Salsa Warbird with RockShox suspension and Tailfin bag bike check | The ULTIMATE Bikepacking Setup?

This might be the ultimate gravel bike setup for fast and light bikepacking. And to find out, I rode the Badger Divide, a 320km (200mile) off-road gravel route stretching between Glasgow and Inverness and taking in some of the most stunning scenery and spectacular gravel tracks you’re likely to find in the UK. And here’s a detailed look at the bike, equipment and setup choices I made for the adventure

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[edlorenz]

Dog looking around like "who is this mate talking to?"

[hansschotterradler]

You rode an astonishing 9 sec in the 10t cog. Chain rings are still way to big for gravel bikes. No need to have a 42:10 ratio. I ride a 38:11 for my tallest gear, and the only time I'm in the 11t cog is when I adjust the rear derailleur.

[danhouston]

That very good dog needs a proper introduction, maybe a recurring role. Who's a good dog?

[nealart]

Love my Warbird. Good to see those tires handled those rocks!

[Cicadawee]

I had this set up with a steel frame on drops with a pro strut suspension and it work great, I never knew someday that setup would come alive because it was really an awesome customized bike that I had.

[ericpmoss]

Same shorts for 4 days would kill me. I'd include a collapsible nylon bucket that I can do some washing in -- it does double duty as a thing to shove the sleeping bag into before putting in the rollbag -- you can pull it all out by the handle.

[Adventuregirl]

My husband is thinking of putting a 30mm travel fork on a Salsa Journeyer so this was helpful.

[fhotrod]

Watching you pedal up those hills makes me think a Mullet with 52 eagle would have been really nice to have.

[mellissanash]

Wouldn't in some ways the Cutthroat with an 80-100mm sus option be better as it has more room in the frame triangle & option for those tasty Rene Herse 29x2.2 Fleecer Ridges?

[davehoover]

That is a very sweet rig, but definitely some big dollar add one with the shock and wheelset. I use a 700c Carbon wheelset for daily gravel and road riding with the supple Rene Herse 38mm Barlow Pass tires. However, for rough bikepacking trips, I just use a 650b alloy wheelset with 50 or 55mm tires. Supple, sturdy and relatively inexpensive. So many options!

[felixbrandau]

These light things aren’t a problem when they are new. Parts break over time.

[damnzlx]

I really really wanna see comparasion between fox ax and rockshox rudy, much thanks!

[Supermurph]

Another great video, love this channel. Looking forward to the ride footage?

[jeffreycohen]

great video, really enjoying your channel

[Ally_Smudge]

Where is the video of the Badger Divide? I can't see it on your feed.

[LeoInterHyenaem]

It's paradoxical to me that most WarBird riders (apparently, I'm an exception) abuse the most beautiful gravel bike in the world right, left and centre. I wouldn't ride without mudguards in the muck or wet. Even plain dust from rare rides on dusty, unpaved cycle paths gives me second thoughts about riding off-tarmac again.
A question, David: is the WarBird yours - or was it a loan? How would you rate it, compared to all your other road and gravel bikes? Of all the gravel bikes I have (incl. a Genesis Datum, a Norco Search XR C2, a Norco Search XR S), the WarBird (2019 / 2020) is my favourite on counts, encompassing looks (those seat- and chain stays! Haven't seen anything as beautiful to date), comfort, speed. I wonder how Salsa manages to squeeze all of these properties together in this grossly underestimated beauty of a bike. The only thing I'd wish for - would be a couple of degrees more top tube slope - a couple of cm higher stack (to make the need to use headset spacers obsolete) - and a couple of cm shorter seat tube (to make it possible to clamp the rig onto the work stand with a RedShift ShockStop installed). And, just in case, a threaded bottom bracket (so far so good with press-fit bottom bracket, though).

[deannadupont]

Excellent thorough review. Thank you. May I ask how loud are the hubs? I’m one of the few ppl that likes a quiet ride.

[Hunterthepunter]

How come your dog is so calm and sitting listening to your talking?

[topbanana]

Do you think a 63 to 75mm suspension would have been better as the Rudy is only 30 to 40mm there nice fork very light but look out of depth in this terrain

[KOL]

Did you ever make a video about your trip?