Shifter: From Salsa with Love, Fargo Ti Rebuild

[@sdcorrey]

I originally came for photography but am stoked for the bike content!

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Cool!

[@kyle_scharf]

Love the Bike Life stuff! Everything you're making and talking about is so extremely specific to my life. Started as a stringer PJ at 18, got left behind when the newspapers started to dry up, scrambled through different genres for 17 more years and picked up bikes along the way. Now the two things that fill my mind most frequently are cameras and bikepacking, touring, riding on trails, etc. So pretty much everything you talk about and make is relevant and I love it. It almost always gets me thinking and it's a much-needed mental exercise for me. Dan, you're easily one of my favorite people to watch/listen to at the moment and Bike Life is a massive part of that!

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

right on. I'm glad to hear this. Photography and bikes are so complimentary. I think the cycling industry is filled with good photography, good magazines and good sites.

[@themindunset]

I love my Salsa Fargo. It's a 2018 Forest Service Green steel bike. I'm so happy to hear that Salsa did this for you. That's above and beyond. Makes me happy. I'm thinking about getting the Fargo Ti as my upgrade. The only complaint I have is that you NEVER show the finished bike!!! Tease.

[@bloffi]

Congratulation on the new Ti Fargo and kudos to Salsa for being so generous! Will get my Fargo Frame Kit next week and hope for availability of components. Saludos from Germany, new Fargo Brother and old Leica M6 shooter!

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

components....that is an entirely OTHER issue. Good luck.

[@bartonyszko4512]

Very cool idea for the next film. Can’t wait to see it. I’m keen to give it a go.

[@thecrowfliescrooked]

I think it's safe that people come here for Daniel, doesn't matter the topic.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Everything I do with this channel is the opposite of what the "Experts" say to do. I know why so many of them are miserable.

[@snorristurluson9679]

i,m coming from the Bike side of Life but also interested in Photography...own several Bikes but my last one was an Salsa Cutthroat and i LOVE IT! very nice common talk about the importance of bringin more People on Bikes...don't know exactly what's goin on in US but here in Europe it's growing incredible fast !

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

We are going backwards. Oil and gas, auto lobby, overweight population, radicalization toward anything seen as "for the planet" and lack of safe infrastructure.

[@gustavomonasterios6083]

Congratulations and enjoy the new bike

[@markfletcher4605]

Awesome - The Salsa Ti Fargo is the best bike of all time - mike drop moment!

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I love it.

[@bradsteelman7967]

Hi Dan I wanted to thank you for the content you provide, I am a huge fan and follow your photography content on youtube. Amazing Bike! I just finished building a Salsa Cuthroat and had the opportunity to ride my friends Ti Fargo at Wapatki monument here in Flagstaff.I feel in love with the Fargo and am considering yet another salsa..

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

The Cutt is glorious too. Anything named after a trout is okay with me. I've done five rides so far on the Fargo. Nothing major, but I literally think it's easier to ride than any bike I've ever had. I think the single makes it................easier.

[@garlicWaxedChain]

I cannot afford a spotter when shopping, so I guess I will keep on using the hybrid bike I bought second-hand for $250 in 2018. The 24 miles commute to and from office on this bike is the only reason I am still half-way fit here in southern California. Nice intro to your new ride. This video makes me want to try out a single speed and Ti frame for my next bike GAS. Happy riding.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I hear you. Bike theft in SoCal is off the charts. Where I lived, the library and the Sprouts market were two hot spots and when I asked police about it they said "We don't really care about this." I also asked Sprouts to put the bike rack in front of the store instead of around the side where it was hidden. They said "Nah, nobody rides bikes." I also got yelled at in the Sprouts parking lot by some irate man who was stuck in traffic. He got out of his car to confront me because he said "I had no right to shop by bicycle."

[@markfletcher4605]

GarlicWaxedChain, the available statistics of bicycle theft show that your hybrid bike is more likely to get stolen than a Salsa Ti Fargo. A lot more low end bikes are stollen than expensive bikes.

[@myblackboxrocks]

Bikes make economic sense! Reduced healthcare costs alone make a pretty strong argument, not to mention increased urban retail spending, better education outcomes for kids who bike to school, reduced climate externalities and impacts, better mental health, FUN, increased spending power in other value added sectors of the economy such as tourism that have much higher positive returns compared with sinking money into the vehicle and energy sectors… did I mention they’re also fun?

