Whether it is a cyclocross event in Portland, Providence, Louisville, Minneapolis, or Cross Vegas you are likely to see the Chili Con Crosso in action. It has developed a strong reputation among cyclocross athletes for its performance, ride quality, geometry, weight, and price. We love cross because the bikes are so versatile and capable. For many people, if they could only own one bike, it would be a cross bike. Today it is my pleasure to share the full details of the new Chili Con Crosso.
The goal with the new Chili was to add performance and features while maintaining the same proven ride geometry. In the wet and muddy elements of cyclocross, fork chatter is a perennial challenge to reduce and overcome. There are many differing opinions on the best approach to reduce fork chatter, including brake pad and front brake cable positioning. Regardless, one thing is certain: larger steerer tubes produce less flex and thereby help reduce the fore-aft movement between the brake bosses and the cable housing stop. Together, this reduces brake chatter. The new Chili Con Crosso is spec'd with a 1-1/2" tapered headtube and matching Salsa full carbon fork to help reduce fork chatter.
The full carbon steerer tube tapers from 1-1/8" to 1-1/2" where it meets the large crown. While the crown is extra bulky to increase stiffness between the brake posts and steerer, you can see that there is still plenty of tire clearance when fitted with a 35mm tire as pictured. The fork was stiff, stable and silent when I test rode it with the Avid Shorty 4 brakes and steerer-mounted cable stop as spec'd on the complete bike. For those who wish to take reducing fork chatter one step further, the crown has a drilling where a custom-fitted cable stop could be mounted. The headtube takes a standard I.S. oversized headset. Both the complete bike and frameset come with a Cane Creek IS-3 headset featuring a blue anodized top cap to match the graphics package of the frame.
Speaking of anodized parts, the complete bike comes chock-full of blue bits. The Lip-Lock seat collar, hubs, skewers, Paul Components Chain Keeper, headset and Salsa top cap are anodized blue. There is just enough ano to impress, but not so much that looking at the complete bike will send you into a dizzying out-of-body experience like what nearly happened when I first saw these things:
No, it's not Pac-Man playing chicken with Ms. Pac-Man, or looking at himself in the mirror. These are bolt-on dropouts that allow the option of running your new Chili Con Crosso as a singlespeed. While there are quite a few SS capable cross frames, there are not many high performance options.
The complete bike comes with a 1x10 SRAM Rival drivetrain and bolt-on vertical dropouts with the same hole drilling. They are held in place by T30 chainring bolts. Remove the bolts, slide the horizontal dropout in place, fasten the bolts down and you instantly have yourself a singlespeed-capable cyclocross frameset! Here is a close-up photo I took of Salsa engineer, Sean Mailen, riding on the Minnesota state championship CX course. You can see the vertical dropout held in place with chainring bolts on the non-drive side.
Also notice that the classic flattened seatstays and chainstays carry over to the new frame. These stays provide lateral stiffness while helping take the edge off, especially when riding on bumpy, firm surfaces such as gravel or pavement.
Another carry-over feature from the previous design is the flattened section of the toptube. However, the length of the flattened section on the new Chili is significantly longer to accommodate a wider range of shouldering styles that affect precisely where the toptube rests on the rider. These refinements make run-ups and staircases much less painful than traditional tubes.
Here's a side profile of the toptube to more clearly illustrate how the underside of the toptube curves. That little feature makes the bike fit perfectly on your shoulder.
This year we started working with a new aluminum supplier and were able bring more value by using EV6 (high grade 6000-series) aluminum instead of scandium. The new material has nearly identical strength properties as scandium. Additionally, we are able to now use a mixture of different tube-shaping techniques, including hydroforming, to get the exact shape and ride quality we desire. Ride geometry is the same as previous versions, with some small differences to account for other changes such as the internal headset (headtubes are slightly longer). The well-balanced and stable geometry provides a confidence inspiring ride quality suitable for elite cyclocross athletes.
BASIC DETAILS
The new Chili Con Crosso will be offered in 6 sizes: 51, 53, 55, 56, 58, 60cm. Please see the Geometry Chart on the Chili Con Crosso page of our website
The complete bike will come with a 1x10 SRAM Rival drivetrain, DT Swiss R450 rims, FSA Gossamer crankset w/42T Salsa ring, and Salsa bar/stem/seatpost. See complete spec on the Chili Con Crosso page of our website
Singlespeed or geared: It can do both. You make the choice (both vertical and singlespeed dropouts included with complete bike and frameset)
While the timing of delivery is later than the first cyclocross events of the season, they will still be available in time to hit your local sandpit before the season ends! Contact your local dealer to pre-order yours today. Bring on the cow bells!
