Wait, This is a Road Bike? | Gravel Bicycle for Roadies? Salsa Warroad Review | 2019 Salsa Warroad

So I borrowed Otis's from Dirty River Bicycle Works 2019 Salsa Warroad because my Raleigh Tamland 2 was in for a rebuild of its Velocity wheels. With the Warroads 650b wheels & 47mm tires I assumed it was a gravel bike. This full carbon frame & fork with SRAM Force really surprised me though. I loved the bike - but for different reasons and on different terrain then I expected.
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[@TogetherDivided]

I love going fast with out much effort.. great video thanks Tim

[@TimFitzwater]

Yup! Thank you! 😎

[@LagunaRider1961]

I ride a steel Co_Motion Divide with heavy duty Velocity Cliffhanger's and 700 x 45 tires and it's an absolute tank. I can hit pot holes and just keep on going like nothing happened. A while back when I was on a ride I was talking to some guy on a carbon bike and asked him how he liked it and he told me it's nice but he feels every tiny bump. He let me me try his bike for just a few minutes and I saw immediately what he was talking about. My bike is heavy and slow but I don't ride for speed, I prefer comfort so I'm very happy with my steel beast! Thanks for a great review!!

[@TimFitzwater]

When speed and climbing aren't your main things steel is the way to go. There are also reasonably light steel bikes too. The nice thing about the Warroad is the really wide tires smooth out the little bumps and vibrations - it just struggles more on the chunky stuff. One thing I didn't touch on the video is that carbon is loud - the shifts and freewheel noise reverberate through the bike - even though carbon is expensive it feels cheap and plastic-y. I'm guessing you get used to it and its something road riders like- as a steel guy it wasn't my thing.

[@TravelingThru222]

Great review, dude. That’s one sweet ride.

[@TimFitzwater]

Thanks! Definitely the nicest thing I've ridden.

[@pepperdine87]

I'm out of SoCal and for the rough roads in LA and the mellowish gravel in the hills this bike has been pretty perfect. Can't recommend this bike enough.

[@TimFitzwater]

I think it is an awesome bike for the right conditions - which sounds like yours! Cheers!

[@georgemacheel2039]

I'm specing my next bike and it fills the same niche as the Salsa Warroad at a much lower price. It has a Surly Midnight Special frame with 650b tubeless wheels, a Ritchey WCS Carbon Adventure fork, a 1x drive train, and drop bars. I live in Madison Wisconsin where the riding is 80% paved.

[@TimFitzwater]

I have friends with Midnight Specials - great bikes! Definitely far more affordable too!

[@fourbrothersgear]

Nice review. I have this bike and mainly use it for road. Coming from Trek Madonna - this is absolutely better. I have 700’s with 35mm tires and it is perfect for road and crushed limestone /hard pack sand. Outside of that, not so much. I’m gonna get a 650b wheel set to swap in for anything more gravely and set that up with 45’s. In SE Wisconsin - it is the perfect bike

[@TimFitzwater]

Awesome! I think there are certain people starting to understand the benefit of a road bike like this. I'm even noticing some of the old school roadies finally going to 32s and beyond.

[@carolkoehler503]

I am a female cyclist and live in Tucson, AZ and I have this exact bike set up with SRAM Force and a 1X-650 frame. I really love this bike but I am finding it does have some limitations.(I’m more of a roadie, but purchased this bike to experience some gravel) I found that this bike did fine on smaller, crushed gravel roads and fire roads, however in recent months I have been trying more difficult gravel rides with higher elevation. Had to change out the WTB 47 tires due to slipping. I did get 45 knobbier tires and it is working better. I’m also definitely going to take Tim’s advice and lower the tire pressure to see if that will help too. Still slower than my friends on full on gravel bikes going up higher elevation, but It’s still a keeper for me!

[@TimFitzwater]

Yeah - it is such a great bike it just is very different than most. Definitely go with low tire pressure - especially if you’ve been using roadie tire pressures! I’d be running 35 psi with 45mm tires. I thought that bike was a blast to climb on surfaces that weren’t too rough. I got a number of PRs with it.

[@obsequious_obsolescence]

really a good review Tim, without your take one look at the price tag I would have turned my head and laughed walking away. I could totally see this being a practical fun bike now....and maybe even a deal compared to some bikes out there!

[@TimFitzwater]

Thanks. I would take this over every major brand's endurance road bikes. I just mentioned in another comment that it would be interesting to me if I had it long term how often I would grab this instead of my gravel bike.

[@neildrabinski3330]

New chonk and sand on rt8 has me all over the place

[@TimFitzwater]

Yeah - and those drainage ditches toward the Falls side.

[@smosescle1]

Great review. I'm looking at a light carbon "do it all" endurance bike that could do light gravel/crushed limestone tow path plus the occasional dirt road. Looking at the Trek Domane as well due to the 38 tire clearance.......but both expensive. I'm here in Northeast OH in the eastern suburbs...a lot of the regular roads aren't in the greatest shape. I don't envision doing a lot of pure gravel trails but want that option.....80% road for me.

