Salsa to Launch El Mariachi Mountain Bike
April 4th, 2006 by Tim GrahlPress Release:
Salsa Cycles will release its new El Mariachi mountain bike this April at the 2006 Sea Otter Classic cycling festival in Monterey, California. Commemorating its 25th anniversary, the company produced a specially painted and detailed version of the singlespeed, steel frame “29’er” bicycle.
Only 100 of these limited edition models will be available. Salsa plans to release a production version of the El Mariachi in July. “Our customers have been asking for a steel 29’er for a long time,” said Jason Boucher, Salsa general manager. “So here it is—Salsa’s take on the steel 29’er just might reinvent your definition of fun.”
Outfitted with 29-inch wheels, the El Mariachi builds on the success of Salsa’s popular Dos Niner. Paying homage to the hardscrabble origins of mountain biking, El Mariachi uses state-of-the-art steel and big wheels to deliver a ride that is surprisingly smooth and stable.
“Today’s 29ers make rigid bikes even more feasible because of the bigger wheel and tire footprint. You get a comfortable ride because the wheels smooth out the terrain,” said Mike Riemer, marketing manager of Salsa Cycles. The El Mariachi frame and fork are built from True Temper OX Platinum steel tubing. While the limited edition model is singlespeed only, the production version will include a derailleur hanger, allowing the option of a fully geared bike. Both models use an eccentric bottom bracket for chain tensioning and perfect disc brake alignment.
“With the El Mariachi we’re staying true to our heritage,” said Riemer. “Cyclists with a true passion for the sport will want to add this bike to their stable.” As a finishing touch, the limited edition’s fiesta-theme paint job celebrates Salsa’s 25th anniversary with detailed graphics and a unique anniversary logo. Its rigid steel CroMoto Grande fork and CroMoto stem are painted to match.
Salsa Cycles is a premier manufacturer of cycling frames, components and clothing. For 25 years, the privately owned, Minneapolis area company has built a reputation on its exceptional frames and related products. Salsa can be found on the Web at www.salsacycles.com.
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Way cool!
Another 100 29″ bikes on the trails!
We KNEW Salsa could not come up with another roadie or 26″er for their limited edition…
Salsa may not be a pioneer, but they always have style! Hmmm, a Salsa SS to hang on the wall with my Dos Niner?
I am will Cloxxki on this one! I am definetley envisioning a 26er or beach cruiser. Jason is truly the man!
I see my rig getting replaced some time in the future…. I want to see this bad boy…
I wonder what the regular production run frames will look like (paint) and cost (hopefully within reason for the average joe 29er rider - please please please).
I’m curious about the Limited versus production versions. Article says the Limited will be SS only, but the production will be shipped with geared dropout options. I wonder if the Limited can be retro-fitted with the replaceable dropout of the production (assuming it’s a just like a bolt-on drlr hanger. I’d like a limited frame, but want gear options.
On a SS-specific frame, where would you put the cables?
I wish for the non-limited frame they had left out the EBB and just gone geared-specific. The market needs a steel geared frame, and a nice one. If they up their 26″ SS offering to 29″, the circel would be complete.
I agree on the gearie only for the production frame, Cloxxki. It would be different, (Imagine that!) and would sell well, I think. And yes, bring the Jaun Solo with it’s carbon fiber seat stays into the big wheeled world!
Salsa said the frame premiered at Sea Otter already. (1pm. Pacific time) Any pictures yet? The website at Salsa Cycles will have something up in the morning (April 5th) to look at.