Paul Petch

Salsa Fargo update & the first off road ride!

Getting things comfy

I can’t remember any bike that I’ve owned in the past 15yrs that has caused me so many issues when it comes to getting it dialed in. But has it been worth the hassles?

I admit that even I was confused when I picked up the Salsa Fargo……should I set it up for road…..or dirt? Originally I set about to kit it out with super skinny tyres to climb the roads through the Port Hills and also to speed up the daily commute to work. Great……it was a a roadie/ commuter…..but it was so bloody uncomfortable. I seemed to always be on the edge of the seat when holding onto the hoods and braking…..it just felt odd and too stretched out. I eventually got around to swapping the stock Salsa post out for a BBB inline post and pushed the seat forward a few more cm on the rails and bingo….it felt right. I knew that I had a short upper body but this was an interesting problem to remedy…..as I’ve never spent any quality time on a road “like” cockpit before and I simply had no idea how it should “feel”. Luckily, the rule I follow is that things should be comfy on a bike and I could feel that that the reach was all out of whack.

Along with the seat post swap, I’ve also rotated the unique Salsa Moto Ace Lap bars in a way so the hoods are higher and at a better position when resting my hands on them. Comfy. As for Charge bar tape- I biffed that rubbish in favor of the Salsa tape that shipped with the bike so things upfront are super comfy and padded. The Charge tape may have looked nice but that was it. I also took time to wrap the tape lower on the drop bars to cover most of the exposed metal on the bar end shifters- which helps to keep the hands from sitting on bare metal when resting there.

Talking more about the bars, I’ve flipped the stem about so it now positions them higher. This new position is perfect for all hand combos up front now- even when down in the sweep and braking. With the bars up higher, my fears of bar on top tube contact has also been eased due to their position being slightly higher at the point of contact. Some bar tape has now found its way to this spot to stop any marks if it was to make contact. I’m still going to swap the bars for OneOne Midges though- but I’m now comfortable riding these bars….even the way that they trap my legs seems less scary now.

I’ve also thrown the WTB tyres back on as well to aid comfort and handling. The Specialized tread have been great- but makes this bike super twitchy and road imperfections are not mellowed out at all when you ride at 100PSI are they? To be honest, these mountain bike tyres are no slower than the roadie tread….they bloody fly! I’m really pleased with how it feels now.

Time to hit the dirt

With stuff feeling dandy and armed with some confidence of how the Fargo feels and handles – I decided to get out in the dappled sunlight and rain to go climb on some dirt :D In typical Christchurch oddness, I was wrapped in layers and a waterproof all the way to the base of the Rapaki Track where the sun then came out and was shining until I returned to the city. Stripping off I headed upwards and with tunes pumping from my iPod I chose a comfy gear and spun to the start of the dirt. It felt kind of retro to be honest as I hit the dirt standing up while powering upwards while hanging onto the drop bars…..but the Fargo just felt “right”. After a few KM I noticed that the freakishly high range of gears on the bike was making my legs work…..infact the range available 48/36/26T is the most punishing that I’ve ridden in the Port Hills. Did it really cause that much trouble for me though? HELL NO :D Once the Fargo got upto speed with its big wheels it just loves to make you work it harder and harder with instant forward movement. Even riding at 26 x 34 in the mud and slop on the track I passed several riders struggling on their trail bikes as I stood up and powered…..all I needed was a pipe in my mouth as I passed with a nod.

I’m not sure if it is the 29er wheels that helped me climb so well today or the running and core work I’ve been doing of late. What ever it was, I enjoyed the grind more than I have ever done before on the Rapaki Track….and the fact that I was on such a unique handling ride made it even more fun. Did I mention that the WTB Vulpine tyres are semi slicks too? Surprisingly they managed the climb in the mud quite well. Once at the top of the Rapaki Track I hit the road to the left at speed and off I went. What a buzz it was riding up on dirt and then dropping a few gears and then blasting along the tarmac into the sunshine.  Any mountain bike offers the same option, but the Fargo is so so fast that it felt like I was cheating. Priceless.

All the tracks were closed so I headed along the road and grinded up a few more climbs and opted to head back into the City- things were really cold up there and even with many layers, I was starting to feel it. By the time I got to the City I could not feel my hands, face or toes…..it was below freezing at speed I’m sure……but I was slightly distracted with a grin like a stoner flying downwards. Thankfully, wearing clear glasses helped stop my eyeballs from freezing and falling out :D I’m still going to have to get used to the Salsa Fargo at speed though- the big wheels seem to have a mind of their own when your hitting speeds of 50+ KM and not so easy to correct as their 26″ cousins. The long rear stays also “come alive” at speed and “fish tailed” …..with the back of the bike wobbling slightly. Not to worry though, as a small shift in body weight rearwards stopped it instantly. As Whafe would say ” I had a few chocolate starfish moments” for sure :D

I could not believe how much fun I had today on the Fargo. It was a really unquie feeling being able to ride on dirt at such speed and climb so so well. Even the ride back home came alive on the Fargo with shortcuts through building sites, up and off curbs and obstacles…..anything really. I love this bike and can’t wait to get out on the dirt again….what a buzz!

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Related posts:

1. Salsa Fargo has entered the building…
2. Say hello to my Salsa Fargo adventure touring bike
3. Salsa Fargo 800km update & first review
4. Salsa La Cruz Cyclocross vs Salsa Fargo monstercross :)
5. Salsa Fargo – first impressions

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 12th, 2009 at 8:14 pm and is filed under Bike Rides and tagged with 29er, port hills, rigid, salsa, Trails & Rides. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.