Mountain bikes with 29″ wheels are here to stay. The combination of less rolling resistance, more stability and more traction make people fall in love with the way they ride. The Salsa Mamasita is a bike that has all the benefits. of big wheels with an amazing frame and awesome build kit. Although not an entry-level bike, the Mamasita is a great value.

Since the heart of any bike is the frame, that’s where we’ll start. The main triangle and chainstays are made from scandium tubes with a fork-shaped carbon fiber chainstay. Scandium is an element that, when alloyed with aluminum, increases fatigue strength, strength, and ride quality. This, mixed with the carbon fiber, creates a light yet strong frame. The front triangle is pretty standard looking with very clean welds. The real magic happens in the back. Both pods and sheaths are flattened ovals, much wider than they are tall. The goal is to increase torsional stiffness while allowing for a bit of vertical compliance for a more comfortable ride.

You can get the Mamasita as a frame or a complete bike. The complete package is a very nice build with a complete Shimano XT groupset, except for the Race Face Deus crankset. The Rock Shox Reba is one of the best cross country forks out there. Great adjustability and comes with a handlebar mounted lockout. Handlebar, stem, seatpost and rims are all Salsa. Most companies own brand parts are usually a step down, but Salsa is a highly respected component manufacturer in its own right. The weight is around 25lbs for the complete bike. With some swapping of parts you can make it lighter, but it’s pretty solid as is.

The ride is a classic hard tail paired with big wheels. Energetic and fast, the Salsa Mamasita is a fun bike to ride. He likes to be ridden hard. But despite its edgy feel, it’s still pretty comfortable. The larger-diameter wheels do a good job of silencing smaller bumps, and the chainstay design seems to attenuate harsher hits. Power transfer is solid and favors attacks out of the saddle. The Mamasita is right at home on a cross-country race course, but don’t panic if you’re looking for an all-around mountain bike.

The Salsa Mamasita is a good bike for someone looking for a fast 29er, whether for racing or long trail rides. Compared to carbon fiber 29ers on the market, the Mamasita is much cheaper, more durable and just a little heavier.