From Vanilla to Salsa
In 2013, I rode my Vanilla Bicycle, a custom-built masterpiece by Sacha White in Portland who now owns Speedvagen. Over the years, my bond with that bike has remained as strong as Chuck Noland’s connection to Wilson in Cast Away. But as much as I love my Vanilla, I couldn’t ignore how much bicycle technology has evolved in the past two decades. That led me to a dilemma: should I continue riding a bike designed for my 30-year-old body, or invest in something new for my 50-year-old self?
June 2013, my departure party with the set up, including the list of things I had packed behind me.
Cyclists don’t need much convincing to add another bike to their collection—there’s always a reason for a new one. Road riding, touring, mountain biking, triathlons—the list is endless. But practicality and cost kept me hesitant. Could anything truly replace the comfort of my Vanilla?
To help me decide, I turned to two trusted mentors—Michael Sylvester, my bike fitter from Portland (who kindly sent me my original fit measurements), and Jered Bogli. Both strongly encouraged me to go for a new bike. The benefits of modern components—hydraulic brakes, tubeless tires, and wider, more durable wheels—were hard to ignore.
I wanted my new bike to match the geometry of my Vanilla as closely as possible. A bike’s frame is fixed, but variables like pedals, crank arm length, handlebar width, and saddle position can be adjusted. Still, I felt anxious about finding the right fit in time to get enough training miles before my departure on May 18.
That’s when I reached out to Pedal Power, a bike shop in Lexington, KY, where I had previously bought my Liv Avail. I emailed them, explaining my attachment to the Vanilla and my concern about transitioning to a new bike. I shared my bike fit measurements, though I lacked the exact geometry specs of my Vanilla.
The next day, Evan from Pedal Power replied, eager to help. He offered to measure my Vanilla, compare it to potential new frames, and use my bike fit data to fine-tune the setup. His willingness to guide me through the process was a huge relief. I scheduled a visit and made the hour-long drive to Lexington.
Evan and his colleagues spent over two hours with me during that first trip to Lexington (and since then, many more hours)—measuring my Vanilla, analyzing frame options online, and discussing the best fit. We landed on the Salsa Journeyer, 53cm. Once ordered, they assured me they’d dial in the fit as closely as possible.
When the bike arrived, I spent another three hours at the shop setting up tubeless tires, installing pedals, adjusting the saddle, and fine-tuning the fit. Evan also walked me through frame bag and pannier options—a whole new setup compared to the trailer I used with the Vanilla.
I’ve taken the Salsa out on four long-ish rides so far. It’s not identical to the Vanilla (no two bike frames ever are), but it’s going to be perfect. The modern components mean I’ll carry less—fewer brake pads, no extra tubes—making for a lighter, more efficient ride.
The transition from Vanilla to Salsa is bittersweet, but I know I’ve made the right choice. Thank you to Michael, Jered, and Evan for your continued support and guidance!
My 2025 set up. Still not 100% set, but as you can see, very different from last trip!