Adventure Bike for the People?! 

We need more budget bikes. Good budget bikes. AL is the way to go for budget.

Howdy all. It’s come to my attention that not all builds are thru axle. Some are QR, some are QR and TA. A little confusing. Sorry, I had assumed the entire range had the same frame and fork specs. If you’re interested in the bike definitely dig down into the build notes of the particular model.

I have aluminum bikes. I have Ti bikes. I own carbon and steel. They all feel SLIGHTLY different. But there is not a thing wrong with Al. It’s light, and I don’t feel the chatter that some complain about. Aluminum is cheap, strong, and recyclable. Ride and enjoy.

I love Salsa’s commitment to the consumer and the market with this line of bikes. I have been looking at the flat bar models for some time.

I got a steel Vaya last year and love it. I ride 45 mm tires on Hunt Gravel wheels. Heavy but bulletproof. Every carbon frame broke 8 in all. I get miles of pavement. I ride 12000 on gravel. More into comfort .

Older video but just bought a frame set for $700 that I will build up with parts I have as a fun project. Plan to use it for multi day bike packing. This appealed to me as it didn't really overlap with any of my other bikes. I use a Giant Defy for faster gravel rides and as my road bike with 2 wheel sets. There are sub $1K builds of this available as well for those questioning the "budget" description. Thanks for the review!

Thanks for doing this! I was curious about this quasi-update because your vid on the Journeyman helped me decide on a 2018 Journeyman and my foray into gravel, bike packing, etc.

Thanks for this review, Russ. This bike was completely off my radar until your review and has definitely piqued my interest. Congrats and props to Salsa for pricing this bike in the very affordable category and offering the consumer a lot of bang/value for the buck.

Not all of the models have thru-axles. Only the top 2 models. I bought a Journeyman a few years ago, because of your review on it. I absolutely love mine. I have upgraded a lot of stuff on it though. To make it mine.

My favorite material for bicycles are aluminium and this bike is perfect for me.

Picked up the Journeyman after your older review and it’s perfect for gravel, greenway trails and dirt roads. The new version is interesting and definitely worth a ride. I like the extended geometry. Thinking this will help on single track that is flowey but has rough spots.

I have put 800 miles on this spec of journeyer this summer (put 45mm tires on it). Great bike for the money, will probably put 42 tooth chainring on it next season. Lots of gravel of varying quality. Would recommend, I could have spent more but don’t feel like I needed to

I guess one way to lighten bikes is to charge more and lighten the wallet! This new Journeyer is an interesting one. I would be interested in Russ doing an interview with Salsa to see why they made the changes they did. Are they selling certain bikes more than others? I like the new fork option. When I bought a Journeyman a few years ago, I really wanted the option to get that fork, but it wasn’t possible, now it is.

Thanks for the great content as always! I actually just got myself a journeyer about 6 weeks ago and I love it!! I am aluminum faithful and think I’d do better losing 8 pounds off my own frame than spending a thousand extra bucks. There are several options as Russ noted, and based on his other videos, I opted for the Sora build which has a 2X drivetrain and 650b tires. This was $1500 and has made for a very satisfying combo that is great for commuting, but also outstanding on trails and gravel. Even some green circle single track. I live in Pittsburgh with lots of hills, rough roads, potholes, train track roads, and packed trails. This bike handles all very well. Way more capable and comfortable than my Specialized Tricross (with 700c x38s and I’ve nearly worn her out) for rough terrain - but not quite as fast on streets - still plenty quick though. I have also purchased - but not yet installed- the PNW Coast dropper as well as cross bar brake levers, both of which I’m eager for. Note: the frame is prepped with an extra hole for an internally routed dropper post! Big plans for this bike including camping (which I’ve never done on 2 wheels), the daily commute, and lots more time grinding gravel.

I have a Specialized Diverge, and it appears to be quite similar to the Journeyer but with a slightly lower trail and a built-in, proprietary suspension stem. It's great, and handles fire roads and smooth-ish, straight-ish single track really well. Based on that, I would totally recommend either of them for normal riding, although the Salsa might be slightly better for loaded touring and gnarlier roads. The biggest disappointment is the gearing: the 40-42 really isn't low enough for long,, steep climbs even when lightly loaded, although the 40-11 is just about where I like it for paved descents.

