Salsa Timberjack Review: Jack Of All Trades | 2022 Pinkbike Value Field Test

The Salsa Timberjack XT 29 offers a great component package for the money, the highlight being Shimano's XT drivetrain and MT500 brakes. Join Mike, Mike and Alicia to find out how the bike performs out on the trails.
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Presented by:
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Visit Tucson - www.visittucson.org/
00:00 - Intro
00:35 - Bike Overview
01:22 - Climbing
03:35 - Descending
05:13 - Components
07:02 - Timing
08:07 - Models
08:43 - Pros
09:17 - Cons
09:55 - Verdict
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[@thecma3]

I love that the Diamondback slander has carried through to this review too

[@hardtailparty]

Couldn't agree more with Alicia about the "bikes made for fun." Another fantastic review.

[@questadventure6594]

I have one of these and I agree, it totally makes sense! This bike rocks, you can charge and play downhill, climb well and load it up for multi da adventures. I’m super happy that I chose it. Great video guys

[@MicajahMcCurry]

It was my first bike (since I was like 12) and it's handled whatever Ive thrown at it. Its a great value/first mtb that will handle whatever you need it too.

[@marcianodemidof7135]

Always great toe hear some love for them Hardtails. Happy riding everybody ✌🏾.

[@aaronbehindbars]

Y'all reviewed the bike with 420mm chainstays on 4/20...NICE!

[@WesMacaulay]

WHAT ARE THE ODDS

[@aaronbehindbars]

@@WesMacaulay About 1 in 69

[@stuartdownes7312]

Nice.

[@MiserereMei]

And I watched the video when it had 42,000 views 😉

[@crashcoursezed7947]

Nice!

[@cycling_plurality]

Very classic hardtail. So glad you are reviewing hardtails!

[@cadesketchking9447]

I like how mike is fed up with the corporate beta mtb so the ads are funny af

[@hixrat]

I love how the product shots shows that they really did ride these bikes hard.

[@billgeorge8415]

They are usually pretty unkind to their test bikes because that's how they would normally get treated in the real world.

[@RideYearRound]

Been riding the SLX 29 model for a year and found I like it a lot more with 27.5+ tires on it instead. Glad you guys enjoyed riding it as much as I do.

[@dangalindo5304]

What about a mullet setup on this? Any benefit to having the front wheel at 29?

[@koreydeese6899]

@@dangalindo5304 hardtail party does the mullet setup in his review

[@vitoonto]

I have the SLX version of this and absolutely love it.

[@stevencostante3529]

Waiting for review on the Marin Team 1! Thanks Pinkbike!

[@sooperdave1027]

That was a really great review and can agree that the 35 TK isn't a very active fork. It's a little 'meh', but passable until a person upgrades. I have the 2021 SLX version in green and can attest to the 'do it all' nature of the bike. It's fun, capable, and will do whatever you ask of it. I've even put 27.5+ Scwalbe SuperMotos on it and used it with a rack and platform pedals for pub crawls. If you're going to get one bike that'll do everything from casual rides to an epic bikepack, this is it.

[@Adventuregirl96]

I recently bought a Timberjack and ride it as a mullet and have a wonderful time just riding trails.

[@Accu53Mation]

It's all about the...Rider. We purchased the Timberjack SLX, 2021. Traded-up the lame Rockshox 35 for a Suntour Auron boost, with 140mm travel. The standard wheels, bizarrely "Caved-in," after a month of riding. The spoke nipples, were breaking through the rim metal. Warranty-did-not-cover-it!!! Replaced with Halo Vortex. Using 29x2.35 tires. Very satisfied using-it solely for light trail riding, weekend century rides, and commuting to/from work. And it prevents me from getting a beer-gut.

[@AllTerrainFamily]

Love my Timberjack! Such a great bike!

[@theshonen8899]

Great to see they went with the SLX Cassette but not the SLX shifter, which would have been a massive downgrade.

[@CoffeeMonster12]

How is the slx shifter a massive downgrade? Its perfectly fine, it just doesnt have the dual downshoft capability

[@CoffeeMonster12]

@@SaKuLification its not? I have both, they are completely fine

[@Dreggz1312]

Currently riding the 2021 timberjack slx in Tucson and liking it

[@tavien.j2047]

I have this bike with 27.5 with 2.8 wide tires and single speed setup, with a marzochi bomber z2, been riding it for about 6 months now, everything they say about it in the video is completely true, and for everyone asking how stiff the bike is, its is stiffer than the last generation but definitely not overly stiff at all, its very noticeable in sharp hard corners and when your pedaling really hard, hope this helps anyone looking into this bike

[@mattblack133]

The guy on the rights mannerisms are hysterical especially with those hand tattoos. lol people slay me. "I dont now what to say, it just worked" GREAT ADDITION TO THE REVIEW GUY. LOL

[@kevinw6282]

nice review! It's very close to a Specialized Fuse, they are aiming for a very similar feel and experience I think.