As we shared earlier this week, Tim and Mark were in Taiwan overseeing production of our new Chili Con Crosso. Tim is on his way to Europe now and Mark is hand carrying this production frame back home. This images should give you just a bit more info about the details and features of this new frameset.
Look for the full product launch with pricing, specs, & details of the new Chili soon. We do want folks to know we will be selling the new Chili Con Crosso both as a frameset and as a complete bike. We like options and we hope you do too.
We've sponsored the Salsa Two-Four In Support Of MORC for the last 3 years. This year's event has really taken a step forward to becoming the bike, art, and music festival that we'd hoped it would eventually become. Massive props to Amanda from MORC for her work on this event. MORC runs it. Salsa sponsors it.
Here is some of what is going on: Friday Night DH Race, 24-Hour Racing, 8-Hour Racing, Bike Games With Salsa, Homemade Salsa Competition & Tasting, Artists Displaying & Selling Bike-Related Art, Live Music, Food, Bonfires, Camping...
And here is the kicker...aside from the racing, this is a FREE event! C'mon out and take part even if you aren't racing! For more info visit Salsa Two-Four
Raneman and I are in Taiwan right now, working hard to bring you some new product. We are here checking samples, doing QC checks, and supervising production of the new 2011 Chili Con Crosso, as well as a few other new suprises that are yet to come.
Our Chili Con Crosso adventure continued on Friday morning, when we commuted through the streets of Taichung out to Nantou to pick up a pre-production sample of the new Chili Con Crosso, and then carried it to our assembly factory for a complete bike build and check.
Mark, Leeche, Joe Y and myself started the 25k ride earlier in the morning to avoid the sweltering mid 90-degree heat of later in the day. We were treated to something I've rarely seen in Taiwan: a gorgeous sunny, blue sky day.
The updated Chili Con Crosso has exceeded our best wishes for reduced weight and increased front end stiffness over the previous model, and it looks pretty hot to boot, even without paint. Here's a shot of Mark on the unpainted sample.
Then, it was back to the frame factory to do a few more checks on the finer details of the frame
It was a tiring, exciting day, and it was well over 95 degrees outside so we decided to call it a day and head back to take a rest. However, with some luck we were invited to join a friend's cycling club up at Sun Moon Lake for a weekend ride. Sun Moon Lake is a very popular tourist destination up in the mountains from Taichung. It has the feel of a Chinese brush painting. We were camping, so what better time to shoot a few photos of the sunset?
And Mark found a great spot for some Chili testing...
Mark and I will be spending this week taking these Chili Con Crosso samples and moving them through further testing, paint and decals. By week's end we will give you a 'real' presentation of the 2011 bike, complete with colors and graphics. We will also be working on creating some new sneak peaks on a few other models that are up and coming.
------------------ UPCOMING EVENT: NORTH CENTRAL CYCLERY, DEKALB, ILLINOIS ---------------------
On Wednesday August 18th Salsa will present a preview of some never-before-seen products at an event hosted by North Central Cyclery in Dekalb, IL. Salsa sales manager, David Gabrys will be present with the Mukluk, El Mariachi Ti, La Cruz Ti, the new steel El Mariachi and the background behind our Adventure By Bike direction. He will also be sharing some cool stuff that can only be seen by attendees of the event, so it will be worth your while to make the visit and see what’s happening for 2011.
The event begins at 7pm and will be followed by a campfire (and hopefully S'mores). There will be beer too! RSVP at rideaway@northcentralcyclery.com. North Central Cyclery, 534 E. Lincoln Hwy, Dekalb, IL (815) 758-2403.
In the coming weeks I'll be gluing tubular tires to rims and taking the occasional whiff of embrocation to adjust the senses for cyclocross season. During this time we will be releasing small bits and pieces about the new Chili Con Crosso to get you thinking about the changes we are making for the 2010 cyclocross season!
For my first Dirty Kanza 200 attempt, I'll once again be riding my trusty steed, the Chili Con Crosso.
This bike has served me pretty well in my last two gravel events, the Ragnarok 105 and Trans Iowa. I also just really enjoying riding this bike and back and forth to work because of its versatility. River bottoms home? Sure. Longer ride through Edina? Why not. Behind that shopping mall, through those people’s backyard, and then the secret trail next to the creek? Why not.
The SRAM Rival 'cross crankset and drivetrain keep my shifting dialed. While my Easton Orion II wheels keep me rolling. I also threw on a Cane Creek Thudbuster and my butt and back have been thanking me ever since. An old Salsa prototype stem plus FSA Omega handlebar keep things comfy up front and a Jandd frame bag help me keep most of the weight off my bike.
