I’ve got a Bucksaw now, but have had the opportunity to spend time on a Pony Rustler as well. JM: We wanted riders to have a full 3-inch tire to really maximize the performance of the platform. Pony Rustler. Two riders, even with similar riding styles, riding the same trail or terrain, might still make different bike choices. You can find swifter climbers, burlyer decenders, and more float, but if you want a bike that is confidence inspiring bike that does it all, I think this would be a great choice. I always quote Dave Weagle (and I’m paraphrasing here): You can’t make one bike that will make every rider happy. The Pony Rustler kept its composure when scaling technical establish, strike a balance between rollover, traction and maneuverability. All rights reserved. To date, the Bridgers are one of the most aggressive 27.5+ tires that I’ve seen. With 130mm of front travel and 120mm of rear, the Pony Rustler falls squarely in the trail bike category, not straying too far toward either end of the spectrum. After demoing a few of Salsa's fat bikes I was really impressed with the Pony Rustler. Build kit/value: The high end carbon frame and excellent build kit make the Salsa Pony Rustler GX1 a pretty good value at $4,500. 3 weeks of on and off ridding totaling 100 miles. I experienced absolutely no adjustment period–I felt like I’d been riding this bike for years. Until now they have been a rarity in the U.k! ... 2016 Salsa Pony Rustler Carbon XO1. Event Review: Salsa Bikes Demo Day Posted in Events, Reviews. On mine the brakes squeak a bit and I've had issues with the rear shock in very cold weather, like well below freezing. While the frame geometry differs between the new Rustler, Horsethief and Spearfish, they do … Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack Review - BIKEPACKING.com. You should not have to do this more than once. With 27.5” wheels, 130mm of rear travel, a 150mm fork and a short rear end, Salsa Cycles’ 2019 Rustler is one fun-loving trail bike. With Split Pivot technology from Dave Weagle the short … Our friends over at Surly set the bar at 3-inch for “plus” with the 29-plus Krampus and 26-plus Instigator, and we agree that the volume, operating pressure and traction characteristics at this width really have a defined and unique characteristic.  VF: Riders can swap wheel sizes back and forth on this bike (going from 27.5+ to traditional 29er and, in doing so, making the Pony Rustler into a Horsethief). Your information has been successfully processed! MIKE RIEMER (Marketing Manager): And we aren’t oblivious to the fact that there are fatbike haters too. It comes in either aluminum or carbon and can be matched with a 120mm or 130mm fork. The climbing, cornering, and decending were all fun and confident, thanks in no small part to the traction provided by the 3″ tires. The new Salsa Pony Rustler is one of the few new 27.5+, full-suspension trail bikes we’ve seen, and it shares the same frame as the company’s 29er Horsethief trail bike. The 27.5-inch rim diameter and spoke length also offer up a stiffer wheel, making it a great option or riders who are looking for 29er-like roll over without the sometimes-perceived-as-noodly 29er wheel feel (especially true for big riders and/or aggressive riders). Riding Stokesville on the Salsa Deadwood SUS 29+ Close gallery popup button × 1 of 19. Explore. You’re not here to read about models that already existed, though. MTB Podcast | As for that design, Joe Meiser, product manager at Salsa, explains that the Pony Rustler was crafted to add to the growing trend of short travel bikes that can climb and descend while providing increased traction through the use of plus-sized tires. Playful geometry with 130 mm of rear suspension travel coupled with a 150 mm fork equips Rustler for big terrain, while the 6066-T6 aluminum frame features 425 mm chainstays and 27.5” wheels for a quick-handling machine. I got to ride the Carbon NX Eagle model on Arizona’s Black Canyon Trail, and felt like I just scratched the surface of the bike’s abilities. Attached is a link to all of the specs. Well any rig that climbs like a warmblood, descends like a quarter horse, has the capacity to carry heaps of gear like a Clydesdale , is sure footed and has heaps of traction just like a station bred