Salsa Journeyer Vs Journeyman

The Salsa gravel bike bike battle! Well which bike is best? Is there even really any difference between the two? The Journeyman is the predecessor of the all new Journeyer.

They are both capable gravel bikes for adventure cycling but it seems from a first look that the Journeyer is slightly better dialled for adventuring with a more optimised geometry with a longer trail, wheelbase. But a less upright stack/reach ratio that still offers comfort for longer days in the saddle.

When it comes to price the Journeyman offers more affordable choices when it comes to components however there really is that much of a difference in price between the two.

Weight is where there is a considerable difference, The Journeyer weighing in at around 24 pounds or 10.88 kg while the journeyman is about 25.5 pounds or 11.56 kg. Taking into consideration that I was unable to find numbers for all the different specced options.

Want to compare Salsa touring bike, the Vaya with the Journeyman?

Table of Contents

Geometry In More Detail – Journeyer Vs Journeyman

Want to learn more about understanding bike geometry? Read this article which goes through all the jargon and what it means for a comfortable ride!

Geometry can play a big part in the difference of how I bike rides and feels. It is definitely something to consider when buying a bike. From taking a look at all the numbers it’s clear that the Journeyer is a more capable bike for adventure cycling when cycling with all your camping gear. making for a more stable ride.

Also take into consideration when comparing different frame sizes that the sizes for the both don’t often match up and makes it a little harder to compare, thanks to half sizes with the Journeyman. I was only able to find the size 57 cm as the same sizes for both bikes making it an easy example to use for comparison.

Want to learn more about bike geometry to better understand all these numbers below?

Salsa Journeyer Geometry by size

Bike	Journeyer 49cm	**Journeyer 51cm**	**Journeyer 53cm**	**Journeyer 55cm**	**Journeyer 57cm**	Journeyer *60cm*
Stack	510	528	552	570	598	627
Reach	366	368	372	376	387	408
Stack/Reach Ratio	1.39	1.43	1.48	1.52	1.55	1.54
Top Tube Length	493	510	530	550	570	600
Seat Tube Length	340	380	410	450	490	520
Seat Tube Angle	76	75	74	73	73	73
Head Tube Length	90	105	130	150	180	210
Head Tube Angle	68.5	69.5	69.5	69.5	69.5	69.5
BB Drop	70	70	70	70	70	70
Front Center	597	598	610	620	641	673
Chainstay Length	440	440	440	440	440	440
Wheelbase	1027	1028	1040	1050	1072	1104
Rake	50	50	50	50	50	50
Trail	76	69	70	71	70	70
Standover Height	617	652	688	724	760	807

Salsa Journeyman Geometry by size

Bike	Journeyman 50cm	Journeyman 52cm	Journeyman 54cm	Journeyman 55.5cm	Journeyman 57cm	**Journeyman 59.5cm**
Stack	528	544	567	595	624	639
Reach	364	364	367	373	379	394
Stack/Reach Ratio	1.45	1.49	1.54	1.6	1.65	1.62
Top Tube Length	500	520	540	555	570	595
Seat Tube Length	380	450	470	510	530	560
Seat Tube Angle	75.5	74	73	73	73	72.5
Head Tube Length	100	115	140	170	200	215
Head Tube Angle	70	70.5	70.5	70.5	70.5	70.5
BB Drop	72	72	72	72	72	72
Front Center	587	588	599	615	631	651
Chainstay Length	440	440	440	440	440	440
Wheelbase	1017	1018	1029	1045	1061	1081
Rake	50	50	50	50	50	50
Trail	67	64	64	64	65	65
Standover Height	666	720	742	778	801	823

What about flat bar geometry is that any different to the drop bar options? Yes there is a significant difference.

Comparing Flat bar & drop bar Journeyer Geometry

The flat bar Journeyer models come in sizes XS to XL compared to the drop bar 49cm to 60cm. The geometry as been altered to suit flat bar geometry styles with the flat bar Journeyer models.

