New вЂњGravel Race GeometryвЂќ: longer top tube on most sizes for increased front/center provides increased stability at high speeds.High Modulus Carbon Fiber Frame and Fork: 100 grams frame weight savings while adding new features.

In case you missed the initial press release, here are the details from Salsa: Ultimately, Salsa added five model levels, including the 650b model we tested, all sharing the same new V4 carbon frame. The Force 1 650 build is specced with 650b x 47mm tires and has the option for larger 27.5 x 2.0вЂќ tires. The Warbird now comes with either 700c or 650b wheels/tires, with more clearance overall. And, the most significant change is its Dual Wheel Size Compatibility. In addition to geometry tweaks, they added a boatload of additional mounts on the new Waxwing fork. Salsa addressed many of our nits with the latest Warbird v4. Angles (LG): 70.75В° Head tube, 73В° Seat tube.Two years later (almost to the day), we scouted the GMGGвЂ™s sister route, the Appalachian Gravel Growler, and decided to try out two new Warbird 650s for the occasion. In addition, the 37mm tires it was specced with were not quite enough to take the sting out of the rugged вЂњclass 4вЂќ gravel roads we explored along the Green Mountain Gravel Growler. Namely, several bikepacking-specific features were missing-v3 didnвЂ™t have bottle bosses on the fork, the mounts on the downtube were placed too high, and the gearing was too high for bikepacking. Still, we both really liked the bike, but had a couple complaints. While it was only slightly different in geometry, the old version had 10mm narrower tires and fewer bells and whistles. Back in 2016, we tested a pair of the v3 carbon Warbirds in Vermont. Joe and I arenвЂ™t strangers to the Warbird. ThereвЂ™s now a wealth of options to choose from, but the Salsa Warbird is usually at the top of any list. Obviously, there are many types of bikes that can tackle such rides, but when speed and efficiency are a concern, gravel-specific bikes are becoming a popular choice. What do these two niches have in common? In short, they involve long, rough roads that open doors to remote, challenging, and soul rewarding experiences. In addition, as more and more cyclists seek lesser tracks away from the paved rat race, gravel has become intertwined with the world of bikepacking. With countless bike companies following suit, one could say that the rise of gravel cycling has essentially transformed the bike industry. Salsa helped create a category thatвЂ™s thriving, to say the least. And youвЂ™d feel how numb your hands were from the constant rattle that worked its way into the back of your eyeballs.вЂќ Several gravel races later, Mailen added, вЂњI think we can make a better bike for these experiences.вЂќДЇast forward almost a decade and the gravel scene is alive and well. YouвЂ™d get to the finish and look down at the 10 extra pounds of mud youвЂ™d carried along the route. вЂњOr whatever road bike you had that could fit slightly bigger tires. вЂњIn those days, we were mainly riding cyclocross bikes,вЂќ said Mailen. Back in 2009, Salsa engineer Sean Mailen rode the first version of the Warbird in a little race called the Trans Iowa.

Salsa warbird