Salsa Warbird Owners

Hey everyone!

Looking for general thoughts on the Salsa Warbird from those who own or have ridden a Warbird.
 
I am looking for a new gravel race bike and plan to buy from a shop that sells Salsa and Giant so my options are the Salsa Warbird (2019 Apex 1) or the Giant Revolt (Advanced 1).

Thanks!

Upon first glance they seem fairly similar, though I am comparing it to my 2017 (Gen 2?) Warbird which has recently been updated.  There were substantial changes made to the new model which haven't had any real lifetime out in customers' hands yet.  That said, the biggest thing I notice between the two if that the Giant is spec'd fully with their components.  Now that obviously brings the price down quite a bit, but it can also make modifications and upgrades more difficult in the future.  For example, the Giant fork has the overdrive steerer tube, which is gonna take a 1-1/4" stem clamp.  I'm not sure about you, but I don't have any of those in the spare parts bin, but I have several of the standard 1-1/8" stems that I can try for fit purposes if I choose.  Same with their weirdo seatpost clamp, wheels/hubs, tires etc... The Warbird gives you a more standard package, more like how you'd build it from the frame up with aftermarket type components.

I owned a 2016 Alum Warbird and I really liked it - it took everything I threw at it. Only reason I don't still have it because it was too small for me and I found a good deal elsewhere (another brand). I like the looks of the new Warbirds too and would love to have one again. However, I think you will definitely get more for your money with Giant.

I have quite a few friends with Warbirds in the 1-4 year old range and have yet to hear anything but positives. I put my deposit down in an Apex 1 build the day after I was able to check 1 our at a demo. Now I stop in my shop a couple times a week giving them crap for my bike not being in!

+1 for Warbird - 12 months on mine, Ultegra Build: Gravel Worlds, Gravel Mob, bikepacking, commuting and all it's asked is a set of brake pads front and rear. Had it loaded up with 30lbs of gear and clocked 56mph just outsite San Louis Obispo, steady as an Iceberg on a moonless night. Best bike I've ever owned. Waiting in line for a 2019 V.4

thepointchris wrote:+1 for Warbird - 12 months on mine, Ultegra Build: Gravel Worlds, Gravel Mob, bikepacking, commuting and all it's asked is a set of brake pads front and rear. Had it loaded up with 30lbs of gear and clocked 56mph just outsite San Louis Obispo, steady as an Iceberg on a moonless night. Best bike I've ever owned. Waiting in line for a 2019 V.4

Is yours the carbon version? I have read some on this bike but never seen one in person or if I saw one at a race didn't looked at it real close. I didn't think that they had any braze on's for fitting racks as they were a race only style of bike.


Zman

Has anyone heard anything about fork or even frameset availability?  I messaged Salsa but they don't feel the need to respond.

Volsung wrote:Has anyone heard anything about fork or even frameset availability?  I messaged Salsa but they don't feel the need to respond.

I’ve seen conflicting information in some articles on the internet. I read one that said Salsa changed their mind about offering it as a frame set and a frame set will not be available. Every other article said a frame set will be available. I just ordered a Apex 1 build and I’m going to strip it and build it up. The dealer had no information about frameset availability, but said the bikes should be shipping in a few weeks.

djj8 wrote:Hey everyone!

Looking for general thoughts on the Salsa Warbird from those who own or have ridden a Warbird.
 
I am looking for a new gravel race bike and plan to buy from a shop that sells Salsa and Giant so my options are the Salsa Warbird (2019 Apex 1) or the Giant Revolt (Advanced 1).

Thanks!

I have both a Warbird and a Giant Revolt Advanced 0 (ordered the 1, but couldn't wait). I love my Warbird, don't get me wrong, but the Giant rides way better. I was shocked. 

There's not a lot out there as far as reviews go, but I really think the Revolt is going to have some 5-stars. Just raced mine in a 100k yesterday and was really impressed. 

   

RipRap wrote:

I have both a Warbird and a Giant Revolt Advanced 0 (ordered the 1, but couldn't wait). I love my Warbird, don't get me wrong, but the Giant rides way better. I was shocked. 

There's not a lot out there as far as reviews go, but I really think the Revolt is going to have some 5-stars. Just raced mine in a 100k yesterday and was really impressed. 

