Salsa Marrakesh

2016 Marrakesh with drop bars (top) and flat bars (bottom). Courtesy: Salsa's Culture Blog

New for 2016, Salsa Cycles is offering Marrakesh for around $1,600.

The Marrakesh looks like a really nice touring bike, at least the version with the Salsa Cowchipper bars (I can't imagine touring with flat bars, even if they do have a slight bend - you need multiple hand positions).  I like touring bikes (my main ride is a Miyata 1000 LT) because their ability to haul a heavy load over long miles necessarily makes them useful and versatile bikes.  It's why I'm a fan of Surly's LHT/Disc Trucker.

The LHT now has some serious competition.  The interesting thing is that both Surly and Salsa (as well as Civia, All-City and others) are owned by Quality Bicycle Products (QBP).  I can just imagine how that QBP board meeting went down:

QBP Head Honcho: OK, let's talk 2016 products.  Surly, go ahead.

Surly: Fat, fat, fat, fat. As you know, we're all about the fat bikes.  And we just keep getting fatter.  Like land-on-the-moon fat.

QBP Head Honcho: Fantastic. People love those fat bikes. OK, how about you Salsa?

Salsa: As you know, our slogan is "Adventure by Bike." So, new for 2016, we're putting out a touring bike called the Marrakesh.

Surly: Wait... what?

Salsa: It comes with disc brakes, room for wide tires (700 x 40 mm) and fenders, and includes a rear rack.

Surly: We already produce a touring bike with disc brakes. The Disc Trucker.

Salsa: We know!!! Where do you think we stole the idea from?  Anyway, we're "Adventure by Bike." That certainly includes touring bikes.  And you're... you know, fat.  Like, Ice Cream Truck fat.

Surly: This is starting to get insulting.  

QBP Head Honcho: Salsa has a point. Adventure by Bike is not just about riding trails.  It's also the open road.  OK, anything else?

Salsa: Yes, we also have this whole fat bike line-up we call Bear Grease. Because nothing says "Adventure by Bike" like fat bikes! Fat, fat, fat, fat.

Surly: *face palm*

End scene.

Of course, I'm not sure if that's how it really went down. Maybe QBP Head Honcho can provide us with some clarification.

Here are the specs on the 2016 Marrakesh:

Kona Minute

Kona's compact cargo bike is ready to haul your stuff. Courtesy: konaworld.com

The Kona Minute is an aluminum cargo bike with disc brakes that goes for about $1400.

Do you remember when we told you about Yuba's Boda Boda?  Basically, Yuba took its full-size cargo bike, the Mundo, and made it more compact so apartment dwellers and people dealing with tight spaces could own a cargo bike. It was a really good idea.  And that's what Kona is doing here.

Kona took its full-size cargo bike, the Ute, and made it more compact.  So it's a mini-Ute, or a MinUte. Get it?

This is a solid design for a cargo bike: hydraulic disc brakes; wide 40c tires; long chainstays and "wood deck" rear carrier; upright riding position; and lots of gear options.  The Ute bags are included.

Here are the full specs:

Frame Material	Kona 7005 Aluminum Butted
Sizes	18", 20"
Rear Shock	n/a
Fork	Kona Project Two Aluminum Disc
Crankarms	FSA Alpha Drive
Chainrings	26/36/Guard
B/B	FSA Powerdrive
Pedals	Wellgo Platform
Chain	KMC HG53
Freewheel	Shimano HG200 11-32t 9spd
F/D	Shimano Acera
R/D	Shimano Alivio
Shifters	Shimano Acera
Brake Calipers	Tektro HDC-M290
Front Brake Rotor	Tektro HDC-M290 160mm
Rear Brake Rotor	Tektro HDC-M290 160mm
Brake Levers	Tektro HDC-M290
Headset	TH ZST No.10
Handlebar	Kona Handplant
Stem	Kona Commuter
Seatpost	Kona Commuter
Seat Clamp	Kona Clamp
Grips	Velo Ergo
Saddle	Velo Plush
Front Hub	Formula
Rear Hub	Shimano M475L
Spokes	Stainless 14g
Rims	Freedom Cruz Disc
Front Tire	Freedom Trekking 700x40c
Rear Tire	Freedom Trekking 700x40c
Paint Color	Charcoal w/Off White & Silver
Extras	Wood Deck, Fenders, Kickstand, Ute Bags, Steering Stabilizer

Trek Steel District and Chelsea 9

The Chelsea 9 (top) and Steel District (bottom) have an MSRP of $790.  Photos courtesy of trekbikes.com.

