2021 Salsa Blackthorn: Purple Trail Eater | First Look

Salsa is hitting 2021 hard with a new entry in the trail bike category: The Blackthorn. With 140mm of rear travel paired with a 160mm fork and aggressive geometry the Blackthorn is seemingly ready for anything.
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[@palexnard]

I wonder how much time is spent in finding the right twig to hold the bike! 🤔

[@pinkbike]

Too much.

[@NoBrakes23]

They have a custom curated, organic, free-range twig index sourced from Abbey Tools

[@dansburns]

Thought the exact same thing. 🤣

[@shawn595]

Yes to the threaded bottom bracket! Thanks for pointing that out.

[@hardtailparty]

Nerd question: what mic are you guys using? His audio is FANTASTIC despite the wind. Mike, your stuff just keeps getting better and better.

[@lar2028]

I guess they also spend some time editing the audio (something Vital MTB need to learn without intentions of ofending)

[@jamesgum5492]

I have a '19 Ruslter and I absolutely love the split pivot design. Even if its been around a while it performs great. No bouncing around while pedaling and I've said that I can't even tell the shock is there on the climbs. Handles downs very well too. This looks like a natural progression for Salsa. I'm looking forward to the full review.

[@repbydesign16]

I have a 2016 pony rustler. Haha I’m glad they dropped the pony. Totally agree love my bike, especially for climbing and downhill braking. But the geo on mine is becoming dated now 😤

[@mountainbikeondemand]

Had a pony rustler XO1 now a rustler XTR. Love both

[@mclurebailey6652]

this bike looks sick

[@TwowheeledadventureVT]

Purple is in!

[@lukesteele5013]

Nice color salsa!!!!!!!!

[@Kero_81]

Very interesting Bike!

[@djbigt126]

Really nice frame

[@just4usmtbadventures762]

Bout time! Bout time y'all spent some time on a real trail bike like a Salsa. And oh BTW the color works!

[@pleco652]

Looks a lot like a Revel frame.

[@mrsmartypants_1]

Not really.

[@tony8295]

My first thought was, it's a 2013 Epic Expert with more travel.

[@Calispeedboi]

@Eric Knowles you're right, I was thinking of evil bikes

[@NatNetNitNotNut]

More like a polygon

[@willshawyer7280]

Pete West yeah really

[@s1kyung]

looks exactly like a habit

[@trailsidesam3592]

and a yt

[@davidjennings3462]

Without thrash tolerences

[@mtnbikerva1]

Is it another pedal and crank arm destroyer? How low is the bb? Is it made in China, or where? Proprietary or hard, expensive to get parts? Is It expensive and hard to find the super boost hubs? How long will the super boost be around?

[@mikes.8305]

Put some white wall tires on the purple!

[@dansburns]

Looks like Superboost is here to stay. Even Evil is moving that way.

[@morbly]

Looks cool, I totally don't understand how a wider hub would allow for extra shortened chainstays.

[@HOllyBOni]

When the rear end is wider, the cassette "moves" to the right a bit, and to keep the correct chain line, the chainring follows that. Boost chainrings are further away from the frame than "regular" non boost chainrings. At the chainstay, chainring, BB area the tyre and the chainring are fighting for clearance. You can give a bike tons of tyre clearance by just making the chainstays a mile long. But if you want to keep them short, it helps when the chainring is a bit further away from the frame, it's not in the way as much and you can carve out more clearance.

[@braydenjohnson1063]

Please review the Kona Process 134 al dL/ 134 cr

[@Bobo-bw1uc]

Bruh u brought salsa but not chip 1/2

[@tylerebbert4816]

take my. upvote, good sir

[@arloridesbikes9921]

Plz a dh or enduro field test

[@pinkbike]

Enduro bikes will return in our next Field Test this fall!

[@MISTARJONES]

Looks like a canyon spectral

[@mtnbikerva1]

Where is the Blackthorn carbon made, painted, assembled? What hub is the Reynolds c series 309? What is the degrees of engagement? Are they upgradable? Spokes quantity, brand and model? Nipples? Rim internal and external sizing? Model? Is the suspension design and kinematics exactly the same as multiple other companies and if so which? Is it super efficient with great ride characteristics/qualities,etc.? Do rocks and dirt get into the moving points of the suspension pivot points and damage the frame?

[@wolfranger1682]

I like Salsa with my chips does this Salsa go good with rocks?

[@mtnbikerva1]

You notice all the KZbin reviews are done at ski resorts or in deserts, out west? Non are midatlantic area single track quick change of speed and direction type pedaling . Is it another Conan the PEDAL AND CRANK DESTROYER dream?