[@garrethdovey2861]

Great content and review Team. Could you maybe carry out a review of a Giant Talon 1 29er too please? I’m in the market to upgrade and am pretty happy with the offering from Giant, but like to hear difference of opinions. I will be fitting a dropper post to it to, and may look at changing to 30T crankset instead of the standard 32T. Your thoughts?

[@lukerobertson4557]

Salsa is such a cool and interesting brand. Will we see the cassidy in the enduro Field test?

[@davidh7414]

The geometry you folks are reporting is with the bike sagged I think. Its actual static head angle is around 65 degrees

[@ricbethsmith4139]

Curious on your thoughts on the Timberjack compared to the Growler 50....live in the SE but go out West as well. Ride an XL. Can't decide!

[@Seanlejawn]

I hope there’s a review coming for the specialized fuse. As an owner of the fuse, I’d love to see how it compares to the others in the category. I was between the giant fathom, the salsa timberjack, and the fuse. Fuse came in stock first

[@richc2980]

Fuse is tough to beat. I totally regret selling mine

[@montechie]

Great that the Timberjack fits up to a 29x2.6 or a 27.5+, I wouldn't get a hardtail that didn't. The bigger contact patch makes them a ton more adaptable for the terrain. 31lbs is a bit hefty for a hardtail though, I'd try building up from a frame to strategically lighten it.

[@thomassegari4185]

Could you do rocket mountain growler vs timberjack?

[@devinbyrnes8058]

My 35 Gold had no bushing play, but it had sticktion straight from factory. The shock came to life though, after a basic 50h servicing. Poor assembly standards on that fork.

[@MathersHale]

Why'd you seem to like the brakes much more on this bike as opposed to the Diamondback?

[@dragoschisavu]

What about the Nukeproof Scout?

[@Paulklampeeps]

Hope you can review the merida bigtrail series

[@jben4807]

I ride with recon in back and dhf in front. Great combo IMO!

[@gman6059]

For that price, it should have a YARI. (Like the similar priced Commencal META Essential build).

[@NonLegitNation2]

I'm actually considering buying this frame or the Nukeproof Scout 275, which would you guys recommend? I don't do anything extreme, just some basic trail riding and i use my bike for commuting. I currently have a much upgraded GT Aggressor Pro, but I'm looking to upgrade the frame to something with a tapered headtube since straight steerer Air Forks are becoming extinct. I was considering the Brand-X HT-01 because it's extremally affordable, but it's not offered in an XL frame size.

[@koreydeese6899]

You’d get better support more than likely for the Salsa, unless you’re across the pond where Nukeproof is more prevalent. I say this because I looked into the scout as well. Just don’t have the presence and support in the US that Salsa does.

[@chrisnielsen5287]

Can you guys review the Specialised Fuse, Trek Roscoe and Giant Riegn??? I feel like those bike are all cheaper than every hardtail in this show and have double the value. Feel like those bikes are all value bikes that everyone on the planet has access to locally unlike the bike in this test which seem to be all USA based

[@marisamarino7596]

I have a Trek Stache… very fun!

[@steelcityadv3190]

It would be cool if these were available

[@ANTheWhizkid]

You gotta love brands like Salsa, or Kona. They are something like the Volkswagen of mountain biking.

[@steve_troy]

Even people that buy Kona don't love Kona.

[@ANTheWhizkid]

@@steve_troy Don´t know where you got your insights from. It´s ok if you don´t like the brand but the Kona people who are riding in my non profit association are pretty happy with their bikes. Everyone here loves Kona and personally I also think they are cool even though I don´t have one myself.

[@raymondcrew8785]

Yeti is the VW of bikes. Great design, ok engineering, overpriced, pretentious, unreliable.

[@EchoToaster_]

@@steve_troy smooth brain moment.

[@pingpongballz5998]

So they're unreliable?

[@majorbadidea]

How do you compare these to kona honzo 2022 - the one with 120mm vork

[@MarthaCurrie]

Forget about single speed, with the sliding dropouts you mullet that bad boy. I have a 2019 SLX mulleted with a 27.5 2.8” tire in the rear with inserts and I ride that bike everywhere. I am just needing to get a better and longer travel fork to slack it out a little and tame down the chatter from the little recon it has.

[@CasperRc81]

See in Az you’ll never go wrong with a dhf and descents are critical here. Our trails change quiet a bit in our “monsoon” time so that’s nice to know. Personally I don’t see the difference in the slx build one. They are pretty bikes in person and appear to be of a higher build than what they have. Probably good solid bike for years and they put wide wheels which you need in Az. For insurance

[@joseefc2509]

chainstay matches todays date, cute

[@johnnyrocket1320]

Timberjack 29 XT vs Trek ROSCOE 9 ? Which is the one to get without cost as a factor ....🤔

[@Christophe_L]

420 joke on the 20th of April. Nice.