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

That is EXACTLY right. Reduced healthcare, urban rail is HUGE and a much higher percentage of that stays local as opposed to the car based retail. And ya, so fun it feels guilty at times.

[@bradrandel1408]

This is amazing thank you for your enthusiasm for biking what a beautiful bike! Hope to meet you soon…🦋🕊

[@sam7479]

I switched to a single crank and I’m glad I did. No regrets

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Me too, so far.

[@CRAusmus]

Single speed in the mountains. You're going to be a much stronger cyclist after a while of that... Happy to hear Salsa really stepped up big time. 10 years and as much as you ride, you must have had thousands (tens of) on that frame. Great company to do such an amazing thing. I had a friend who had a Ti Road Bike. They are something special for sure. Congratulations. Good riding...

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Yes, I can feel how the bike makes me work in different ways. It's snowing here now, and windy and I SO want to ride.

[@seanfulton]

A video explaining the cost savings of cycling Is a great idea. Would love to see that. The money you save by cycling you can use to pay a spotter #innovation

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Theft is a real issue.

[@Hamsong]

Dude. I was editing a wedding, killing some time with some Dan Milnor, and I just wanted to say that I appreciate you sharing this story. Aside from photography, my first love (well, my second love) is bicycling. I'm also in native Minnesotan, so I am happy a Minnesota bike company took good care of you. When i worked in a bike shop a long time ago, the Salsa Fargo was THE bike I wanted because it really is a Swiss Army Knife. I ended up with other bikes like the Surly Midnight Special with 650B X 46mm tires, but I still love the Fargo. Glad to hear they did right by you. DT Swiss are the Leica M3 of hubs. Yes, big tires are great. We are lucky to have among the top 5 bike trails systems in the US here in Minneapolis, and I am hoping it spreads to every city. Happy trails and happy shooting, brother Dan. I'm heading out on my bike right now...

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I love Surly as well. For the price they are hard to beat.

[@Hamsong]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 The way they split the materials is really the main difference: Surly is all 4130 steel, Salsa is aluminum, carbon (and Ti frame) and Whisky is their carbon parts brand. Surly also makes the weird bikes, but their only problem is most of them are Swiss Army bikes, so there is a lot of overlap. Can you bike all year in your section of NM?

[@jackmatthews9390]

Dan, I come for photography and printing. But this was enjoyable. I have a walmart bike with 7 gears and am having a difficult time finding a rear rack that fits. I want to use it to ride to some areas here in Colorado I can get to after work at sunset. So maybe I'll mix photography and biking ;-) Thank for your fantastic story of a standup company. Way to go Fargo! eh hem .. Salsa.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Tubus has historically been one of the best rack companies. Reach out and ask them what might fit!

[@myblackboxrocks]

Such a cool bike! Nice spec.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Bike Tour Albania!

[@ronwolfept]

sick! Love my Ti All-Road with carbon bits while supporting a local builder. But it is so hard in the Bay Area to work it into my commute since getting from my home to work is 90 min with bridges/tunnels, dodging the unhoused encampments, broken glass, cars running lights etc. looking forward to more vids

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I hear ya. Some of our urban environments have taken a huge hit. I've ridden a few spots over the past few years that I would not want to ride again.

[@ronwolfept]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 for sure. It also goes against the grain to load the bike onto a vehicle and drive to a ride. I just look at it as more training miles to ride from home and once I’m in the Marin/GoldenGate headlands, I’m in church!

[@celestialemissary4934]

I was waiting for new bike video. Will watch it later before bed :)

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I don't deserve this bike.

[@celestialemissary4934]

Looks amazing. Me and my girlfriend just got road bikes. I bought Focus 2014 carbon. Weight is amazing only 7.5 kg. My other bike is more than 11kg (trek fx3 (city/work bike)) and you can really feel it. Anyway we are planning a trip to Adriatic. It will be a big challenge for her. More mental than physical. She did not embrace suffering haha

[@my_everyday_carry]

I rode single speed for several months recently, awaiting a new shifter. It, as you said, is simple, and I miss it. Thanks for the bike content and how about some more pics of the new whip?!?