[@ventug0270]

Lol i got a how to salsa ad 😂

[@LiveinBreckenridgeColorado]

When are these bikes actually going to be affordable? How is it I can get something with a motor for significantly cheaper?

[@hunterwright386]

No time soon, check vitus or YT

[@lukasbormann4830]

Becasue the thing With the motor is the same since year and mtbs evolve every year, also these bikes are the best ever, the motor bike at that money will be entry

[@bjorne46]

When about 5 years old, and full of scuff marks

[@tylerbacklund9315]

It’s all about research and development. You pay for the materials and the time they put researching geometry and all that jazz

[@lukasbormann4830]

@@tylerbacklund9315 no you don't, you pay for the name and that's it 😂Also id rather have a 4k bike with x01 and ultimate suspension (propain and canyon) than a 4k aluminum frame with a rockshox 35 and nx, i don't care about where they get their stuff from 😂

[@jackiechan.1409]

How much is the frame?

[@davidbermudez5387]

Love it, just would change the color to red 😁

[@rolux4853]

Nah the color is super nice! I’d love to get it, if it wasn’t that expensive.

[@davidbermudez5387]

Ro Lux mtb bikes are expensive.

[@rolux4853]

DavMTB5 really? That’s big news to me! My Nukeproof Mega was almost free, you know.

[@rolux4853]

DavMTB5 really? That’s big news to me! My Nukeproof Mega was almost free, you know.

[@davidbermudez5387]

Ro Lux really? That’s really nice bro.

[@skg901]

5:22 alright people there is one more threaded hole you'll be excited about.😂😂

[@jarnold1789]

Levy enjoys talking about holes. See: every donut video

[@BengLang84]

I thought it is a Canefield Balance suspension

[@Nondezeusproduction]

dude is that a cannondale 6%?

[@jarnold1789]

Obviously there have been many bikes with similar designs to this, but anyone else immediately think "Nice Salsa Jeffsy"

[@repbydesign16]

Salsa had that design before yt bra. Salsa has been around for a looooong time

[@jarnold1789]

Repbydesign Fairplay. I know Salsa has been around, almost bought a Timberjack actually, but I didn't know they have already been using this frame design. Good to know! Definitely not meant to be a jab at salsa

[@user-ns8vr9hz3d]

Hmmmmm i have stumpjumper 148x12 , and 3.0 not a problem . Wtf super boost.

[@mrsmartypants_1]

It’s obviously not about 3” tires. It’s about added strength for the wagon wheels. And why do you care lol?

[@MarioXcore1]

@@mrsmartypants_1 you're really asking him why he wants to know about super boost, lmao. its a legit question, especially cuz Mike pointed the 3.0 out as a benefit.

[@NoBrakes23]

Having ridden a number of Salsa's 148 and 157 bikes over the past few years, I suspect it is for the same reason that Pivot and other companies are drifting to Thuperboose. Stiffness. I loved the old 148 Salsa bikes, but they are kind of flexy compared to the 157.

[@Kovacs-sf1hi]

It’s because 148 29ers are fuggin noodles. As a heavier rider I notice this on every bike I ride that isn’t superboost.

[@jmanswat2457]

If you don't notice a difference between superboost and boost with 29ers you don't ride hard enough. Just ask the downhillers why they run it and even back when 26" wheels were standard.

[@mumpf7594]

pink on the fork? did you get the wmn (women) version?

[@phillipstewart2031]

Can you take the British out of BC

[@jinda8897]

$7000? This specs, all carbon X01 groupset is about $5400ish from YT.

[@abassi1173]

These bikes all look great but when you realize you can get a similarly specced bike from YT or Canyon for 2k less....yeah

[@thoroslin520]

facts my 2020 jeffsy is amazing, 3.5k the flip chip allows me to change geometry by an entire degree and raise bb by 8 mm. Full carbon front and rear triangle and similar specced components with dpx2 and fox 36. 160/160 travel. The bike is made very well and I am capable of doing my own wrenching so it was a no brainer for me

[@skfunk4550]

you're right but from my experience, never again. You won't have a problem until you have to deal with the customer service. At least in Europe their CS is shit and shittier than shit.

[@shrimpfriedrice494]

Yeah get a Canyon with geometry from 2014

[@ArmorOfZeus]

@@skfunk4550 yup. And it's because they have a problem stocking replacement bikes. They sell like gangbusters and have no reserve come mid to late season. So people waiting months, sometimes an entire season for a replacement bike. Fuck that shit.