[@ctsingletrack]

I like what Salsa was going for with this bike. Love the paint scheme on the XT/SLX, but I think I'd shell out the extra $500 to get the GX for that Marzocchi Bomber fork.

[@koreydeese6899]

Right? I think I’d like XT better but the fork on the GX build is better. Seem to be slightly better wheels on the GX builds too.

[@mjayson30]

Which is better this or the trek roscoe 8?

[@mellissanash7517]

No talk about how the frame felt? Like was it stiff for an aluminum frame or more dampening side of it?

[@devinbyrnes8058]

Agreed! They did not comment on the most important part of a review for a Hardtail bike. Huge omission.

[@IVANMTB]

hello friend✌ I liked your video and I give you my like

[@Colin_Lees]

Can we talk about how the current Timberjack XT is now $2,500 and the only XT component is the rear derailleur, everything else is SLX. So now it's more expensive with a worse drivetrain? Is this a parts shortage thing?

[@finkelmann]

When/if my Trek Stache dies, im getting a timberjack. And that's not something i can say about many hardtails. Something about the odd stache just "makes sense" as said about the salsa, and clicks so well despite not being aggressive on paper. It blows so many aggressive hardtails out of the water.

[@MicajahMcCurry]

Its not too aggressive but it'll eat whatever you need. Those 2.8 tires cheat a little bit of it being a hardtail too.

[@Nachsosa]

03:33 obviously lol what do you want for a Hardtail?

[@bigstraz]

Looks like a nice bike but is it a good value for the price? Price does seem high at $2100 or is this just where we’re at in 2022.

[@chrisprysok7634]

I have the 2020 which I love. These days you can pop in a wolf creek or Chris King headset that will go plus minus etc. So you can almost go with previous year. 2021 has a 65 something headtube angle I think. So minus one gets you close to current on the head geo on any recent model. Great bike. Paid 1600 in 2020 for Slx.

[@jacobkhan9709]

I would say this is most likely where we are in terms of pricing, as someone who works at REI and works with a few different makes and models have noticed especially since the pandemic a lot of price raises while also even sometimes downgrades on the specs even with the price raise. Sad but this is most likely how everything will be until summer of 2023 (hopefully 🤞)

[@tuftschristopher]

New fav beta pitch 😂

[@baddriversofcolga]

It's too bad this one doesn't come with the Bomber Z2 fork.

[@ZOB4]

I would absolutely love to run that thing as a single speed. That would be a blast and a half.

[@compasteedee]

Maybe it is just where I live, but I have never understood the single speed thing on mountain bikes. Is there no steep hills where you live, or is there something else I'm missing?

[@MrBig617]

@@compasteedee Even with the steep climbs, it's just really fun riding single speed.

[@joeyvalentic4439]

@@compasteedee you just learn how to ride differently. Using your momentum/positioning alot more to your advantage. I highly recommend trying out single speed if you want to become a better rider.

[@SnootchieBootchies27]

@@compasteedee yup. You're missing out. Until you actually try it, you won't believe it. There's something special about a bike that is crazy simple, and dead quiet. And they're way more capable than people think, you just have to find the right gearing for you and your trails.

[@compasteedee]

Well, I guess I'll have to get after it then. More than likely I'll get a 7 year old bike and convert it myself, but you all have me wanting to try!

[@HardCorps88]

Will this bike work for Taller riders? 6"5'???

[@jdmarctics3298]

what's the weight on this?

[@chespa40]

what color is it

[@sarkisbenliyan1180]

Field Test 👍

[@Kinetic_worx]

This bike is VERY similar to the Yeti ARC, just cheaper. I love my Yeti ARC.

[@Pienimusta]

Published on 4/20, coincidence?

[@mustclime5311]

Salas......had a bucksaw, the component mix was sub standard.

[@reneberndt7476]

In Germany you can get the frame for 2499€ which roughly equals 2625 USD

[@hozman6165]

I am looking for a hardtail that can also do some gravel trails. Would this one be a fit?

[@pingpongballz5998]

I would get a more cross country bike for that

[@xuananator]

I assume it wasn’t an accident this video came out on April 20th based on that intro 🤔

[@believe8263]

LOL! Mike is so funny.

[@itscrazycocotime4518]

"420" 😁 Levy the pothead 😆🤣🤣

[@kingrat738]

Slap a 140mm Pike on the front... Install Code brakes and change out the rear tyre for a 2.5 Aggressor & it's party time 🤘

[@JimRunarHansen]

420 stay on the 420 day. 😎 Happy 420 everybody 🍂

[@wytnij]

I have 35 gold with bushing play.

