2008 Salsa Ala Carte

DrGooGoo

Retro Guru
Built this bike in the summer of 2010. Purchased the frame from a shop online that was basically NOS. They said it was from a customer that bought the wrong size and exchanged frames. Still one of my favorite rides. I used it as a commuter bike for a few years. Hasn't changed it much since it was built other than it has wider riser bars now (Renthal FAT BAR Lite) cut to 740mm and upgraded the rear mech.
 

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The Salsas of that time were such nice frames. I always wanted a Vaya but every time when the moment was right they were out of stock. Now the current model has a rear post mount with QR and a front flat mount with Thru Axle! What are they thinking? The Fargo has overcomplicated dropouts, boost and comes with carbon forks on a frame that's made for front suspension. I don't get it!
 
The Salsas of that time were such nice frames. I always wanted a Vaya but every time when the moment was right they were out of stock. Now the current model has a rear post mount with QR and a front flat mount with Thru Axle! What are they thinking? The Fargo has overcomplicated dropouts, boost and comes with carbon forks on a frame that's made for front suspension. I don't get it!
Yes, I think Salsa made this bike to be modern (as of 2008) yet appeal to us folks that like retrobikes...
 
Oo like the Salsa forks! I think my frame must be a few years older -- it doesn't have the bracing at the rear disc brake mount.
 
You have a nice one. Looks like yours' is an early 2000's frame. It has brake bosses on the frame for canti/V-brakes (mine doesn't). Did you ever think of setting it up with canti or v-brakes and a rigid fork? That setup would be the ultimate retro-mod :).
 
You have a nice one. Looks like yours' is an early 2000's frame. It has brake bosses on the frame for canti/V-brakes (mine doesn't). Did you ever think of setting it up with canti or v-brakes and a rigid fork? That setup would be the ultimate retro-mod :).
I have indeed! There was a period Salsa fork on ebay a few months ago that we very tempting but it went for silly money. Plus at the moment the Salsa is my do-it-all bike so it needs to be versatile.
 

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Build Specs:

Frame​
Salsa Ala Carte True Temper Platinum 16 inch (Golrush Brown)​
Fork​
Salsa Cro Moto Chromoly (Goldrush Brown)​
Stem​
Salsa Pro Moto 31.8 clamp (90mm length, 5 degree rise)​
Handlebars​
Renthal Fatbar Lite 40mm rise, 740mM length​
Seatpost​
Salsa Shaft 27.2mm​
Seatpost Clamp​
Salsa lip-lock 30mm​
Rear Derailer​
Shimano Deore XT long cage​
Front Derailer​
Shimano Deore LX bottom pull​
Shifters​
Shimano Deore LX rapidfire​
Cassette​
Shimano Deore XT 8-speed (11-32 teeth)​
Rims​
WTB SpeedMaster​
Hubs​
WTB SpeedDisc​
Spokes​
WTB stainless steel, 15g double-butted​
Skewers​
WTB Quick Release​
Saddle​
WTB Rocket V Comp​
Crank Set​
TruVativ Firex SX (175mm)​
Chairings​
TruVativ TrueShift (22/32/44)​
Bottom Bracket​
TruVativ Powerspline​
Brake Calipers​
Hayes Mechanical MMX-1​
Brake Disc Rotors​
Hayes (160mm)​
Brake Levers​
Avid AD3 Levers​
Grips​
Oury grips/ODI Lock on​
Pedals​
Wellgo Alloy Platform Pedals​
Seatbag​
Avenir Bigmouth (Medium)​
Tires​
Maxxis Holy Rollers 26x2.4​
Headset​
Ritchey Comp Logic Threadless 1 1/8​
Bottle Cage​
Diamondback Alloy Cage​
 
With the wider bars and the seat lowered, this bike rides like a cross between a trials bike and a big wheel BMX cruiser. Great wheelie bike:)
 

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