• Salsa Fargo Steel Frameset black side view
  • Salsa Fargo Steel Frameset black head tube and fork crown focus
  • Salsa Fargo Steel Frameset black seat tube focus
  • Salsa Fargo Steel Frameset black rear Alternator dropout focus
  • Salsa Fargo Steel Frameset black bottom bracket area detail
  • Salsa Fargo Steel Frameset seat tube area detail looking back toward rear dropouts
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Fargo Steel Frameset

Fargo Steel Frameset

$1,199.00 USD
$1,199.00 USD $1,199.00 USD
Size

Let your imagination roam wild with the Fargo Steel Frameset. Fargo’s triple-butted steel tubing is supportive and comfortable, yet durable enough to ride singletrack in Montana or strap to a bus in Argentina. The Cutthroat Carbon Deluxe fork offers compliance, cargo capacity, and abrasion-resistant plates to reduce wear and tear. Alternator 1.0 Flat Mount dropouts open up more build options than ever before. Fargo’s smooth ride and endless adaptability make this steel bikepacking frame one of the finest options out there. Build it up and wander.

Warning for Residents of California

⚠️ WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

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Bike Key Features

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Product Details

Build Kit

Frameset

Frame

Fargo Triple Butted CroMoly

Color

Black

Fork

Cutthroat Carbon Deluxe

Components

Headset

FSA Orbit ITA

Drivetrain

Wheels

Front Hub

Salsa Deadbolt UL thru-axle, 15 x 135L, TP=1.5, TL=12

Rear Hub

Salsa Deadbolt UL thru-axle, 12 x 180L, TP=1.5, TL=20

Weight

Frame

7.69 lbs (includes fork, headset, front/rear thru axles, seat collar, alternator plates)

Geometry

Geometry Diagram
SizeX-SmallSmallMediumLargeX-Large
A. Effective Top Tube 520.0 540.0 565.0 590.0 620.0
B. Stand Over 690.0 732.0 778.0 821.0 859.0
C. Reach 350.0 364.0 368.0 385.0 409.0
D. Stack 594.0 615.0 643.0 671.0 690.0
E. Total Seat Tube Length 355.6 406.4 457.2 508.0 558.8
F. Headtube Length 90.0 110.0 140.0 170.0 190.0
G. Headtube Angle
68.5
69.0
69.0
69.0
69.0
H. Seat Tube Angle
74.0
74.0
73.0
73.0
73.0
I. BB Drop 70.0 70.0 70.0 70.0 70.0
K. Chainstay Length 445.0- 462.0 445.0- 462.0 445.0- 462.0 445.0- 462.0 445.0- 462.0
L. Fork Length Axle to Crown 480.0 480.0 480.0 480.0 480.0
M. Fork Offset 480.0 480.0 480.0 480.0 480.0
N. Wheelbase 1050.0- 1067.0 1067.0- 1084.0 1083.0- 1100.0 1110.0- 1127.0 1141.0- 1158.0
Crank Arm Length
Handlebar Width
Recommended Rider Height 150.0 - 160.0 160.0 - 175.0 173.0 - 183.0 180.0 - 191.0 188.0
Stem Length

Measurements based on:

  • A Firestarter Deluxe Fork which is 480 x 51 mm offset, this is equivalent to an average 100mm fork at 20% sag.
  • Measurements listed are based on a 29 x 2.4" tire measuring 746 mm in diameter.
  • Standover (P) for all sizes is measured vertically to top of toptube from a position 50mm forward of BB center.

Frame Specs

  • Design Wheel/Tire Sizes 29 x 2.2"
  • Alternate Wheel/Tire Sizes 27.5 x 3.0"
  • Max Tire Outer Diameter 29" wheels: 41–76mm (1.6"–3.0") SM - XL; 41–66mm (1.6" - 2.6") XS 27.5" wheels: 47–76mm (1.85"–3.0") 26" wheels: 70–76mm (2.75"–3.0")
  • Frame Construction Triple-butted CroMoly Steel
  • Fork Construction Carbon
  • Suspension Fork Length (Travel) 506mm (100 mm travel)
  • Rigid Fork Length 483mm axle-to-crown
  • Fork Offset 51mm
  • Rear Spacing 148mm; 142mm thru-axle or 135mm quick-release with Alternator Reduction Plates
  • Front Brake (Rotor) Flat mount (160–180mm rotor), flat mount frame standard (35 mm thickness), 42 mm bolt length
  • Headset - Upper ZS44
  • Headset - Lower EC44
  • Front Spacing 110 x 15 mm thru-axle
  • Steerer Tube 28.6mm, Tapered
  • Crown Race 40mm
  • Seatpost 27.2mm
  • Dropper Post Compatible No
  • Seatpost Clamp 32.0mm
  • Front Derailleur Clamp 148mm rear spaced: high direct-mount (29mm offset) with Problem Solvers bracket (FS1328) 142mm rear spaced: high direct-mount (26.5mm offset) with 34.9mm clamp Problem Solvers Bracket (FS1323)
  • Bottom Bracket 73mm BSA, threaded
  • Crankset (Max Ring) 1x crankset: 36t max. Boost and 34t non-boost or 46t Gates Belt Drive Sprocket; 2x crankset: 42/28t max. Boost and Non-Boost
  • Accessory Mounts Rack Mounts Frame: Yes; Rack Mounts Fork: Yes, low-rider compatible. Salsa Down Under rack recommended.
  • Bottle Mounts Frame: XS: Two; SM–XL: Three; Fork: One set of Three-Pack mounts on each fork leg

