Ison Distribution showed off a number of new frames from Salsa at the UK's Core Bike show, covering an impressive range of bases.
The Spearfish is a new full-suspension 29er, giving 80mm of travel from a linkage-driven RockShox Monarch shock. It features flattened seatstays that flex just enough to let Salsa do without a pivot near the dropouts.
With a tapered head tube and BB30 bottom bracket shell, it's bang up to date, and at a claimed 2.5kg (5.5lb) for a medium frame it's not too shabby for weight. The geometry is designed to accommodate a 100mm suspension fork. The Spearfish is competitively priced at £1,000 for the frame – complete bikes will be available too.
Full-suspension 29ers are almost mainstream these days, but that's not a label likely to be applied to the Mukluk. This aluminium machine is designed primarily as a snowbike, with 170mm rear dropout spacing, 135mm fork spacing and clearance for 26x4in tyres on 100mm rims.
The interesting bit, though, is the bolt-on adapter that lets you drop a conventional 135mm rear wheel in, giving you the option of easily running offset wheels. At just over 2kg (4.5lb) it's not outrageously heavy for a big-clearance frame either. RRP is £499.
Elsewhere in the range, Salsa have teamed up with Lynskey Performance to produce titanium versions of the Ala Carte hardtail, Fargo tourer, El Mariachi 29er, Selma singlespeed 29er, Vaya disc-ready touring frame and La Cruz 'cross frame. All of the Ti frames feature etched graphics and cost £1,699, except for the Vaya and Fargo that come in at £1,799.
Finally, Salsa have a redesigned Casseroll which goes for more of a traditional tourer feel than the previous bike, which was a bit more “cafe racer”. The double-butted chromoly frame features an extended head tube to put the bars in a comfy and accessible high position. Cantilever brakes bring it to a halt, and a brake-boss mounted front rack is included for carting things around. A complete bike is available for £1,349, or go for the frame only at £449.