Test Pilot

TEST PILOT: Subrosa Salvador

Built and tested by Crucial BMX Shop

Words and Photos: Dunk

Website: Subrosabrand.com
Distro: Seventies.co.uk
Thanks: Crucial BMX Shop

The Salvador is Subrosa’s expert level complete and this one is packed with upgraded features compared to last years model. Items such as the Subrosa Uplift Stem, Subrosa Crest Seat, Shadow Chula DCR Grips, Shadow Valor 2.4” Tires, Shadow Alfred Clamp, and Rant Sealed Hubs. Also, the tapered legs on the forks look great, and feature a chromoly steer tube for strength. The 20.5 TT keeps things tight and compact up the top end, ideal for street and park riding and overall, the bike just looks really cool. The paintwork is black gloss fading to matt, which is pretty different, and there’s black parts to match all round. In fact, the only dash of colour comes from the decals! This model is the Lahsaan Kobza variant (new for 2016) with two more signature Salvador’s from other Subrosa pro riders, Hoang Tran and Simone Barraco, these come in gloss dark navy and raw respectively. With a rider owned brand like Subrosa consistently pushing their products, you know this complete is the best it can be, and you certainly won’t be disappointed at what you get for well under £400!

We asked Ryan Sher about their history and where are the brand from?
Subrosa- suhb roh-zuh: Meaning, under the rose. Throughout history a rose hanging overhead was a symbol of secrecy and brotherhood. Whatever was spoken under a rose was to remain secret, sacred and subrosa. Our icon hangs high above our team and our fans. Subrosa Brand began in 2006 as a collaboration between Ron Bonner and myself. Ronnie’s background comes from a lifetime of BMX and creating brands such as UGP and The Shadow Conspiracy, while my experience came from growing up in BMX, from racing to working in bike shops, and of course being a pro rider.

On a trip to California Ron and I sat by a pool, drinking beers, and talking BMX. We looked at my bike and Ronnie said, “What if we made everything on your bike?” It honestly was as simple as that. As soon as those words came out, so did the ideas, and we spent much of that night talking about the yet to be named “Subrosa”.

The goal of the brand is to create complete bikes and products that are affordable, reliable, and have an attention to detail that make each piece high quality and hard to duplicate by other brands. We also use our brand as a way to spread the BMX lifestyle and attitude to the world.

Throughout the years Subrosa has introduced new products and entire categories to expand what BMX can off the world in an effort to always give back to our fans, supporters, and future riders. Subrosa knows that we can represent BMX in a way that will draw people in and bring a positive accurate awareness to BMX.

The team has expanded throughout our history, but has never been about the flavour of the month. We have riders in all disciplines, and styles. Creativity, unique style and being down with all of our fans is what the Subrosa team is about.

What do the manufacturers say about it?
The Salvador has been a staple and the centre piece of the Subrosa complete bike line up since day one. It is the bike in the line up that is designed for the rider who’s already got the basics down and is looking to ride and abuse it on the daily.

One of the biggest things for the Salvador line up this year is the addition of the Lahsaan Kobza model, as this is the first time he’s had a signature complete bike.

It’s also been upgraded from the 2015 model with more Shadow Conspiracy components, tapered forks with a chromoly steer tube, and sealed hubs.

What’s the bike intended for and who is it aimed at?
The Salvador is designed for what we call the “Intermediate” level rider. This rider is ready to learn more bike control, and of course more tricks and that means tons of time spend beating on the bike. It has to be durable, because we want that rider to worry about what he’s learning, and not worry if his bike will hold up. We worry about the bike, so you don’t have to.

What is the geometry like and what is the weight of the bike?
The geometry is based of our aftermarket bikes and what we feel is current and will provide the best first time riding experience for someone who may not know how geometry affects the ride. The Salvador weighs in at 27.5lbs, and features a nice 75° headtube angle and a tall 9” standover height make for a responsive, stable ride on any terrain.

Specs:

FRAME – Seamless Chromoly TT , Ovalized DT, 20.5″ TT
FORK – Chromoly Steer Tube, Tapered Legs and 30mm offset
BARS – 1020 Hi-Ten 8.75″ rise / 29″ wide
GRIPS – Shadow Chula DCR
BAR ENDS – Shadow Nylon
HEADSET – Rant Sealed Integrated
STEM – Subrosa uplift Top Load
FRONT RIM – Rant 36H Alloy
REAR RIM – Rant 36H Alloy
FRONT HUB – Rant 3/8″ Alloy Sealed
REAR HUB – Rant 14mm Alloy Sealed Cassette
TYRES – Shadow Valor LP 2.40″ Tires – Front and Rear
CRANKS – Rant Chromoly 8 Spline 3pc.
B.B. – Sealed Mid
SPROCKET – Rant Steel
GEARING – 25-9 Micro Gearing
CHAIN – Rant 410
PEDALS – Rant Plastic v2
BRAKES – Rant Alloy U-brakes
SEAT – Subrosa crest Mid 1pc Combo
SEAT CLAMP – Shadow Alfred
RRP: £384

Emerson loves the techy stuff. This tight planter is hard to ride, but boosting it is no problem for Emerson.

About the rider:

Name: Emerson Morgan
Home: Yate
Favourite thing about this bike: It feels amazing, as expected, and the paint job looks crazy!

Topics:

fresh out the box

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