I appreciate your channel. More than anyone what you ride and things you cover show the passion you have for cycling

That looks like it will make a great distance/touring bike.

These are great bikes and I alllllmost got one. But ultimately the steel frame, bigger triangle and thru-axels won me over on the Sutra LTD.

Another nice review. Got a Large sized Journeyman flat bar 650B version. Mostly because it was available last year and one ride was all it took to love the geometry. It is fun in the city and stable on gravel & green trail singletrack. Note: Journeyman chainstays are also 440 mm thru all sizes, and all models have the carbon fork. I added a dropper. Swapped in a triple chainring setup, hydraulic disk brakes, durable flat pedals with pins, Ergon grips, tubeless Panaracer SK 1.9 inch tires amd a rear rack for shopping. You have reaffirmed my choice with this review. I'm very happy to have a bike with geo in between road and hardtail geometry. Perfect for my two bike stable.

I have ridden my aluminum 2017 Warbird to hell and back and it has been an awesome bike. Big tires (and sometimes a suspension stem) make all the difference. Aluminum is underrated.

A little concerned about an aluminum steerer tube in a Carbon Fork. Cold be a galvanic corrosion concern if it's not well isolated.

I’ve ridden the Vaya but would like to get some miles in one of these before decision time! I liked “Cuthroat-light” sounds like a perfect for for me!

Thanks Russ.

This past July 4th, the local Salsa stores had the Journeyer and other models on decent sales. I could've gotten the cheapest component spec Journeyer for a bit over $600, the next step up around $900. If I didn't already have my Jamis Renegade I'd have jumped on that deal. As it is, I'm constantly looking at the ability to mount a dropper post, big wheel clearance, and bag/cage mounts.

I've been waiting for your review of the new Journeyer and glad you finally got your hands on one! Given that you can get comparable components on 650B or 700C can I assume you'd lean towards the 650, especially for shorter cyclists? And if you had to pick the Apex 1x or the GRX 2x versions, which would you recommend for easy going riding that includes decent climbs? I don't need speed, but want something that can climb a mountain pass and am not sure which set up is best. Any thoughts on comparison to the Kona Libre AL frame? Having a frame designed for different components and different wheels could make for some interesting comparisons between the set-ups. Thanks Russ!

Nice review. Looks like a good bang for the buck. Thanks for the video. You both take care, Al

Love what you do Russ! Will we ever see your take on Salsa Fargo?

Great review, have a journeyman sora now which is kinda my allroad bike with rene herse 700x44 slick. This seems more adventurous than that bike, but less than my salsa fargo with 29x2.35 tires.

It's a solid looking bike and I seriously considered one but it's just a bit overpriced this side of the pond. An extra £100 got me sooner Camino, GRX600 over Sora (no shade on Sora, it's very decent), hydraulic brakes and a frame I know is very good with all the same mounting options. Would be interested to see what you make of it if you could get a review model.

I think aluminium bikes with a sweet spot group set is the sort of bike robust and simple enough to last for decades. My only concern is the half carbon forks.

Salsa journeyer or the Poseidon x ambition which would you prefer for a daily rider

Thanks. FYI. I have a Vaya w the 1x11 Apex. I put an oval 38t chainring up front. Perfect upgrade for $68 bucks!

Great review! Makes me fancy getting one if it wasn't so difficult getting one in the PH. Btw, got the patches and stickers. Love em! 😁🤙🚲

Great bike made even better adding a carbon fork. I think they've limited the group sets in lou of wheel size choices (and flat bar?)

I don't understand why the fork has internal routing for a dynamo-hub wire, but no way to mount a light on the fork crown. Am I missing something?

Always love your English major commentary 😃

Better than a Cutthroat? Better than a Stargazer? I really wish I could decide… I want a 29” x 2.35, drop bar, packing bike with rideable gearing that doesn’t cost as much as a small car… that’s all I want…

Looks like a kids bike or something. Is it just me? What size is that bike Russ?