Trek is offering these steel bikes as part of its urban collection.  According to Trek, "District elevates the urban bike to a new level of refinement with a sexy mashup of style and function."

Whether or not they're a "sexy mashup," these models definitely represent an evolution from the Trek District we featured here seven years ago.  That bike was a belt-driven single-speed and Trek touted its "clean" look.  David Hembrow commented: "I question the practicality of a bike which is claimed to be 'clean' yet which has no mudguards (fenders)."

These 9-speed models retain the clean look but offer gears and Hembrow's desired mudguards.  The clean look is made possible by the 1x9 gearing, a set-up that I personally like (your mileage may vary).  The front basket and disc brakes are nice touches.

Here are the specs for the Chelsea 9:

Colors: Canary Yellow; White Gold

Frame: Trek Custom Steel Mixtie w/inboard rear disc brake mounts, rack & fender mounts

Fork: High-tensile steel

Sizes: 49, 53, 56cm

Front Hub: Formula DC20 alloy

Rear Hub: Formula DC22 alloy

Rims: 32-hole double-walled alloy

Tires: Bontrager AW1 Hard-Case Lite, 700x32c

Shifters: Shimano Acera M390, 9 speed

Rear derailleur: Shimano Acera

Crank: Forged alloy 3 piece, 45T

Cassette: SRAM PG-950, 11-32, 9 speed

Pedals: VP city-style alloy

Chain: KMC X9

Saddle:Bontrager H1 WSD

Seatpost: Bontrager Alloy, 2-bolt head, 27.2mm, 8mm offset

Handlebar: Bontrager Urban, 31.8mm, 25mm rise

Stem: Bontrager Race Lite, 31.8mm, 7 degree

Headset: 1-1/8" Threadless

Brakeset: Hayes CX Expert mechanical disc, 160mm rotors brakes, Tektro CL520 alloy levers

Grips: Custom District, lock-on

Extras: Front basket, chain keeper

And the specs for the District 9:

Colors: Blue Grey Metallic

Frame: Trek Custom Steel w/inboard rear disc brake mounts, rack & fender mounts

Fork: High-tensile steel

Sizes: 50, 54, 56, 58, 61cm

Front Hub: Formula DC20 alloy

Rear Hub: Formula DC22 alloy

Rims: 32-hole double-walled alloy

Tires: Bontrager AW1 Hard-Case Lite, 700x32c

Shifters: Shimano Acera M390, 9 speed

Rear derailleur: Shimano Acera

Crank: Forged alloy 3 piece, 45T

Cassette: SRAM PG-950, 11-32, 9 speed

Pedals: VP city-style alloy

Chain: KMC X9

Saddle: Retro Urban Saddle, Brown w/ Rivets

Seatpost: Bontrager Alloy, 2-bolt head, 27.2mm, 8mm offset

Handlebar: Bontrager Urban, 31.8mm, 25mm rise

Stem: Bontrager Race Lite, 31.8mm, 7 degree

Headset: 1-1/8" Threadless

Brakeset: Hayes CX Expert mechanical disc, 160mm rotors brakes, Tektro CL520 alloy levers

Grips: Custom District, lock-on

Extras: Front basket

Trek Lync

The Trek Lync has lights front and back. Photos courtesy of Trekbikes.com

The 2015 Trek Lync 5 27-speed will go for about $1320; the Lync 3 9-speed will go for around $990. Trek calls the Lync a "dedicated, low-maintenance, tricked-out commuter bike."

