Hi Neil. Bikepacking collective member here. Turned 50 this year and needed a challenge. So, I bought this exact bike a month ago intent on riding the CO Trail in July. I swapped the seat, grips and brakes (RSC), otherwise stock. Love the tire combo as well. Doing first of 2 shakedown trips tomorrow to dial in my setup. I have noticed the paint scatches from my bags, but I was really wanting to skip all the protection this time. I am a MN flatlander, so was going to drop down to 28t closer to the trip. Thanks for all the videos, they really help and inspire.
@BIKEPACKINGcom
3 жыл бұрын
Sorry for the delay in replying here. Normally I would say no Hardtail (HT) for the Colorado Trail but after riding the Timberjack on some really challenging terrain, I no longer have those feelings, it's a great bike for the trail. Solid upgrades! Yeah, a little helicopter tape goes a long way and it's not that challenging to install. I'm doing the Colorado Trail in July also, I think I'm going to roll a 28 or 30t. I ran a 28t in 2014, that was before eagle and I got by, so I'm leaning towards 30t. Please feel free to reach out to me personally @neil_beltchenko on Twitter or Insta if you have any other questions regarding the CT. Thanks for being a collective member and thanks for the support!
@atassisamer
2 жыл бұрын
I am also thinking about buying this bike. How does it handle gravel terrain?
@Adventuregirl96
Жыл бұрын
I also bought a Timberjack and I want to use it with my husband to ride the CO Trail. Would love to hear how your trip went.
@notpablo8369
3 ай бұрын
@@BIKEPACKINGcomwren suspension review please
@chasingbirds3073
2 жыл бұрын
Mine just arrived today! Can't wait to test it out.
@Terminado907
3 жыл бұрын
Hey Neil! Stoked all in all to hear this review of the bike. Alaskan single track tends to be flown and rooty (not a lot of need for full-squish), and I was hoping my next trail bike could also be a sweet bike packing steed, so I ended up with this exact build. As a hardtail devotee I'm used to keeping pace with much squishier bikes on the downs, but even so I've been astounded by the degree of confidence it's enabled on local features I've hardly ridden before. Definitely looking forward to upgrading wheels, bar, and cranks in the future, but for now I'm loving the stock setup and getting stoked for "shredpacking".
@BIKEPACKINGcom
3 жыл бұрын
So awesome to hear, it’s an awesome bike, enjoy that majestic summer you have up there!
@hart5745
3 жыл бұрын
I'm planning a very similar trip to yours on a very similar bike. I would love to see a full gearlist video about how you packed the hardtail. It looks like you went pretty minimalist with your pack setup so I'd love to see what you brought. Thanks!
@silviopefratte
3 жыл бұрын
Well... thank you very much, now I want a new bike! 😩🤤
@guacamolesurf
Ай бұрын
That happens to me all the time!!! 😅
@TheArizonaHooligan
3 жыл бұрын
I just purchased a Timberjack, two days ago actually, and I can't wait to take her on her first bikepacking adventure. My question is this: what rack would you recommend for this bike? My Trek 920 came with front and rear racks so that was a no-brainer. Thank you for your suggestions. I love your channel and your website. Keep up the amazing work.
@JaredCurrent
3 жыл бұрын
Did the CT last year on the 2020 it's definitely a rowdy hard tail.
@racerx8410712
3 жыл бұрын
12 spd GX: 10-52/30F=16.35 GI, FL=.58 FH= 3.00 T/MPH@90=19mph, E=520% AGS%: large. Cassette weight: Medium/Heavy. 12 spd Rival 10-36/22F=17.20 GI, FL=.61 FH= 2.2 T/MPH@100=15mph, E=360%, AGS%: small. Cassette weight: light. Better ground clearance. Better shifting via smaller ramps. Sorry, just thinking out loud about a different drivetrain scenario. I personally would use a 2x to have the best of both worlds.
@notpablo8369
3 ай бұрын
Wren suspension review please
@Dukster9000
2 ай бұрын
HEY Salsa, release this bike without alternator but with a UDH and I buy it yesterday!!!