Damn if you could even get one of these in new zealand I'd be keen, stuck between getting the stable but chonky kona sutra ltd and the light but not as capable libre

Looks like a good bike (or frameset) to travel or bike tour with. Plenty of mounts, frame is solid and unlikely to get damaged on a plane or train, low cost, easy geometry, no hydraulics to mess with. Will it accommodate a 2x with a 46/30 upfront?

Baby head could be called a “cobble”

What would be a Warbird lite? Daughter is looking at Journeyer Apex 1 for her first Ragbrai ride. I'm looking at the Warbird.

Great review! Thanks Russ. A super cool bike from Salsa. Gonna get one for my girlfriend!

Wonder why quick release would give anyone pause?

Hows frame sizing on the bike? Im 5’6” and normally ride a 52cm in specialized. Debating on 51 or 53

The new patches are fun

I like that bike, but you said nothing about the differences in the drop bar and flat bar models?

Journeyman to Journeyer. So brave, so inclusive.

Would love to know what you think of the absolute budget Voodoo Limba and Nakisi

Seems kinda similar to the Kona Libre aluminum. Between the two which would you prefer if you had to choose one to purchase?

Great review thank you

Nice review. Wow, bike price are hard to stomach these days. That price for mechanical apex :/

There are no more classic touring bike surly, Kona, cinelli, Fuji ? Or trekking bike ?

I wonder how this would compare to the Ritchey Outback?

Can you check out the ns bikes rag series? I have it and love it! It's close to this one in specs.

I could not get a straight answer, calling Salsa about the general mileage range of this bike (w/ stock parts), using this on ROAD. Myself being a moderate cyclist (not a novice, 10 miles/week nor 200 miles/week serious rider). At what approx mileage range would one notice the limits of the parts on-road? 25-30? 30-40? 40-50? Between the 700x38 and the 40t chainring and 11-42 cassette, I have some pause. I'd much rather shop at a LBS but REI has a sale & a return policy to return a bike like this not to mention appears $550 less than the LBS w/ tax Might just have to send an email to Salsa, see if I get more info. I don't mind buying and trying but am trying to avoid buying a bike that will not fit road riding >30 miles without noticeable limitations due to cumulative resistance from 38mm tires and not being able to get to a higher speed when plugging along, limited by the cassette that seems designed more on gravel than road. Have had 1 bike, a hybrid (still have) and no experience w/ a 1x nor tires this wide on such a bike and I don't do much group riding so it's not like I've a network of people to ask.

Isn't the base model on these still quick release?

Right. And remember that the B-52 and the HUEY are Aluminum.

Looks a lot like the old Vaya. But that is where it may end.

Seems like Salsa is trying to push more riders to this category after pricing anyone out of the carbon model options for 2022. There are no warbird or warroad configurations under $4k, any idea why? More build options to come later? That said, I have a 2020 warroad with 650b and 105 that is great.

it's orange therefore its a great bike, thanks Russ

No back and front TA for the flatbar version. :(

Any thoughts on doing more off-road stuff with this bike? I just got a frameset and a full GRX groupset to build it up and am deciding on wheels. 700x38 with a light tread for mild bike camping/touring or can it handle some 650x50 tires and going on "real" off-road adventures like chunky steep gravel roads, single track, etc?

Magnesium frame like the Vaast is as light as carbon, cheap as aluminum, and rides like a dream all day long. Comon, bike makers - get on it!

What kind of mullet system can you use with the Apex? Thanks!

You took the words out of my mouth, but I will say it anyway. Aluminum is for beer cans. On a more serious note, what is the advantage of a through-axle? I don't know that I can square with carbon forks because compared to steel, carbon snaps. Isn't a jarring ride risky with carbon forks, am I missing something?

You just espoused a long-held myth in the bike world. Aluminum is not, in fact, stiffer than steel. It's more flexible. Aluminum got a reputation for being stiff because the aluminum bikes that came out in the 80s such as Cannondale used very large diameter tubes. All things being equal, the larger diameter tube will be stiffer. Nowadays, techniques for building bikes with steel and aluminum can give the stiffness where you want it and flexibility where you want it, with any material. Other than that, very nice video. I do happen to like steel frames for other reasons, but I am open to the idea of buying an aluminum bike.