*Salsa Journeyer Drop Bar*	Journeyer 49cm	**Journeyer 51cm**	**Journeyer 53cm**	**Journeyer 55cm**	**Journeyer 57cm**	Journeyer *60cm*
Stack	510	528	552	570	598	627
Reach	366	368	372	376	387	408
Stack/Reach Ratio	1.39	1.43	1.48	1.52	1.55	1.54
Top Tube Length	493	510	530	550	570	600
Seat Tube Length	340	380	410	450	490	520
Seat Tube Angle	76	75	74	73	73	73
Head Tube Length	90	105	130	150	180	210
Head Tube Angle	68.5	69.5	69.5	69.5	69.5	69.5
BB Drop	70	70	70	70	70	70
Front Center	597	598	610	620	641	673
Chainstay Length	440	440	440	440	440	440
Wheelbase	1027	1028	1040	1050	1072	1104
Rake	50	50	50	50	50	50
Trail	76	69	70	71	70	70
Standover Height	617	652	688	724	760	807

*Salsa Journeyer Flat Bar*	Journeyer XS	Journeyer SM	Journeyer MD	Journeyer LG	Journeyer XL
Stack	514	542	580	617	655
Reach	393	404	423	426	450
Stack/Reach Ratio	1.31	1.34	1.37	1.42	1.46
Top Tube Length	550	570	600	625	650
Seat Tube Length	340	380	450	490	530
Seat Tube Angle	73	73	73	73	73
Head Tube Length	90	120	160	200	240
Head Tube Angle	69.5	69.5	69.5	69.5	69.5
BB Drop	70	70	70	70	70
Front Center	617	638	670	698	725
Chainstay Length	440	440	440	440	440
Wheelbase	1047	1069	1101	1129	1156
Rake	50	50	50	50	50
Trail	70	69	70	69	70
Standover Height	617	664	712	760	807

Comparing Flat bar & drop bar Journeyman Geometry

Salsa Journeyman Drop Bar	Journeyman 50cm	Journeyman 52cm	Journeyman 54cm	Journeyman 55.5cm	Journeyman 57cm	**Journeyman 59.5cm**
Stack	528	544	567	595	624	639
Reach	364	364	367	373	379	394
Stack/Reach Ratio	1.45	1.49	1.54	1.6	1.65	1.62
Top Tube Length	500	520	540	555	570	595
Seat Tube Length	380	450	470	510	530	560
Seat Tube Angle	75.5	74	73	73	73	72.5
Head Tube Length	100	115	140	170	200	215
Head Tube Angle	70	70.5	70.5	70.5	70.5	70.5
BB Drop	72	72	72	72	72	72
Front Center	587	588	599	615	631	651
Chainstay Length	440	440	440	440	440	440
Wheelbase	1017	1018	1029	1045	1061	1081
Rake	50	50	50	50	50	50
Trail	67	64	64	64	65	65
Standover Height	666	720	742	778	801	823

*Salsa Journeyman Flat Bar*	Journeyman XS	Journeyman SM	Journeyman MD	Journeyman LG	Journeyman XL
Stack	529	558	586	614	638
Reach	413	420	431	442	449
Stack/Reach Ratio	1.28	1.33	1.36	1.39	1.42
Top Tube Length	565	590	610	630	650
Seat Tube Length	380	450	470	510	530
Seat Tube Angle	74	73	73	73	72.5
Head Tube Length	100	130	160	190	215
Head Tube Angle	70.5	70.5	70.5	70.5	70.5
BB Drop	72	72	72	72	72
Front Center	632	649	670	691	706
Chainstay Length	440	440	440	440	440
Wheelbase	1062	1079	1100	1121	1136
Rake	50	50	50	50	50
Trail	64	64	64	64	65
Standover Height	660	719	741	777	797

When it comes to build quality the bikes vary as they offer a multitude of different build options which can make it rather difficult when it comes to comparing.

