New bike prices got you down? We get it. Sometimes it seems like everyone is rolling around on multi-thousand dollar full suspension rigs when you show up to the trailhead. Fortunately, more affordable mountain bikes are also more capable than ever. Case in point? Check out the all new Salsa Rangefinder.Advertisements
Calling it an “approachable trail hardtail,” the Rangefinder provides nearly everything you really need without a price that’s sky high. Built around a 6061-T6 aluminum frame, the Rangefinder will be offered in both 27.5+ and 29″ builds with actual tire clearance for a 27.5 x 3.0″ or 29 x 2.6″ tire. Stock bikes will come with either 27.5 x 2.8″ or 29 x 2.6″ tires.
Up front, a 120mm travel SR Suntour suspension fork with an air spring and Boost 15 x 110 spacing will keep the front wheel planted.
Out back, you still get Boost spacing, only Boost 141 QR. We’ve gone over this before, but this isn’t some new standard – it’s simply the QR version of Boost 148, just like the QR version of 142mm thru axles was 135mm QR.
You’ll note that all Rangefinder models offer an internally routed dropper post – pretty rad on a bike at this price. You also get full Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, and either a Shimano 1 x 10 or SRAM 1 x 12 drivetrain depending on the spec.
Other frame details include internal cable routing, a threaded bottom bracket, tapered head tube, and multiple bottle and accessory mounts. You’ll find accessory mounts on both the top tube and the downtube, and two bottle mounts inside the front triangle with a three pack for the front bottle mount.
Salsa’s trail geometry is built around a short stem and longer reach, with a 68° head tube angle, 74-74.5° seat tube angle, and 439mm chainstays. Bikes will be offered in five sizes from XS-XL.
Sold in two wheel sizes and two build levels, there will be four total Rangefinder models. The Shimano 1×10 equipped Rangefinder Deore 29 and 27.5+ will sell for $1,099.
The slightly higher end Rangefinder SX Eagle 29 and 27.5+ with their 1×12 drivetrain will sell for just $200 more at $1299. 
