Salsa Journeyer GRX 600, 650b

Overview

Where the thrill of carving twisting gravel roads meets the call of adventure, the Salsa Journeyer GRX 600 650b stands as a beacon.  Designed where innovation meets passion, this bike boasts an aluminum frame harmoniously paired with a Waxwing carbon fork, promising rides as smooth as a desert’s evening breeze. Whether you’re navigating urban jungles or rugged backroads, its a versatile beast of burden, complete with mounts for all your gear. The 650b x 47 mm wheels whisper tales of resilience and comfort, while melding seamlessly with Shimano’s GRX 600—a groupset born for gravel. Wearing a loud and proud coat of yellow, this bicycle is ready for your gravel partay!

The siren song of the open road is beckoning and the Salsa Journeyer GRX 600, can be your bikepacking ready companion to reconnect with nature, friends and self.  Its design effortlessly accommodates your bikepacking bags, ensuring you’re well-equipped for those spontaneous detours into the unknown. Its time to load up and head out there and let this Journeyer becomes an extension of your spirit, carrying you over undulating terrain to those dreamy vistas.

Geometry & Ride Characteristics

The Salsa Journeyer GRX 600, 650b boasts a geometry that seamlessly blends comfort and control, suitable for various landscapes. Its effective top tube length is designed to fit riders of different sizes, ensuring optimal comfort. The Salsa Journeyer GRX 600, 650b maintains consistent headtube and seat tube angles, instilling a sense of stability and predictability, particularly during descents. Moreover, the unique combination of a shorter reach with an increased stack height across its range allows riders to maintain an upright and relaxed posture, ideal for long rides and challenging routes.

Mounting the Salsa Journeyer GRX 600, 650b, which is fitted with 650b x 47 mm tires, delivers a riding experience that merges plushness with grip, enabling seamless transitions from asphalted streets to uneven trails. The bike’s design ensures a balance between cushioning and traction, making it easy to switch from road bike-friendly dirt to gravel roads. The geometry promotes a comfortable riding position, minimizing strain and enhancing the overall experience. Whether navigating winding paths or cruising urban streets, the Journeyer GRX 600, 650b delivers a reliable and enjoyable ride.

• BB Drop: A consistent 70mm across all sizes ensures a low center of gravity for stability, distinguishing the Journeyer from bikes with higher or lower BB drops that might prioritize pedal clearance or stability.
• Chainstay Length: A uniform 440mm across all sizes offers a mix of stability and agility, differentiating the Journeyer from bikes with shorter chainstays for agility or longer ones for stability.
• Fork Length – Axle to Crown: A consistent 402mm across all sizes ensures a balanced front-end feel, setting the Journeyer apart from bikes with longer forks that might prioritize shock absorption.
• Fork Offset: 50mm offset provides a mix of stability and agility, differentiating the Journeyer from bikes with larger offsets for more relaxed steering or smaller ones for quicker handling.
• Head Tube Angle: Ranging from 68.5° to 69.5°, the Journeyer ensures a predictable and controlled ride, especially during descents, compared to bikes with steeper or slacker angles.
• Headtube Length: Ranging from 90mm to 210mm, this feature ensures riders of all sizes have a comfortable fit, distinguishing the Journeyer from bikes that might have a more uniform headtube length.
• Reach: Values ranging from 366mm to 408mm provide a balance between the rider’s forward position and the height of the handlebars, differentiating the Journeyer from bikes with more aggressive or relaxed geometries.
• Seat Tube Angle: Angles ranging from 73° to 76° across different sizes offer a comfortable seating position, distinguishing the Journeyer from bikes that might have steeper angles for aggressive racing or slacker angles for relaxed cruising.
• Seat Tube Length – Center to Top: Ranging from 340mm to 520mm, this ensures riders of all sizes can find a comfortable fit, setting the Journeyer apart from bikes with limited seat tube variations.
• Stack: Values ranging from 510mm to 627mm ensure riders maintain a comfortable and ergonomic posture, reducing fatigue and enhancing the overall riding experience.
• Standover: Heights ranging from 606mm to 796mm ensure that riders have adequate clearance, setting the Journeyer apart from bikes that might have limited standover variations.
• Top Tube Length (Effective): With lengths ranging from 493mm to 600mm, the Journeyer ensures riders of all sizes can find a comfortable fit, distinguishing it from bikes that might have a more uniform top tube length.
• Wheelbase: 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 GRX 810, 650b

The Salsa Journeyer GRX 810, 650b, equipped with Shimano GRX 810 components, is a more premium version of the Salsa Journeyer GRX 600, 650B. While both bikes share the same frame, the primary differences lie in the componentry as follows:

Drivetrain:

• GRX 810, 650b: Features a 1×11 drivetrain with no front derailleur, using Shimano GRX RX812 for the rear derailleur and a Shimano M7000 11–42t, 11-speed cassette.
• GRX 600, 650b: Comes with a 2×11 drivetrain, using Shimano GRX RX810 for both front and rear derailleurs and a Shimano HG700, 11–34t, 11-speed cassette.

