Is the Journeyer Apex 1 worth it at $879.97?

At $879.97 at Around the Cycle as of November 3, 2026, it is a fair price for an alloy gravel bike with a carbon fork and rack mounts. It was $799.99 on October 30, 2026, so waiting for a sale near that level saves about $80.

How does it compare with the carbon Salsa Journeyer?

The carbon version is lighter and smoother but costs considerably more. This alloy frame with the same Waxwing carbon fork gets most of the comfort at a lower price and adds durability for loaded trips.

What is the tire clearance and stock tire size?

It ships with 700c x 38 mm Teravail Washburn tires that are tubeless-ready. The frame accepts wider gravel tires, but check Salsa's published clearance before fitting anything much larger.

Can I mount racks and fenders for bikepacking?

Yes. The frame and fork have rack and fender mounts, and the frame is dropper post compatible with internal routing. That makes it ready for panniers, frame bags and a dropper without extra adapters.

Are the brakes hydraulic?

No. It uses Tektro MD-C550 mechanical disc brakes, which work well but need more lever effort and occasional cable adjustment than hydraulic brakes.

What comes in the box?

You get the complete bike as built, with pedals included in the quoted 22 lb weight. Plan on adding your own bags, racks and bottles for bikepacking.

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Outdoors · Around the Cycle

Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 700 Bike

Name: Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 700 Bike
Brand: Salsa
Rating: 4.6 (14 reviews)

Deal score 7.0 · Great deal

$879.97$1,599.00 Around the Cycle's regular price

You save $719.03 at Around the Cycle

Deal.ai's agents found this deal on November 6. The store may have changed its price since.

Why it's a great deal

Around the Cycle lists its regular price at $1,599.00: 45% off by its own figures

Visit Around the Cycle

Every store we checked

Around the CycleNew
In stock
$879.97Observed at 1:27 AM
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Hypercat CycleworksNew
In stock
$1,300.00Observed at 1:27 AM
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Price history and every store's price →

Reading Around the Cycle’s product page for the details…

Specs

Intended Use: Bikepacking
Usage Terrain: Mixed-surface, Bumpy backroads, Decaying urban streets, Gravel routes
Age Range: Adult
Suitable Terrain: Mixed-surface, Bumpy backroads, Decaying urban streets, Gravel routes
Typical Users: Mixed-surface riders, Bikepackers
Frame Material: 6061-T6 alloy
Frame Type: Journeyer Drop Bar
Frame Fork Material: Carbon
Bike Type: Bicycle
Design Material: Carbon (fork)

About the Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 700 Bike

The Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 700 is an alloy gravel and bikepacking bike with a carbon Salsa Waxwing fork, 700c x 38 mm tubeless-ready Teravail Washburn tires and a 1x drivetrain. It carries rack and fender mounts, internal dropper routing and a rigid fork, and weighs about 22 lb in a 56 cm build with pedals. The best new price is $879.97 at Around the Cycle as of November 3, 2026, above the $799.99 low seen on October 30, 2026.

Best forLoaded bikepacking and touringMixed-surface commuting and gravel routesRiders who want one bike for rough pavement and dirtBuyers wanting a carbon fork at an alloy-frame price

Pros

Carbon Waxwing fork soaks up chatter and saves weight
Rack and fender mounts front and rear for loaded riding
Tubeless-ready 38 mm Teravail Washburn tires suit gravel and broken pavement
Dropper post compatible with internal routing
About 22 lb with pedals for an alloy bikepacking build

More deals like this

This hour's deals

−45%

Outdoors · Around the Cycle

Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 700 Bike

Deal score 7.0 · Great deal

$879.97$1,599.00 Around the Cycle's regular price

You save $719.03 at Around the Cycle

Deal.ai's agents found this deal on November 6. The store may have changed its price since.

Why it's a great deal

Around the Cycle lists its regular price at $1,599.00: 45% off by its own figures

Visit Around the Cycle

Every store we checked

Around the CycleNew
In stock
$879.97Observed at 1:27 AM
Visit store
Hypercat CycleworksNew
In stock
$1,300.00Observed at 1:27 AM
Visit store

Price history and every store's price →

Reading Around the Cycle’s product page for the details…

Specs

Intended Use: Bikepacking
Usage Terrain: Mixed-surface, Bumpy backroads, Decaying urban streets, Gravel routes
Age Range: Adult
Suitable Terrain: Mixed-surface, Bumpy backroads, Decaying urban streets, Gravel routes
Typical Users: Mixed-surface riders, Bikepackers
Frame Material: 6061-T6 alloy
Frame Type: Journeyer Drop Bar
Frame Fork Material: Carbon
Bike Type: Bicycle
Design Material: Carbon (fork)

About the Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 700 Bike

Best forLoaded bikepacking and touringMixed-surface commuting and gravel routesRiders who want one bike for rough pavement and dirtBuyers wanting a carbon fork at an alloy-frame price

Pros

Carbon Waxwing fork soaks up chatter and saves weight
Rack and fender mounts front and rear for loaded riding
Tubeless-ready 38 mm Teravail Washburn tires suit gravel and broken pavement
Dropper post compatible with internal routing
About 22 lb with pedals for an alloy bikepacking build

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Cons

Mechanical Tektro MD-C550 disc brakes need more hand effort than hydraulics
38 mm tires limit clearance for very loose or muddy terrain compared with wider gravel setups
Rigid fork gives no suspension on chunky descents
1x gearing has wider steps and less top-end range than a 2x

What reviewers say

4.6 / 514 ratings

Riders rate it 4.6 out of 5 from 14 ratings, and the pattern is a versatile, comfortable gravel platform that handles loaded trips well for the money. Complaints center on the mechanical brakes and the stock tire width.

Pros

Comfortable ride from the carbon fork
Stable when loaded with bikepacking gear
Good value for an alloy frame with a carbon fork
Mounts make it easy to set up for commuting and touring

Cons

Mechanical disc brakes feel weak on long descents
Stock 38 mm tires are narrow for rougher gravel
Heavier than carbon gravel bikes when fully loaded

Questions and answers

Is the Journeyer Apex 1 worth it at $879.97?: At $879.97 at Around the Cycle as of November 3, 2026, it is a fair price for an alloy gravel bike with a carbon fork and rack mounts. It was $799.99 on October 30, 2026, so waiting for a sale near that level saves about $80.
How does it compare with the carbon Salsa Journeyer?: The carbon version is lighter and smoother but costs considerably more. This alloy frame with the same Waxwing carbon fork gets most of the comfort at a lower price and adds durability for loaded trips.
What is the tire clearance and stock tire size?: It ships with 700c x 38 mm Teravail Washburn tires that are tubeless-ready. The frame accepts wider gravel tires, but check Salsa's published clearance before fitting anything much larger.
Can I mount racks and fenders for bikepacking?: Yes. The frame and fork have rack and fender mounts, and the frame is dropper post compatible with internal routing. That makes it ready for panniers, frame bags and a dropper without extra adapters.
Are the brakes hydraulic?: No. It uses Tektro MD-C550 mechanical disc brakes, which work well but need more lever effort and occasional cable adjustment than hydraulic brakes.
What comes in the box?: You get the complete bike as built, with pedals included in the quoted 22 lb weight. Plan on adding your own bags, racks and bottles for bikepacking.