Let's start by giving Trek some credit for finally producing an off-the-shelf bike with an integrated light system. These are not dynamo hub powered lights, but are instead powered by a lithium ion battery that is rechargeable by USB. It will be interesting to see the longevity of these batteries. 

In any event, when Edwin did his comprehensive post "Lights for the Rest of Us," Trek was one of the big guys that was noticeably absent from the bikes with lights market. So, welcome aboard Trek.

I have minor criticisms of the Lync model. First, why don't they come with integrated racks, like the apparently discontinued Trek Belleville.  And why can't it be as stylish as the Belleville? And, as always, I'm not a fan of straight bars that only allow one hand position.

The bike media has greeted the Lync with enthusiasm, including this preview by the Bicycle Times.

Specs for the Lync 5:

Colors Matte Trek Black

Frame Alpha Gold Aluminum with Lync on-board lighting system, DuoTrap S compatible, internal cable routing

Fork Lync, Alloy

Sizes 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25"

Front Hub Formula DC20 alloy

Rear Hub Formula DC22 alloy

Rims Bontrager TLR disc, 32-hole

Tires Bontrager H2 Hard-Case Lite, reflective, 700x32c

Shifters Shimano Acera M390, 9 speed

Front derailleur Shimano Acera

Rear derailleur Shimano Deore

Crank Shimano Acera M391, 48/36/26 w/chainguard

Cassette Shimano HG20, 11-34, 9 speed

Pedals Wellgo track-style alloy

Chain KMC X9

Saddle Bontrager H1

Seatpost Bontrager SSR, 2-bolt head, 27.2mm, 12mm offset

Handlebar Bontrager Low Riser, 31.8mm, 15mm rise

Stem Bontrager Elite Blendr, w/computer & light mounts, 31.8mm, 7 degree

Headset Slimstak, semi-cartridge bearings, sealed

Brakeset Shimano M355 hydraulic disc

Grips Bontrager Satellite Elite, lock-on, ergonomic

Extras Lync front and rear lights, full-coverage color-matched fenders, chain keeper

Kona Roundabout

The 2013 Kona Roundabout. Credit konaworld.com

The 2013 Kona Roundabout has an MSRP of $1,000.

Kona introduced the Roundabout in 2012.  This year's model has longer fenders and an integrated rear rack.  It's great to see Kona making such a nice-looking lugged steel bike.

Here are the specs:

Frame Material	Kona Cromoly Butted
Sizes	S, M, L
Rear Shock	N/A
Fork	Kona Retro Road
Crankarms	FSA Tempo City
Chainrings	Bash/39t/Bash
B/B	FSA 7420ST
Pedals	VP 198
Chain	KMC HG53
Freewheel	Shimano Acera 11-32t 9 spd
F/D	N/A
R/D	Shimano Alivio
Shifters	Shimano Acera
Brake Calipers	Hayes CX6
Front Brake Rotor	N/A
Rear Brake Rotor	N/A
Brake Levers	Tektro FL540
Headset	TH 848
Handlebar	Kona Handplant
Stem	Kona Commuter
Seatpost	Kona Double Clamp w/Offset
Seat Clamp	Integrated
Grips	Velo Ergo
Saddle	Kona Comfort
Front Hub	Formula
Rear Hub	Shimano M475
Spokes	Sandvik Stainless 15g fr /14g rr
Rims	Freedom by WTB Racine Elite
Front Tire	Continental UltraSport 700x28C
Rear Tire	Continental UltraSport 700x28C
Paint Color	Matt Silver w/Rust, White & Grey
Extras	Rear Rack, Fenders, Kona Bell

TransIt Cameron

2010 Transit Cameron. Credit:Performance Bike

In this guest post, Adam Zipperer gives us his first impressions of the 2010 TransIt Cameron, which was on sale at Performance Bike for $549.  He had been considering the Torker Graduate "for the hub, non-rim brakes, and price." He felt that the Cameron might have a better hub.  Here is Adam's report:

Alright just got it in and immediately took it for a 10 or 12 mile ride.

