Museum of Mountain Bike Art & Technology

 

 

1996 Salsa Town Bike

This bike was made for the 1996 Interbike show by Ross and the gang at Salsa.  The idea was to make a commuter ready bike with lights, racks, kickstand and fenders which could be sold for well under $1,000.   This one-off was built at the Salsa shop but the production bikes, if made, would have been made in Taiwan.  The bike "had lots or interest and positive vibe backslaps, but not one dealer willing to commit" according to Ross.   This was a similar response that Salsa got with the 24" wheeled bikes in 1994 which never sold, so Ross was hesitant to take out a loan to make it happen.  In 2003, Joe Breeze came out with a line of bikes with very similar attributes and continues to sell them today.  Maybe Salsa was a little too far ahead of the curve?

 

 

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Frame Columbus Cro-Moly
Fork Ritchey Cro-Moly 
Rear Shock NA
Rims WTB Power Beam
Hubs Shimano Nexus 7 rear, Shimano alloy front
Spokes DT Stainless Steel
Tires Continental Avenue
Pedals SR Low Fat
Crank Ritchey Logic with pant guard
Chain Sachs
Rear Cogs Shimano 16 tooth cog
Bottom Bracket Campagnolo sealed cartridge
Front Derailleur NA
Rear Derailleur NA
Shifters Shimano Nexus 7 Twist Type
Handlebars SR Alloy high-rise
Stem Salsa
Headset Chris King
Brake set Shimano Nexus Roller Cam rear, MAFAC canti front
Brake levers Shimano Nexus
Saddle Selle Italia Turbo
Seat Post Control Tech
Colors Dark metallic blue / clear fade
Size 18"
Serial #   SM2083