Salsa Rangefinder Deore 11 27.5+

Overview

Embark on adventures where boundaries become mere starting points. The Salsa Rangefinder Deore 11 27.5+ is well-suited for navigating local trails nad beyond. Its stable geometry provides a sense of confidence, whether tackling challenging landscapes or making steep descents. The bike comes with a 120 mm fork and dropper post, enhancing overall control and maneuverability. The 27.5 x 2.8” wheels offer quick acceleration and excellent traction, akin to the sure-footedness of a mountain goat. Equipped with Shimano’s Deore 11-speed drivetrain, this hardtail stands as a top-tier option for those looking to elevate their mountain biking experience.

The Salsa Rangefinder Deore 11 27.5+ is an excellent choice for those embarking into the world of bikepacking. Ready to accommodate both rider and gear on trails and rough roads the bike achieves a harmonious balance between comfort and durability. Imagine filling bikepacking bags and embarking on a journey to reconnect with the natural world. The bike’s frame geometry and components are fine-tuned for extended excursions, allowing for a seamless focus on the trail and the comforting glow of a campfire as the day comes to an end. This is not just a bike; it’s a catalyst for memorable outdoor experiences.

Geometry & Ride Characteristics

The geometry of the Salsa Rangefinder Deore 11 27.5+ is meant to be both versatile and accommodating. Its effective top tube length is generous, making it suitable for a wide range of rider heights. The bike features a consistent headtube and seat tube angle across all sizes, ensuring a harmonious blend of stable steering and efficient power transfer. Additionally, the bike’s BB drop is moderately low, and its chainstay length is balanced, adding to its overall well-rounded geometry.

When it comes to ride feel, the Salsa Rangefinder Deore 11 27.5+ moderate headtube angle provides a stable steering experience, making it easier to navigate through technical terrains. The steep seat tube angle positions the rider in a way that allows for efficient pedaling, especially during climbs. The low BB drop and moderate chainstay length contribute to a grounded and balanced ride, making it a reliable choice for both singletrack trails and gravel roads.

• Effective Top Tube Length: The effective top tube length varies significantly from 568.2mm in size XS to 670.1mm in size XL. This wide range allows the bike to accommodate riders of various heights, offering a more customized fit compared to bikes with less variation.
• Stand Over Height: The stand-over height ranges from 678.6mm for the XS size to 798.7mm for the XL size. This ensures that riders have adequate leg clearance, making mounting and dismounting easier.
• Reach: The reach extends from 395mm in the smallest size to 489mm in the largest, allowing riders to choose a size that offers the most comfortable arm length and riding posture.
• Stack: With values ranging from 605.6mm to 633.4mm, the stack height affects the vertical positioning of the handlebars. This range allows for adjustments in the rider’s upper body posture, influencing comfort and control.
• Total Seat Tube Length: The seat tube length varies from 355mm in XS to 508mm in XL. This range provides flexibility for riders to adjust the saddle height, affecting both comfort and pedaling efficiency.
• Headtube Length: The headtube length varies from 95mm in the smallest size to 125mm in the largest, affecting the front-end height and thus the bike’s aerodynamics and handling.
• Headtube and Seat Tube Angles: Both angles are consistently set at 68 and 74 degrees across all sizes. This uniformity ensures that the bike offers stable steering and efficient power transfer, regardless of the size chosen.
• BB Drop: The BB drop is consistently 58mm across all sizes. This moderate drop contributes to a balanced center of gravity, affecting both stability and agility.
• Chainstay Length: The chainstay length is a uniform 439mm across all sizes. This length strikes a balance between stability and agility, making the bike versatile for various terrains.
• Fork Length Axle to Crown: The fork length is consistently 510mm across all sizes, affecting the bike’s front-end geometry and thus its handling characteristics.
• Fork Offset: The fork offset is standard at 46mm for all sizes, subtly affecting the bike’s steering quickness and stability.
• Wheelbase: The wheelbase varies from 1100.6mm in the smallest size to 1205.8mm in the largest, affecting the bike’s overall stability and maneuverability.
• Crank Arm Length: The crank arm length is either 170mm for the smaller sizes or 175mm for the larger sizes. This variation allows for optimized pedaling mechanics based on rider height.
• Handlebar Width: The handlebar width is 750mm for the smaller sizes and 800mm for the larger sizes, providing a balance between control and comfort based on the rider’s shoulder width.

