Salsa Wanderosa Electric Gravel Bike Review: Full Suspension Meets Drop-Bar Design

American bicycle manufacturer Salsa has introduced the Wanderosa, a new electric gravel bike that challenges conventional category definitions by combining full front and rear suspension with drop handlebars traditionally found on road bicycles.

The gravel bike segment has experienced significant growth in recent years, with manufacturers marketing these versatile machines as capable of handling both paved roads and unpaved trails. However, many electric gravel bikes have lacked suspension systems, leaving riders to absorb terrain impacts directly.

The Wanderosa addresses this limitation through its carbon-fiber frame paired with 29-inch tires and the Fazua Ride 60 electric drive unit. The full-suspension design allows riders to maintain higher speeds on rough terrain without the discomfort typically associated with rigid-frame gravel bikes.

Salsa offers three configurations of the Wanderosa, with component upgrades including improved transmissions and shock absorbers at higher price points. All variants maintain the distinctive drop-bar configuration, which provides multiple hand positions for long-distance comfort.

Industry observers note that the Wanderosa blurs the line between gravel bikes and drop-bar electric mountain bikes, creating a new category of versatile all-terrain electric bicycles. Early testing indicates the design successfully combines the efficiency of drop-bar bikes with the comfort and capability of full-suspension mountain bikes.