At this price, the competition in my mind include the Torker Graduate and the Breezer Downtown.

The Transit Cameron features the following:

SRAM iMotion 9 IGH with grip shift Tektro Lyra mechanical disc brakes (the left brake lever has an integrated bell, cool!)

Full set of plastic fenders Chain guard Mount points for rear rack (I think a front would have to share the rear/bottom holes with the fenders, or mount with the skewer)

Adjustable angle stem

Performance has these on closeout right now for $550. I also considered the Graduate, but not the Breezer because it has rim brakes. I was really looking for something that was weatherproof. I think I'd prefer the Torker's drum brakes to these discs, but I can't pick too much.

So the pros and cons on my admittedly short first impression.

Pros:

inexpensive (especially considering the hub)
semi-weather-proof brakes
pretty light frame
Comes with a bell
Comes with a chain guard, just a metal bar on the top part of the chain
Good gear range
Good upright riding position
Adjustable stem

Cons:

Disc brakes make noise (when not braking). I'll try adjusting them to see if they do any better. I'm really not impressed with the braking power of the discs, they may get better with break in though

It has fairly wide tires (700x38), but the fenders just barely cover them width wise. We'll have to see with some rain how good they do.

The leather saddle looks neat (like a knock-off Brooks). It's REALLY hard now, and from what I hear, I can't expect much break-in

The black leather "grips" are cheesy, they slip and slide around

The bars are a bit too swept back for my taste, but I may get used to that.

The frame is stiff. Maybe it's just the stiff saddle, but I swear its the stiffest bike I own

In summary, I'm going to give the bike a few more days to convince me, but I think I may be returning it for a Torker Graduate.

Thanks, Adam. We look forward to an update!

Update from Adam:

After riding the Cameron a few more times, I decided it was not the bike for me. I'm not saying it's a bad bike. It's just not quite what I was looking for. As luck would have it, the LBS that sells Torker happened to have a Graduate on the floor and it happened to be my size (they haven't had a single Graduate since I've been looking for ~5 months). I'm very happy with it, excited in fact! It fits me better and that's important to me. 

There is no question in my mind that the SRAM 9 speed IGH on the Transit Cameron is a superior hub to the Sturmey Archer 5 speed on the Torker Graduate. The SRAM hub shifts smoother and has a wider gear range. They're also closer together making it easier to find the "right" gear. However, in my opinion, the Cameron needs probably a few hundred more dollars in parts and upgrades to provide the out-of-the-box goodness that the Torker does. For example, it would immediately need a new saddle and grips. 

Also, the disc brakes were pretty lousy. The drum brakes on the Torker Graduate are buttery smooth and provide superior confidence when riding in traffic. The Torker frame/wheel/tire/saddle combination is also significantly more comfortable as far as vibration is concerned. That could be entirely related to the better saddle on the Torker than the one I complained about on the Cameron, but I liked being able to buy a bike and immediately ride it (and plan to for months if not years) without making any changes whatsoever. Well, other than a Wald basket for "groceries" (and by that I mean exclusively beer).

I'd like to make a couple comments on the Torker Graduate, as I'd read a good many reviews before deciding on that bike. Firstly, I love the bike. It is awesome and makes commuting an enjoyable experience and not just a chore before getting to work. It's very comfortable, great upright (but not too upright) riding position. The bars are the perfect width, rise, and sweep for my style. The brakes are quite good, I can't wait til it rains so I can appreciate the lack of wet-rim-brake-squeal. 

I'm sold on the idea of IGH's for commuting bikes, shifting at a stop light/sign is just so nice. The only complaint I have about the bike is the Sturmey Archer 5 speed shifter. It shifts well, very direct and obvious engagement. But, the travel is a bit long, and mine is somewhat difficult to get into 1st gear. Just needs a little more effort than the others. That could just be the one I've got, or it could go away with break-in, time will tell.