vs. the Salsa Rangefinder Deore 12 27.5+

The Salsa Rangefinder Deore 12 27.5+ with its 12-speed drivetrain, is a more premium version of the Salsa Rangefinder Deore 11 27.5+. With a similar frame, the primary differences are in the components as follows:

• Fork
  • Deore 11: Equipped with an SR Suntour XCR32 Boost fork or an RST Aerial with MLC, both offering air suspension.
  • Deore 12: Comes with an SR Suntour XCR34 Boost fork or an RST Aerial with TNL, also featuring air suspension but with slightly more advanced options.
• Drivetrain
  • Deore 11: Features a Shimano Deore M5100 SGS rear derailleur with an 11-speed, 11–51t cassette.
  • Deore 12: Equipped with a Shimano Deore M6100 SGS rear derailleur and a 12-speed, 10–51t cassette, offering one more gear for a broader range.
• Shifter
  • Deore 11: Uses a Shimano Deore M5100 shifter.
  • Deore 12: Employs a Shimano Deore M6100 shifter, designed to work seamlessly with its 12-speed setup.
• Brakes and Rotors
  • Deore 11: Comes with Shimano MT200 or Promax DSK-925 brakes and Shimano RT10 Center Lock rotors (160 mm).
  • Deore 12: Features the same brake options as the Deore 11 but with a slightly upgraded Shimano MT401 Center Lock hub for the rear wheel.
• Wheels
  • Deore 11: Rides on wheels with Shimano MT400 Center Lock 15 x 110 mm TA hub and WTB ST i40 32h 27.5″ rim.
  • Deore 12: Uses wheels with Shimano MT401 Center Lock 10 x 141 mm QR hub and WTB ST i40 32h 27.5″ rim, offering a minor upgrade in the rear hub.
• Crankset
  • Deore 11: Features an FSA Alpha Drive crankset with a 30t chainring and FSA 124.5 mm bottom bracket.
  • Deore 12: Equipped with a Shimano MT501 crankset and a Shimano BB52 BSA bottom bracket, potentially offering better compatibility and performance.

vs. the Salsa Rangefinder Deore 10 27.5+

The Salsa Rangefinder Deore 10 27.5+ with its 10-speed drivetrain, is a more economical version of the Salsa Rangefinder Deore 11 27.5+. With a similar frame, the primary differences are in the suspension fork and drivetrain as follows:

• Fork
  • Deore 11: Equipped with an SR Suntour XCR32 Boost fork with air suspension.
  • Deore 10: Comes with an SR Suntour XCM32 Boost fork with coil suspension. The air suspension in Deore 11 offers more adjustability compared to the coil suspension in Deore 10.
• Drivetrain
  • Deore 11: Features a Shimano Deore M5100 SGS rear derailleur with an 11-speed, 11–51t cassette.
  • Deore 10: Equipped with a Shimano Deore M5120 SGS rear derailleur and a 10-speed, 11–46t cassette. Deore 11 offers one more gear, providing a broader range for various terrains.
• Shifter
  • Deore 11: Uses a Shimano Deore M5100 shifter.
  • Deore 10: Employs a Shimano Deore M4100 (10-speed) shifter. The Deore 11’s shifter is designed for its 11-speed setup, offering smoother shifting.
• Brakes and Rotors
  • Deore 11: Comes with Shimano MT200 or Promax DSK-925 brakes and Shimano RT10 Center Lock rotors (160 mm).
  • Deore 10: Features Shimano MT200, Tektro M520, or Promax DSK-925 brakes and Shimano RT10 Center Lock rotors (160 mm). Both models offer similar braking options.
• Wheels
  • Deore 11: Rides on wheels with Shimano MT400 Center Lock 15 x 110 mm TA hub and WTB ST i40 32h 27.5″ rim.
  • Deore 10: Uses wheels with Shimano MT200 Center Lock 10 x 141 mm QR hub and WTB ST i40 32h 27.5″ rim. The Deore 11 has a slightly more advanced front hub.
• Crankset
  • Deore 11: Features an FSA Alpha Drive crankset with a 30t chainring and FSA 124.5 mm bottom bracket.
  • Deore 10: Equipped with the same FSA Alpha Drive crankset and bottom bracket as the Deore 11. Both models offer similar pedal power.
• Seatpost
  • Deore 11: Comes with a TranzX YSP18PLQ adjustable seatpost.
  • Deore 10: Uses a Salsa Guide seatpost with 0 offset. The adjustable seatpost in Deore 11 offers more flexibility in adjusting riding position.

