Is the Salsa Horsethief the perfect all-mountain trail bike?

This video looks at the do-all trail bike you never knew existed - Salsa Horsethief Deore.
Let me know what you think in the comments below & Don't forget to subscribe!!!
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00:00 Introduction
00:31 Salsa Horsethief Deore
01:28 Split Pivot Suspension
03:27 Frame Geometry
04:24 Max Tire Clearance
05:51 Shock and Fork
06:34 Price
06:48 Shimano Deore 1x12
07:31 Hydraulic Disc Brakes
08:15 Cockpit Components
09:36 Actual Weight
09:53 Conclusion
DISCLAIMER: This video description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. I work within the cycling industry, and the views are not representative of the views of my employer. Jamesthebikeguy videos are produced outside of employment obligations and are made of my own volition unless otherwise stated.

[@323johnnybravo]

I bought a Salsa Rustler carbon as it was one of the only 27.5 bikes I could find. It’s dope. I like it.

[@bubbastank3108]

Wish I could find one

[@harrygrimley4352]

Good brand. Out of my price range. Poor me. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@stinkydogfart7380]

Hopefully they worked out the issues in the chain stay swing arm. The chain stay swing arm looks almost identical to the V2 aluminum horsethief. They had issues with their manufacturing process where they cracked at the welds of the cross tie between the two chain stays. I had 2 crack at the welds there.

[@DanielsMTB]

I have a 2018 Salsa Pony Rustler with carbon front triangle. It was my 1st FS bike and I have loved it. The geometry makes it feel playful and easy to manual.

[@komoonkh]

Man, why the super long seattube? Other than that, I like it

[@DaraParsavand]

What frame size was this? My Med 2014 alloy Horsethief is 33 lb (no dropper but with front derailleur). Why did it go to 36?

[@martinfevrier5894]

I had an aluminum Spearfish that I rocked for over ten years and just got this bike and love it. Don't worry about being a weight weenie and put 4 more pounds of water on this bike and ride it like you stole it. This bike rocks in every way for me

[@Mbtharp1]

They seriously need to update the geo on these bikes, along the lines of the most recent timberjack.

[@aaronbehindbars]

Why is the seattube so long? I realize with the curve there, you need the room for seatpost insertion, but they probably could have straightened it and lopped off the top of that seattube so you can run a 200mm dropper. That XL frame has a really short reach already, so sizing down to a large just wouldn't work for me. Not that I'm in the market, but just am observation.

[@Mbtharp1]

I can’t stand when bike manufacturers do this. As a tall guy with short legs, these types of bikes are a no go for me.

[@jonl1419]

FYI - these frames are not coil compatible, air only per Salsa website.

[@waldowsxxghostxx8577]

You can convert this bike from 29” front and rear to 27.5” front and rear?

[@Mankylovlov]

Yeah they have geometry specs on their website saying you can run both, probably optimized for 29 but made to work really well with 27.5

[@LuisManuelHdez]

The market is not lacking. Plenty of brands producing trail bikes in this range. I like Salsa but they need to come over to 2023. I know they have it in them!😁and geeeez $3500.00 for an aluminum bike on fairly a very basic package!hard NO!

[@dgriffinm]

Would be better with SRAM

[@robbwilliams7885]

That’s not a Deore cassette. Looks like an XT.

[@Muskiehunter92]

I think its a sunrace or something along those lines. The close ups of that cassette do not look quite like an XT... the black top rings make it look like it, but I something looks off.... I could be wrong.

[@robbwilliams7885]

@@Muskiehunter92 You're right, it's not Shimano. Those black rings fooled me.

[@STEVEWONDA1976]

@@Muskiehunter92 Build kit info at Salsa's site says "Shimano Deore M6100, 10-51t, 12-speed -OR- Ruby, 11-50t, 12-speed, HG, steel spider." I can't find this Ruby model they list anywhere. After a bunch of searching I found one that looks identical with the 2 black large rings with the small round holes in them. It's a Sunshine 12speed on Ebay. Might not be the same one but looks the same to me.

[@heavyfuzz9675]

Looks like a Reactor.

[@michaelsturgeon5210]

Reactors are way nicer