Comparing an aluminum Warbird to a carbon Giant is an apples and oranges comparison.  The OP is looking at the new Warbird that only comes in carbon.

ljsmith wrote:

Comparing an aluminum Warbird to a carbon Giant is an apples and oranges comparison.  The OP is looking at the new Warbird that only comes in carbon.

Since I have never looked at the Warbird in carbon what kind of price tag are we talking about?

I did just google it. The Apex 1 carbon is $2499. I see it is listed as only handling 700 x 38 tires. Why would a gravel bike like this only be limited to 700 x 38 tires. Curious

Zman

I have the 2018 Carbon Ultegra (Red) version. I don't miss any specific braze-on rack mounts, since my Revelate bags easily kit me up for a week out, no worries.
I have had 45c's in there - I want to say that the Salsa Warbird must be one of THE most versatile performance Gravel Rigs out there. I'll be getting the 2019.
Commuter - check. Racer - check. Bikepacking - check. Tuesday Night Worlds with a set 0f 28's -check. 
If I had  to get by with only one bike, this would be it.

Zurichman wrote:

Since I have never looked at the Warbird in carbon what kind of price tag are we talking about?

I did just google it. The Apex 1 carbon is $2499. I see it is listed as only handling 700 x 38 tires. Why would a gravel bike like this only be limited to 700 x 38 tires. Curious

Zman

The new Warbird fits 700 x 45 or 27.5 x 2.1.

Zurichman wrote:

Since I have never looked at the Warbird in carbon what kind of price tag are we talking about?

I did just google it. The Apex 1 carbon is $2499. I see it is listed as only handling 700 x 38 tires. Why would a gravel bike like this only be limited to 700 x 38 tires. Curious

Zman

I'm not sure where you're getting your info but everything I've seen says it comes with 40's and can accommodate up to 2.1" with a 650b wheel.  Here's a link to the Salsa page... might as well go directly to the source to avoid any confusion.

https://salsacycles.com/bikes/warbird/2019_warbird_carbon_ultegra_di2700

$2699 for the Apex build.  It might be a little high for the component level, but I'm hoping the frame and geometry offset that.  

OP.  Thanks everyone for the input!  Really appreciate it.  I have a Warbird Apex 1 on order.  Now the waiting game begins.  Salsa rep said Apex builds should ship "sometime this fall".  Wouldn't commit to any firm date. 

djj8 wrote:OP.  Thanks everyone for the input!  Really appreciate it.  I have a Warbird Apex 1 on order.  Now the waiting game begins.  Salsa rep said Apex builds should ship "sometime this fall".  Wouldn't commit to any firm date. 

I was told November by the Salsa rep at our demo ride and heard the same thing when I placed my order.  Of course that doesn't stop me from swinging by the shop on a weekly basis to jokingly ask where my bike is!

ljsmith wrote:

I’ve seen conflicting information in some articles on the internet. I read one that said Salsa changed their mind about offering it as a frame set and a frame set will not be available. Every other article said a frame set will be available. I just ordered a Apex 1 build and I’m going to strip it and build it up. The dealer had no information about frameset availability, but said the bikes should be shipping in a few weeks.

According to what I've seen, frame/fork will be $2k and black. 

JMosey wrote:

I'm not sure where you're getting your info but everything I've seen says it comes with 40's and can accommodate up to 2.1" with a 650b wheel.  Here's a link to the Salsa page... might as well go directly to the source to avoid any confusion.

https://salsacycles.com/bikes/warbird/2019_warbird_carbon_ultegra_di2700

$2699 for the Apex build.  It might be a little high for the component level, but I'm hoping the frame and geometry offset that.  

If you look under the frame specs FAQ They say it will fit tires up to 700 x 38 when the ? was asked can I run fenders. Maybe that is where the mix up is. Not trying to stir anything up just what I see. I guess if you wanted to 2x you would have to buy frame only is that correct?

Zman

Zurichman wrote:

If you look under the frame specs FAQ They say it will fit tires up to 700 x 38 when the ? was asked can I run fenders. Maybe that is where the mix up is. Not trying to stir anything up just what I see. I guess if you wanted to 2x you would have to buy frame only is that correct?

Zman

That’s with fenders I believe.

I haven’t seen any 2x builds, just the 1x.

Zurichman wrote:
I guess if you wanted to 2x you would have to buy frame only is that correct?

Zman

All SRAM options are 1x.  There are 3 Shimano builds that are 2x. 

Ultegra Di2  $5399
 

105 $3399
 
Tiagra $2399