There is one word in the outdoor gear space that runs the risk of being terminally overused. It’s the word gravel. Whether it’s referring to gravel running shoes or the popularity of gravel bikes, the term conveys both a nonconformist punk sensibility and marketing hype. (These two things don’t contradict each other.) Yay! It’s a road bike, but with bigger tires! It’s a mountain bike (MTB), but with no suspension and drop bars! It’s the bike you already own, just more expensive!
But as someone who grew up riding hybrid bikes and finds that flexibility to be super appealing, I’m the biggest sucker of them all. It’s taken years for me to find a good gravel electric bike, and for one stupid reason. Gravel electric bikes are supposed to be able to go anywhere and do anything, but a lot of them don’t have suspension. When I’m trying to go 20 mph on a dirt or gravel path, I usually rattle my arms right out of their sockets.
That’s why Salsa’s latest Wanderosa is causing a stir. The brand calls it an electric gravel bike, but it has full front and rear suspension. And also drop bars! Is it a gravel bike, or is it really a drop-bar electric mountain bike? Whatever it is, it’s just really fun to ride. This is my favorite bike that I’ve tested in a while.
Size Equality
There are three versions of the Wanderosa. All of them have a carbon-fiber frame, big 29-inch tires, and the Fazua Ride 60 drive unit, but the transmissions and shocks get upgraded as you move higher up the price tiers.
