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Salsa Blackborow is reborn as “mid-long” adventure fat bike

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Want to really get away? Salsa’s newest fat bike might be a great vehicle for that adventure. Originally a fat bike based on 5″ tires with a 197mm rear end, the Blackborow was designed as an adventure fat bike meant to tackle terrain that was off the beaten path – a long way off the beaten path. But Salsa still had bigger ideas for an adventure fat bike, and with 5″ tires and 197mm rear ends becoming more common place, that gave them a chance to do something a bit more radical with the Blackborow line.

Salsa Blackborow is reborn as "mid-long" adventure fat bike

Essentially looking at it as a blank canvas for adventure, the new Blackborow is what Salsa refers to as a Mid-long frame that is a bit shorter than the Big Fat Dummy, but still long enough to fit four full sized panniers and a ton of gear.

Salsa Blackborow is reborn as "mid-long" adventure fat bike Salsa Blackborow is reborn as "mid-long" adventure fat bike

Named after Perce Blackborow who was a stowaway on Ernest Shackleton’s Tran-Antarctic expedition, the frame is adorned with a quote from Shakleton on the downtube. Salsa also had a bit of fun with the idea by naming the bag location behind the seat tube the Stowaway and No Man’s Land.

Salsa Blackborow is reborn as "mid-long" adventure fat bike

From the seat tube forward, the bike is essentially a Mukluk with a 100mm BSA threaded bottom bracket, and suspension corrected rigid fork with a 15 x 150mm hub spacing and three pack mounts on the fork legs.

Salsa Blackborow is reborn as "mid-long" adventure fat bike

The back half of course is where things get a bit wild. Fitting 26 x 3.8-4.33″ tires on up to 100mm rims, the frame can also run 27.5″ x 3.21-4.0 tires or 29 x 2.3 – 3.0″ rubber. Officially, the chainstay length is 650mm which still makes the rear end 9″ shorter than the Big Fat Dummy.

Salsa Blackborow is reborn as "mid-long" adventure fat bike

Salsa Blackborow is reborn as "mid-long" adventure fat bike Salsa Blackborow is reborn as "mid-long" adventure fat bike

The bike includes the massive rack with four solid attachment points to the frame which allows for a 120lb weight limit. Designed to fit two full size panniers side by side on each side of the rack, custom one piece panniers can also be mad to maximize the space.

Salsa Blackborow is reborn as "mid-long" adventure fat bike

Salsa Blackborow is reborn as "mid-long" adventure fat bike Salsa Blackborow is reborn as "mid-long" adventure fat bike

Salsa Blackborow is reborn as "mid-long" adventure fat bike Salsa Blackborow is reborn as "mid-long" adventure fat bike Salsa Blackborow is reborn as "mid-long" adventure fat bike

Mike ‘Kid’ Riemer’s custom build included one off bags made by Cedaero Bags and hand painted by Mimi Matsuda to represent two different types of Trout, one on either side of the bike. There’s also a custom deck made from SkateLite by Swedish Karlos, which doubles as a cutting board.

Salsa Blackborow is reborn as "mid-long" adventure fat bike

The build was meant to highlight the ‘blank slate’ nature of the bike which in this case, Kid used to create his ultimate fly fishing rig including rod storage in the rack. Fully loaded, the bike was quite heavy, but it was surprisingly agile on a quick ride around Northstar resort. You certainly have to remember you have a bunch of gear sticking off the back of the bike, but it’s no where near as cumbersome to ride as it looks.

Salsa Blackborow is reborn as "mid-long" adventure fat bike Salsa Blackborow is reborn as "mid-long" adventure fat bike Salsa Blackborow is reborn as "mid-long" adventure fat bike Salsa Blackborow is reborn as "mid-long" adventure fat bike

As a stock build, the bike will include a 1×12 SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain, mechanical disc brakes, and Sun Ringle Mulefut 27.5 x 80mm rims with Maxxis Minion FBF/FBR 27.5 x 3.8″ tubeless tires for $2,799 in S, M, and L. Complete weight is claimed at 37 lbs, 14 oz for a size large. Framesets will also be available for $1,799 including the rack. And yes, there is a kickstand plate. Salsa Blackborow is reborn as "mid-long" adventure fat bike geometry 2018

salsacycles.com

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Matt
6 years ago

Nice trout theme on those bags! That’s gotta be hella heavy, cool tho.

comrad
comrad
6 years ago

Mid-long adventure fat bike. We are getting a little too specialized….

Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
6 years ago
Reply to  comrad

No, it’s a little too Salsa. But you left it out there so… 😉

shawnlaidlawmedia
6 years ago
Reply to  comrad

I’m pretty pumped about it so? Bet this catches on with other brands soon and that it attracts a ton of new adventure seekers (like me – think surfboard)

ElectricBUGaloo
ElectricBUGaloo
6 years ago

Love it – lots of room and storage for my e-bike batteries. It should be easy to find 2x 1000w hubs for this as well…Dream bike!!! Is there a kit to replace the pedals with pegs or a footboard? I find it hard to balance on my current 60lb ebike using the pedals while plowing through wet and muddy trails. Hard to pedal while the front and rear wheels are spinning. Gotta keep feet free as outriggers. This bike would probably be heavier but the extra batteries + fat tires mean I can let er rip on the throttle.

