How to Choose a Gravel Bike

A road and gravel adventure machine, the Salsa Journeyer CUES 1x11-speed bike's aluminum frame and carbon fork are great for mixed-surfaces, while its cargo capacity benefits bikepacking.


Imported.
| Best Use | Gravel Cycling Bikepacking |
|---|---|
| Frame | Journeyer Drop-Bar Thru-Axle |
| Step-Through | No |
| Bike Suspension | No Suspension |
| Fork | Waxwing V2 carbon |
| Crankset | Shimano CUES U6040, 42T |
| Bottom Bracket | Shimano CUES 68 mm BSA |
| Shifters | Shimano CUES U6030 |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano CUES U6000, 10/11-speed |
| Rear Cogs | Shimano CUES LG400, 11-50T, 11-speed |
| Number of Gears | 11 gear(s) |
| Brake Type | Hydraulic Disc Brake |
| Brakes | Shimano CUES U6030 |
| Brake Levers | Shimano CUES U6030 |
| Rims | WTB ST i23, TCS 2.0, 700c |
| Front Hub | Shimano RS470 12 x 100 mm |
| Rear Hub | Shimano RS470 12 x 142 mm |
| Wheel Size | 700c |
| Tires | Teravail Washburn, Durable casing, tubeless-ready |
| Tire Width | 42 millimeters |
| Handlebar Shape | Drop Bar |
| Handlebar | Salsa Cowbell |
| Stem | Salsa Guide |
| Seat Post | Promax |
| Saddle | WTB Volt Medium Steel |
| Pedals | Not included |
| Headset | FSA NO.42/ACB |
| Chain | Shimano CUES LG500 LINKGLIDE |
| Weight | Unavailable |
| Gender | Unisex |
| 49 CM | 51 CM | 53 CM | 55 CM | 57 CM | 60 CM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height Range | 4'7''-4'11'' | 4'11''-5'2'' | 5'1''-5'6'' | 5'4''-5'10'' | 5'8''-6'0'' | 6'0''-6'5'' |
| Reach | 366 | 369 | 372 | 376 | 387 | 409 |
| Stack | 510 | 528 | 552 | 570 | 599 | 627 |
| Effective Top Tube | 493 | 510 | 530 | 550 | 570 | 600 |
| Seat Tube Center-Top | 340 | 380 | 410 | 450 | 490 | 520 |
| Standover Height | 617 | 652 | 688 | 724 | 760 | 807 |
| Head Tube Length | 90 | 105 | 130 | 150 | 180 | 210 |
| Head Tube Angle (degrees) | 68.5 | 69.5 | 69.5 | 69.5 | 69.5 | 69.5 |
| Seat Tube Angle (degrees) | 76 | 75 | 74 | 73 | 73 | 73 |
| Bottom Bracket Height | 283 | 283 | 283 | 283 | 283 | 283 |
| Wheelbase | 1027 | 1028 | 1040 | 1051 | 1072 | 1104 |
| Chainstay | 440 | 440 | 440 | 440 | 440 | 440 |
| Fork Offset | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Measurements are stated in millimeters unless otherwise indicated.
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After several months of visiting bike shops, going online, reading reviews, researching AI and comparing bikes side by side. My best purchase would be the Salsa Journeyer Drop Bar CUES 1x11. This was not an easy decision at all. I was looking for a bike that I could use on paved surfaces and a little off-road riding. I liked the simplicity of a 1x11. I wasn't going to travel around the world or ride the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, although both are intriguing. I was looking for paved bike routes, a few dirt roads, and some crushed gravel. I took a few curtsey rides at different stores, but I kept going back to the Salsa Journeyer. There are many bike companies and models that fit some of the category I was searching for. The Salsa Journeyer met all my requirements: an excellent drivetrain, hydraulic brakes, a multi-position handlebar, a suitable wheel size, multiple braze-ons, and an alloy frame made of aluminum, magnesium, and silicon. REI said I could ride the Salsa Journeyer for a month and, if I didn’t like it, return it. I will not be returning it.
I'm fairly new to gravel biking but after a short experiment with Walmart's Ozark Trail G1 Explorer(drop-bar version), I knew that I will want a bike with better components. The OT G1 is a good bike for the price and it got me wanting more. I searched for the next gravel bike shortly. It came down to Cannondale Topstone, Co-op ADV 2.1, Poseidon X gen 3, and this Salsa Journeyer Cues 1X11. Measurements and components kept me going back to the Salsa Journeyer and with the $200 discount from REI, it was a no brainer. I'm so happy with this bike. The fit, ride, gearing, smooth shifting and reassuring hydraulic brake system, I'm one satisfied and enthusiastic gravel biker now. REI staff were outstanding. The answered all my questions and even showed me the process involved with converting the tires to a tubeless setup. I lost 5 lbs. in just a short week of owning this bike. I've used it to get to work and trail biking, so fun and capable. The hills are no longer a dread! Highly recommend REI and Salsa!
Great bike, but the color is NOT the same as what is shown here. Looks more like brown mustard...very disappointing!