Supportive Documents

Support Document links

Additional Features

Triple Butted CroMoly Tubeset

Salsa-designed, triple-butted, and frame size-specific seamless CroMoly tubing

Cutthroat Carbon Deluxe fork

With trail-taming compliance and abrasion-resistant plates in high-wear areas, the Cutthroat Carbon Deluxe fork is designed for the rigors of rides that cover multiple road surfaces in unpredictable conditions

Fargo Geometry

Designed as a drop bar mountain bike, optimized for fit with the Salsa Cowchipper or Woodchipper handlebars. Capable of handling everything from technical singletrack trails, two-track, gravel, and the occasional paved road. Predictable handling with or without a load. The bike to ride for multiple-surface excursions

Alternator 1.0 Flat Mount dropouts

Our renowned Alternator rear dropout grants you ultimate drivetrain versatility. Go geared or single speed, QR or thru-axle, freehub, Rohloff, or Gates Belt Drive. Fargo comes equipped with a Boost-spaced thru-axle plates that are compatible with flat-mount brakes and ready for a rack and fenders. Different plates may be required for other drivetrain setups. Alternator also lets you adjust your wheelbase: set them all the way forward for a shorter wheelbase that results in quick and nimble handling or set them back for more stability.

Belt Drive Compatible

Tested and certified for belt drive use

Multiple Wheelsize Versatility

The Fargo frame can accommodate 27.5+, 29″, 29+ wheels and tires (29+ only compatible with sizes Small to X-large). This makes for a highly capable bike that’s ready for any endeavor on just about any terrain.

Cargo-friendly

Designed for use with Salsa Alternator Plus Rack 135/142/148 in the rear. The fork is compatible with Salsa Down Under Rack or Anything Cage HD using the Three-Pack mounts.

FAQ

Can I run 27.5+ rims and tires on this frameset?

Yes, you can. To maintain appropriate geometry we recommend using 27.5 x 3.0" tires.

Can I run 27.5" (650b) rims and tires on this frameset?

No, you cannot. That wheel size is significantly smaller than the 29er wheels the bike is designed for.

Can I run 29+ rims and tires on this frameset?

Yes, on sizes Small through X-Large. 29+ is not possible on size X-Small due to toe overlap.

Can I run flat bars on my Fargo?

Yes, but it is important to keep in mind that the Fargo is designed specifically as a drop bar mountain bike. Switching to a flat bar essentially results in a very short toptube length, compared to how a traditional flat bar mountain bike would be designed.

Can I use a suspension fork on this frame?

Yes, this frame was designed and tested for use with a suspension fork with an axle-to-crown length up to 511mm (typically 100mm of travel). Check the fork manufacturer's specifications to ensure the model and travel combination you intend to use is equal to or less than this length. Using a longer length fork will void the frame warranty and could result in frame failure. Forks with 45mm offset are recommended, but 51mm offset is also acceptable (decreases mechanical trail by 6mm).

How do I take care of the Alternator Dropouts?

Periodically, we recommend that you remove the bolts and clean the dirt and grime off the hardware and the frame surfaces. Then, lightly re-grease the threaded parts and re-assemble.

Do you offer touch-up paint?

No, we do not offer touch up paint. Hobby shops or automotive stores are excellent places to find paint. We suggest you test the paint on a scrap piece of metal before using it on your frame.

I crashed and dented (or cracked) my frame. Is it safe to ride?

Stop riding your frame immediately and take it to the nearest Salsa authorized dealer for inspection. A dented or cracked tube represents a structural weakening of the frame, and is a safety risk.

What is the warranty for this bike?

View Warranty

Warranty Information

All Salsa products are warranted against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship from the date of retail purchase of the product, subject to the limitations detailed below.

Review Warranty Info