Salsa Warbird

83/100
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Facts

Gender
Release Year
Brand
Wheel Size
Number of Gears
Gearing Type
Weight
19.8, 19.9, 20.5, 21.6 lb
Suspension
Brake Type
Frame Material

Summary of Reviews

We have read all expert and user reviews on the Salsa Warbird. In summary, this is what cyclists think.

18 reasons to buy

  • Reviewers said the Warbird confidently tackled chunky gravel and singletrack.
  • Models are available with either 1x (11 speed) or 2x (22 speed) gearing.
  • This frame features many mounts for cargo; on the toptube, downtube and fork.
  • Frames 56cm and larger feature mounts for three bottle cages.
  • Salsa’s ‘Class 5 Vibration Reduction System’ helped reduce fatigue on long rides.
  • Seven frame sizes, from 49mm to 61mm, cover most rider heights.
  • The frame features internal cable routing, as does the fork for a dynamo cable.
  • Owners appreciated the light weight of 2020 carbon Warbirds.
  • 2x11 models demonstrated ample range for tackling steep gradients.
  • Clearance allows for tires up to 700c x 45mm or 650b x 2.0” in size.
  • Owners appreciated the light weight of 2020 carbon Warbirds.
  • 1x models are set up to accept cabling for a dropper seat post.
  • On the Warbird Di2, shifting was easy and immediate.
  • Minds were blown by the bright pink paintjob on the GRX 810 Di2.
  • The Salsa Cowbell Deluxe handlebar features a comfy 12° of flare.
  • Teravail Cannonball 42 mm tires are race quality and tubeless ready.
  • The GRX 810 Di2’s Guide carbon seatpost was comfortable and flexible.
  • Salsa include a bottle, bottle cage and ‘Anything’ multipurpose bracket with the bike.

3 reasons not to buy

  • Some reviewers saw alloy seatposts as underspecced for the bike’s asking price.
  • A few experts said handling was slightly sluggish, requiring more rider influence.
  • Pricing was seen to be on the high side, compared to some all-carbon options.

Bottom line

In it’s fourth version, the Salsa Warbird presents as a refined gravel machine. Reviewers said it was more relaxed and stable than racier options, which made it well suited to long-distance slogs and endurance racing. The VRS ‘Vibration Reduction System’ incorporates flexible seat-stays for advanced jounce reduction. That said, aluminum seatposts on lower-cost models seemed to take away from this compliance. In 2020, no builds are supplied with 650b wheels, but all configurations are designed to accommodate either wheel size. Reviewers and owners were unanimously impressed by this bike, but did acknowledge that the extra quality came at the cost of a few extra dollars.

Expert Reviews

75/100 based on 2 rated expert reviews
80

Salsa Warbird Carbon GRX 810 Di2 Review

The Salsa Warbird is a great gravel race bike. It checks all the boxes in terms of fit, function, comfort, and — in my experience — durability… Thanks largely to the seatpost, it is one of the most forgiving gravel bikes I’ve ever ridden…

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Salsa Warbird GRX 600

For me, the Salsa Warbird has been the bike that defines what gravel riding means for me. Covering distance over multiple surfaces, quickly and comfortably… it’s the pinnacle of the true gravel bike… If this GRX600 model was on the right side of £3,000 then I’d be scoring it much higher.

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2020 Salsa Warbird Carbon GRX 810 Gravel Bike Review: Ready for Migration

…a bike that wants to be shown the direction of the finish line and pedaled with intent until glory arrives. If you’d rather hallucinate from sheer exhaustion instead of taste blood from extreme lactic acid build-up, then the Warbird is certainly a bike worth flying on.

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The Salsa Warbird Was Born to Race Gravel

The Salsa Warbird remains one of the best gravel race bikes on sale… The bike is pleasantly lively, steady and stable even over racquetball-sized rocks, but never feels dead or dull.

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Road Bike Action Magazine

Shootout: Salsa Warbird Carbon vs. Donnelly G//C

The Salsa’s compact gearing gives the Warbird an edge on the road and on descents. Overall, the Warbird proved to be more refined and the better bike for dual-purpose riding…

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Salsa Warbird Gravel Bike Video Test [German]

The bike is very light and also very comfortable to ride – and fast if you want. Equipped with a Shimano 105 groupset, it is quite expensive, but you get a really well thought-out product for your money.

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User Ratings

100/100 based on 2 ratings
  • 5 star
    100%
  • 4 star
    0%
  • 3 star
    0%
  • 2 star
    0%
  • 1 star
    0%

Rankings

Compared to other bikes
#57 Best Gravel - Adventure
Bottom 40%
#49 Best Bikepacking
Bottom 40%
#6 Best Salsa Bike
Bottom 50%
#494 Best of All Bikes
Bottom 40%

Bike Comparison

Salsa Warbird in comparison to averages

Forum Discussions

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