When Salsa introduced the Warbird, it was billed as the first bike dedicated to gravel racing. It has morphed over the years and is now a long, low carbon fibre machine that is inspired by arduous races but remains comfortable for thrashing out miles in any scenario.
The new Warbird gravel range for 2020 is built around an unchanged frame that is identical to the 2019 model.
That means lots of storage – you can squeeze up to four bottles into the frame.
The Warbird will also take 650b or 700c wheels, with room for tyres of up to 51mm wide on 650b hoops. There are also mudguard mounts front and year.
A compliant rear triangle that helps reduce vibrations through bowed seatstays that Salsa says allows them to flex outwards.
This is all packaged into a frame with lengthy and relaxed geometry that aims to provide “stable handling for all-day riding on a variety of surfaces”.
As well as the above features, the Warbird frame can also accommodate a stealth-routed dropper seat post and it is 1x, 2x or Di2 compatible. Cables are routed inside the frame via internal sleeves. All models are available in seven sizes, from 49cm to 61cm.
2020 Salsa Warbird gravel bike range
These new Warbird models replace the 2019 range to bring it up to date with the latest components, including Shimano’s GRX gravel-specific groupset on three of the four models. Prices are reasonable (though not cheap) for a top-flight gravel race bike, with the entry-level Warbird Carbon Apex I costing £2,950 /$2,599 and the top-of-the-range Carbon GRX 810 D12 retailing for £6,100 / $5,699.
Salsa Warbird Carbon Apex I
- Frame: Salsa Warbird
- Sizes: 49-, 52.5-, 54.5-, 56-, 57.5-, 59-, 61cm
- Fork: Salsa Waxwing
- Colours: Light Blue / White
- Wheelset: WTB Sierra, WTB ST i23 TCS 2.0 28h 700c
- Tyres: Teravail Cannonball 700c x 42mm, tubeless-ready
- Brakes: TRP Spyre-C flat mount, 160mm rotors
- Crankset: SRAM Apex 1 X-Sync, 42t
- Derailleur: SRAM Apex 1
- Shifter: SRAM Apex 1 mechanical
- Handlebar: Salsa Cowbell
- Seat: WTB Volt Sport
- Price: £2,950 GBP / US$2,599
Salsa Warbird Carbon GRX 600
- Frame: Salsa Warbird
- Sizes: 49-, 52.5-, 54.5-, 56-, 57.5-, 59-, 61cm
- Fork: Salsa Waxwing
- Colour: Dark Blue
- Wheelset: WTB Speedterra, WTB ST i23 TCS 2.0 28h 700c
- Tyres: Teravail Cannonball 700c x 42mm, tubeless-ready
- Brakes: Shimano GRX RX400, 160mm rotors
- Crankset: Shimano GRX RX600-11, 48/31t
- Derailleur: Shimano GRX RX810 (front); Shimano GRX RX810 (rear)
- Shifter: Shimano GRX RX600
- Handlebar: Salsa Cowbell Deluxe
- Seat: WTB Volt Comp
- Price: £3,400 GBP / US$3,199
Salsa Warbird Carbon GRX 810
- Frame: Salsa Warbird
- Sizes: 49-, 52.5-, 54.5-, 56-, 57.5-, 59-, 61cm
- Fork: Salsa Waxwing
- Colour: Black
- Wheelset: DT Swiss C 1800, 700c
- Tyres: Teravail Cannonball 700c x 42mm, tubeless-ready
- Brakes: Shimano GRX RX810, 160mm rotors
- Crankset: Shimano GRX RX810-2, 48/31t (RX600 with 165mm arms on 49cm size)
- Derailleur: Shimano GRX RX810 (front); Shimano GRX RX810 (rear)
- Shifter: Shimano GRX RX810 hydraulic (front/rear)
- Handlebar: Salsa Cowbell Deluxe
- Seat: WTB Volt Race
- Price: £4,500 GBP / US$4,099
Salsa Warbird Carbon GRX 810 Di2
- Frame: Salsa Warbird
- Sizes: 49-, 52.5-, 54.5-, 56-, 57.5-, 59-, 61cm
- Fork: Salsa Waxwing
- Colour: Pink
- Wheelset: DT Swiss CR 1600, 700c
- Tyres: Teravail Cannonball 700c x 42mm, tubeless-ready
- Brakes: Shimano GRX RX810, 160mm rotors
- Crankset: Shimano GRX RX810-2, 48/31t (RX600 with 165mm arms on 49cm size)
- Derailleur: Shimano GRX RX815-F (front); Shimano GRX RX815 (rear)
- Shifter: Shimano GRX RX815 Di2
- Handlebar: Salsa Cowbell Carbon
- Seat: WTB Volt Pro
- Price: £6,100 GBP / US$5,699
Salsa Warbird Carbon Frameset
- Frame: Salsa Warbird
- Sizes: 49-, 52.5-, 54-, 56-, 57.5-, 59-, 61cm
- Fork: Salsa Waxwing Deluxe
- Colour: Black
- Headset: Cane Creek 40
- Price: £2,150 GBP / US$1,999
