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2007 Salsa Cyclocross Frame |
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Written by Alan Starrett
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Wednesday, 06 September 2006 |
 Who says spending hours surfing the web is useless? I have been plaguing our friends at Salsa for years to go back to 130mm spacing on their cross frame for a full tilt cross racing rig. "We are working on it." they would tell me. I waited and waited and waited. Well, this summer I was assured that something big is coming for the 2007 Salsa lineup. Problem is as much as I pried I could not get any advance information from them. "Everything will be revealed at Interbike, it will be cool." Well, I can't wait for Interbike, cross season is here and I need to know NOW.
Like I said, a little research on the web can pay off. I was able to chase down some spy photos from Eurobike held last week and low and behold I found the prize I was looking for, an advance photo of the 2007 Salsa cyclocross frame. Thanks to the folks at the European site bike2build.com for scoring the photo.
The new cross frame is a full Scandium tubeset for the ultimate in a lightweight cross race rig. A lot of manufacturers these days are blending carbon into their cross frames. That makes it look cool and enhances the ride but it does pay a weight penalty. Remember, glue is heavy.
Salsa didn't want to just re-release a 130mm spaced Las Cruces though, this baby is all new. The most notable change is the manipulation of the rear stays. The seat stays and the chain stays have been flattened to create a sort of pivotless soft tail effect. This should produce more comfort than a basic carbon stayed frame yet remain stiff where you need it. You also get all that comfort with no weight penalty of a carbon blended frame. Now these guys are thinking.
The other tube manipulation is the flattening of the underside of the top tube in the shouldering area. My bony shoulders will really love that.
The fork is a painted to match carbon affair, light and comfortable. Now that I mention it, how about that paint? As always Salsa pulls out all the stops in the paint department. Not sure what they are calling it but I call it "Flaming Kermit Green." That is a color you won't miss in 40 degree drizzle on Sunday in November.
New bike, new name. I can't quite make it out in the spy photo but it looks like Chile Con Cross or something similar. Expect nothing less than a little tongue in cheek fun from the guys at Salsa.
No news on exactly when the frame will be available. It is doubtful full production will be before the end of the 2006 cross season but no doubt it will be the hot ride for 2007. Rest assured as soon as they are available Bikeman will have them. We will be offering the frame and fork shown. The build shown is for display only at Eurobike to show off some of the products of Salsa's partners in Europe. We can build yours however you want.
Big Al
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