Frannie is a 2019 Salsa Vaya.
Steel frame with a Shimano 105 drivetrain. We roll tubeless. She typically hauls between 20 and 40 pounds of gear depending on the season. I used to ride carbon, but once I hit my 40s every ride started to hurt a little more, so I moved to steel. Unloaded, the frame weighs about 19 lbs, but it handles smooth as silk.
I would spend 8 hours a day on this thing if I didn’t have a job.
Dat azzzz
Those leather saddles are designed to fit to the rider and last forever. It’s thick leather stretched over a steel frame. There’s a break-in period of about 100 miles, and then it just fits you forever.
The leather breathes, so you don’t sweat as much, but the shock absorbtion is much better. If I hit a big bump, I’ll feel it in my wrists but the rest of my body just bounces in the saddle.
They don’t like getting wet though. If I have to leave it outside in the rain I’ll put a bag over it.
very interesting, would need check where I can get one of those saddles in my area