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I just did my fastest 40k ever. And I wasn't trying to ride fast.

[@my_everyday_carry]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 … and that’s with those Contis on there. Get some semi-slicks, e.g., Panaracers, and you’ll crush it even harder. I take the x100v on the bike. It fits nice in a handlebar back, or slung over the shoulder. Cheers, Dan

[@MarcS4R]

i have the steel version of this which i love. running 2.35 maxis 29ers at the moment which makes it super comfy. would love to see a full image of your build

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

It's coming. Snowing here at the moment, those 2.35's would be good in the snow.

[@MarcS4R]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 you would love them for sure

[@mattbibbings]

To get people on bikes you need to make it easy and safe. America isn't set that way but you have the room.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

It's easier than you think. Safety will depend on where you live. We don't build safe cities for cars or for bikes or for walking for that matter. Some places are learning the financial benefit of building for bikes. Portland, Ft. Worth, Boulder, Long Beach, but we are so slow to adapt here. And, of course, everything has become political.

[@GarenMeguerian]

Super happy for your new build. Don't read too much into Garmin's fastest 40K achievement - I think it's a glitch from a recent update. I've been getting the same notice after some very casual rides.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

That is hilarious. It's an old Garmin, but I had never seen that message before. Or, maybe I'm REALLY fast?

[@GarenMeguerian]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 If you keep getting the achievement, it's a glitch. The message says something like "no previous effort recorded." I think the non-glitchy achievement will tell you the date of your prior best effort. Or, like you said, you're just very fast now.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Very nice 😍

[@BenRipleyPhoto]

Fantastic Dan I love the bike, and the bike stuff. Yep I LOVE that bike. Two biggest things in my life after my family? Photography and bikes. So more bike stuff is A ok with me. I recently simplified my bikes. Sold my Kinesis gravel bike, and then my Santa Cruz carbon full sus bike. The gravel bike wasn’t very good off road, so I tended to use it on the road. I hate the road on a bike, and a gravel bike isn’t nearly as good as a road bike on the road. So… And my MTB? I used about 10% of that bike’s capability in reality. Add the c£300 servicing cost annually for the fork, rear shock and dropper post just to keep the thing that I was barely using in serviceable condition and it made NO sense. So both went to new owners and I bought a Kona Unit singlespeed. Steel frame, basic, no suspension fork, no dropper post, one gear. Fantastic. My best ever bike ride was with a bunch of friends in the early 90s on rigid MTBs with crappy brakes, no suspension, pouring rain etc. Itks not about the bike. Where have I heard that before? 🤔 Last summer I had COVID just before I got the bike, but with a looooong hangover (I have asthma) so SS wasn’t great for me. So I’ve put an old 11 speedShimano XT set up on it for now, but I’m looking forward to going back to single speed when (if) my lungs improve. I also had a shoulder impingement and found that while recovering from that the sweep on most flat MTB bars (about 8 degrees) ain’t enough; they rotate the wrists out and put strain on the shoulders. So I bought some SQ Lab 16 degree bars and I’m looking forward to trying them out. I’m too old to pretend to be a racer… Props for going tubeless; after disc brakes it’s the biggest improvement in bikes in 30 years IMO. Will never go back to tubes. And I’m a qualified bike mechanic and even the faff setting them up is well worth it. So thanks, looking forward to the next instalment and enjoy that bike!

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

The single is such a grand adventure. So surprising. I want to ride the Tour Divide. SLOWLY.

[@robertmullinslives]

I LOVE steel frames!

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I do too. I have a friend here in town with a Waterford that is pure art. British racing green and SO light and so beautiful. The welds are like butter.

[@pgreenx]

I have a steel Fargo. Love it. Wanted a ti but heard the frames break and went steel. I have a moots so know what a good ti bike is. Prefer the comfort of the Fargo at a fifth the price

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

If you already have a Moots then getting a ti anything else would be a MOOT point......see what I did there. My frame was gifted, otherwise I would be riding something else. I wouldn't pay 3k for a frame of any kind.

[@pgreenx]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 ok thanks. I like the Fargo riding position better and like you said I don’t have to worry about scratches and rust paint ships etc. my point was really I did hear the ti Fargo frames have had issues otherwise it’s only money and why not buy ti.