[@abassi1173]

unholy rollerz yes but you’re saving 2k. That covers any inconvenience for me 😂

[@ananthkutuva3748]

All good until super boost, bruh

[@ImpulseAudioSpeakers]

Yup. Thought this could be my next frame purchase until he said super boost.

[@shrimpfriedrice494]

Yeah who wants a stiffer rear end, stronger wheels and a better chainline. Industry needs to move to superboost.

[@cadencoombs9094]

What is that

[@ananthkutuva3748]

@@cadencoombs9094 12 by 157 instead of 12 by 148 for the rear wheel

[@jmanswat2457]

Yeah... I love improvement only up to a certain point then call it good forever too.

[@MikeinCC]

Niner achieved 2.6” with reg Boost on their Jet 9. One of the things that turned me off from a Trail 429.

[@jmanswat2457]

It's more than just tire clearance

[@jaydennguyen2353]

Wish I got a free bike from pinkbike but you only got a marin san quentin 3

[@arloridesbikes9921]

What does this mean?

[@lonewolf30531]

Salsa awesome bikes

[@strix2035]

I can’t afford that bike but god!!! Is is sexy in that purple 👏

[@dupreezerasmus9038]

Can you guys do a giveaway

[@17even]

I don't understand these color choices bike manufacturers make. Purple?

[@jiffypangestu1688]

It just looklike polygon siskiu T7 🤔 there is shame designer from polygon and salsa?

[@LiveinBreckenridgeColorado]

Dont all frames come from like 3 manufacturers?

[@JogBird]

yes, the same chinese designer

[@RubenD85]

I have a T7, its right next to me and I had to take a look at it while watching the video haha, almost identical.

[@hsgoalkiper9819]

polygon ?

[@AppleJack76]

The Googely search... LMAO

[@fcukgoogle9884]

trrrr

[@ronchang9791]

mike levy likes to purposely leave the greasy chainring marks on his legs as long as he can so people know what his life is about.

[@Accu53Mation]

Of Course. Ya gotta commercialize the $8K version. And KZbin, should be known as CarbonTube, for bike reviews. Guess alloy frames are for us lowly working-class trail stompers.

[@godzillaxred]

I guess every bike-youtuber/s carry around a stick they use to make their bikes stand up

[@enduroman2834]

Ah yes, the new Cannondale Habit 2021, very cool.

[@SappharY]

5:03 purple... people eater... ?

[@npm5373]

Minnesota Vikings reference (Salsa is from MN) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_People_Eaters

[@jasonlewis6914]

Almost looks like a polygon full suspension.

[@NoBrakes23]

Lockout switches are annoying in general, and pointless on anything designed by Señor Weagle.

[@ianw3811]

NoBrakes23 Climbing out the saddle, for explosive power on a steep climb, will create pedal bob. Either that, or the anti squat numbers must be extremely high on the bike meaning a lot of chain growth and pedal kickback/hindered suspension performance on the descents. Simply physics, sadly Weagle has to follow the laws of physics too. So lockout switches can be useful, although I do agree they can be annoying.

[@jmanswat2457]

I guess except for racing sprints, lockouts are a solution to poor suspension design. I've tried and compared the two and much rather ride Dave's DW linkage any day compared to the old split pivot design.

[@Yhigma]

Seattube looks a little slack. That's my least favorite trait about my hightower v1

[@simonfarr8670]

76.5° effective. unless you’re MEGA long legged, you’ll be fine. we’re talking like 38" inseam

[@REGNARTS00]

I see what you did there. Purple people eater.

[@Voidclown.]

The base model for 3200? What an absolute scam! Get a yt, vitus or radeon in the same price range and it will blow that thing out of the water.

[@dgrogan19]

i agree, but you can’t really 1 to 1 compare prices of direct to consumer brands and traditional ones like salsa..

[@naethanparedes4469]

bruhh yt specs are very bad, especially with a plague of broken cranks and absolutely the worst costumer service, and i have experienced it when i broke the cranks on my new capra and it took them shit long to replace it under warranty, and ive been hearing reports on their carbon frames cracking and breaking. Take it from me, Ill never buy or ride any yt ever again, absolute sham of a bike bro.

[@naethanparedes4469]

also vitus steeds are not the most racey bikes, on the geometry side, its more of a meh, nothing too exciting, just ur average trail/enduro bike, but price wise its good value, also tried a demo of the sommet 29 they were good but nothing too exciting.

[@naethanparedes4469]

radon bikes are still pretty hard to come by, especially in asia and america, so still yet to try one, but they have mixed reviews but more on the positive side. so yeah cant answer on that one, but their limited reach and market loses a point from me.

[@Voidclown.]

