Inside Wanderosa: the technical take on our full-suspension gravel ebike
Wanderosa is our light electric full-suspension gravel bike, built to push boundaries so you can take your Adventure by Bike farther and faster than you thought possible. Wanderosa is a genre-bending blend of full-suspension capability, progressive drop-bar geometry, and motorized assistance for a radical ride experience. This is a bike that inspires riders to take their gravel adventures to a new level.
Wanderosa is the answer to a lot of ebike questions, like “what’s the most fun you can have on an ebike?” But because it’s the first-ever full-suspension gravel ebike, we thought many of you would naturally want to know more about it. Read on for our product team’s answers to some of the most-anticipated questions about this magical bike.
1) Why did Salsa make the Wanderosa?
Salsa made the Wanderosa to merge the power of FAZUA’s Ride 60 ebike system with a full-suspension drop-bar frame. In doing so, Wanderosa is the most capable gravel ebike in the market. Perfect for afternoon rides on mixed surface and perfectly suited to handle any gravel road.
2) Who is the Wanderosa for?
Wanderosa was built for riders who want a gravel ebike capable of handling any road they might come across. These riders are comfortable taking charge when the terrain gets rough, and they want a bike that complements their sensibilities.
3) Why is the Wanderosa an ebike? Why not make a full-suspension Cutthroat?
We designed Wanderosa as an ebike first; we found that gravel ebikes and full suspension complement each other well, making for a more-capable ride on nearly any terrain.
4) Why is the Wanderosa Class 3?
The Wanderosa is Class 3 (28 mph/45 kmh assist limit) because it is a gravel ebike meant to be ridden on roads of all types where Class 3 ebikes are allowed. For off-road use, where Class 3 bikes are not permitted, the maximum assist speed of the Wanderosa can be turned down to 20 mph in FAZUA’s App.
5) Where can I ride a Class 3 electric gravel bike?
Class 3 ebikes are permitted on all improved roads where motorized vehicles are also allowed. However, we recommend reviewing rules posted at the local, state, and national level before riding.
6) What are the benefits of the FAZUA Ride 60 system?
The FAZUA Ride 60 is a light, compact, quiet, and powerful ebike system that provides up to 450W of power at 60Nm. Its compact design allows for seamless integration into an ebike system. The FAZUA Ride 60 features a fully featured, rider friendly app that allows for a high amount of customization.
7) What is the range on the FAZUA Ride 60?
Wanderosa features FAZUA’s 480Wh battery, which is capable of up to 50 miles of range depending on assist mode, terrain, weather, and other factors.
8) Why would I want suspension on an electric gravel bike?
Full suspension is an excellent complement to Wanderosa’s power and speed, providing more comfort, control, and confidence on all surfaces at the higher speeds of a Class 3 ebike.
9) What is flex-stay suspension?
Flex-stay suspension is the lightest weight rear suspension design. It replaces pivot bearings at the rear axle with specially engineered, flexible seatstays (made of carbon fiber in Wanderosa’s case). This allows the rear triangle to flex throughout the suspension travel.
10) Why did Salsa choose flex-stay suspension for the Wanderosa?
We chose flex-stay suspension for Wanderosa because it’s both lightweight and simple. This allowed us to achieve our goals for the bike’s performance, providing 110mm of rear wheel travel and packaging the brake on the chainstay.
11) Can I change the travel on flex-stay suspension like I can with your mountain bikes?
Wanderosa’s rear travel can be adjusted between 90–110mm of rear wheel travel with the rear shock as shipped. Switching travel requires a trained mechanic to install travel-reduction spacers in the rear shock.
12) Why does the Wanderosa come with drop bars? Can I put flat bars on it?
Wanderosa comes with wide drop bars to provide a range of hand and body positions while riding a range of gravel surfaces, keeping you comfortable and confident. Wanderosa is compatible with flat bars; We recommend using a 70–100mm stem when fitting a Wanderosa with flat bars to adjust for reach and stack. Also, keep in mind that you will need a new shift lever and new brake systems, which may require brake adapters for compatibility with the frame.
13) What are the benefits to mountain bike geometry on a gravel ebike?
With a gravel ebike as capable as the Wanderosa, its geometry trends toward what’s more commonly found on cross-country full suspension bikes. This geometry complements the higher speeds and more-technical terrain that Wanderosa is capable of.
14) What is the cargo capacity of the Wanderosa?
Wanderosa has the cargo capacity for up to two water bottles and a direct-mount frame bag. Salsa offers a frame bag template for you to share with your favorite custom bag manufacturer for a bag that perfectly fits your bike and style.
15) What is special about this RockShox SID fork?
We partnered with SRAM to specify a custom RockShox SID fork for use on Class 3 ebikes. The stiffness of the fork chassis was improved for better handling and durability while traveling at speeds up to 28 mph.
16) What’s the best part about the Wanderosa?
The best part about Wanderosa is how it blends power, speed, and capability. The FAZUA Ride 60 drive system and full suspension are grin-inducing as you fly down (and up) your favorite gravel backroads with unmatched confidence and comfort.