@TheyForcedMyHandLE
Жыл бұрын
I think more of these hardtails need to have sliding dropout options and at least a threaded boss on each chainstay down by the axle for racks. I'm surprised a company like Salsa didn't include the latter. It would have been super easy to integrate bosses into their dropout hanger design.
@jaybriault
Жыл бұрын
i found one just got it yesterday at revolution cycle in edmonton alberta.😁
@owensnicholas
3 жыл бұрын
Me: ‘Hey, maybe I’ll try bikepacking.’ My bike, seeing all the rust on this one: ‘I…trust you?’
@dekeandrew3596
3 жыл бұрын
This is so nicely done. Thank you very much!
@BIKEPACKINGcom
3 жыл бұрын
🤘🏼
@Cannon.EyeCare.Seattle
Жыл бұрын
Any chance you guys could review the Timberjack Ti? I'd love to hear your take on the differences before I invest in my next steed.
@michelemize
3 жыл бұрын
I have the 27.5 version of this bike set to the short chain stay position, and I love it. The one thing I really need to change though is the bars. I need something with more sweep and maybe rise. What bar specs would you recommend that would make the bike more comfortable on longer rides yet not go so far that it compromises trail and single track performance?
@BIKEPACKINGcom
3 жыл бұрын
I believe that bike comes with either 25mm or 35m rise depending on size, so the rise might not be the issue but rather the sweep. I would look for a bar with more backsweep. The Salsa Rustler has 11degree back sweep. I find that to be a nice balance, between still maintaining the trail feel while being comfortable.
@outbackwack368
3 жыл бұрын
I'm still vacillating between a Cutthroat and a hardtail. I really enjoy mountain biking and really like my current Intense Primer. We'll be traveling full-time in the near future and will need to go to a 1 bike option. I'm caught between a hardtail and full-suspension with a 2nd set of road wheels for it... but I dig the Cutthroat... Thanks!!!
@marksandoval5361
3 жыл бұрын
I think that the ultimate one bike to do it all would be the 120f/120r full-suspension Transition Spur short-travel 29er. Add a second wheelset mounted up with a set of semi-slick Gravel tires which roll fast on pavement. You end up with an extremely capable Mountain bike that can be quickly converted to a very fast-rolling Gravel bike. I currently ride a full-sus XC bike mounted up with 700x43 Gravel tires which is surprisingly fast on pavement and hardpack but still performs well on rough loose gravel and easier singletrack. Gravel tires with a smooth center section like the WTB Byway roll nearly as fast as Road tires.
@chrisrebbeck
3 жыл бұрын
Love the look I of the cutthroat
@BIKEPACKINGcom
3 жыл бұрын
I guess it all depends on the riding you find yourself doing. Now that I have some time on this bike and re-introduced myself to the HT, it's an adequate tool for so many types of riding. I love the Cutthroat also but if you find yourself on more singletrack, I'm not sure you could go wrong with a hardtail.
@BIKEPACKINGcom
3 жыл бұрын
@@marksandoval5361 Wow, would love to see a photo of that bike!
@outbackwack368
3 жыл бұрын
@@marksandoval5361 Y, my Primer is 140F/130R and locked out I can easily hit 20+ mph on full knobbies. I really like the bike but there is NO room in the triangle due to the shock layout. I'll have to check out the Spur. Thanks!
@angelaparton2489
2 жыл бұрын
Hi Neil. I see you loaded up your dropper seat with an under seat bag. I have been told that that could destroy the seat mechanics. I use a 15L ortlieb seat bag which carries quite a bit. I am looking at the Salsa GX Eagle for bikepacking for just all the reasons you mentioned. I would like to reduce it's weight. I suspect wheels and handle bar would give me the best options. Any suggestions on wheels?
@mountainbikeondemand
6 ай бұрын
Can you run the short chainstay setting with twenty nine inch wheels?
@lucaneuburg976
2 жыл бұрын
Hello, nice review! Would you describe the frame to be more on the harsh or complaint side of scale for being an alu frame? I will buy a new hardtail frame soon and I was thinking about steel, but this TJ has ALL the geo and spec features I would like to be in a frame.... I am just hoping it has a good ride quality for all day long tours..