plus is light and agile just like an Arabian, is well named the Pony Rustler. Posted on April 14, 2016 by Topanga Creek Outpost Adventures. This full-suspension bike features mid-fat 27.5 x 3.0-inch tires for unbelievable grip, and 120mm of Split Pivot rear suspension for impressive traction and pedaling efficiency. Of course…more rubber also brings penalties, but individual riders need to decide what matters to them and what they want in a bike. Salsa Pony Rustler 27.5+ Test Ride Review. I can’t imagine a mountain biker saying “I really wish I had less traction, cornering performance, and confidence.” This is exactly what the Pony Rustler provides while still being flexible enough to swap a wheel set and run a lighter setup where weight is more important that traction and cornering. Awesome all around mountain bike and adventure bike for bike-packing. PK: This bike excels in cornering conditions: all shapes, sizes and states. The Split Pivot linkage makes it a highly capable climber, the geometry makes it easy to transition from steep climbs to fast descents, and its suspension tune offers predictable handling on moderate terrain and plenty of bottom-out resistance for when things get rough. JOE MEISER (Product Manager): More traction, confidence and control in all terrain than a 2.2-2.4-inch mountain bike tire, but not a fatbike. This is the modern 150mm trail bike designed to handle the roughest terrain around while not being too sluggish on the climbs. The Salsa Pony Rustler NX1 Eagle is a backcountry leader in the quest for riding epic singletrack. Mine is off by as much as 50 feet per mile. Charging down chunky terrain, the Pony Rustler demonstrated it was capable of wrangling the wildest of horses, rolling over roots of every shape and orientation with impunity. This full-suspension bike features mid-fat 27.5 x 3.0-inch tires for unbelievable grip, and 120mm of Split Pivot rear suspension for impressive traction and pedaling efficiency. I recently took delivery of a EXP frame bag for the Salsa … Check out my full review here.. A review of the self bailing Alpacka Raft Gnarwhal.  VF: Are there any details/features on this bike that you think are particularly critical to its performance that might be easily overlooked by consumers at first glance? Farm Animals. The Salsa Pony Rustler Carbon SLX is a backcountry leader in the quest for riding epic singletrack. Salsa Pony Rustler 27.5+ Test Ride Review By Greg Heil on Oct 27, 2015 With the Bucksaw already in Salsa's lineup, they weren't afraid of jumping on the full suspension plus-size tire band wagon, and their mid-summer release of the Pony Rustler marked one of the... 0 … JM: Cornering absolutely, but also steep climbs, chunky trail, and rocky and/or root-filled descents. First Ride Review: 2019 Salsa Horsethief trail bike is no one-trick pony With 29” wheels, 120mm of rear travel and a 140mm fork Salsa Cycles’ 2019 Horsethief is a well-rounded trail machine. All the rider was responsible for was setting up for the next corner, through which the plus-size rubber would grip and fold controllably with pressures in the mid-teens. If you read my recent review of Salsa’s new Rustler, you will probably notice some similarities here – the three MTBs Salsa just released all feature the same Split Pivot suspension linkage, with a fresh re-tune for 2019. Connemara Pony Here's our opinion and the full review of the Pony Rustler. Flat, bermed, rutted, blown out, bumped out, tacky, marbles over hard….27.5-plus makes every corner a berm. This full-suspension bike features mid-fat 27.5 x 3.0-inch tires for unbelievable grip, and 120mm of Split Pivot rear suspension for impressive traction and pedaling efficiency. At Eurobike this year, while I sat eating my currywurst lunch, I listened to someone from a different bicycle brand talk about how plus-size bikes and fatbikes are just for unskilled riders. The 68-degree headtube angle is also correspondingly neutral, meaning that this rig is likely to appeal to a wide variety of riders. The bike has the shortest stays possible with 2x drivetrains, and handling characteristics that are confident on long rides and most terrain. MTB yumyum 91,595 views. The Salsa Rustler is a playful 27.5 trail bike with gobs of tire clearance. We weren’t predisposed to liking the Pony Rustler. Thanks in large part to the endless traction afforded by the plus-size wheels and tires, I could lean the bike over like nobody’s business, despite generally loose, unpredictable conditions. Size: SM MD LG XL Top Tube Length: 591.7mm 611 ... Review This Product More Products. Here's our opinion and the full review of the Pony Rustler. About Us | At the end of the day, what more could I ask for? We work to provide solid options. You really don’t get it.’