Any one have any experience with this bike?

[bigreen505]

Hey freakshow! Your measurements are very close to mine, though your inseam is about an inch longer. I tend to fit bikes based on top tube and head tube more than seat tube, so I run a pretty standard frame size with a tall head tube. Road bike is a 56 with an 18 cm head tube, last bike, which I loved was an XXL compact which is essentially a 56 with a 57 top tube and 20 cm head tube. On a standard 56 I have 7-9" of bar drop. My mountain bike is a 18" and I have some spacers on the fork with 2" riser bars, which still gives about 5" of bar drop. Let me know if you want to ride either while you are in town.

 

[1speed]

Well if you still have them come spring, I may be interested. This current bike search is inspired by me wanting to build something similar to what I was riding in the late '80s. Namely a sharp handling, rigid, steel frame setup. A vintage salsa would hit the nail on the head assuming they are affordable. Are they just frames?

I haven't made any effort to sell them so far so they may be available in the spring. I think they are all 05 or 06 models.
1 xl Ala Carte with steel fork, this color: http://www.fullcycles.com/images/Salsa_Ala_Carte.jpg

1 22" Jaun Solo, frame only: http://www.ykkbikes.com/files/05_JuanSolo_580.jpg

1 22" El Santo, frame only: http://photos5.flickr.com/5141117_d87deb2369_m.jpg

For now I also still have 3 05 Manitou Minute 2 100mm forks. Again I have made no effort to sell any of it but I am due a garage cleaning soon!

 

[upcruiser]

Hey freakshow! Your measurements are very close to mine, though your inseam is about an inch longer. I tend to fit bikes based on top tube and head tube more than seat tube, so I run a pretty standard frame size with a tall head tube. Road bike is a 56 with an 18 cm head tube, last bike, which I loved was an XXL compact which is essentially a 56 with a 57 top tube and 20 cm head tube. On a standard 56 I have 7-9" of bar drop. My mountain bike is a 18" and I have some spacers on the fork with 2" riser bars, which still gives about 5" of bar drop. Let me know if you want to ride either while you are in town.

Ha ha ha, hey, us gangly, out of proportioned, bipedals need to stick together! Yeah, I need to really explore the world of taller stems/bars. Same with my road bike too.

We should definately meetup to ride sometime, I'm back to CO again this Wednesday after a week off. Only issue is I have zero free time plus I'm going to be heading right up to Aspen for the big event this weekend. Butt.... Maybe this spring when I make my annual Utah pilgrimage via CO we can catch up for a ride. I'd actually have my bike with me then anyway.

 

[upcruiser]

I haven't made any effort to sell them so far so they may be available in the spring. I think they are all 05 or 06 models.
1 xl Ala Carte with steel fork, this color: http://www.fullcycles.com/images/Salsa_Ala_Carte.jpg

1 22" Jaun Solo, frame only: http://www.ykkbikes.com/files/05_JuanSolo_580.jpg

1 22" El Santo, frame only: http://photos5.flickr.com/5141117_d87deb2369_m.jpg

For now I also still have 3 05 Manitou Minute 2 100mm forks. Again I have made no effort to sell any of it but I am due a garage cleaning soon!

The Ala Cart would be killer but it sounds like an XL will be too big for my specs. Especially if it is true that Salsas tend to run a little big.

 

[Cackalak Han]

Those El Mar's are nice!! You should also check out a single speed version, if you're into de-blingified rides. I love my single speed. I have a Redline Monocog, but sometimes wish I would've gone with a Monocog Flight. Very nice bike at a very nice price.

 

[1speed]

The Ala Cart would be killer but it sounds like an XL will be too big for my specs. Especially if it is true that Salsas tend to run a little big.

If you are interested later I'll measure it up for you. I'm 6'3" with a 36" inseam and it was actually on the verge of being too small for me. Sweet riding frame though. It was half the reason I went to the Q Ball steel 29er's, love that steel!

 

[upcruiser]

Those El Mar's are nice!! You should also check out a single speed version, if you're into de-blingified rides. I love my single speed. I have a Redline Monocog, but sometimes wish I would've gone with a Monocog Flight. Very nice bike at a very nice price.

I'm actually in the process of building a single speed out of my old Mongoose IBOC Team. I'm even using a rigid fork on it, its going to be super light but probably going to shake my teeth out since it is such a brutally stiff frame.

 

[upcruiser]

If you are interested later I'll measure it up for you. I'm 6'3" with a 36" inseam and it was actually on the verge of being too small for me. Sweet riding frame though. It was half the reason I went to the Q Ball steel 29er's, love that steel!

Hmm, interesting, that might be good standover-wise but maybe at the expense of length in the top tube. I'm curious to see what it measures out to if you check it out.

 

[Northern Explorer]

I swear there was more passion in riding for me prior to the advent of suspension and all the bling thats out there today. I guess I'm thinkig of going back to something simpler again.

You've really been in an anti-bling mood lately. It's kind of getting me down. Just kidding.

 

[upcruiser]

You've really been in an anti-bling mood lately. It's kind of getting me down. Just kidding.

Its just a phase I swear! I won't be running the UP Overland Trip next year in a bare bones, topless Willy's, not yet anyway.