Updated: 19th March 2024
Rev up your sense of adventure because we’re about to dive into the gritty world of the fastest gravel racing bikes, starting with the trailblazer itself: the Salsa Warbird. This pioneer burst onto the scene in 2012, and while it had more grit than a cyclocross bike, it hadn’t quite sprouted the full gravel bike features it’s now renowned for. Over the years, it’s morphed through a parade of styles and variations, each more exciting than the last.
At the heart of the Warbird is a sleek, high-modulus carbon fiber frameset that’s as ready for the race as you are. Built with the rigors of gravel in mind, the Warbird is your ticket to conquering the chaos with control, comfort, and a need for speed when the terrain gets tough. Dreaming of dusting the competition at the Dirty Kanza 200 or gliding through a cyclocross circuit? This is your steed of choice.
But it’s not just for the racecourse; this bike is a champ over diverse bikepacking terrains, too. Decked out with plenty of mounting points for all your gear (hello, top tube, and fork braze-ons!), the Warbird is more than capable of shouldering your load. Just bear in mind that this beauty is a full carbon fiber affair, right down to its Waxwing Carbon fork, making it one of the lightest carbon touring bikes on the market!
And here’s the kicker – the Warbird’s Vibration Reduction System, or VRS, is like having your own personal suspension system that whispers, “Bring it on!” to the rough patches. With seat stays that flex just enough to soften the blows and chainstays that keep things tight and right under power, this system is the unsung hero behind the comfortable, zippy, and surefooted ride that defines the Warbird’s gravel racing DNA.
Our Verdict
The Salsa Warbird has consistently impressed bike testers with its dynamic performance, described as “so lively and quick,” yet remarkably “comfy and surefooted” even when laden with water bottles and bike bags. Its ability to effortlessly tackle gravel, transforming the roughest terrains into smooth rides, underscores its design excellence.
Riders note a significant increase in speed and comfort compared to some gravel bikes, praising its stability, predictability, and the planted feel it maintains across various surfaces. Salsa’s ingenuity shines in bridging the gap between the agility of road bikes and the endurance required for long-distance adventures. Since its inception in 2012, the Warbird has effectively addressed the limitations of cyclocross bikes for extended events, securing its position as a leader in gravel bike racing.
Beyond its racing capabilities, the Warbird can also excel in bikepacking, offering ample storage solutions for every adventure need. With features like top tube bag bosses, low rider rack mounts, and fender mounts, it’s equipped to carry gear efficiently, making it the ultimate gravel grinder for racers and adventurers alike.
The Salsa Warbird boasts one of the most impressive cargo capacities among gravel bikes, with four water bottle cage mounts on the frame for sizes 56cm and up, ready to quench your thirst on long rides.
Gravel racers will revel in the Warbird’s geometry, designed with a relaxed angle that brings unmatched stability, particularly on those tricky, uncertain terrains.
Step up to vibrancy with the new models, which flaunt a fresh palette of colors and are kitted out with top-of-the-line Shimano spec, premier gravel-specific component group sets.
Each fork leg comes equipped with three mounts, transforming your Warbird into a veritable camel, capable of carrying ample water and gear to sustain you for extensive bouts of off-road exploration.
And for the dropper post enthusiasts, the Warbird doesn’t skimp. It’s fully compatible with 1x or Di2 setups, adding versatility to your ride.
With internally sleeved cable routing, say goodbye to cable grime and rattling distractions. Enjoy the serene hum of the open trails, where your ride is as quiet as the surrounding landscapes.
Rounding off the upgrades are ergonomically crafted brake levers, ensuring your grip remains firm and your control steadfast, no matter the rough roads or inclement weather you encounter.
The Salsa Warbird On Road
At its core, the Salsa Warbird is a marvel of engineering, designed to dominate the road with speed and agility. It thrives on the tarmac, where its racing-inspired geometry and lightweight construction come to life, offering riders an exhilarating experience that’s hard to match. This bike’s essence is its unparalleled ability to combine road bike efficiency with the ruggedness of a gravel adventurer.