All in all, for those on a budget, I would say the Torker Graduate makes the ideal commuter.

I'll leave you with this question: why don't more commuter/town/urban bikes have drum brakes? They seem perfectly suited for that application, but I really don't see them on any bikes!

Happy Riding,
Adam

Raleigh Port Townsend

Ready to roll. Credit: Raleigh USA.

The Raleigh Port Townsend is currently selling for $880 at REI.  There are many things to like about the Port Townsend: its retro, butted steel tubing, fenders are included, front rack is included (it has braze-ons for a rear rack), 9-speed bar end shifters, and cantilever brakes.  Basically, it's Raleigh doing the types of things that made Raleigh a well-respected name in bikes.

Here are the Port Townsend specs:

Sizes: 50, 53, 55, 57, 59cm

Frame: Reynolds 520 Butted Chromoly Tubing

Fork: 4130 Chromoly Cross

Cranks: Shimano Sora 2pc 34/50t

BB: Shimano Outboard Bearing

F.Derail: Shimano Sora

R.Derail: Shimano Sora

Shifter: Shimano DuraAce 9spd Bar-End

Br.Levers: Tektro R200 Aero Road

Brakes: Shimano BR550 Canti

Gear: Shimano HG50 9spd (11-25t)

Rims: Weinmann TR18 Double Wall

Tires: Vittoria Randonneur Touring 700x35c

Pedals: Steel Clips w/Leather Straps

Handlebar: Classic Aluminum Drop 26.0

Stem: Custom Chromoly Single-Bolt 26.0

Seatpost: Alloy Micro Adjust 27.2x350mm

Seat: Avenir Classic Road

Headset: Ahead 1-1/8" w/Alloy Cup

Colors: Black

Spokes: 14g Stainless MAC w/Alloy Nipples

Grips: Gel Tape

Extras: Fenders, Front Rack, Rack and Fender Mounts, Water Bottle Mounts, Cateye Reflector Set, Clear Coat, Owner's Manual

There have been some early reviews by the Bicycling Times (reviewer Adam Newman took it out on the C and O trail) and at EcoVelo.  It has also shown up in the 2011 gear guides put out by Momentum Magazine and Outside Magazine.

Civia Halsted

Goodness, I've been asleep too long!

Here Civia offers us this lovely cycle truck, the Halsted. Actually, I don't care for the aesthetics of most of the Civia products, and this one is no exception, so lovely is not the right word. 

FUNCTIONAL and NOT-TOO-EXPENSIVE are more apt, and certainly qualify this as a bike-for-the-rest-of-us.

Noteworthy features:

• Nine-speed drivetrain. Not enough gears for some folks, but plenty for many. (I've learned not to over-generalize, following several firm scoldings. People! Chill!)
• Disc brakes up front. Probably a good idea.
• The big front rack deck is made of recycled HDPE. It comes off easily too, so you can fashion your own out of birdseye maple, or whatever. Recommended load: 50 lbs.
• The bike in the picture appears to have a double kickstand, though I didn't see it listed on the spec sheet. I will inquire.
• Tough steel frame. Civia is a division/child of Quality Bicycle Products (QBP), and to my knowledge, they've never done anything poorly.
• What else do you need?

MSRP: almost $1000

(I know, it's a lot. On the other hand, this is an out-of-the-box cargo hauler. Start yourself a Saturday "I'll get your stuff home from the farmer's market" delivery service this spring and you'll have that $1000 back by the end of the summer (probably sooner), and probably some good looking legs too.)

The Halsted, by Civia

[Aside: I've stopped short of posting full spec sheets for my BFROU selections, in favor of editorial observations. I hope this is ok with y'all. I will try always to provide a link to the nuts and bolts, so to speak. --d]

UPDATE: Bicycling magazine has a video about the Halsted.

Raleigh Clubman

Raleigh has brought back one of its greatest hits, one of the classic Raleighs from the '40s and '50s, the Raleigh Clubman. It retails for $1130, but here's a tip... you can get the 2009 model on sale at REI right now for $930.

