Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Salsa Fargo - Lemon of the year!

« on: June 30, 2010, 01:03:06 pm »

Greetings All:

I've just purchased a Salsa Fargo specifically for a loaded tour down the Alaska Hwy from Whitehorse, Yukon Territory to my home in Vancouver, BC.  I did read this series of reports, and thought that it was a bit overstated, and that Galloper was overestimating the shimmy.  I did a test ride of the bike before purchase with no load, and it was stellar.  I even used it around my home with a partial load, and although there was some shimmy, I thought it not excessive and a result of poor packing on my part.  Now, sadly, I have to admit that 500 km into this tour, I'm ready to try just about anything to get rid of the brutal wobble and shimmy that this bike is generating when fully loaded.  I have the XXL frame (I'm 6'5" and weigh 220 lbs), and have it loaded with about 75 lbs of gear (front and rear panniers, handlebar bag, and a tent on the rear rack - Surly "Nice" racks BTW) and like Galloper, have nothing but problems with shimmy - at all speeds that I've been bold enough to try.  And yes, I admit my error in not fully testing the bike before undertaking this tour. 

I've tried changing the front to rear loading ratio, moved the panniers closer to the BB (as close as the racks and my heels will allow) and have all of the heavy items in the very bottom of the panniers.  I've also tried putting the heavy items closest to the frame.  I've even used bungee cords to try and pull the panniers closer to the centre line of the frame, thinking that it is the mounting mechanism of the pannier that might be contributing to this.  Nothing seems to work.  Pushing hard on the handlebar while peddling in a bit of a staccato fashion seems to break the rhythm of the shimmy, but is slowly grinding me down... 

I'm no stranger to loaded touring, and the load that I described is what I normally do tours with.  To date, I have never experienced this sort of problem with the bikes I use - either touring specific bikes (an old 80's era Miyata and a similar vintage Nishiki) or the old non-suspension Trek 820 mountain bike that I was going to use.  I'm just getting set to send a similar message to Salsa now, and will keep you posted on how that turns out.

Right now, I would suggest that if you are thinking about buying this bike for a loaded tour, check it out thoroughly.  Load it up if you can.  I know that that sounds a bit over the top, as I suspect that there are very few if any bike shops that will accommodate that request, but if you can, do it.  It will save you the headache that I am now living with.

Good luck if you purchase the Fargo.

johnnyo

John, Thanks for writing in.  I received your email today, and I replied with my personal cell phone.  We will do whatever we can to help you out, so give me a ring and lets figure it out.

Tim, Salsa Cycles

2

Gear Talk / Re: Salsa Fargo - Lemon of the year!

« on: April 17, 2010, 11:15:29 am »

Galloper -

Thank you for the information.  I think the issue is that this is the first we have heard of this, I don't think we received your email.  Again, I am sorry for this. 

I have spoken with Chris at Topanga and it seems that you were well taken care of by this excellent shop, and I am glad that you are now happy on your Long Haul Trucker.  Have a good tour!

For other tourists out there - Our Fargo does make a great touring bike, but as mentioned, it is a bit slack to be more of a "mountain" touring bike.  If you desire a more traditional touring ride and are carrying a more traditional touring load of panniers and handlebar bags, please consider our Vaya model.  It is similar to the Fargo, except with a geometry that is much more intended to the road and for pannier-based touring.

Finally, Galloper, thanks for bringing attention to this and letting me try to work through the issue.  If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me direct at tkrueger at salsacycles.com.

Ride and Smile,
Tim, Salsa Cycles

3

Gear Talk / Re: Salsa Fargo - Lemon of the year!

« on: April 16, 2010, 04:40:12 pm »

Galloper -

I am sorry to hear about your issue with the Fargo, and I apologize for the inconvenience it caused you.  However, I am curious as to whom you spoke with at Salsa about this issue.  This is the first that we have heard of this particular issue.  Again, I apologize if you made contact and were not responded to.

We have had a small amount of people report a shimmy with a heavier front load on the Fargo, and it typically lies with load placement.  Due to the slacker head angle of the Fargo and the more "mountain" geometry, if the load is high, this is possible, but not common, as it also has to do with rider placement on the bike. 

I will contact Topanga Creek today to thank them for helping you with this issue and to make sure their needs are met.  If you have any additional needs, please feel free to contact me direct at tkrueger at salsacycles.com. 

We stand behind our products 100%, and I feel this was just an issue of miscommunication, as we typically respond to emails or phone calls within 24 hours.  Again, I am really sorry for your experience, and if there is anything I can do for you, please let me know. 


Ride and Smile,
Tim, Salsa Cycles