Salsa Journeyman Review

The Salsa Journeyman could be the best budget gravel bike under $1,000! Our most popular article 23 Best Gravel Bikes Under $1000 – A Complete Guide to Budget Gravel Bikes. features the Journeyman at the top of the list and it is a very popular choice in the gravel grinding and bikepacking community.

The Journeyman is a aluminium frame and carbon fork bike that weighs in at around 26 pounds or 11.8 kg. (For the Sora model) The entry level Claris is a full aluminium bike with no carbon fork. So it is not the lightest gravel bike maybe comparable to the steel built Salsa Vaya. But it has all the braze-ons and eyelets you could ever ask for. Making it a perfect bikepacking choice. You get top tube mounting, triple adventure fork capabilities, mounting options for fenders and racks, plus the usual water bottle cage mounts.

The bike comes in a number of different models and variations, which we will go through in more detail. You can get a 700c or 650b options with three different types of drivetrain options and your choice for drop or flat handlebars.

Salsa Journeyman Lineup

Starting right up the top in drivetrain quality is the Salsa Journeyman Apex 1. Now they didn’t come out with a new 2020 model for this bike and this option is the lust worthy gravel 1×11 setup. While the Claris is 2×8 and Sora is 2×9. So the Apex is available in the 700c or 650b. Featuring a SRAM Apex 1 with the XSync 40t crank and SRAM PG1130 11-42 cassette. Both option are the same except for the wheels. With the 700c option you get Teravail Cannonball 700c x 38mm Wire Bead tires which are not tubeless compatible. And the 650b has the WTB Nano 650b x 2.1″ Comp tires. So if you want wider tires your best to go with the 650b option.

The APEX 1 drive train is works flawlessly and have not heard about it drop a chain yet. Shifting is precise. It is worth noting that the gear ratios are a little two low for flats and down hill. Often potentially spinning out. You might want to consider a larger chain ring to give you more at the top end. But if you plan to do more miles on rough off road trails, or on steep climbs this drive train would be ideal. Also the WTB Nano tires are awesome off road, but slow on road. So depending on the type of riding you have planned. if you ride mostly road with some off-road then you might want to consider something like the 700c x 38mm Teravail Cannonball tires on the 700c option. The 700c bike is cheaper at $1,499.00 while the 650b comes in at $50 more for $1,549.00

Then there is the Journeyman Sora which is their 2×9 gravel bike. Featuring the Shimano Sora 9-speed. You get a FSA Vero Pro Adventure, 46/30t crank along with a SunRace 9-speed 11-34t cassette. And agin the only difference between the two 700c and 650b options is the wheels. On the 700c you get WTB Riddler 700 x 37mm Comp tires (or Teravail Cannonball tires depending where you shop) and the WTB Nano 27.5 x 2.1 Comp tires on the 650b bike.

The Sora bike is the preferred Salsa Journeyman 2020 option. It is a bike the offers versatility. Both a great gravel and commuter bike! Would be nice if it didn’t have the quick release wheels. But again it is probably one of the best budget gravel bikes and is totally worth the price! Also it is quiet a responsive bike, even the seat it came with is actually comfortable and it feels very well made, right down to the finish. It has to be one of my favourite gravel bikes at the moment. Comfortable geometry for long rides, and that carbon fork does a great job at absorbing the shock and reduce fatigue for those longer trips. 700c bike is priced at $1,199.00 while the 650b is $1,099.00 at REI.com

Also if you are after a more of a commuter style gravel bike for under $1,000 you can pick up the Salsa Journeyman Sora 650b in a flat bar option for only $899.00 at REI.com. The bike features the Salsa Salt Flat. The Flat handlebar offers excellent leverage and control, especially when riding on bumpy, loose surfaces; it also offers a more upright position than a drop-bar handlebar.

The there was the Journeyman Claris this is a 2×8 speed bike which is their lowest end model that is for that entry level gravel rider. Again this bike option is full aluminium. Features the FSA Tempo Adventure, 46/30t crank and SunRace 8-speed, 11-34t cassette. If you are on a super tight budget I would say opt for this bike, but if you want that extra gearing for steep climbing then the Sora is your go to. However this bike still rides like any high-end bike. And never feels like Salsa sacrificed quality for the price point. The 650b bike is priced at $849.00

It is also worth mentioning that quiet a few bike travellers have had the idea to use this a long distance touring bike. And frankly don’t to that with this bike. It is not made for that type of riding. Especially because it is a budget bike that is made for “gravel riding”. There is some sacrifices in great quality components to combat such a bargain of a price. And the wheels have been prone to not holding up after some time of touring. I would say it is fine for bikepacking with a lighter load then fully loaded bike touring. The 700c Claris is $949.00

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Also the Claris is available in a flat bar option for both 650b and 700c. For a super cheap price at only $699.00

Okay now that you are introduced to the Journeyman family lets talk a bit more about the bike. The best value and choice for money would be the Journeyman Sora which is best option in my opinion. One of the things I think they dud well with this bike is including the adventure drivetrain setup. This suits the bike for its intended use and is better then chucking on a road double which kind of makes no sense for a off-road gravel machine.

The bars are the Cowbell which don’t offer the most amount of flare and it might be worth it to install a more gravel bike friendly handlebar, like the Cowchippers.

One of the things people might flip out about the most with this bike is that it has quick release and not thru axle. Thru axle is pretty much the industry standard now and it is a little sad that salsa opted for the quick release on this bike. Thru axles provide better alinement and ease of wheel install when you get a flat. And they are said to also offer some more stiffness to the wheel. But to be honest it is not a deal breaker, I have been riding quick release bikes off-road for a few years now and they work just as fine in my opinion.

So the parts again are the best quality it more of a bike about function then looks and wow factor. But for the price it totally makes sense. The bike is well balanced and offers a more neutral riding feel. It is not a snappy and quick bike when it comes to racing like the Warbird. But is a little more responsive then the Cutthroat.

Overall it is a great budget bike for those looking to get started bikepacking or gravel riding off-road. And for the price you cannot go wrong!

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