@@naethanparedes4469 I can see you points however 3200 is still steep for something entry level. You can get a carbon canyon strive, spectral or Al torque for the same price. Or even a kona process. Heck ad 200 and you can get the brand new trek slash 7!

[@mrsmartypants_1]

Oh oh. How dare they go with super boost lol? After all all the same folks who complained about 27.5, then 29, then boost and 100 other design improvements through the years will clutch their pearls and complain like Aunt Karen.

[@ImpulseAudioSpeakers]

Fine by me if they wanna go that way, but it means I won’t buy it cause I don’t want to build another expensive wheel. So I will pass. It’s not that we think progress is bad, it just means market uptake may slow down if there’s too much change too fast.

[@mrsmartypants_1]

Bob Longhorn: Again you sound like Aunt Karen. On her period exaggerating the trials and tribulations of life. Nothing was wrong with dial phones. Worked great. Nothing was wrong with my Schwinn 2-speed with coaster brakes. Had a blast on it. What isn’t compatible on the bike that has your granny pants in a bundle besides less selection of hubs?

[@mrsmartypants_1]

Bob Longhorn: I ride 27.5 enduro and I weigh 185lbs 6’ tall. No need for super boost from a design perspective. Super boost makes sense for wagon wheels that are used in knar downhill situations and big jump lines - especially dudes pushing 200 lbs +. Super boost has been around for awhile. Designers don’t come up with new standards to make more money - they do it because it makes sense from an engineering perspective. I don’t know why you guys complain. There’s endless alternative product. No one is forcing this bike on you.

[@tanpen15]

32.4 lbs at $7600 ROFL

[@mrsmartypants_1]

What’s your point? This isn’t a fragile World Cup XC bike for Christ sakes that is totally inept at all but the most mild chattery descents. This is a rugged trail bike. You weight weinies don’t understand that weight is secondary to many other decisions in mtb design.

[@HOllyBOni]

@@mrsmartypants_1 #triggered

[@mrsmartypants_1]

Boni Hollóssy: You betcha :). So sick of know nothing road riders endlessly making this comment.

[@HOllyBOni]

@@mrsmartypants_1 I don't care that much about weight either, but I think the OP's problem is that there are plenty of bikes out there that are just as much or more rugged as this thing (lighter doesn't always mean weaker), they can do everything that this thing can, but are lighter and cost less money. And again, sure weight shouldn't be the absolute be all end all factor when choosing which MTB to buy, but when you have to lug around a bit less weight with no compromises, that's not a bad thing.

[@hunterwright386]

Pink bike please we want 27.5!

[@fcukgoogle9884]

looks like.. youre getting downvoted

[@b-manz]

Salsa aren’t what they used to be.... what about a steel version?

[@drmoynihan]

What do you mean?

[@HOllyBOni]

Did Salsa ever make a steel full suspension bike?

[@mikekrasovec6390]

I think that salsa used to make a softail in steel. I'm pretty sure that there was a scandium and for a short time steel as well. Softails generally had about an inch (25mm) of travel so it wasn't really a full squish. More of a glorified hardtail.

[@jonathansixtysix1592]

Man, bollocks to 29inch wheel shit.

[@tommiesturkenboom3862]

If you don’t want to spend that? *if you don’t have the money to spend that

[@joshsaunders7916]

Is 490mm in a large actually “roomy”? #tallpeopleneedbiggerbikes Call me when reach is over 530 in an XL.

[@zachbaker6718]

Third

[@lme1747]

First

[@420sesamestreet3]

looks likes a revel, habit, spectral.........

[@Calispeedboi]

WE WANT DONUTS NOT SALSA

[@pinkbike]

Tomorrow. 😉

[@fcukgoogle9884]

too fatening

[@Calispeedboi]

@@fcukgoogle9884 who let the roadie in

[@fcukgoogle9884]

@@Calispeedboi imagine that being your comeback 😂

[@deserthawk4178]

Still waiting in all that “diversity” you promised us pink bike....it was that just a virtue signal?

[@pinkbike]

These things take time and there is certainly more to come but we’re pretty excited about supporting Grow Cycling Foundation: pinkbike.com/news/eliot-jackson-launches-grow-cycling-foundation-to-promote-diversity-in-cycling.html

[@deserthawk4178]

Pinkbike I dunno...be a lot cooler if you followed bold statements with bold action...or you could just talk about bikes and stay out of politics.

[@stevenholden2814]

Being a victor is always better than being a victim.

[@SV-pv4pv]

Hey I am a "diversity" pinkbike and I ride mountain bikes! You should hire me to talk about these bikes no matter my qualifications, you know because diversity and stuff.

[@meirsnyder3460]

Third