Most reviewers are quick to point out that this is not a touring bike. I'm not sure why... it's all steel and you could load it up and take off across country if you wanted to. In any event, it makes a nice all-purpose around-towner.

Specs:

Frame: Reynolds 520 Butted Chromo Tubing.
Fork: Lugged 4130 Chromo Road.
Headset: Integrated 1-1/8 threadless.
Crankset: Shimano Tiagra 2pc 34/50t.
Front Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra.
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra.
Shifters: Shimano Tiagra 9spd STI.
Cassette: SRAM PG950 9spd (12-26t).
Brakes: Tektro Dual Pivot Long Reach w/Cartridge Pads.
Color: Brown.
Sizes: 50cm,53cm,55cm,57cm,59cm,62cm.

Civia Cycles

Civia Cycles, based in Minnesota, makes high-end transportation bikes, such as the Hyland and Loring pictured above. I previously thought they were too high end to qualify as "bikes for the rest of us," which isn't really fair, given that we've featured A.N.T. bikes on here.

The Hyland (top-most picture), has a frame made from lightweight aluminum, and it comes with a carbon fork. As pictured, it also comes with fenders, a chainguard, and wide tire clearance (it will accommodate 700 x 35 tires).

The Loring, pictured 2nd from top, is designed to carry cargo in the front, which makes it a pretty good grocery-getter. It's offered as a 9-speed, but you can get a 3-speed version for $875.

Perhaps in light of current economic conditions, Civia is offering some new, lower-priced models in 2010.



The Midtown, pictured above, will be available in April. It is intended as the "value" version of the Loring. It's made of steel and apparently does not come with fenders or a chainguard.



The Linden, also new, is touted as an affordable Hyland.



Finally, Civia has come out with the Bryant, the steel commuter with drop bars.

You can find details about all these models at Civia's website. Just follow the links. Should you happen to already own a Civia product, please leave us a comment and let us know how you like your bike.

Surly Cross-Check

The Surly Cross-Check is probably one of the most popular all-rounders, so it's about time we mentioned it here. At City Bikes, you can purchase the complete bike for $1,050 or the frameset for $410.

The frame is steel, and it has eyelets for fenders and braze-ons for a rear rack. The fork allows plenty of room for wider tires.

Here's the specs for the complete bike:

Frame: 4130 CroMoly steel. Main triangle double-butted. TIG-welded. Rear rack bosses

Fork: CroMoly, lugged + brazed crown. 1-1/8" threadless steerer

Headset: Ritchey Logic Comp. 1-1/8" threadless, w/ 15mm spacers
(+ 10mm clamp-on hanger = 25mm stack total). Black

Stem: Kalloy 1-1/8" threadless. Forged. Black

Handlebars: Salsa Moto Ace Bell-Lap 26.0mm clamp diameter. Black

Brake Levers: Tektro #R200A standard levers on 52-62cm sizes, R100A small hand levers on 42-50cm

Brakes: Tektro Oryx cantilever #992, black

Shift Levers: Shimano Bar-end type #SL-BS77. 9-Speed

Front Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra #FD-4500 Double

Rear Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra #RD-4500-GS Mid-cage

Crankset: Andel Forged arms, Silver aluminum, granny ring compatible. 110mm BCD rings, 36 & 48t, ramped and pinned, Black

Pedals NOT INCLUDED

Bottom Bracket: Shimano Deore LX #BB-UN54, 68x113mm

Seatpost: Kalloy Uno 27.2mm x 250mm. Black

Saddle: WTB SST Steel rails. Black

Cassette: Shimano Tiagra #HG-53 9-speed 12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25t

Chain: Shimano HG-73 9-Speed compatible

Hubs: Shimano Deore #HU-M510. 32 hole, 100mm O.L.D. front, 135mm O.L.D. rear.

Rims: Alex #AL-DA16. 32 hole x 700c. Black

Tires: Ritchey SpeedMax Cross 700x32 Wire bead. Black wall

For fun, check out the Surly blog.