Salsa Journeyer Flat Bar Acolyte 700C

Overview

A path less traveled lies ahead, and the Salsa Journeyer Flat Bar Acolyte 700C is ready to carry you along your way. Painted a mesmerizing sky blue, this bike isn’t just a visual treat; it’s a symphony of high-quality craftsmanship at a value price. As a flat-bar, 700c gravel bike, it promises both agility and stability. Dive deeper, and you’ll find a seamless blending of technical prowess with everyday functionality. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just starting out, let this bike guide you to new horizons. Ready for the journey?

In the humdrum of your daily life, are you gazing out the window, yearning to get away? Bike camping offers that path less traveled, a bridge between our urban existence and reconnecting with nature and ourselves. And the Salsa Journeyer Flat Bar Acolyte 700C can be your ticket out there. As you think of adding bicycle travel to your repertoire, know that this bike is not just easy-going; it’s a breeze to load up for those spontaneous camping nights. So, why wait? Let the Journeyer be your inspiration to discovering the hidden gems out your front door.

Geometry & Ride Characteristics

The Salsa Journeyer Flat Bar Acolyte 700C emphasizes a flat-bar configuration, fostering an upright riding posture, perfect for prolonged treks across a myriad of terrains. The effective top tube length is made to accommodate riders of various statures, ensuring a snug fit. Moreover, the uniform headtube and seat tube angles across all sizes guarantee a consistent and controlled ride, particularly during downhill runs. The equilibrium struck between the BB drop and chainstay length strikes a balance between stability and nimbleness, positioning the Journeyer as a multifaceted option for numerous escapades.

Mounting the Salsa Journeyer Flat Bar Acolyte 700C feels like setting forth on a boundless adventure. Its distinct geometry, coupled with its tire selection, offers a ride that’s both plush and traction-rich, proficiently navigating from silky gravel routes to demanding off-road tracks. The flat-bar design ensures riders sustain an erect and leisurely posture, minimizing weariness and amplifying the overall cycling experience. The bike’s impeccable fusion of coziness and agility inspires cyclists to venture into uncharted terrains with assurance.

• Effective Top Tube: The Journeyer’s effective top tube length varies across sizes, from 493mm to 600mm, ensuring riders of all sizes can find a comfortable fit. This distinguishes it from bikes that might have a more uniform top tube length.
• Stand Over Height: With stand over heights ranging from 613.5mm to 803.5mm, the Journeyer ensures that riders have adequate clearance, setting it apart from bikes that might have limited stand over variations.
• Reach and Stack: The bike’s reach varies from 366mm to 408mm, and the stack from 510mm to 627mm, providing a balance between the rider’s forward position and the height of the handlebars, differentiating it from bikes with more aggressive or relaxed geometries.
• Headtube Length and Angle: The Journeyer features headtube lengths from 90mm to 210mm and a consistent headtube angle of 69.5° (except for the 49cm size which is 68.5°). This ensures a predictable and controlled ride, especially during descents, compared to bikes with steeper or slacker angles.
• Seat Tube Angle: With seat tube angles ranging from 73° to 76°, the Journeyer offers a comfortable seating position, distinguishing it from bikes that might have steeper angles for aggressive racing or slacker angles for relaxed cruising.
• BB Drop: The bike has a consistent BB drop of 70mm across all sizes, ensuring a low center of gravity for stability, setting it apart from bikes with higher or lower BB drops that might prioritize pedal clearance or stability.
• Chainstay Length: The Journeyer’s chainstay length is a consistent 440mm across all sizes, offering a mix of stability and agility, differentiating it from bikes with shorter chainstays for agility or longer ones for stability.
• Fork Length Axle to Crown: The bike features a consistent fork length axle to crown of 402mm across all sizes, ensuring a balanced front-end feel, different from bikes with longer forks that might prioritize shock absorption.
• Wheelbase: With wheelbases ranging from 1027mm to 1104mm, the Journeyer ensures stability during rides, distinguishing it from bikes with shorter wheelbases for agility or longer ones for stability.

vs. the Salsa Journeyer Flat Bar Deore 700C

The Salsa Journeyer Flat Bar Deore 700C, equipped with Shimano Deore drivetrain components, is a more premium version of the Salsa Journeyer Flat Bar Acolyte 700C. While both bikes share the same frame, the primary differences lie in the componentry as follows:

