Salsa Journeyer Bike Review

It's new bike day for Troy! The Salsa Journeyer was supposed to be another review, but it was so fun to ride and checked all the right boxes, that Troy decided to buy it! Salsa has really outdone themselves with this model. Here's what to expect in this review:
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:09 New bike for Troy!
03:06 Aesthetics
05:16 Ride footage
06:55 Ride review
08:27 Drivetrain
09:25 Brake Set
10:00 Wheel Set
11:09 Cockpit Area
12:08 Outro
Our Vlogging Camera Gear:
+ Canon M50
+ Sony ZV-1
+ GoPro Hero 8 with Media Mod
+ GoPro 3 Silver
+ DJI Mavic Mini
+ Rode Wireless Go II Mics
+ Rode VideoMic Go II
Music - Epidemic Sound - www.epidemicsound.com

[@wyattsuter9453]

Great video! Best video I’ve seen on this bike!!!

[@TroyandAndrea]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@mafiwoodz]

Great review! already ordered mine! This will be my first gravel bike. Can't wait to ride it here in the Philippines soon! thanks for the in-depth review.

[@TroyandAndrea]

You’re welcome! Hope you have many many happy miles on it!

[@jadekim1374]

Thanks for the review!

[@TroyandAndrea]

You’re welcome! Thank you for watching!

[@mitchclem3404]

I'm new to gravel bikes and Salsa, so I consider myself lucky finding your valuable video. Being a mountain biker I was going to look at the Journeyer with a flat bar, so I would feel comfortable but after watching your video, and your comments on the handlebars, I might consider the drop bars like yours. Thank you.

[@TroyandAndrea]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@BobFRoss7]

I'm new to biking. I recently test rode one of these and have been looking for more info. Thanks for the great video.

[@TroyandAndrea]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@pamelapowers1569]

I just bought this same bike on a recommendation of a friend that knew the type of riding that I do and that also knew my budget….I think he’s tired of hearing me say “I LOVE THIS BIKE “ But I really do, no adjustments needed, comfortable right from get go. Thx for this review and happy to hear others enjoy this model as well. To me it doesn’t matter the so much on the price it’s how well it does what I want to do. I scored here

[@TroyandAndrea]

Yes! “How well it does what I want it to do.” I couldn’t agree more! Thanks for watching!

[@smokeycanuck8058]

Great review man, very thoughtful and concise. It seems Salsa has really hit the sweet spot with a bike that would make a great all-rounder for many.

[@TroyandAndrea]

I agree! Thanks so much for watching!

[@smokeycanuck8058]

@@TroyandAndrea As a follow up, I bought one LOL. 2023 Sora build, 650b, in a kind-of army green. Upgraded to Panaracer Gravel Kings SS tires (tubeless), RaceFace Ride pedals, Cowchipper bars, a Wanderlust rack, Velo Orange Wavy fenders and of course a Brooks B17 saddle.

[@fishfan28]

Just ordered mine after a test ride. I also loved the feel. Have never owned a gravel bike and am pretty new to bikes. Excited

[@TroyandAndrea]

You picked a good one! Enjoy the ride! Thank you for watching!

[@maritimezombie7684]

I love my Journeyer. They have massive tire clearance. I was able to fit a 29 2.2 mtb tire on front and a 29 2.0 on rear and still had clearance. I rode mine with the local MTB group. Such a versatile bicycle.

[@TroyandAndrea]

Oh yeah! The wider tires make it even more enjoyable to ride! Thanks for watching, friend!

[@apollovizsla]

I enjoyed your video. It was very informative. I really like the Journeyer and the Cutthroat and was leaning towards the Journeyer. The WTB Volt saddle has good reviews, but I am wondering if you have a problem with the fabric in the back snagging your bike shorts? Someone mentioned that they had a problem with snagging in one of the reviews.

[@TroyandAndrea]

Hmmm. That’s interesting. After almost a year, I can say I have never had that problem. Thanks so much for watching!

[@monjesmedia]

Beautiful bike! Hoping to take one for a test ride up here in Seattle soon.

[@Chelsea_Rene]

Good Weather in Seattle offers great bike options ❤

[@TroyandAndrea]

We hope to ride in the NE one day! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@jaxsun72]

Just bought this model from Pedelea bike shop in Vega Baja Puerto Rico. Seems great so far! Thanks

[@TroyandAndrea]

@@jaxsun72 That’s awesome! I’ve had mine awhile now and it STILL makes me smile! Hope you have many happy miles on it! Thanks for watching.

[@MrCritterJohn]

Great review! I have this exact same bike and I really enjoy riding it. I’m also thinking about upgrading to wider tires. Im curious if you notice any noticeable decrease in the speed while on pavement with the wider tires, or a noticeable increase in comfort. I’m fairly new to cycling. Thank you for any tire advice.

[@TroyandAndrea]

Definitely an increase in comfort. I bought Maxxis Ramblers 2.0 which roll pretty well, so if there is any decrease in speed, I haven't really perceived it. I think it makes the bike look better too! Thanks for watching!

[@mattmilliron5395]

Great looking bike. Looks like the red hills region of Florida and Georgia.

[@TroyandAndrea]

Thanks! You’d be correct! NW Florida forests. Thank you for watching!

[@cycleish]

What is the helmet you’re wearing? Great Video! I have the 2019 Journeyman 700c Claris. It’s so comfortable! Feels like I could ride it all day! So far I’ve done about 50 miles as my longest ride but also with 3k elevation gain! Very stable on fast descents.

[@TroyandAndrea]

Hi cycleish! My helmet is a Giant Compel. Yeah, the Journeyman is a great bike! Ride on, friend and thanks for watching!

[@jbhull3]

Thanks for the review! Are you still loving the Journeyer? Did you set it up tubeless? How is the Sora on the big climbs?

