- all-road /
- Bike touring /
- CIV /
- Gravel Bike /
- Gravel Tourer /
- Salsa /
- Salsa Vaya /
- tour
Sep 29, 2026
Staff Bikes; Jose's Salsa Vaya Gravel Tourer.
Words: Braden Govoni Photographs: James Wainscott
Times have changed, but the feeling still remains
Days of wonder, unanswered questions
The day would come when I could finally find out
Who I am and where I'm going
-Anthony Civarelli
On a day that seemed like it was a lifetime ago (2012 to be precise), I sold this Salsa Vaya to a man named Harry. I kind of knew Harry because he was the cashier at Great Big Greenhouse, where I shopped often, and it was enjoyable to walk him through the process of choosing a touring bike. At the time, he had it in his mind that he wanted a Surly Long Haul Trucker, but after comparing the two bikes, he realized he appreciated the lighter and livelier feel of this Salsa.
Over the following years, Harry rode this bike across the country twice, up and down the East Coast and over thousands of other miles in between.
Eventually, he got to a point where he was done with loaded touring and the complexities and logistics that came with it. He was ready to move on to a lighter carbon fiber gravel bike for this next stage of his life as a cyclist.
When this happened, we helped Harry build up an Ibis frame that he purchased online, and when he was done, he had the Salsa frame and a few of the parts that were left from the original build that had not been upgraded without any real use for it. With no real need for what was left, he gladly sold it to Jose for a very good price and passed this wonderfully riding frame to its next owner.
With Jose now at the reins, this frame began the next stage of its life. In the years since Jose picked it up, he has made countless subtle revisions, upgrades, and tweaks to create what is, in his eyes, the perfect mix of retro and modern in a steel gravel bike.
In the years since Jose picked it up, he has made countless subtle revisions, upgrades, and tweaks to create what is, in his eyes, the perfect mix of retro and modern in a steel gravel bike.
From the classic Sugino cranks from Japan and TA rings from France to the incredibly modern yet classic-looking Growtac brakes and shifters, the drivetrain combines parts from six different manufacturers. The classic Nitto Noodle bars harken back to French randonneuring bikes. The custom wheels with Velo Orange rims and Industry Nine hubs combine modern tubeless tire tech and fast engagement with more classic visual cues.
This bike has countless subtle details that will tickle the brain of even the most jaded of bike nerds.
While, this bike is no longer traversing the continent; it still sees plenty of use under a rider who also appreciates how pleasant and versatile it remains fourteen years later.
Specs.
Frame; 2012 Salsa Vaya 3 Charcoal Briquette
Cockpit
Bars; Nitto Noodle - 46cm
Stem; Nitto UI-2 80mm
Bar Plugs; Nitto Bar Plugs Black
bar tape; Blue Lug cotton
Groupset
Shifters/ Levers; Equal Growtac Control
Brakes; Equal Growtac
Front Derailleur; Shimano FD-CX70
Cranks; Sugino Super Maxy 50.4 BCD crankset 165
Chain Rings; TA Specialites Pro 5 Vis 42/26
Rear Derailleur; SRAM GX Type 2.1 10s
Cassette/ Sprocket; SRAM PG-1070 11-36t w/ Wolftooth Big Cog 40t
Chain; KMC X10SL 10s
Wheels; Velo Orange Voyager rims
Industry Nine Torch hubs Pink
Tires Challenge Getaway 45
Seat Post; Moots
Saddle; Blown out Flite
frame pump; Zefel HP X3
Bottle Cages; King Cage Iris/Original
Top Tube Bag; Revelate Designs Mag Tank