Despite its road-optimized design, the Warbird effortlessly transitions to off-road terrain, making it an exceptional choice for riders looking for versatility. Its capability to accommodate wider tires adds a layer of comfort and control on gravel paths, ensuring that bikepacking adventures aren’t just possible but enjoyable. This adaptability does not detract from its road performance but instead enhances it, providing a smooth ride across a variety of surfaces.
The Warbird stands out for its thoughtful balance, bringing together the best of both worlds: the precision and speed of road cycling with the adventurous spirit of gravel bikepacking. It’s not merely about having a bike that can do it all—it’s about having a bike that excels in every scenario it encounters.
The Salsa Warbird For Bikepacking
If speed is what you’re after, even when you’re loaded up with camping gear, then the Warbird is your perfect match. It fits snugly into the niche of gravel bikepacking, offering a swift ride to your next adventure spot! Coming up, we’ll dive deeper into just how the Warbird manages to blend race-ready agility with comfort, a combination you might not expect from a bike with such a competitive edge.
In essence, the Warbird strikes an ideal balance for those seeking a ride that marries velocity with endurance comfort, making it a solid choice for extensive bikepacking journeys where both speed and comfort are key.
Is The Salsa Warbird Comfortable?
The Warbird’s stack-to-reach ratio is a standout feature, offering an unexpectedly upright riding position for enhanced comfort. This design lessens the strain on your back during those lengthy rides. Medium sizes boast a ratio of about 1.53, which is relatively more upright compared to other gravel bikes in its class. Additionally, the head tube angle of the Warbird is relaxed, bearing a resemblance to the numbers seen on the Cutthroat.
Taking the Cutthroat as a benchmark for on-bike comfort—since it’s the go-to for long-distance, bikepacking comfort—the Warbird’s shorter chainstay and wheelbase suggest a trade-off in comfort. This design could potentially affect how planted the bike feels, especially when loaded with gear, thus influencing the overall comfort during the ride.
While the Warbird accommodates tires up to 47 mm, this may seem somewhat restrictive in an era where gravel bikes are increasingly equipped with wider tires for extra plushness and comfort. This limitation is a subtle nod to the Warbird’s focus on speed and performance but does place it a step behind when it comes to the very pinnacle of comfort on rough terrain.
How Much Does A Salsa Warbird Weight?
The weight of your Salsa Warbird will vary based on the model you choose. The entry-level 2024 model tips the scales at approximately 21 pounds or 9.53 kilograms.
Meanwhile, aficionados of premium builds have recorded weights close to 19 pounds and 12 ounces, or 8.95 kilograms.
In our quest to uncover the lightest carbon touring bikes, the Warbird’s highest-end offering came out on top, weighing a mere 18.2 pounds or 8.26 kilograms.
What is the maximum tire width for the Salsa Warbird?
The Warbird frame is versatile enough to accommodate tires up to 700c x 47mm or 650b x 2.1 inches. For optimal performance, it’s advised to select the wheel size that aligns with your riding preferences or consider having a secondary wheelset on standby for diverse terrains. While there are suggestions that a 50 mm tire might fit in the front, sticking to a maximum of 45 mm in the rear is generally recommended for the best balance and fit.
What Size Salsa Warbird Do I Need? (Warbird Geometry and Sizing)
The Warbird races ahead in the gravel bike lineup with seven robust frame sizes: 49, 52.5, 54.5, 56, 57.5, 59, 61, ensuring even the tallest riders can find their perfect match for gravel racing thrills.
- 49cm: Suitable for riders 4’7″ – 5’2″ (140 – 157 cm)
- 52.5cm: Suitable for riders 5’1″ – 5’5″ (155 – 165 cm)
- 54.5cm: Suitable for riders 5’3″ – 5’9″ (160 – 175 cm)
- 56cm: Suitable for riders 5’6″ – 5’11” (168 – 180 cm)
- 57.5cm: Suitable for riders 5’10” – 6’3″ (178 – 190 cm)
- 59cm: Suitable for riders 6’0″ – 6’4″ (182 – 193 cm)
- 61cm: Suitable for riders 6’2″ and taller (188 cm and taller)
Designed with the gravel racer in mind, the Warbird’s geometry is crafted to keep you comfortably in the saddle for hours, cruising over rumbly backroads and skittering gravel with less fatigue.
