Salsa Beargrease

One of my oldest bikes. I bough the Beargrease before either Ibis and rode it as a mountain bike. In the dirt its like riding on basketballs which is actually really fun. In the snow it’s the perfect companion.

The setup

I’ve been on a Beargrease since 2014. It’s a great bike. The colors have changed over the years but it’s mostly still the same bike. Salsa Beargrease X01 $6,799.00 from Aventuron

On my first winter ride years ago I wore only my winter gloves. When I finished it took and hour for my hands to warm back up and the pain from the frostbite was almost unbearable. I quickly purchased a pair of these 45NRTH Cobrafist Pogies and I’ve never regretted it. I can drop an electric hand warmer in each one and and stay warm and cozy the entire ride.

Years ago I added a Thomson dropper post to the Beargrease. It stopped working, they don’t make the version I need and servicing them costs as much as many new dropper posts. Instead, I switched to a KS Lev dropper. It’s a bit slow which means I probably need to adjust something but I’m hoping it will last me for many years to come. I needed a 27.2″ post and the KS Lev offered the most travel I could find in the Salsa Beargrease X01 $339.00 from Backcountry.com

Most recently I burned up my drive train. I’ve been riding with the Sram AXS XX1 on my Ripmo and it’s left me wanting to try out the Sram AXS GX. So far I can’t tell the difference between the AXS GX and the AXS XX1. I think the XX1 might be lighter but for the money the AXS GX setup is amazing. I’ve been riding it in the crazy cold without any issues. I’m becoming a huge Sram GX fan.

I would like to have gone with the XG-1275 GX Eagle 12-Speed rear Cassette but my rear hub would only take the NX Eagle 12-Speed Cassette. It’s heavier but performs just fine.

My Beargrease originally came with a 2×10 Sram X7 setup. I destroyed the chain rings along with the rear hub. I’m now riding a 1×12 setup. One huge benefit is that my setup is now the same across all my bikes. My dropped is next to my left thumb which makes my life so much easier. Before It was above the bar next to my right hand and at the beginning of the season when I transitioned to the fat bike I would constantly get confused and drop my post instead of shifting and vice versa.

I ended up swapping out to a new 30T front chain ring from Sram. I would have liked to go even smaller for the days when I have to plow through deep snow but this setup gives me approximately the same gearing I used to have.

My new light for when the ride goes longer than I anticipated. The Lezyne Super Drive 1600XXL Headlight. I’ve researched lights for years and never picked one so this time I just dropped into Als and grabbed the one that I thought looked like it would do the job. If you turn it on max it can double as a heater. It puts out some intense light.

  • A snow-covered path leads through a winter landscape in Providence, Utah. Mountains are visible in the background, partially obscured by clouds, and trees line the sides of the path. The scene is tranquil and overcast.
    Cool runnings
    Took the Salsa Beargrease on another ride on Providence, Utah, United States The ride – Providence, Utah, United States The bike – Salsa Beargrease
  • A snow-covered path winding through a wooded area in Providence, Utah, with trees lining either side and small bushes partially visible in the snow.
    Snow for lunch
    Took the Salsa Beargrease on another ride on Providence, Utah, United States The ride – Providence, Utah, United States The bike – Salsa Beargrease
  • Snow-covered path winding through bare trees on a winter day in Providence, Utah, under a clear blue sky.
    Frosty
    Took the Salsa Beargrease on another ride on Providence, Utah, United States The ride – Providence, Utah, United States The bike – Salsa Beargrease
  • A snowy path winds through a winter landscape in Smithfield, Utah, with bare trees on either side and a cloudy sky above.
    Perfect and then not perfect
    Took the Salsa Beargrease on another ride on Smithfield, Utah, United States The ride – Smithfield, Utah, United States The bike – Salsa Beargrease
  • Snow-covered trail winding through a mountain landscape in Providence, Utah, with trees lining the path and sunlight illuminating the peaks in the background.
    In the dark of the night
    Took the Salsa Beargrease on another ride on Providence, Utah, United States The ride – Providence, Utah, United States The bike – Salsa Beargrease
  • A snowy trail lined with bare trees in Providence, Utah. The path is mostly covered in snow, with some footprints visible. The scene is set under a cloudy sky, creating a quiet, serene atmosphere.
    Providence is perfect again
    Took the Salsa Beargrease on another ride on Providence, Utah, United States The ride – Providence, Utah, United States The bike – Salsa Beargrease
  • A snowy pathway winds through a wooded area, lined with bare trees and patches of green vegetation. The scene is overcast, suggesting a chilly atmosphere. Rocks are visible along the sides of the path, creating a natural, unpaved trail.
    Ice ice baby
    Everything is icy these days. The ride – Providence Canyon The bike – Salsa Beargrease
  • A small stream flows over rocks in a snowy forest, surrounded by bare trees and branches.
    Spin Cycle
    Trying out the lights on a night ride up Providence Canyon. Short, dark days leave little choice. The ride – Providence Canyon The bike – Salsa Beargrease
  • A snow-covered path leads through a wintry landscape, lined with bare trees and shrubs. In the background, mountains are visible under a clear blue sky.
    Stayin’ frosty
    I had time and the road up to the top of the quarry was rideable. I made it to the waterfall where the views are crisp and spectacular this time of the year. The ride – Providence Canyon The bike – Salsa Beargrease
  • A snow-covered pathway lined with bare trees and rocky outcrops, leading into a mountainous area under a clear blue sky.
    Dreamsicle
    Not a lot of snow yet but Providence is rideable all the same. The ride – Providence Canyon The bike – Salsa Beargrease
  • White is the new Green
    The Forest service is adding fees to ride green. Public lands are become less public and now everyone wants a fee. The Forest service claims it is needed to maintain the area. That’s funny because volunteers have been maintaining it for years. I suspect they will collect their fees and we’ll not see them come around unless it is to check to make sure you’ve

    Continue readingWhite is the new Green

  • A touch of snow
    First snow bike ride of the season. I don’t like the cold but somehow being on a bike in the snow doesn’t feel cold. The conditions were perfect and the trail was well set in. I’m hoping to find myself here plenty of times while the ground is blanketed in white. The ride – Providence Canyon The bike – Beargrease