[@TroyandAndrea]

Yes! I am still loving it and I did get it set up tubless. I put some 2.0 Maxxis Ramblers on it and it not only looks great, the ride is more comfortable. Sadly, I've learned that the Sora groupset is a little shy for any serious hill climbing. I could use a few lower gears. Thanks for watching!

[@egoebb]

Fits everybody does everything.

[@TroyandAndrea]

LOL! Almost. Thank you for watching!

[@theMTBeffect]

Very nice video. I’m looking to upgrade my tires. Do you have any clearance issues running the 700x50? Do you know what they actually measure out to?

[@TroyandAndrea]

I’ve no problems with clearance! Made the bike a lot more comfortable on gravel and sand. Thanks for watching!

[@user-lt3of6tn4i]

Thanks for the review…how do you like salsa versus the Jones you had?

[@TroyandAndrea]

Ooh! That's a really tough question! They are both so different (I still have the Jones) but each one is also great. I think the Jones is better for sandy trails, mud, and getting far off-road. The Salsa is more for gravel and pavement - more long-distance type riding. Thanks for watching!

[@davidbee8178]

Nice informative review . . . and that you reply to your "fans" :-) Camera angle and shooting MAY be altering my perspective but it APPEARS that you MAY be sitting a little low and not getting max peddling efficiency - it won't cost you anything to raise the seat a few mm to see if it feels right for you (you know that you're close to the sweet spot when your leg is straight when you rest your HEEL on your pedal at the bottom of your pedal stroke :-) Too bad that you don't feel comfortable with mountain bike style clip-less pedals for even better pedalling efficiency but this may be because you want instant no brainer foot plants on rough surfaces. I work in bike tech and feel that the Salsa Journeyer is a great all rounder road/gravel bike . . . if one has the budget, I'd suggest going for the GRX 600 for a nice upgrade in shift feel and hydraulic brake stopping power. (P.S. I don't work for or sell Salsa bikes :-) . . . just tech them . . . enjoy your rides!!

[@TroyandAndrea]

Thank you so much! And thank you for the good information. Yes, you’re correct, I need to get an overall, proper bike fit. The bike is already really comfortable, but the next time my local bike shop offers fittings, I need to get one done. And yes, that GRX groupset and brakes are definitely on my radar for upgrading. Thanks again for your comments and for watching!

[@dmb3428]

Im going to give a gravel bike a look at, ive done road and mt bikes but dont really like pure road or pure mtb. We have several rails to trail area with miles of controlled grade gravel paths . lots of backroads with gravel mixed

[@TroyandAndrea]

You just described me perfectly! That’s why I bought this bike, lots of mixed trails. You should definitely give it a test ride. I think you’ll like it! Thanks for watching.

[@twobusyliving6641]

Would you recommend this one to a taller person and I’m between this one and a trek. Did you compare these two against each other? Really enjoyed the video.

[@TroyandAndrea]

Definitely a great bike for taller people. But make sure you test ride each one in your size! That’s always the best indicator - I don’t trust sizing without test rides. Thank you for watching!

[@mavmrb3]

Troy. Salsa bikes run small. I'm in the market for the APEX1 700C. What size frame is that in the video? Is that a 55? How tall are you? Trying to gauge reference on bike size and height size of rider. Thanks.

[@TroyandAndrea]

@mavmrb3 Yes, this is a 55 and I am 5'9" - for me, everything about the fit seems just right - stem length, crank arms and reach. Standover height works well for me too - and I run a 28-29 inseam. Hope that helps you find the right size for you. Thanks for watching!

[@JordanStead]

I’ve got the 2022 Journeyer 2.1 810 GRX (700C). My local shop fitted me as a 60 cm. I’m 6’, 185 lbs, 32” waist. Heard these run small, as I historically rode a 58cm Bianchi road bike. Does that seem on point to you? Thx!

[@TroyandAndrea]

Well, I am 5’9” with a 29” inseam and my bike is a 55cm. It fits me quite well. I’m not an expert on sizing, but yes, it seems they run a bit small. Hope that helps. Thank you for watching!

[@HuntersCyclingAdventures]

I’ve been missing y’all’s content

[@TroyandAndrea]

That’s very kind of you! Hopefully, we’ll have several more videos ready real soon! Thank you for the support!

[@arthurjohnson4599]

49 minutes ago (edited) Great video! I need help with sizing. I am 6" tall, 35" inseam, 155 lb. Their chart says I should consider a 57 or 60 CM. Local shop has neither so I can't try before ordering. Any suggestions?

[@TroyandAndrea]

Well, I am 5’9” with 29” inseam and my bike is a 55cm. Fits me well. So the Salsa sizing recommendations are pretty good. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching!

[@DBusch-ks7jg]

Just wondering, how does this compare to the Trek Checkpoint ALR 5? Both similar price.

[@TroyandAndrea]

Sorry, DBusch, I honestly do not know. I would recommend going and test riding them both to see if you can get a better idea. Thanks for watching!

[@B12-jr5yp]

What size is that and how tall are you?

[@TroyandAndrea]

It’s a 55 and I’m 175 cm. Thanks for watching!

[@B12-jr5yp]

Can’t find that bike in Europe…

[@TroyandAndrea]

Really ? Well, that isn’t good. Sorry to hear that. I would have thought it’s available worldwide.

[@set2outdoor936]

good review, but that paint job is terrible..

[@TroyandAndrea]

Thanks for watching!

[@Chelsea_Rene]

I just ordered this bike and I got to test ride it 😊. A great bike and feel I got a white one 🤍 I looking forward to customizing it.

[@TroyandAndrea]

Congratulations! We hope you have many great adventures. Thanks for watching!