Salsa Cycles La Cruz

Price Paid:  $580.00 at Bikeman

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Ultegra 6600, CK head and Hubs, Discs and DT Swiss wheels

Summary:
This is also for the Las Cruces... which seems to have been split up into the Chili Con Crosso and La Cruz. Best of both worlds, race and commuter. It allows several different set ups with disc or canti mounts, light weight. My whole bike is 17lbs and it soaks up a lot of the bumps while remaining stiff. It is easy to shoulder for cross and urban situations.

Strengths:
Light, strong, adaptable. Great geometry.The paint job makes you easy to spot by drivers.

Weaknesses:
no longer available. The La Cruz may be the next best thing.

Similar Products Used:
Fuji Cross Pro, Kona JTS, Soma Double Cross

Price Paid:  $660.00 at Privately

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
PA Provincial Cross Course

Bike Setup:
Salsa Las Cruces
Full Ultegra 9 Speed
Salsa Bell Lap Bars/Cro-Mo Stem/Seatpost
Bontrager Race CX Crank
Crankbrother's Candy C
Random Disc 700c Wheels
Avid BB5 Road Brakes

Summary:
This is a review for the 2007 Las Cruces, the precursor to the La Cruz. The main difference is that the Las Cruces has canti and disc mounts and a Scandium frame. A very race driven bike. The geometry is set up FAST. You think about turning and the bike shoots that way. Definitely great in those tight courses. Cables are routed just right and the bike shoulders well, I have a bigger frame (60 cm) so I can even shoulder well with a water bottle off of the down tube. The bike is also very light for it's size yet still feels really nice and stiff. I built it up with Ultegra 9 and Salsa components and it's a pleasure to ride. Got an amazing deal on it off of eBay.

Strengths:
Light weight
Stiff, race geometry
Easy to shoulder
Makes a pretty good commuter too

Weaknesses:
You NEED a chainguard, my chain took some good hacks out of my chainstay until I got one.

Similar Products Used:
None