Salsa  Journeyer Claris 650b Bike

Without realizing it, this was the bike I have been looking for! The more sitting up trail bike/hybrid thing wasn't quite working for me..however, did like the fat tires off road aspect. In my younger days I was a road biker with the drop handlebars...much more comfortable with that configuration, and here is both in one bike! The frame is very responsive, and the whole bike handles really well and with confidence due to the gravel bike tires. Renewed my enthusiasm for riding again!

Bought this bike specifically for a multi-day ride on the GAP trail from Pittsburgh, PA to Cumberland, MD. It is a great value, bike was perfect for this. Very satisfied with the purchase, love the bike!

Despite being teravail Washburn these are lower quality and not tubeless ready. Brake cables were very loose to the point that the bike almost didn’t stop and the brake leaver had too be squeezed all the way to the handle bar. front derailer was totally out of adjustment with very loose cable. Chain rubbed a lot in large chain ring. Grip wrap falls off/ pug is cheesy and loose. Not sure if this is the Tucson shop or salsa. Once I tuned the bike it’s not too bad for the price but it is deceptive and a major downgrade that I can’t run these tires tubeless . A new bike should come tuned up and usable from the shop, this bike was badly out of adjustment in the brakes and shifters.

Wonderful gravel bike. I've owned it for about 10 months now. I have many gravel trails around me and this is just perfect. Also - I have a super small frame. As a 5 ft tall woman it's rather difficult to find a bike meant for me, but I was able to test drive a Salsa at REI, then order this one to the shop. The 51CM fits me very well. I hope to love this bike for years to come. I definitely recommend using REI to its max capacity!! You get free tune ups for the first year as a member. I had a few adjustments needed here and there. Nothing's perfect. Cons: Sad the tires weren't tubeless ready... kinda a bummer to spend another $160+ on getting tubeless installed. Luckily the shop guys at REI installed them for me the day I called.

the bike seems like it will be great for the price after my first short ride dialing in seat height and such. my only real complaint is this is the third bike I've bought from rei that isn't even close to being in tune. chain is rubbing the front derailleur and the rear keeps changing gears. I'm sure I could take it back and they'd try again but they did such a poor job on the first go that I wouldn't trust them to try again.

I wanted a good entry level bike that could handle a little bit of everything. Loving it. I’ve now crossed 300 miles on it and zero issues.