vs. the Surly Lowside

The Surly Lowside and the Salsa Rangefinder Deore 11 27.5+ offer distinct riding experiences. The Surly Lowside is a single-speed bike with a rigid fork, providing a raw, unfiltered connection to the trail. It’s ideal for riders who appreciate simplicity and direct feedback from the terrain. On the other hand, the Salsa Rangefinder Deore 11 features an 11-speed drivetrain and an air suspension fork, offering a smoother, more versatile ride with greater adjustability for different terrains. The Rangefinder is relatively more complex and offers more comfort features.

• Fork
  • Surly Lowside: Comes with a rigid Surly Lowside Fork.
  • Salsa Rangefinder Deore 11: Equipped with an SR Suntour XCR32 Boost fork with air suspension. The air suspension in the Rangefinder offers more adjustability and comfort compared to the rigid fork in the Lowside.
• Drivetrain
  • Surly Lowside: Single-speed with a 32t chainring and a 17t cog.
  • Salsa Rangefinder Deore 11: Features an 11-speed Shimano Deore M5100 SGS rear derailleur with an 11–51t cassette. The Rangefinder offers a broader gear range for various terrains.
• Brakes and Rotors
  • Surly Lowside: Features Tektro Hydro M275/276 brakes with Tektro 160/160mm rotors.
  • Salsa Rangefinder Deore 11: Comes with Shimano MT200 or Promax DSK-925 brakes and Shimano RT10 Center Lock rotors (160 mm). Both offer reliable stopping power, but the Rangefinder has more options.
• Wheels
  • Surly Lowside: Uses Novatec hubs with WTB ST i35 TCS rims and Maxxis Rekon+ 27.5×2.8 60tpi tires.
  • Salsa Rangefinder Deore 11: Rides on Shimano MT400 Center Lock 15 x 110 mm TA hub and WTB ST i40 32h 27.5″ rim with Maxxis Rekon 27.5 x 2.8″ tires. The Rangefinder offers a slightly narrower rim width.
• Crankset
  • Surly Lowside: Features a SRAM NX crankset with a 32t chainring.
  • Salsa Rangefinder Deore 11: Comes with an FSA Alpha Drive crankset with a 30t chainring. The Rangefinder’s crankset is designed to work with its 11-speed setup.
• Seatpost
  • Surly Lowside: Uses a 2 Bolt, 30.9mm seatpost.
  • Salsa Rangefinder Deore 11: Features a TranzX YSP18PLQ adjustable seatpost, offering more flexibility in adjusting riding position.
• Ride Feel and Geometry
  • Surly Lowside: Offers a raw, direct connection to the trail, ideal for purists who want a simple, no-frills experience.
  • Salsa Rangefinder Deore 11: Designed for a smoother, more adjustable ride, with features like air suspension and an 11-speed drivetrain enhancing comfort and versatility.