[@profHankin]

Single-speed! I converted my 97 Specialized S-Works mountain bike to a single-speed. Took some getting used to, but I really dig it. On another note - I used to work in a bike shop and acquired an embroidered Salsa saddle. (This is not the saddle with the red chilis on the side.) I didn't care for the feel of the saddle, so there's no butt sweat on it. If you would like it for your wall or ride, shoot me an address, and I'll mail it to you.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Sure, I'll get it a try. I've never heard of that saddle, or seen one.

[@federicotheironlyportrait]

I'm very glad to see the Fargo is back (with "bigger bones" I'm not such a Brompton fan)! I'm not so sure about all the fancy carbon components either (again "big bones" + heavy luggage), but I still have fond memories from my 2015 Fargo. On the other hand, you might want to look for other options rather than the Anything Cages (I broke several of those through the years)... and I guess you may like King Cage Manything Cages ;)

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

The Brompton is like the Leica M. Good for ONE thing mostly. I love the Brompton because it gets me places the big bike does not. And vice versa. There used to be so few options for cages but now we have numerous choices, which is a good thing. The "fancy" carbon is a huge reason why this thing is such a dream to ride. I simply can't compare the experience of old bike to new. Rode a short ride yesterday afternoon and upon completion it literally felt like I had not ridden a single mile. Effortless and so much fun. And I went middle of the road, so no high end carbon.

[@federicotheironlyportrait]

Yeah @@DANIELMILNOR505 a while back I bought the Anything Cages (and even the crappy HD version) because they're one of the best options available... but IMHO the Manything Cages Ti are a way better option these days. On the other hand, I'm sorry with "fancy" I somehow meant delicate, as Titanium is usually even more expensive than carbon, but without a doubt I'll "invest" in a Ti frames or components, if I've the budget 😉

[@BornToRunCoach]

So, renaming Shifter to......Coaster? Cadance?? Crank???

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Curb endo?

[@Chrisleyland2010]

Are you not concerned about the single-speed when your bikepacking? its light now but what about when you loaded up for a week's trip? unless you have legs like Robert Forstemann.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Worried isn't how I would describe it. Wary might be more appropriate. And yes, if I end up on a long BP trip it might take a gear change but plenty of people do it so I know I can do it too.

[@deanherde805]

I’m probably too late but I’d recommend a Tubus Logo rack instead of the Salsa rack.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Love Tubus racks. I'll check when the time comes.

[@rcraigbateman]

How do you rate Santa Fe For bike riding? I need a bike ….I was a BMX’er as a kid…….. what do you recommend under 2K …..

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

your avatar is awesome. "He's a searcher." New Mexico is five star riding. Road, gravel, mtn. Under two K, Salsa does make this. bikepacking.com/bikes/salsa-journeyman-review/. From $900 to $1500.

[@rcraigbateman]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 “I’m not a crook”! Thanks.. gives us the grand tour of Santa Fe sometime…is elevation a problem?

[@RecluseHolster]

How are you protecting from theft on those trips into town?

[@RecluseHolster]

Posted :30 to early. Look forward to your future thoughts on this.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Locks, placement of where the bike is left, or a spotter of some sort. I also have option of leaving at friend's house and walking. Santa Fe is small. Theft is a HUGE deal in the US. And police, in my experience, really don't care. They will flat out tell you to your face.

[@4053rubber]

Hey Dan. Your new bike looks awesome. I know what you mean about the single speed. I had a CX bike converted to single speed about 6 years ago. It was hard work to begin with but my bike fitness improved dramatically. It was so lightweight and notably silent in riding. I found it almost therapeutic riding it. It was just a no fuss ride with no faffing about with gears. I just sold that bike earlier this year and I'm currently waiting on my "Do it All" build (I decided on a Surly ECR). I'm interested to know how you get on with the bike packing on a single speed. Enjoy it buddy 👍

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I totally agree. Silent and it allows me to just free my mind. I stand more but I always stood a lot, so not much of a chance for me. And by far the lightest bike I've ever had. Even lighter than my old carbon cross bike. I'm also not used to the 2.25 tires which just float over what I used to plow through. And the tubeless, based on the sealant splotches, has already saved me at least a dozen punctures.

