2023 Salsa Blackthorn
The Salsa Blackthorn is a versatile all-mountain trail bike designed to ride any trail confidently. The bike has a rear wheel travel of 140mm and a 160mm Fox 36 fork, making it easily handle technical terrain.
The frame is made of stiff and durable carbon and is designed around the Split Pivot suspension system, offering excellent small-bump compliance while pedaling efficiently. The bike also features progressive geometry and a Flip Chip 2.0 for versatility.
2023 Salsa Blackthorn
Salsa Cycles is an American bicycle brand based in Bloomington, Minnesota, that produces touring, mountain, road, and gravel bicycles and bicycle components.
The company designs and engineers its bikes in the USA, but the frames are made in Taiwan and China. The Blackthorn Carbon frame is priced at $3,499, and the SLX build is priced at $6,299.
The Blackthorn is designed to be a playful descender while still being remarkably pedal-worthy for an all-day ride.
The bike’s suspension platform responds predictably when approaching a jump, and the lightweight bike is stable mid-air, giving riders the confidence to position correctly and soak up the landing.
The overall balance for descending/climbing gives riders the confidence to take on another lap.
Overall, the Salsa Blackthorn is a seriously impressive and versatile bike that can handle UK enduro terrain or bike park up-lift days while still bossing it on mellower terrain.
It is a big step forward for the Salsa mountain bike line and stacks up against the best full-suspension trail bikes on the market.
Salsa Blackthorn Specs
| Frame | Carbon fiber |
|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox Zeb Ultimate, 170mm travel |
| Shock | RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate |
| Front Derailleur | N/A |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS |
| Shifters | SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS |
| Brakes | SRAM Code RSC hydraulic disc, 200mm rotors |
| Brake levers | SRAM Code RSC |
| Cassette | SRAM XX1 Eagle, 10-52 tooth |
| Chain | SRAM XX1 Eagle |
| Crankset | SRAM XX1 Eagle, 32 tooth chainring |
| Bottom bracket | SRAM DUB |
| Headset | Cane Creek 40 |
| Handlebar | Truvativ Descendant carbon, 35mm clamp, 800mm width |
| Stem | Truvativ Descendant, 35mm clamp, 50mm length |
| Grips | Salsa File Tread lock-on |
| Saddle | WTB Silverado Pro |
| Seatpost | RockShox Reverb AXS, 170mm travel |
| Wheels | DT Swiss EX1700 Spline Two, 30mm internal width |
| Tires | Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5″ front, Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4″ rear |