@jaybriault
Жыл бұрын
hard to find been looking for a med frame timberjack or a rangefinder cant find any here in alberta
@HollyBoni
3 жыл бұрын
How are those DHFs for long days in the saddle? Do they feel noticeably slower (i'm thinking really noticeable, not saving seconds on KOMs 😁) compared to less aggressive XC-y tyres, or are they not that bad?
@BIKEPACKINGcom
3 жыл бұрын
They are slower but I got used to it and it was not something that frustrated me. If you are riding more road I would consider maybe just upgrading to a Rekon front tire and saving the Minion DHF for more singletrack focused rides.
@leerowe7599
3 жыл бұрын
What bar bag & harness is on the bike in the vid, looks neat and tidy and a good lightweight set up, TIA
@pulex73
2 жыл бұрын
Hey, i have 2 questions: Whats that bag in the front? Is it diy? And why would i prefer a hardtail vs. a gravel bike for traveling?
@BIKEPACKINGcom
2 жыл бұрын
It's the Outsershell Harness - outershell.com/shop/stuff-sack-harness With a Revelate Designs Pronghorn drybag. - www.revelatedesigns.com/index.cfm/store.catalog/Handlebar/pronghorndrybag Because the geometry not only supports a bikepacking load better, but it also creates a more comfortable overall ride. It all excels ins most terrain, from rocky singletrack to pavement. Hardtails are rad!
@limestone_xyz
3 жыл бұрын
the rust on this chain
@singlespeedissimo22
3 жыл бұрын
Hi Neil. What do you think about building up the Timberjack frame with a 120mm fork to steepen a bit the geo? Do you think it still works fine and make it less aggressive and more xc-er?
@roblootens2994
3 жыл бұрын
I just picked up a 2019 to use for bikepacking. I'm debating on an alternator plus rack or bedrock black dragon? Recommendations? Thanks!
@hardmtnbiker
3 жыл бұрын
Does the new alternator drop out let you run a 142mm axle hub? Especially nice for SS hubs but also for getting life out of geared hubs too.BTW that’s the same tire combo I currently run on i35mm rims and CushCore.
@BIKEPACKINGcom
3 жыл бұрын
No, you can't run a non-boost wheelset on this bike.
@hardmtnbiker
3 жыл бұрын
@@BIKEPACKINGcom actually this Alternator 2 is also compatible with 142x12 too. It’s a very similar system that I have on my Esker Hayduke and Japhy frames. Here are the specs salsacycles.com/files/tech/17702_SAL_Alternator_2.0_INST_VF_.pdf
@jeremywesterman251
3 жыл бұрын
Nice video and especially nice bike! I got interested in this bike because I thought it is the optimal MTB-Bikepacking bike, but now were you have compared the new one to the older version I’m wondering if not the older one is better for that Job because I primarily wanted it for bikepacking and not for going down mountains or even trails and the frame geometry of the newer one looks to me more like trail riding than “nice mountain biking”... Please correct me if i’m wrong, because I would like it not to be the case! ;)
@BIKEPACKINGcom
3 жыл бұрын
Still a wonderful bikepacking bike, nothing bikepacking centric then was taken away except the frame bag space. I found it to be simply more stable and more fun. If I were you I would move that alternator plate to the shorter position if you don’t plan on riding much trail.
@LenaCourtney
Жыл бұрын
Where can I get that frame bag??
@shamrock4840
Жыл бұрын
Dynamite review - this vs the chameleon?
@cypriano8763
2 жыл бұрын
kona honzo cr, good bikepacking hardtail
@ryanznamierowski214
2 жыл бұрын
What bars did you put on this? Are they salsa guides? Also, wheelset or Front fork, which would you upgrade first on this?
@BIKEPACKINGcom
2 жыл бұрын
Yep, guide 35, I think with 10* rise. I would update wheelset first.
@ryanznamierowski214
2 жыл бұрын
@@BIKEPACKINGcom I just bought the SLX build, and added the same bars in the cart, glad we were on the same wavelength lol. What’re your thoughts on the RockShox 35 Silver TK Air, 130mm that some of the lower builds come with?