[@TimFitzwater]

Thanks! I’d much prefer this over the Trek - gives you more options. Definitely right - the roads aren’t good enough to roll around on skinny tires. Wider tires are faster and more comfortable.

[@tonyalewis9053]

Great review! I’m wondering if you’ve ever ridden the Salsa Warbird?

[@TimFitzwater]

Thanks! I’ve pedaled one around - wasn’t my size though. Probably a bit on the racey side for me.

[@ryanancheta8528]

Nice review...

[@TimFitzwater]

Thanks! Trying something a little different.

[@waldemarrodriguez1179]

Thanks for the review, Tim! I have this exact in 57.5, which is on the higher end of my size. I came upon your review while searching for information about "converting" a gravel bike to an endurance bike. Why, you may wonder. I signed up for a century and wonder if I can do it without buying another bike. I'm liking where you're going with your recommendations. Any other thoughts you could share?

[@TimFitzwater]

I think that bike is absolutely perfect for a long ride. If the century is on pavement I’d just put some supple slicks on it - Rene Herse would be my choice. I hope it goes well for you!

[@waldemarrodriguez1179]

@@TimFitzwater again, thanks!

[@wvnovello]

I think this may be my purchase in the Spring (live outside Chicago). I ride on crushed lime stone with pavement mixed in. I don't do hardcore single track like a MTB. I think this would be a good fit for me.

[@TimFitzwater]

For sure - this sounds like the perfect bike for that type of riding.

[@wvnovello]

@@TimFitzwater Updated: I did finally pull the trigger on the Warroad in the Fall. I was able to get out this winter for maybe a dozen or so 25-30 mile rides. It definitely has some nice pickup on climbs, and is a legit 5 lbs lighter than my old Giant (which I'm keeping for real gravel..better to risk eating sh*t and wrecking an old bike lol). I would recommend it for sure for anyone who is in that 70% paved , 30% light gravel world. It is a bit on the pricier side as it's kinda a boutique brand (you can get a Trek Domone with similar specs for probably 20-25% cheaper). If you have the ability, I would at least consider the Warroad as an option. Thanks again for your review, Tim..it def helped make my choice!

[@jonpoon3896]

You’d enjoy riding this on the Ohio to Erie trail

[@TimFitzwater]

I think so. Seems like it would be a great touring bike on those kind of paths and roads if set up for it.

[@mellissanash7517]

Do you think you can test out the Warbird, which I think is what they call the endurance gravel bike. Fits 700x45 or 650x50 tires and in a geo that's more gravel oriented than this model without sacrificing it's road manners too much.

[@TimFitzwater]

I think that would be the Salsa I would really like. There hasn't been one in the shop for a while - I don't know if they weren't selling or if like a lot of other things they are just really hard to get right now. I will ask the owner as I would love to try one out. (fyi, my channel is small so without my friends at the shop I wouldn't get to "review" more than the bikes I own). The Warbird came out at about the same time as my Raleigh Tamland 2 - they were kind of the only true "gravel bikes" at the time.

[@mellissanash7517]

@@TimFitzwater could try the alloy version the Stormchaser those might be in stock.

[@davidcrowson4745]

As long as it gets you to the coffee shop for a mocha latte and a death by chocolate muffin that's all that matters bro.

[@TimFitzwater]

Yeah - a little $4500 coffee runner. 😎 ☕

[@davidcrowson4745]

@@TimFitzwater fer sure

[@TheRickurb]

Good objective analysis. Cool bike even with the devil’s drivetrain 👹😈👺

[@TimFitzwater]

Thanks. I was thinking that it would be interesting to see how much this is the bike I reached for if I owned it long term.

[@Summitperry]

I’m glad it’s not my size. 😁

[@TimFitzwater]

I'm glad its out of my price range!

[@TheLankyCyclist]

It's a Road Endurance bike... albeit Salsa's ridiculous take on the category. I would never ride this thing, but I think this bike and the road endurance+ category is probably what most people should be riding who live near urban areas.

[@TimFitzwater]

I'd be interested in why you wouldn't ride it - it seems up your alley - a lightweight amazing climber that is comfortable for long miles.

[@TheLankyCyclist]

@@TimFitzwater I think it's a road bike for gravel riders, so the geo, clearance, ride feel, would not be what I would want in a road endurance bike. It's also not light enough for me. hahah

[@TheLankyCyclist]

I should also add... but it's a cool bike and I'm glad you got to ride it.

[@TimFitzwater]

@@TheLankyCyclist HA! gotcha. To me it feels sooo light even with those big ol meats. It would be really interesting to see how much I reached for this over my Raleigh if I had both long term.

[@Givi_and_Wolf]

Обзор носатого некрасивого мужика... где велосипед?

[@TimFitzwater]

Вы слепой или просто идиот?