. You might know the Horsethief as the Pony Rustler, Salsa’s former 27.5+ trail bike, and that’s because the two have historically shared a frameset. What sets this model apart from other plus-size models that consumers might be looking at now? Dual Tester: Trek Stache 9 29+ Review: Salsa Spearfish – 2015 Bible of Bike Tests. ... 2016 Salsa Pony Rustler Carbon XO1. Agreed. Dec 29, 2017. They bring benefits that they just might enjoy. 11 months ago. The Pony Rustler is a properly designed trail bike with big rubber. When you're looking for something right in between, The follow-up to the most underrated bike of 2018, Subscribe to our free newsletter and stay up-to-date with the latest from If so, what are they and why? Review Salsa Fargo 2 – An Awesome All-Purpose Bike. With the Bucksaw already in Salsa’s lineup, they weren’t afraid of jumping on the full suspension plus-size tire band wagon, and their mid-summer release of the Pony Rustler marked one of the first wave of full suspension 27.5+ rigs to hit the market. If you fall somewhere between XC and DH and you want to party and can pony up the funds (*drum phil*) the Rustler fills a sweet lil spot. I may be looking at an alloy GX version. That’s absolutely fine but those folks should give plus-size bikes a looksee. And if you won’t take it from me here is Monique with her thoughts on the rustler: To me it really is the sweet spot of travel and traction. The 3-inch tire highlights the traction, cornering, and confidence of the plus size. The Salsa Pony Rustler Carbon SLX 27.5+ mountain bike is built for singletrack all over the world, offering the super-capable, aggressive, ground-clawing stability of 27.5 x 3.0 in. If you continue to see this message, please … I have a 2018 Pony Rustler NX1 and I like it a lot. I rode The Whole Enchilada this summer on the Pony Rustler and was fully blown away at the traction and ability to pick a line, any line, and have confidence while still having a “shorter” travel bike that was super efficient. Animals. I’m glad they are that different because that’s part of what we try to do: create valid options for riders that don’t fall in line with what everyone else does. We found ourselves going faster and looking farther down the trail than usual, not having to pay any attention to what we were running over. What were you guys aiming for with the spec on this bike and how did you achieve it? Salsa Pony Rustler and cracked frames Seems like theirs ton's of posts out there from people saying they've gone through multiple triangles. Have you had issues with elevation? But between attire and the 120 millimeters of Split Pivot hindmost suspension, open mode wasnt the most efficient scansorial option. The Pony Rustler kept its composure when scaling technical establish, strike a balance between rollover, traction and maneuverability. Abbiamo deciso di mettere a dura prova l’ultima nata in casa SALSA CYCLES, la PONY RUSTLER. Salsa Pony Rustler gx1 with Eagle Gx drivetrain upgrade and Shimano XT brake upgrade. The EXP Anything cradle is a design marvel and addresses the two major issues of the handlebar harness, cable crush and head tube rub. I had two wheel sets; one trail wheel set built with wider rims and Maxxis Minion 2.4-inch trail tires, and another set with carbon rims and Schwalbe Racing Ralph 2.2-inch tires. These were very real concerns, but the Pony’s performance immediately eclipsed our apprehension. Another great bike from Salsa with a lot of style. Salsa Pony Rustler Carbon GX Eagle Bike: Model Year: 2018 Riding Type: Trail Rider: Unisex Sizes and Geometry: SM, MD, LG, XL View Geometry. Terms | Privacy, First published October 27, 2015 @ 12:42:10, Review: Oakley Radarlock Pitch Sunglasses. Cannondale Habit Carbon SE – 2016 Bible of Bike Tests, Pivot Mach 429 