I stuffed the bag with a lot of food for the Trans Iowa and used my Camelback hydration pack to have enough fluid to go a full 100-miles without stopping. I really enjoy this setup and have to agree with Eki in that it doesn’t bother my back either and I enjoy the storage. I also have been running the Continental Speed cross tires and I think these are the ticket for fast rolling gravel races.
Every so often, we receive photos from Salsa riders. They come in from all over the globe. They aren't always good, but sometimes are great. But regardless of the arguable quality of the photos themselves, they show our bikes being put to good use. You can't ask for more than that.
City Creek Canyon overnighter in Salt Lake City, Utah
Out of work...go for a tour? December tour of Washington & Oregon coast.
Tour de Africa. Four Fargo riders in Sudan. And yes, that is a deceased and rapidy dessicating camel. Don't forget to drink.
Monday September 14th, 2009
| 1 Comments | Kid Riemer
We are proud to continue to work with the CLIF Bar Developmental Cyclo-Cross Team. While doing their darndest to kick ass on the 'cross circuit, they are also trying to kick ass environmentally.
Here's is the team's press release and roster. We hope you get a chance to see them in action this season. -Kid
CLIF BAR Development Cyclo-Cross Team Enters Sixth Season, Focusing on Climate Change
Boulder, Colorado, September, 9 2009—The CLIF BAR Development Cyclo-Cross Team is set to begin its sixth season this month, looking to build not only on its past racing success but to continue to raise awareness about important environmental issues.
This season’s focus on climate change lines up perfectly with the timing of ‘cross season:
- CLIF BAR’s Start Global Cooling campaign is always promoted through the Team and at the US Gran Prix of Cyclo-Cross Series;
- 350.org is working to unite the public, media, and our political leaders behind the goal of reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 350 ppm, harnessing the power of the Internet to coordinate a planetary day of action on October 24;
- Brighter Planet will be helping the CLIF BAR Team and the cycling community measure their carbon footprint, discover simple ways to reduce it, track their progress, and share their experiences;
- ClimateCounts.org, a collaborative effort to bring consumers and companies together in the fight against global climate change, will be working with the CLIF BAR Team and its sponsors;
- During the U.S. Cyclo-Cross National Championships, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark is taking place.
Team members will be learning, helping create awareness in the cycling community and their own communities and schools, and taking action themselves.
The CLIF BAR Development Team features an exciting roster of top young cyclo-crossers, led by first-year Elite Colin Cares and veteran Under-23 racer Alex Howes, who has been with the program since its first year in 2004. The team also has several returning and first-year Under-23 riders, and many promising Juniors ranging from 14 to 18 years old.
The team is looking forward to a strong season, following many podium appearances at the 2008 Cyclo-Cross Nationals last December and a summer filled with National Championship medals and top results in road, track, and mountain bike races.
For the third year, the CLIF BAR Development Team will be riding the Salsa Chili Con Crosso, with SRAM drivetrain, Chris King headsets, Crank Brothers pedals, TRP brakes, fi’zi:k saddles, and MAVIC wheels. Pedro’s will keep the team rolling with race support, tools, and bike care products. Pearl Izumi and Patagonia will outfit the team on and off the bike.
CLIF BAR Development Team riders will be focusing on the US Gran Prix Series, Boulder Racing Series, New England Championship Series, Bay Area Super Prestige Series, and the New York State Series – before ending the season with the US Nationals.
You can keep up with what the kids on the team are up to, and learn more about how you can take action in the fight against climate change at the team’s blog:
http://www.sustainablecycling.blogspot.com
Team Roster:
Andrew Barker, U23 - Boulder, CO Alex Howes, U23 - Boulder, CO Bjorn Fox, Jr – Stinson Beach, CA Cody Cox, U23 – Golden, CO Colin Cares, Elite – Colorado Springs, CO Conor Mullervy, U23 – Grand Junction, CO Curtis White, Jr – Delanson, NY Danny Hiller, Jr – Boulder, CO David Kessler, Jr – Littleton, CO Kevin Mullervy, U23 – Grand Junction, CO Mitchell Hoke, U23 – Colorado Springs, CO Nate Morse, Jr – Cohasset, MA Robin Eckmann, Jr – Boulder, CO Russell Finsterwald, U23 – Colorado Springs, CO Yannick Eckmann, Jr – Boulder, CO Zack Gould, Jr – Boulder, CO Zane Godby, Jr – Louisville, CO
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