Is A Budget Gravel Bike Any Good? | Salsa Journeyman 650B Apex Review

My friend who lives out of state asked me if I'd go buy this used Salsa Journeyman Apex 650b for him on the local classifieds. Knowing I've been eyeing one for awhile, he also told me I could take it for a spin to see what I really thought of the bike. I might just be a huge fan of Salsa, but this bike is capable, versatile, and at $1500 it's a great a deal.

[@peterharrington8709]

Really informative review. Picked up a lot of useful stuff, especially your opinion on the drivetrain and TRP mechanical brakes. I've a similar setup in mind for my new build.

[@wlstump]

I really like mine...for the price it's a great adventure bike. I set mine up tubeless and specialized 2.2 knobby tires. Also put on a Salsa Cowchipper handle bar. I find the paint a little fragile especially flaking off due to pepple and rock strike. I may opt for a smaller chainring as the stock grearing in some single track situations is a tad high. It's one of my most comfortable bikes to ride.

[@RideYearRound]

Stock gearing is definitely set up too high for real adventure riding, but I guess my legs could always get stronger haha.

[@dustnoise0]

Thank you for your review! Sorry if I missed it in the video... Which frame size is this?

[@RideYearRound]

It’s a 57cm frame. I usually ride 56 in cx/road bikes for reference.

[@RamblingRick]

I have the Sora 700c

[@johngonzalaw795]

What tire size you were using.

[@RideYearRound]

27.5x2.1”

[@KentuckyCycling]

Great review. I just did a long-term review of my 650 Sora (see kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWqwd6qor7CAqZI) so I was curious to see what you thought. There are a couple of little finer points that I've only just picked up on between the Apex build and the Sora. One is the type of disc brakes. You get the TRP-SpyreC on the Apex build, but on the Sora they have a Promax brake, which isn't nearly as nice. I also experienced a little chain rub with the 2.1" tire with the 2X setup, which I don't think would be there on the 1X. Overall, I agreed with pretty much everything you had to say, with the exception of the 700c vs 650b assessment. I think the 700c build makes sense for someone whose primary riding surface is going to be pavement. But, there is a definitely tradeoff on tire width as the 700c comes with a 38 mm tire whereas that 2.1 inch tire is like 53 mm. And, if you look at the diameter of the two wheels, they're actually pretty close. You're just gain extra tire in place of the wheel you give up, which, I think, makes more sense if you truly want an all-road machine.

[@RideYearRound]

I really enjoyed the 650b and found it super capable. My point about the 700c version is that you can run up to a 2.0"/50mm tire, meaning you get increased roll over capability with only a small (.2"/6mm) difference in max tire width when compared to the 650b set up at it's max. You can then also swap the tires for a 700x38 for those mainly paved rides if you wanted which makes it more versatile in my opinion. I didn't notice the difference in brakes, nice job spotting that!

[@KentuckyCycling]

@@RideYearRound Are you sure that is accurate info? My understanding is that you can only run the 2.1" on the 650b setup. I didn't think you could go that wide on the 700c setup.

[@RideYearRound]

@@KentuckyCycling According to Salsa's site it is. Tire range for 700c is 32-51mm and for 650b is 47-57mm.

[@KentuckyCycling]

@@RideYearRound Wow. I had no idea you could go that wide on the 700c. That's impressive!