@michaelsher9083
3 жыл бұрын
Any thoughts on the 27.5?
@sethmcfarland1083
3 жыл бұрын
What is that handlebar harness you are running? I have a 2018 timberjack with I9 wheels and a rogue panda frame bag.
@BIKEPACKINGcom
3 жыл бұрын
Outershell harness, it’s my fav right now. outershell.com/shop/stuff-sack-harness
@rosshughes5060
3 жыл бұрын
What grips did you switch too from the stock? Are those the Ergon GA3?
@BIKEPACKINGcom
3 жыл бұрын
Correct.
@erics9214
3 жыл бұрын
Sorry, disappointed to see the changes to the Timberjack. Looks like they've gone with a more single-track/race oriented geometry. I had considered the previous model to be one of the best multi-purpose and long distance bikepacking bikes out there, especially for the price. I'm sure it will still work well for those purposes, but a reduction in the triangle, and therefor the frame bag size, is not a welcome change. The Recon is a good bikepacking tire. The Minion DHF is kind of heavy, slow rolling, and overkill, but easily swapped out.
@MrFrescocotone
Жыл бұрын
Great bike but really overshooting for a bikepacking bike
@BIKEPACKINGcom
Жыл бұрын
No way, this is a prefect bikepacking bike. Still efficient and very grounded when loaded. I even think it could be more fun if it had a slightly slacker head tube and longer front center.
@MrFrescocotone
Жыл бұрын
@@BIKEPACKINGcom I guess depends where you are going bikepacking then, maybe in forests
@christopherjacquez8605
6 ай бұрын
For bike packing might as well get a priority 600x lol chains and derailer are old tech
@HenchickHarrigan
6 ай бұрын
Pinion Gates drive is nice, but have you ever actually rode a 600x? It's like riding a beach cruiser. Van Duzer is just a freak of nature taking that thing on the CT.
@aslexon
Жыл бұрын
I respect you biking, but from a hiker perspective that really tears up a hiking trail.
@BIKEPACKINGcom
Жыл бұрын
For folks trying to understand your comment, can you explain what you are talking about?
@Chicago_Bikepacker
Жыл бұрын
Definitely no lightweight
@marksandoval5361
3 жыл бұрын
Kind of a waste to do a review of bike that you have done a boatload of expensive upgrades. I would have preferred a review of the stock bike.
@BIKEPACKINGcom
3 жыл бұрын
Mark, good morning. Miles will be doing a written review in coming weeks on the XT build. Keep an eye out on Bikepacking.com. Thanks for watching, have a wonderful day.
@billmondock3558
3 жыл бұрын
In these cases, read between the lines. The handlebars are heavy, the wheels are specced for this price range bike and the crank is specced like the wheels. Essentially, he gave that review.
@brettfoster6786
3 жыл бұрын
He changed everything but the frame fork and seat post . $$$ . I don’t have that much money to lose. It’s a impressive bike after the changes. . 4K $$$
@troycarpenter3675
3 жыл бұрын
@@billmondock3558 I was thinking exactly. He basically replaced what he didn't care for then reviewed his upgraded version. It's really two reviews if you feel like wasting time thinking through the one that's hidden 🤔
@StudQBeefpile
Жыл бұрын
Significant numbers of people watching this video and considering a purchase of this bike are beyond amateur/newbie MTBers and are likely to be making similar revisions to the bike components because they have the experience to know what components they like and prefer and what works for the terrain they ride. While you might not select the exact same component swaps he did, you'd probably be swapping to your preferred manufacturers and parts for the terrain you're likely to ride, and your review of the bike would likely be VERY similar to this once you made your preferred swaps. Bottom line: This is the kind of review I'd prefer to see. It drives me nuts to watch the dozens of reviews on KZitem of floor-spec bikes and then hear reviewers complain about wheel and tire spec because they have experience with tubeless and higher-end parts and components that work better and are lighter, etc. Give me a real-world representation of what the bike is likely to look like 6-12 months (and beyond) into the bike's ownership, and not a whiney review about the stock heavy wheels and tubed tires, low-grade components, etc. Spot on review bikepacking.com! Thank you!
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