FFM
FFM
6 years ago

Can’t tell if joking or serious.

Zee
Zee
6 years ago
Reply to  FFM

lol

Emilio
6 years ago
Reply to  FFM

He’s not joking. This guy did it: https://rideonmagazine.com.au/ebiking-the-outback/
Two hub motors, 6,000km across the Australian desert, trailer with solar panels. More info on his fb page: https://www.facebook.com/solarshift/

FFM
FFM
6 years ago
Reply to  Emilio

I’m all for e-bikes but even I have to draw the line somewhere. That’s a little out of hand. It’s like deliberately improvising tools so you can brag about how difficult the job was.

dontcoast
dontcoast
6 years ago

Good luck finding that hub spacing for hub motors.

Emilio
6 years ago
Reply to  dontcoast

You can actually find pretty good motors for those hubs (or get in touch with the manufacturer and got them made). The 2 hub motors on this fatbike are standard from the manufacturer, not custom: https://rideonmagazine.com.au/ebiking-the-outback/

dontcoast
dontcoast
6 years ago
Reply to  Emilio

Thanks for the cool Oz Outback adventure link!!

The bike in the article looks like a Pugsely though, or something custom, with “standard” 135mm spacing front/rear. Hard to tell from pics.

This beast here is 197mm/150mm, motor hubs exist but somewhat harder to find. Of course the dedicated will get them made.

Technician
Technician
6 years ago

Methinks, pegs from Suzuki Boulevard will fit.

Mike
Mike
6 years ago

I like it, add a mid drive E motor and tricked out you still have room for two battery packs and a foldable solar charger, a true independents machine. You can also add a front frame mounted carry rack for more cargo space.

OldDocThedan
OldDocThedan
6 years ago

What about stuffing an e-bike hub up front too?
Given the insanity of it- why not?

Reverend Dick
Reverend Dick
6 years ago

>deleted<

Shafty
Shafty
6 years ago

Looks like they just copied a custom bike that France’s Salamandre Cycles produced. They specialize in custom fat bikes.

https://goo.gl/images/yWQJ7B

Robin
Robin
6 years ago
Reply to  Shafty

This Salsa doesn’t look anything at all like that Salamandre bike. I’m not sure that copy is the right word to use.

henrikleinceebee
6 years ago
Reply to  Shafty

yep, the salamandre looks a lot smarter too

Roddy
Roddy
6 years ago

Love at first sight.

Kelly
Kelly
6 years ago

I built up a Surly Big Dummy on a lark almost 10 years ago now. For anyone who has used a long-tail bike, this bike as well as the evolution that turned into the Surly Big Fat Dummy continues to open up what can be done with a bike. Like fat bikes, these aren’t for everyone – but like a lot of tools, once you have it, you will be amazed at what you can do with it. You mock what you don’t understand.

I just wish I had an excuse to upgrade.

Just some gibroni
Just some gibroni
6 years ago

A huge rack full of panniers and “adventure” gear, held in place with 4 regular rack bolts…

Just some gibroni
Just some gibroni
6 years ago
Reply to  Zach Overholt

yes, you’re correct. The rack, however, seems like an afterthought. It’s mounting, its placement, its relatively low weight limit for a bike this specialized, and even really its appearance. I love salsa, i love my old blackborow, and i love my big fat dummy. I just think this is a missed opportunity for them….

Just some gibroni
Just some gibroni
6 years ago
Reply to  Zach Overholt

especially considering you’ll be spending another small fortune having all those custom bags made

Just some gibroni
Just some gibroni
6 years ago
Reply to  Zach Overholt

and salsa specifically states on their website “not to be used to carry live cargo”. So you can go on adventures, just leave the kids at home with their mother/father? I realize I’m just being a pain in the ass now, but these are all things that matter to someone who uses a Big Fat Dummy to its full potential in the woods full of children and various sundries.

bob11
bob11
6 years ago

Sounds more of a legal liability issue.

Robin
Robin
6 years ago

Looks fun.

Six3Too
Six3Too
6 years ago
Seraph
Seraph
6 years ago

“Mid-long”… the end is near

henrikleinceebee
6 years ago

carrying a complete household ist the opposite of adventure

Six3Too
Six3Too
6 years ago

bitchpissmoanharumphharumphharumph.

I’m a consumer with an internet connection and I know everything.

bitchpissmoanharumphharumphharumph

Just some gibroni
Just some gibroni
6 years ago
Reply to  Six3Too

I think you are mistaking criticism for “bitchpissmoanharumphharumphharumph”. I’m sorry you live in a world where only positive ego stroking is an acceptable way to interact.

cole
cole
6 years ago

If I designed this it would have a jackshaft to get the Q factor back to the normal range. I’d rather have two chains than ergonomic compromise on something meant for adventure=lots of miles and added strain from the weight of adventure gear.

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