[@4053rubber]

I'm hearing ya 👍. I've asked for taped rims as part of the build so they're tubeless ready but I'm going to run them with tubes to begin with and compare between the two at a later stage.

[@neildeuis3457]

What's the weight of the bike?

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

No idea, but the lightest bike I've ever had.

[@julienpasternak]

I know it may not work given your history with technology related stuff, but why not hide an AirTag somewhere on the bike? I did just that with my Brompton and felt much lighter the few times I have to leave it unattended somewhere.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

That will happen. For sure. Thanks for the suggestion, or reminder.

[@breathestrongcycling3672]

how come you post a Salsa video on the same day Salsa posted a new video? ....are you guys in cahoots 🤔...

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Not exactly. This was my first real interaction with them. Doubt we will be working together anytime soon. On the cycling heirarchy, I'm not even on the chart.

[@eveanddell]

Beautiful bike. What a love letter to Salsa cycles (and props to your wife for even suggesting to reach out!) I miss my old Bianchi San Jose single speed/steel cross bike I bought just for commuting and eventually rode it more than my Tarmac. What type of gearing you have on it? 38/18?

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I think it's a 32 in the front. No idea about rear. Bailey set me up based on where we live and where I'd have to ride around here.

[@gottanikoncamera]

What-no shot of your entire bike to grok?! What kind of photojournalist are you???

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

It's in there, and the thumbnail....

[@AngryOnlineShopper]

I have a single speed…nothing beats the feeling of beating the “clicky rich” roadies up a hill with my 200 dollar Craigslist fixie. It has made me a better rider

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

So much fun. Challenging for sure, but so worth it.

[@javicxjavicx]

Wonder why the KZbin overlords didn't recommend this one... Interesting

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

YT wants makers to focus on ONE topic. And they want you to study your analytics so you can instantly conform to the lowest common denominator. Then they want you to push out the same content over and over and over. If you don't, they sample your film to a small group and watch for two things. CTR and AVD. That's it. That's all they care about. This is why so many YT channels quickly become compromised and end up with mental health issues. You cant' beat the algo.

[@Nobody-Nowhere]

Thats the thing, Ti bikes are not actually going to last longer.. if you look up used Ti frames, a lot of them have cracks. But i still want one.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I think it depends on the TI. I know folks riding 30+ year old Ti bikes. But, apparently, fabrication of Ti requires very strict protocol and during the early days of some bikes this was still being worked out.

[@photom3]

As usual I have a long riff about this. I tried replying in my sleep, didn’t work. Never owned a bike with gears. Money is where most people go but I think health benefits are just as important.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Well, geared is almost mandatory depending on what type of cycling you are doing. But, you can do more than you think with a single if it's geared right.

[@arneheeringa96]

I'm from bike country The Netherlands. But now I am in Germany in a hilly part...

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Love both places. Good riding!

[@WhoIsSerafin]

Knowing people who have gotten lime disease it has scared me far, far, far more than Covid ever has.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

My advice, don't get either but unless you get Long COVID I would take the corona any day. I do have friends with LONG COVID and some of the symptoms are Lyme-like.

[@yannickdumont2679]

Bike manufacturers use very thin-wall tubes to save weight . That's why the frame cracked.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Early Taiwanese Ti as well.

[@mattbibbings]

Gorgeous bike but S/S is a honeymoon. Once you wake up next to the bike in real-life you'll probably want gears.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Not so sure about that. I'm several rides in now and the thing is just so much more fun to ride than the geared bike. I think if I'm fully loaded and riding at high elevation I'll be hurting but otherwise okay.

[@cvspvr]

this is very beautiful to non cyclists until you mention the price

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

And as far as bikes go, that is NOTHING. Check out Ebike listings or any high end road bike, mtn bike, etc. Easily double to triple this price. It's nuts now. Also, they make a steel version that is much cheaper.

[@arsenikkkk]

Put Americans on bikes that cost more than a median American car does?! If I were to promote cycling I would pitch into 100-700$ range.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

What bike is $30,000? My wife's twelve-year-old, used RAV was 4x what this bike cost and has been a constant service bill not to mention insurance, tires, oil changes, etc. In 44 miles of bike usage I've saved $24. Use whatever bike you have. And getting free bikes is actually quiet easy. I picked up two incredible bikes in past few years, gifted to me, then passed them along to others.