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SCRAMBLE!
Salsa’s benchmark gravel racer, the Warbird, has been revised for 2020. As last year’s overhaul saw a whole new frameset design, the changes for 2020 just refresh the the colour schemes and reflect the latest component releases. We’ll look at the components after a quick recap of the frame highlights:
- Race-ready geometry
- Class 5 VRS (Vibration Reduction System) to increase comfort and fight fatigue
- No seatstay or chainstay bridges for increased compliance and mud clearance
- Room for 700c x 45mm tyres (38 with mudguards) & 650b x 51mm (47mm with mudguards)
- 3 (49-54.5cm) or 4 (56-61cm) bottle mounts on the frame and bolt-on toptube feed bag mount
- Dynamo cable routing, three-pack cage mounts and rack & guard mounts on the forks
- Thru-axles front & rear (12 x 100 & 12 x 142mm respectively)
- 1x, 2x and Di2 compatible (1x & Di2 allow dropper fitment) and internal cable sleeves
- Flat mount brakes
- 57.5 cm frameset weighs 1.39kg (3lb 1 oz)
- All full builds ship with 700c wheelsets
- Unlike in previous years, Warbird is an all-carbon range
Electric shifting, eye searing range topper
While Shimano were caught napping by SRAM, the release of GRX has seen the Big-S turn the tables. Like the new Cutthroat, the Warbird range is dominated by Shimano GRX. At the top of the tree is the Warbird GRX 810 Di2. Finished in a striking Atomic Pink it’s not for the shy & retiring rider. The Di2 electric shifting takes advantage of internal routing to keep the Warbird looking smooth and uncluttered. Salsa’s own carbon post and cowbell bars, along with gel tape and WTB Volt Pro saddle, will work with the VRS Frameset to kill fatigue building vibrations. DT Swiss provide their CR1600 wheelset, a smart combo of DT 350 hubs, 26mm wide tubeless rims and a reassuring 130kg weight limit.
Salsa Warbird GRX 810 Di2 – Pink
GRX Without the Electrickery
The GRX 810 closely follows the range-topper while making a few concessions to bring the MSRP down. The gearset is the mechanical Shimano GRX 810. The bars and seatpost are alloy this time and the wheelset is a notch down in DT’s range, the CR1600. The black paint finish will help your Warbird fly more easily under the radar!
Salsa Warbird GRX 810 – Black
Despite the name, the GRX 600 pairs 810 derailleurs, 600 series cranks and shifters with 400 series hydraulic brakes. WTB step in to provide their Speedterra hubs and proven ST i23 rims.
GRX 600 – Dark Blue
1x was so last season…
The Warbird Apex 1 is the sole 1x and SRAM equipped version. With a 1x transmission and TRP cable-brakes, it could be the Warbird best suited for out-there races. Despite bringing up the rear, it still features Salsa’s cowbell bars, a WTB tubeless wheelset and top-notch Teravail Cannonball tubeless ready tyres. As with the Cutthroat, the Warbird Apex 1 comes in two colourways.
Apex 700c – Light Blue
Apex 1 – White
Finally, for those riders wanting total control over their spec list, the Salsa Warbird is available as a frameset in super-stealthy matte carbon. A dream frame for a dream build?
Warbird Carbon Frameset – Black
Salsa Warbird UK Pricing & Availability
The new Salsa Warbird full builds and framesets are almost with us and should be available from dealers commencing the 27th January 2020.
- Warbird Carbon Frameset £2150
- Warbird Carbon Apex 1 £2950
- Warbird Carbon GRX 600 £3400
- Warbird Carbon GRX 810 £4500
- Warbird Carbon GRX 810 Di2 £ 6100
As with everything Salsa, Lyon Equipment are the UK distributor and are your go-to for dealer information.
Last modified: 14th January 2020
