Before discovering that I had been overlanding for quite some time (without knowing what it was called), I spent my weekends on mountain bikes trying to find ways to carry fishing poles, tents, and sleeping bags to remote fishing holes and backcountry campsites deep in the woods. Like my discovery of the overlanding community, quite by surprise, I discovered a different kind of two-wheeled overlanding called “bikepacking.”
Photo: Salsa Cycles
Bikepacking is essentially overlanding on bicycles. And bike brand Salsa has been at the forefront of the bikepacking segment for a very long time. Marrying the two ideas together, Salsa has released a limited run of overland-inspired colors and spec sheets to promote off-the-beaten-path travel on two wheels.
The Mukluk is Salsa’s 26-inch fat-bike all-rounder that was built to tackle round-the-world expeditions as well as your local single-track trails. Available in carbon or aluminum and with alternator dropouts, the Mukluk can be built for a variety of purposes. Build kits are available with Shimano Deore or SRAM Eagle components and new colors include green, black and two new “colorway” combinations.
Photo: Salsa Cycles
If the Mukluk is the 80-series Toyota Land Cruiser of Salsa’s lineup, the Beargrease is the equivalent to the new RAM TRX. Sporting the same 26-inch tires in a smaller 3.8-inch width and a carbon frame, the Beargrease is the faster and more aggressive distant relative of the Mukluk. The Beargrease is only available in carbon and has a myriad of component options from the tame and dependable Shimano Deore to the more outrageous and high-performance SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain. Several new color options are available, but I would avoid the Orange/Yellow fade if you’re trying to blend in.
Sticking with our overland vehicle analogy, the Blackbarrow is the full-size truck model in Salsa’s lineup. With a carry-all mentality, the Blackbarrow is the cargo-bike that can haul your chainsaw, 12-pack of beer, and all of your gear to the backcountry campsite of your choice. The Blackbarrow is extremely customizable with frame braze-ons all over the place and wheel flexibility to run 26” x 4.3”, 27.5” x 4”, and 29” x 3” tires on the same frame. The rear cargo rack is capable of supporting 110 pounds with room for up to four bike panniers.
Once you run out of two-track to explore in your overland vehicle, consider loading up an overland bicycle to find where the single track can take you, deeper into the wilderness. For the full lineup of Salsa bicycles that can take you there, visit www.salsacycles.com.
Header image: Salsa Cycles