• Rear Derailleur:
  • Acolyte 700C: microSHIFT Advent M6195
  • Deore 700c: Shimano Deore M5120 SGS, 10/11-speed
• Cassette:
  • Acolyte 700C: microSHIFT H093, 11–42t, 9 speed
  • Deore 700c: Shimano Deore M4100, 11–46t, 10-speed
• Chain:
  • Acolyte 700C: KMC Z9
  • Deore 700c: Shimano HG54
• Crankset:
  • Acolyte 700C: FSA Vero Pro 40t, FSA 7420ST 110.5 mm bottom bracket
  • Deore 700c: Omega MegaExo 40t, FSA Road MegaExo bottom bracket
• Shifter:
  • Acolyte 700C: microSHIFT Advent M090
  • Deore 700c: Shimano Deore M4100
• Handlebar:
  • Acolyte 700C: Salsa Cowbell 3, 31.8
  • Deore 700c: Salsa Salt Flat 31.8, 700 mm
• Grips/Bar Tape:
  • Acolyte 700C: Black Cork
  • Deore 700c: Salsa File Tread
• Front Wheel:
  • Acolyte 700C: Novatec D761DSE 9 x 100 mm QR hub, WTB ST i23 700c rim, 32h
  • Deore 700c: WTB Serra 12 x 100 mm TA hub, WTB ST i23 700c rim, 28h
• Rear Wheel:
  • Acolyte 700C: Novatec D762TSE 10 x 135 mm QR hub, WTB ST i23 700c rim, 32h
  • Deore 700c: WTB Serra 10 x 135 mm QR hub, WTB ST i23 700c rim, 28h
• Tires: Both bikes use Teravail Washburn 700c x 38 mm, 30 tpi tires, but the Deore 700c variant has a Wire Bead.

vs. the Salsa Journeyer Advent 700C

The Salsa Journeyer Advent 700C, equipped with a microSHIFT Advent drivetrain and a drop-bar handlebar, is a more premium version of the Salsa Journeyer Flat Bar Acolyte 700C. While both bikes share the same frame, the primary differences lie in the componentry as follows:

• Handlebar:
  • Advent 700C: Drop-bar design, offering a more aerodynamic and aggressive riding posture.
  • Acolyte 700C: Flat-bar design, promoting an upright and relaxed riding stance.
• Cost Implication:
  • Advent 700C: Potentially positioned as a slightly higher-end option due to the drop-bar design, which is often associated with racing and performance-oriented bikes.
  • Acolyte 700C: Might be perceived as more budget-friendly, given its flat-bar design, which is common in city and commuter bikes.
• Ride Feel:
  • Advent 700C: The drop-bar design caters to riders seeking a more racing-oriented, forward-leaning position, suitable for faster terrains and longer rides.
  • Acolyte 700C: The flat-bar configuration ensures riders maintain an upright and relaxed stance, ideal for city commuting and leisurely rides.
• Geometry:
  • Advent 700C: While the specific geometry numbers are consistent with the Acolyte 700C, the drop-bar design can influence the perceived geometry, making the bike feel more aggressive and nimble.
  • Acolyte 700C: The bike’s geometry, combined with the flat-bar, provides a more relaxed and comfortable feel, especially for riders new to gravel or adventure cycling.

vs. the Surly Preamble Flat Bar

The Surly Preamble Flat Bar and the Salsa Journeyer Flat Bar Acolyte 700C, both designed for versatile cycling experiences, exhibit distinct ride characteristics. The Surly Preamble, constructed with 100% Chromoly steel tubing, offers a robust and resilient ride, ideal for urban commuting and light trail use. Its geometry and componentry, such as the microSHIFT Acolyte Xpress shifters, lean towards a more straightforward, utilitarian feel. In contrast, the Salsa Journeyer Acolyte 700C, with its specific gravel-oriented geometry and microSHIFT Advent components, is tailored for adventure cycling, offering a blend of comfort and agility on varied terrains. The Journeyer might be perceived as a slightly more specialized option in comparison.

• Rear Derailleur:
  • Surly Preamble: microSHIFT RD-M5185M.
  • Acolyte 700C: microSHIFT Advent M6195.
• Shifters:
  • Surly Preamble: microSHIFT Acolyte Xpress.
  • Acolyte 700C: microSHIFT Advent M090.
• Handlebar:
  • Surly Preamble: Kalloy, with a 35mm rise and 9-degree backsweep, designed for a more upright city riding stance.
  • Acolyte 700C: Salsa Cowbell 3, 31.8, flat-bar design promoting an upright and relaxed stance suitable for adventure cycling

• Material:
  • Surly Preamble: Constructed with Chromoly steel, known for its durability and resilience.
  • Acolyte 700C: Material specifics not mentioned, but typically, Salsa bikes use a mix of aluminum and steel depending on the model.
• Cost Implication:
  • Surly Preamble: Given its utilitarian design and focus on city commuting, it might be perceived as a more budget-friendly option.
  • Acolyte 700C: With its adventure-oriented features, it could be positioned as a more specialized option, potentially at a slightly higher price point.
• Ride Feel:
  • Surly Preamble: Offers a straightforward, utilitarian feel, ideal for urban commuting and light trail use.
  • Acolyte 700C: Tailored for adventure cycling, providing a harmonious blend of comfort and agility on varied terrains.
• Geometry:
  • Surly Preamble: Designed with a focus on urban commuting, ensuring stability and comfort on city roads.
  • Acolyte 700C: Specific gravel-oriented geometry, ensuring a balance between stability on straight paths and agility on winding trails.