Salsa Deadwood 29+ full Suspension Long Term Test Review

Looking over Salsa’s line, the short-travel full-suspension, 29+ wheel sized, Deadwood was an immediate standout. At the time Salsa was the only mid to large size manufacturer in the market offering a 29+ full suspension bike so we selected it for a long-term test.
Running their models much later into the season than most other brands we received our 2017 test unit a while after most other manufacturers had released their 2018s. Our Deadwood features a carbon fiber front triangle and an aluminum back end. Salsa upgraded to carbon seat stays for 2018.
Our test unit was picked from the back of a demo truck, boxed, and sent to us with the better part of a year’s abuse, allowing us to better evaluate its long term durability.
Salsa markets the Deadwood SUS as a trail bike, suggesting it for backcountry single-track riding, bike-packing, and even endurance racing. It’s designed to combine a rugged trail bike frame design with forgiving trail bike geometry. It utilizes, 29+ tires to roll over large obstacles and fill in small crevasse, keeping suspension in reserve for bigger hits. The Deadwood’s suspension travel numbers are in line with what we’d expect to find on a cross country race bike with 91mm rear and 100mm front. The rear suspension features Dave Weagle’s award winning Split Pivot deign. Durable and easily replicable Cartridge bearings are used throughout the frame.
The Deadwood’s 68° head-tube angle is typical for shorter travel, 29er trail bikes with the Plus size adding stability. 449mm chain-stays are 12mm longer than the ones Salsa typically uses on 29” full-suspension bikes to make room for the plus size tires. The medium frame’s 610.2mm effective top-tube length is pretty spacious, thanks to its rather slack 73.4° seat tube angle. Its reach is typical for a modern trail 29er at 427.4mm. With its 100mm travel fork the frame features a bottom bracket drop of 45mm adding stability. Both ends feature boost spacing adding rigidity and accommodating the larger tires.
Cables are externally routed on the top side of the down tube, with internal cable routing for a dropper post and rear derailleur. There’s a front derailleur mount and there are water bottle cage bosses inside the front triangle with enough room for a full-size water bottle.
Like many of Salsa’s bikes, the Deadwood can run a variety of wheel and tire sizes. The frame can accommodate plus size tires as large as 29x3.0” down to standard size sizes as small as 29x2.2” for snappier acceleration and more nimble handling. The frame works with rims as wide as 45mm providing a more stable plus-tire setup.
Suspension
Our Deadwood XT came outfitted with high-end suspension components at both ends. A RockShox Monarch RT3 shock with Debonair delivers three-way compression damping settings and rebound damping adjustments. It works with the Split Pivot rear suspension design controlling 91mm of rear wheel travel. Up front a 29+ capable RockShox Pike RC features 13 position adjustable compression and rebound damping adjustments, providing 100mm of travel.
Conclusion
Salsa has once again come up with a bike that is both different and good. In a world seemingly dominated by longer and longer travel trail bikes aimed at motoing the trail, the Deadwood is happiest rolling over almost everything in its path. In spite of its limited travel, the Deadwood is a pretty versatile bike. Install a set of large diameter tires for maximum ground clearance, traction and squish and the Deadwood is a technical trail conquering beast. Switch out to a nice set of lighter carbon wheels, narrower tires, and a few lighter bits throughout and we could imagine using the efficient pedaling Deadwood as a rugged, cross county racer.
If you typically stay low to the ground, want a bike that will last for years and is capable of conquering everything in your path with relative ease, the Salsa Deadwood is worth serious consideration.

[@lokivid]

Good review. Our same model Deadwood is still slaying rocky trails in western Colorado. Big wheels turn heads and monster over tech with ease.

[@darthpotassiums1fan20]

You guys where gone for a while! I love your reviews and overall channel. Keep it up.

[@mountainbikeondemand]

Top_Hat_Turtle_productions we have some more videos coming on the trails in our area. We would definitely like to review some more bikes in the future as well. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@bbobcats1]

best, most complete deadwood review yet!

[@mountainbikeondemand]

Thanks, we had a lot of fun doing it. Wish we had more time to review bicycles.

[@jordi0508]

Best rock garden ROCKSYLVANIA bike ever made why I own 2 but I ride alone cause no one can ride my stuff and I’m 64 …..truth 1000%

[@mountainbikeondemand]

Thanks for watching and sharing your experience with the bike. We really loved how this bike monster trucked over everything but was still a very efficient peddler.

[@hemtbexperience]

Great review guys love it.

[@Ariautoace]

Are you saying in 2018 they went to 120 MM with 29 by 2.6? We are in 2024 now and I have a chance to buy this bike and am checking what was said in the video. Thank you very much.

[@mountainbikeondemand]

Salsa tells us that suspension travel And tire sizes were the same on 17 and 18 models. Hope this helps😁

[@thunderdogproductions]

i want one

[@mengullojushuas.5598]

can a 43 chain ring fit in that bike?

[@mountainbikeondemand]

Doubt it