Salsa Journeyer Models Compared

Journeyman Claris 650

Journeyer Flat Bar Acolyte 650b

Journeyer Flat Bar Altus 650b

Journeyer Flat Bar Acolyte 700c

Journeyer Flat Bar Altus 700c

Journeyer Advent 650b

Journeyer Claris 700c

Journeyer Claris 650b

Journeyer Advent 700c

Journeyer Flat Bar Deore 700c

Journeyer Flat Bar Deore 650b

Journeyer Sora 650b

Journeyer Sora 700c

Journeyer Apex 1 650b

Journeyer Apex 1 700c

Journeyer GRX 600 700c

Journeyer GRX 600 650b

Journeyer GRX 810 650b

Journeyer GRX 810 700c

MSRP

$949

$999

$1,099

$1,199

$1,499

$1,799

$2,399

$2,799

Salsa Journeyman Models Compared

	Journeyman Flat Bar Claris 650	Journeyman Flat Bar Claris 700	Journeyman Claris 650	Journeyman Sora 700	Journeyman Sora 650
MSRP	$949	$949	$949	$1,199	$1,199
Category	Gravel	Gravel	Gravel	Gravel	Gravel
Weight	27.3 lbs	26.0 lbs	27.0 lbs	24.6 lbs	26.0 lbs
Frame	Aluminum	Aluminum	Aluminum	Aluminum	Aluminum
Fork	Carbon	Carbon	Carbon	Carbon	Carbon
Wheels	Aluminum	Aluminum	Aluminum	Aluminum	Aluminum
Wheel Size	650b	700c	650b	700c	650b
Brake Type	Mechanical Disc	Mechanical Disc	Mechanical Disc	Mechanical Disc	Mechanical Disc
Groupset	Claris, FSA	Claris, FSA	Claris, FSA	Sora, FSA	Sora, FSA
Drivetrain	2 × 8	2 × 8	2 × 8	2 × 9	2 × 9
Frame	Journeyman Flat Bar	Journeyman Flat Bar	Journeyman Drop Bar	Journeyman Drop Bar	Journeyman Drop Bar
Fork	Fantail Fork with Three-Pack Mounts	Fantail Fork with Three-Pack Mounts	Fantail Fork with Three-Pack Mounts	Fantail Deluxe Carbon Fork with Three-Pack Mounts	Fantail Deluxe Fork with Three-Pack Mounts
Bottom Bracket	68mm BSA	68mm BSA	68mm BSA	68mm BSA	68mm BSA
Headset	VP Sealed Bearing	VP Sealed Bearing	VP Sealed Bearing	VP sealed bearing	VP sealed bearing
Stem	Salsa Guide	Salsa Guide	Salsa Guide	Salsa Guide	Salsa Guide
Handlebar	Salsa Salt Flat	Salsa Salt Flat	Salsa Cowbell	Salsa Cowbell	Salsa Cowbell
Saddle	WTB Volt Sport 142	WTB Volt Sport 142	WTB Volt Sport 142	WTB Volt Sport 142	WTB Volt Sport 142
Seatpost	27.2 x 350mm	27.2 x 350mm	27.2 x 350mm	27.2 x 350mm	27.2 x 350mm
Grips	Salsa File Tread	Salsa File Tread	Salsa Gel Cork Bar Tape	Salsa Gel Cork Bar Tape	Salsa Gel Cork Bar Tape
Rear Derailleur	Shimano Claris GS 8-speed	Shimano Claris GS 8 SPD	Shimano Claris GS 8-speed	Shimano Sora 9-speed	Shimano Sora 9-speed
Front Derailleur	Shimano Claris	Shimano Claris	Shimano Claris	Shimano Sora	Shimano Sora
Crank	FSA Tempo Adventure, 46/30t	FSA Tempo Adventure, 46/30t	FSA Tempo Adventure, 46/30t	FSA Vero Pro Adventure, 46/30t	FSA Vero Pro Adventure, 46/30t
Shifters	Shimano Claris	Shimano Claris	Shimano Claris	Shimano Sora	Shimano Sora
Cassette	Sunrace, 11-34t	Sunrace, 11-34t	SunRace 8-speed, 11-34t	Sunrace 9-speed, 11-34t	SunRace 9-speed 11-34t
Chain	KMC X8	KMC X8	KMC X8	KMC X9	KMC X9
Brakes	Promax DSK-330R flat mount 160mm	Promax DSK-330R Flat Mount 160 mm	Promax DSK-330R flat mount 160mm	Promax DSK-330R flat mount 160mm	Promax DSK-330R flat mount 160 mm
Rims	Formula, 32h, 100mm, WTB STP i23 TCS 650b, 2.0mm spokes, brass nipples	Formula, 32h, 100mm, WTB STP i19 TCS 700c, 2.0mm spokes, brass nipples	Formula, 32h, 100mm, WTB STP i23 TCS 650b, 2.0mm spokes, brass nipples	Formula, 32h, 100mm, WTB STP i19 TCS 700c, 2.0mm spokes, brass nipples	Formula, 32h, 100mm, WTB STP i23 TCS 650b, 2.0mm spokes, brass nipples
Tires	WTB Nano 27.5 x 2.1″ Comp	WTB Riddler 700 x 37mm Comp	WTB Nano 27.5 x 2.1″ Comp	WTB Riddler 700 x 37mm Comp	WTB Nano 27.5 x 2.1 Comp
Disk Rotors	Promax DSK-330R flat mount 160mm	Promax DSK-330R Flat Mount 160 mm	Promax DSK-330R flat mount 160mm	Promax DSK-330R flat mount 160mm	Promax DSK-330R flat mount 160 mm

View Salsa Journeyer Prices at REI

About The Author

codey

Codey Orgill, a seasoned bicycle adventurer, has been exploring the world on two wheels for over 10 years. Since embarking on his initial cycling journey, Codey Orgill has traversed numerous countries, experiencing a series of epic adventures.

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