Thanks, Russ. I'm VERY interested in this bike. How do you think it would do as a multi-day touring bike? Thanks for your thoughts.

i am really interested in this bike, but possibly the flatbar version. we are looking to replace the old steel 1997 mtb The Wife has, an the flatbar version of the journeyed looks just about perfect. but it also has almost everything *i* want, too. what to do?

its wild that at this point you feel you still need to justify using aluminum frames!

I dig the simple one solid color paint job.

Aluminum is a great frame material, is easily recyclable, and cost less energy to produce than alternatives. Aluminum is the future.

Just curious what PLP viewers think would make a good rental fleet bike for guiding mixed terrain and gravel cycling adventures? In the sub-$2,000 range the Journeyer Apex build seems pretty solid. How would it compare to a Poseidon or State gravel bike at the lower price point? Looking for TA, 1x and mechanical disc brakes for ease of servicing and swappability. Any suggestions?

Budget?!? Well, this channel has become gravel version of GCN)) My adventure rig is a vintage steel MTB which cost me 85 (all prices in euros) and my time of regreasing hubs, headset and pedal bearings, cleaned up brakes and everything else. Added period correct bar ends for 1 from parts bin. Grips w/ flat ends - 5. Frame bag from big asian online market - 15. Mini pump - 5, tube repair kit - 2. 3 years later bought front rack to support backpack hanging from handlebars - 15. And splurged on never used wheelset (Ambrosio rims on Deore LX hubs), don't actually need but too nice to resist. Now going to add tires for new wheels. Somewhere in future I see new chainrings/crankset....Your drivetrain costs more than my budget holiday bike with all belongings.....

Journeyman is a lot more catchy name than Journeyer. Conjures up thoughts of 'workhorse' and 'reliability'. Why did they change the name?

Can you add a 2x to this ?

Is it me or were there fewer jump cuts in this video? Seemed more natural in the speaking style. Also, great review as always.

Those welds really put me off, though.

Why does the bike look small ? Like short

I actually just tried this bike today and then you posted this video - how weird is that? (but the original Journeyman) at REI and I felt it was AWFUL. Maybe it was that the sizing was off. I was the 54 which should have been a possibility as I'm 5'6". It felt like I was riding a clown car. I also HATED how the brakes gears worked. Maybe it's because it's the first time I've used them, but they felt like they were impossible to use to shift through gears quickly. It made me scared for what I would find for a bike as this was a huge NO.

The problem I have with alumin(i)um is not the harshness, but rather the sometimes limited mileage before fatigue kicks in and cracks start to develop. An ALU frame could well last 100k miles, or be toast in 10k - you have to roll the dice on that possibility.

Interested? Yes. Can find and purchase? No. My local Salsa dealer literally had no Salsa bikes in stock for months.

Not sure i like the new name. Should have just called it the Journey. Try saying Journeyer 5 times fast.

I don't understand how 'thru-axle' is better than quick release. Save a 10th of an ounce of weight...but now you have more tools to carry? Old school quick release any day! Also, no aluminum....sorry.

So salsa copied the Felt Broam and made it more expensive. Probably easier to find a Felt at the bike store than the Salsa too.

honestly im not impressed with the rear triangle weld job

Gravel biker for weenies the tires are little chincy things who wants a ride on a bunch of gravel roads and dirt roads on really thin tires. If it ant 2.4 or wider it’s not cool for me

: )

No aluminum, steel is real

So. $1800- is now considered “budget” or “affordable”? Oh boy, am I ever in the wrong demographic.

Literature-ifying... 🤯

Not my cup of tea. Horrible, cheap, plastic, characterless looking thing. Just like any new bike these days.

Salsa is woke.

Sorry but I wouldn’t consider a 1k+ bike to be in the “budget” range. If y’all think that’s low end pricing you need to check your privilege.