Crankset:

• GRX 810, 650b: Uses Shimano GRX RX810, with variations based on frame size.
• GRX 600, 650b: Employs Shimano GRX RX600, 46/30t.

Shifters:

• GRX 810, 650b: Incorporates Shimano GRX RX810-R/LA.
• GRX 600, 650b: Features Shimano GRX RX600.

Brakes and Rotors:

• GRX 810, 650b: Equipped with Shimano GRX RX810 brakes and Shimano RT10 rotors.
• GRX 600, 650b: Uses Shimano GRX RX400 brakes with the same Shimano RT10 rotors.

Ride Feel and Geometry:

• GRX 810, 650b: With its 1×11 drivetrain and higher-tier GRX 810 components, riders can expect a more refined and responsive ride, especially on rugged terrains.
• GRX 600, 650b: The 2×11 drivetrain provides a broader gear range, ensuring adaptability across varied landscapes. The GRX 600 components offer a reliable and consistent ride feel.

vs. the Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 650B

The Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 650B equipped with SRAM’s Apex 1 groupset, is a more economical version of the Salsa Journeyer GRX 600, 650B. While both bikes share the same frame, the primary differences lie in the componentry as follows:

Drivetrain:

• Apex 1 650B: Features a SRAM Apex 1×11 drivetrain, simplifying shifting and optimizing power transfer.
• GRX 600, 650b: Comes with Shimano’s GRX 600 2×11 drivetrain, offering a broader gear range and the reliability of Shimano components.

Crankset:

• Apex 1 650B: Employs SRAM Apex 1, 40t.
• GRX 600, 650b: Uses Shimano GRX RX600, 46/30t.

Shifters:

• Apex 1 650B: Incorporates SRAM Apex 1.
• GRX 600, 650b: Features Shimano GRX RX600.

Brakes and Rotors:

• Apex 1 650B: Uses Tektro MD-C550 brakes with Tektro TR160-22 rotors.
• GRX 600, 650b: Equipped with Shimano GRX RX400 brakes and Shimano RT10 rotors.

Ride Feel and Geometry:

• Apex 1 650B: With its SRAM components, riders can expect a robust and versatile ride suitable for diverse terrains, from rugged trails to city streets.
• GRX 600, 650b: The Journeyer’s geometry, combined with Shimano components, ensures a balanced and adaptable ride, making it ideal for gravel roads and mixed terrains.

vs. the Kona Rove DL

The Kona Rove DL, built with a Kona Butted Cromoly frame and SRAM Apex components, offers a robust and versatile ride suitable for both rugged terrains and urban streets. Its SRAM 1×11 drivetrain simplifies shifting, emphasizing efficient power transfer and agility. In contrast, the Salsa Journeyer GRX 600, 650b, equipped with Shimano’s GRX 600 components and a 2×11 drivetrain, provides a broader gear range, ensuring adaptability across varied landscapes. While both bikes prioritize performance, the Journeyer is positioned at a higher price point due to its higher grade Shimano components.

Frame Material:

• Kona Rove DL: Features a Kona Butted Cromoly frame, known for its durability and shock-absorbing properties.
• GRX 600, 650b: Uses the “Journeyer Drop-Bar Thru-Axle” frame, providing a consistent and reliable foundation.

Fork:

• Kona Rove DL: Comes with the “Kona Project Two Cromoly Disc” fork, offering durability and a balanced front-end feel.
• GRX 600, 650b: Equipped with the “Waxwing” fork, ensuring a responsive and comfortable ride.

Drivetrain and Groupsets:

• Kona Rove DL: Features a SRAM Apex 1×11 drivetrain, simplifying shifting and optimizing power transfer.
• GRX 600, 650b: Comes with Shimano’s GRX 600 2×11 drivetrain, offering a broader gear range and the reliability of Shimano components.

Brakes and Rotors:

• Kona Rove DL: Uses TRP HDC711C Mechanical/Hydraulic brakes with TRP 160mm rotors, ensuring powerful stopping capabilities.
• GRX 600, 650b: Features Shimano GRX RX400 brakes with Shimano RT10 rotors, offering consistent and reliable braking.

Tires:

• Kona Rove DL: Equipped with Maxxis Rambler EXO TR 650x47c, providing a mix of durability and traction.
• GRX 600, 650b: Features Teravail Washburn, 650b x 47 mm, emphasizing grip and adaptability on varied terrains.

Ride Feel and Geometry:

• Kona Rove DL: With its Cromoly frame and SRAM components, riders can expect a robust and versatile ride suitable for diverse terrains, from rugged trails to city streets.
• GRX 600, 650b: The Journeyer’s geometry, combined with Shimano components, ensures a balanced and adaptable ride, making it ideal for gravel paths and mixed terrains.