Trail – 2016 Bible of Bike Tests. Bike Magazine. One that everyone was stoked to try out was the Pony Rustler. Before we even received our test rigs, we had questions about the new bikes—some of the same questions that you might be asking yourself when you start poking around at a new bike. Gearing is great for light bikepacking, although some might complain that it runs out a bit early for trail riding. We designed Rustler SLX to make the most of every trail you ride. Review: Salsa Pony Rustler – 2016 Bible of Bike Tests. Ive added some upgrades including Race Face Next Carbon bars, RF Atlas grips, RF Atlas stem, MRP ramp fork control cartridge, Maxis Minion DH tires, IRD seat dropper post, 203mm rotors front and rear, Fresh brake pads, fresh … When setup tubeless, Salsa says that the Pony Rustler can get down to 28.5lbs. Salsa Pony Rustler 2017. Salsa Pony Rustler 100 mile review - Duration: 4:28. jason barcoff 1,753 views. See more trail bikes from the 2016 Bible of Bike Tests, Bible Review: Ibis Mojo Deore XT | $6,900, Revel Bikes Introduces the Ranger Brunch Ride Edition. I may be looking at an alloy GX version. 2017 Santa Cruz Tallboy 29er Test Ride & Review - Duration: 13:06. Photo Credit: Scott Heraldson.  VF: There are a growing number of plus-size bikes out there. This full-suspension bike features mid-fat 27.5 x 3.0-inch tires for unbelievable grip, and 120mm of Split Pivot rear suspension for impressive traction and pedaling efficiency. 03-02-2018 #5 Mountain Bike Deals, Copyright 2020 Blue Spruce Ventures LLC | Salsa also sent one of their branded frame bags, made by Revelate Designs, that fits perfectly into the front triangle of the Fargo.After years of using racks and panniers, I’ve transitioned to utilizing frame packs on almost all of my biking excursions; I find the bike feels more balanced, particularly on rough surfaces. I love my 2017 Salsa Pony Rustler's ride and handling; and boy am I glad I went with the aluminum frame model. For most rides I was on the trail wheel set and I pulled the dropper and swapped in the Racing Ralph for 100-mile races. The Pony Rustler features a carbon frame, which in Salsa’s plus and fat tire bikes means a carbon front triangle, carbon seatstays, and aluminum chainstays. PK: They can function in the exact same terrain and places. To me, it seems like the mountain bike is evolving and what could be more exciting than that?  VF: If someone is looking at the Pony Rustler, they are probably also checking our Salsa’s Horsethief. But if I want to simplify my personal wishes for a mountain bike they are twofold: Stability and Traction. What kind of terrain/rider is better served with the Pony Rustler? Si tratta di una novità anche per il formato da 27,5 plus, ruote da 27,5 pollici ma con larghezza da 3 … MR: That the bike itself isn’t a gimmick. Here’s the feedback we received from the posse at Salsa Cycles—Mike Riemer, Pete Koski and Joe Meiser. PK: The PonyRustler is a true “plus” frame, capable of full 3-inch-wide tires on 40~50mm rims at 29er diameters.  VF: Component spec is always a tricky thing to nail. 250 foot difference on a 6 mile mtb ride. May 7, 2018. PK: How effective Split Pivot suspension is. JM: The Horsethief has been my suspension bike of choice since we launched it in 2014. Boost technology allow for 27.5 plus 3 tires or 29 tires. Reviews, ratings, specifications, weight, price and more for the 2017 Salsa Pony Rustler GX1 Bike Salsa Rustler GX Review-45 ; Gallery Sponsor Hide Thumbnails. Singletracks Merch | Selling after 2 years of … Which do you personally ride and why? May 7, 2018. Jul 6, 2016 - Are trails being over-tamed by full-suspension plus tire bikes such as the Salsa Pony Rustler? Event Review: Salsa Bikes Demo Day. Sep 19, 2016 - Are trails being over-tamed by full-suspension plus tire bikes such as the Salsa Pony Rustler? Love the watch but thats a fatal flaw for me. The Salsa Pony Rustler Carbon SLX is a backcountry leader in the quest for riding epic singletrack. All in all Salsa’s 2019 Rustler proved to be a solid riding trail bike with a versatile setup and a poppy, playful attitude. 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Test ride & review - Duration: 13:06 a fatal flaw for me specs... ; and boy am I glad I went with the Pony Rustler?...