Zooming in on the stats for the 56 cm frame as an illustrative snapshot, we find a harmonious blend of angles and measurements: a head tube angle of 70.8 degrees, a seat tube angle of 73 degrees, a bottom bracket drop of 70mm, chainstays stretching 430mm, topped with a stack of 585mm and a reach of 381mm, culminating in a stack-to-reach ratio of 1.53. All this rests on a wheelbase of 1,038mm.
The bike’s low-slung bottom bracket and generous wheelbase lay the foundation for stability, ensuring tires grip the ground for confident handling. A lengthy top tube paired with a shorter stem promises poise and control at exhilarating speeds and on wild descents.
While its angles hint at a bias towards gravel racing—the Warbird’s natural habitat—don’t be fooled; it’s more than capable of carrying you through starlit bikepacking escapades and beyond.
Warbird Compared to other gravel bikes
Comparing the geometry of the Warbird and other characteristics of this bike to other gravel bikes like the Cutthroat, also in Salsa’s lineup, we can see where the Warbird fits.
We are working on as much value as we possibly can to the adventure cycling community and this means more and more content. We are working on extensive and helpful guides comparing many other models to the Warbird so stay tuned for whats to come!
Salsa Warbird Or Cutthroat
We’ve put together a thorough comparison of these two bikes below. However, if you’re short on time, here’s our distilled verdict:
The Warbird shines as the preferred choice for gravel racing, fireroad adventures, and road cycling, thanks to its racing-tuned geometry and a marginally lighter frame. Moreover, it sports 700c wheels, which differ from the Cutthroat’s 29″ ones.
On the other hand, Salsa gears the Cutthroat towards ultra-endurance rides on mixed terrains and bikepacking exploits, drawing inspiration from the grueling Tour Divide race.
It stands out as a superior bikepacking contender, offering a more upright riding posture, an extended wheelbase, and a ride quality that’s stable and reassuring.
Comparing Salsa Warbird Models
For 2024 there are three new models that we will take a look at and compare for your convenience. Also keep in mind that if you want more affordable options and don’t mind opting for a model a few years older your might have some luck purchasing second hand or you might still find some limited stock for sale new!
Warbird C GRX 820 | Warbird C GX Eagle AXS | Warbird C Force AXS Wide | |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $4,499 | $5,299 | $6,999 |
| Category | Gravel | Gravel | Gravel |
| Spec Level | 6.2 | 7.4 | 8.5 |
| Frame | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon |
| Fork | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon |
| Wheels | Aluminum | Aluminum | Carbon |
| Wheel Size | 700c | 650b | 700c |
| Clearance | 47c | 47c | 47c |
| Brakes | Hydraulic Disc | Hydraulic Disc | Hydraulic Disc |
| Groupset | GRX 800 | GX Eagle AXS, Rival AXS | Force eTap |
| Drivetrain | 2 × 12 | 1 × 12 Electronic | 2 × 12 Electronic |
| Gear Range | 24″ to 121″ | 23″ to 117″ | 23″ to 120″ |
At a glance, most bikes might seem strikingly similar in their construction. However, the differences become apparent in the specifics, such as the groupsets, wheels, and, for those eyeing the premium models, the addition of carbon components like handlebars and seatposts.
Beyond these distinctions, you might notice the bike geometries appear nearly identical. Yet, an interesting compatibility feature they all share is with the Salsa Wanderlust Rack, assuming you have the Salsa Rack-Lock seat collar at hand. So, while the foundation may seem uniform, each bike has its unique touches that set it apart.
Salsa Warbird Carbon 2020
$2,599.00
Pros
- One the best gravel bikes for cargo capacity
- More slacker gravel racing geometry
- 100 grams lighter frame
- Ergonomically designed brake levers
Cons
- Hard to find any
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