descent that I, with the assistance of a dropper submit, usually don’t assume twice on.
Second Journey — Huge Highway Day
Two days later my associates invited me on a real highway/gentle gravel epic that included some lengthy stretches of tarmac and a few lovely, forested gravel sections. Making use of the Warbird’s many accent mounts, I opted for 2 full-size bottles and my favourite Oneup pump within the triangle in addition to a handlebar bag filled with snacks.
I used to be extraordinarily impressed with how comfy the Warbird is on the highway. It’s quick, constant and clean. One thing unusual that I seen was how planted it felt when driving with out arms. I don’t know if that could be a physique place factor, or a wheelbase factor, however it has an entire completely different degree of confidence with out enter from my arms. It’s additionally very clear how rather more aerodynamic the slim bars are in comparison with the a lot wider, dirt-specific choices. I might really feel that much less effort was wanted to maintain tempo with my associates.
The Warbird does properly on lengthy stretches of clean gravel, too, however when issues get actually tough, the bike lets you already know that you simply’ll need to tone it down. On the roughest of gravel, I’d like to see what this bike is able to with extra tyre. Salsa states that max clearance on the Warbird is 650b x 50mm, so one thing just like the Continental Terra, Goodyear Connector, Pirelli Cinturato or Donnelly X’Plor might actually assist take in the bumps and brighten up the experience and dealing with when the going will get tough.
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
Third Journey — 200k shenanigans
I let the Warbird sit for per week after our massive highway day. I wished to spend a while on my different bikes once more to re-centre myself and see if I nonetheless felt the identical manner in regards to the novelty objects like wider bars and a dropper posts. Then, I obtained an invitation for a bigger group experience to hit some little bits of singletrack. That is principally the purpose after I go for giant rides, so I used to be very excited to get bizarre on the Warbird. The experience began as a principally chill highway experience, with a pair gravel stretches, then as we crossed into Mt. Hood Nationwide Forest we caught some particular bits of singletrack that I’d in any other case miss as a result of they’re just too far out of the best way to be a car- vacation spot. The primary stretch was descending the Outdated Salmon River path. It’s an outdated path that parallels the river. Lined in roots, rocks, sand and the occasional bridge, it was an awesome abilities and bike check. At this level, I used to be extra used to the inflexible seat submit and easy methods to maneuver the bike with it. I used to be feeling extra assured bunnyhopping obstacles and charging a bit tougher via rougher stuff. There’s undoubtedly a restrict, and it’s normally any impediment that’s sufficiently big to kick the seat up into your rear and ship your weight ahead. I’m additionally used to descending in flared drops the place you may have a great deal of management and stability. On the Warbird I discovered the most effective descending to occur on the hoods, this might, after all, even be a SRAM vs Shimano lever dispute. On the Warbird, the drops really feel somewhat too deep and low to essentially profit descending via tough stuff. The place on the hoods you’ll be able to hold your weight centered extra simply and get the entrance find yourself and over obstacles.
Climbing technical bits is a totally completely different ballgame, however it’s enjoyable to attempt. Seems like sluggish and managed is the transfer right here. Our second ribbon of singletrack was the Nonetheless Creek path, which begins with a punchy climb and ends with an extended quick flowing descent. Fewer obstacles right here, and that felt higher aboard the Warbird. You can begin to open it up, letting the bike take in the little stuff and utilizing the larger roots as launch ramps. The bike is actually enjoyable with good sight traces and softer soil, however what bike isn’t.
Our closing little bit of singletrack for the day was a traditional Sandy Ridge path: Conceal-n-seek. This path is a machine-built movement path filled with berms, rollers, tabletops and extra. That is the place I actually missed the dropper submit. In fact, doing foolish stuff like this on drop bars is at all times an awesome check of ability, and makes you glad that trendy mountain bikes exist.
Fourth Journey — The Commute
A overview wouldn’t really feel full with out seeing how the bike dealt with my weekly commute. Lo and behold: I used to be 6 minutes sooner to work on the Warbird.
Sadly on the best way dwelling I obtained a puncture. I went to place a plug in, however after I began to pump it up I seen one thing was up. The bike had tubes! Not an issue or a difficulty, simply figured {that a} high-end bike like this may come setup tubeless out of the gate. Fortunately, I had a spare tube with me and was in a position to simply get again on the highway.
Fifth Journey — Race tempo climb-a-thon
For the subsequent experience, I wished to see how the bike would experience in a extra highway centered format, so I threw on some Ultradynamico Cava tyres and headed out to affix in on a Portland traditional: The Ronde. It’s a route designed to hit all the perfect and steepest highway climbs in Portland. This was the primary time I really felt like I used to be on the proper bike. The Warbird felt so significantly better with the sooner, extra environment friendly tires. It climbed higher, and saved pace higher on descents. The Warbird simply wished to maneuver. I additionally seen a drastic distinction in really feel, which I would chalk as much as the truth that the Cavas have been setup tubeless and I used to be operating a number of much less PSI. The experience was lengthy and strenuous. The Warbird was undoubtedly a weapon that day. On all my earlier rides, I felt like I used to be merely driving a motorcycle to do a overview. I by no means actually felt related to the bike, only a passenger. On The Ronde, I’d’ve been a lot much less completely happy on one in every of my private bikes. The Warbird was the proper device for the job.
Total Ideas:
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
On the finish of the day, I used to be certainly sooner aboard the Warbird than I’m on my private bikes. It was extra environment friendly, and sooner on lengthy stretches of highway than any of my every day rides. I do really feel like I missed a little bit of the enjoyable alongside the best way although. These few and much between moments of dropping the saddle and charging via roots, or making an attempt to hit a bizarre path hole that’s virtually at all times a foul determination. Aboard the Warbird, I used to be much less impressed to get bizarre, and extra impressed to sit down and spin.
The Warbird is a cushty, and approachable bike. A real gravel bike. However I fear that in it’s unique kind, it’d miss out on among the enjoyable that I do know it desires to have alongside the best way.
Worth
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
The Salsa Warbird C Power AXS Broad comes with a price ticket of $6,999 USD. Whereas the components spec is spectacular, I believe the return in your funding is fairly low in comparison with shopping for the body and build up your personal to fit your wants. Salsa minimize corners on issues just like the lower-end hub and an in-house cockpit, albeit carbon. And when you will get the GRX 600 model for $3,399 USD, it is exhausting to justify the additional three grand for the spec.
My advice? Purchase the Warbird frameset for $2,199 and take the remaining $4,800 to construct it up how you want.
Verdict
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
The Salsa Warbird is a straightforward to dwell with, all-terrain machine. It’s versatile, environment friendly and comfy. That being stated, I believe the bike feels quite vanilla, which isn’t essentially a foul factor, however at this value level, I believe you’ll have a tough time convincing your self of the worth.
I imagine Salsa created an honorable successor to the OG gravel munching machine. I merely can’t suggest this prime spec construct, however I’d completely suggest the body as a platform to construct your personal dream machine on.
If you’re coming from the land of mountain biking and are curious about a gravel bike, the Warbird could be an awesome choice that might fill the roles of highway bike and gravel bike equally properly. Likewise, in case you are a roadie on the lookout for one thing that may deal with a bit extra, the Warbird could be a strong bike to look into. It is going to have clearance for chunky rubber, a dropper, and nonetheless be gentle and fast.
Total, the Warbird is a very strong bike that could be a good alternative for nearly everybody, however it’s lacking that little additional little bit of one thing particular that may take it to a 5 in my ebook.