[@PseudonymAliase]

Giordano 29" Men's Intrepid Mountain Bike is a value bike at $654.

[@jurisx85]

I’ve heard the stiffness of the bike could be a dealbreaker. Is there any truth to that?

[@tavien.j2047]

Ive had the timberjack thats 1 generation older and this newer one that they are reviewing and its definitely stiffer but not too stiff to where its rattling you around the whole ride, I 100% notice it in corners and it feels great, hope that helps

[@jurisx85]

@@tavien.j2047 thank you. It does.

[@jurisx85]

@@tavien.j2047 thank you

[@tavien.j2047]

@@jurisx85 no problem, glad it helped

[@gulfcitynd]

I'll stick to my polygon premier 5 700 bucks and it does the job I ask it to

[@Ilovethisaccount500]

where were you guys riding in tucson?

[@luvinfunvan]

This bike is the most extreme in this HT line up.... The numbers quoted are at sag.

[@NotTheLarryDavid]

Alicia looks like a rad Lauren Lapkus!

[@samhenderson7528]

It actually is 4-20 today lol

[@jeannineslack9992]

Everything functions properly kzbin.infoUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Nothing was damaged in the box aside from a decal on the fork. The decal was missing a piece of a corner but I ended up peeling them off anyways. Assembly is easy BUT make sure you tune up the derailleurs. Both the front and rear need adjusting. I'd advise going to a bike shop but I opted out and put in 10+ hours with the help of KZbin. Ended up fraying a shifter cable but all in all I learned from the experience. The Brakes work well but the front caliper needs adjusting or at least mine did because the rotor was rubbing against the pads. Make sure you swap out the seat, grips, and pedals. For the short run you'll be fine though. I've read that this bike isn't built yet for hard trails but I just need it for the city. PA has some of the worst roads and being in a mountain this was a great choice. Worth the investment!

[@josiahhorning2813]

I feel like Alisha is super depressed lol

[@alexh.4068]

A bit disappointed on the comparison.. which is the point of this entire hardtail series.. why compare this to bikes costing up to $600 less.. when there was a more comparable $1699 version of the Timberjack.

[@JenkinsB]

I'll be damned, its 4/20 today..

[@tomas7403]

Nice review but I can´t understand how anyone could consider to buy a hardtail of 14 kg even being extremely confortable and etc. For that weight I think it should not be even produced. I suppose I am to old school.

[@haydnfowler]

first

[@matrixracing8268]

second

[@mikkopulkkinen751]

31 lbs 15 oz or 14,4 kg for size medium. I think XC racing is out off the question with this bike.

[@kenetics1344]

I agree, times don't lie. It was last in climb which means it's not doing good in xc race.

[@baddriversofcolga]

The Team Marin frame is under 4 pounds so that would be the one to pick for XC out of these.

[@samuelmundula2216]

My SLX Timberjack started stock >34 lbs, I'm just now around 30 lbs after spending 75% of the MSRP on upgrades...yeah. It's definitely a porky frame (heard somewhere the frame alone is 5 lbs?) but it's a perfect starter MTB since the frame is so beefy it hasn't even noticed my 20-30 something crashes 😆

[@ShadLife]

I have been saying this for quite a while now, but bikes have started to get too slack. The super slack bikes are for pointing downhill and going fast. The 65 and slacker degree head angles only benefit a bike once it's going 25 plus MPH. Then when I see 63 or so degree head angle and long reaches I just cringe. Sure, if you live out west and bomb downhill all the time, great. But for the 90% of the rest of mountain biking, they suck to ride. They don't do the slow technical stuff well and certainly not tight twisty trails. I ride an Esker Hayduke for my hardtail, very similar to the Salsa (gee I wonder why?). For my full suspension bike, I ride a Salsa Rustler. I used to have an Ibis Ripmo AF, but it was just too much of a pig to ride. The Salsa Rustler is super play and fun because isn't super slacked out! I think this slack trend needs to end and 66 - 68 degree head angles are the ideal sweet spot, yes on full suspension bikes too. I am glad companies like Salsa and Esker get it. There are some others out there that get it also. It wasn't that long ago we had 72-degree head angles. Sure, that was way too sketchy, but once you start to get to 69 degrees, bikes start to feel really stable while still being snappy in the turns. 66 is when they start to feel a little laggy when it comes to cornering. Of course, wheelbase and other factors play a role, but the head tube angle is the single most important measurement to get right.

[@nv9120]

The diamondback must be pretty bad if they’re still complaining about it in this video

[@allforfun16]

It’s not as bad as they said. Also it’s $600 less than this one.

[@junkandcrapamen]

Happy ... uh ... er ... oh yeah, 4/20!

[@theshonen8899]

Lol, yes I want to spend more money to get a GX Eagle instead of an XT. That's hilarious.

[@Tonedefy]

Happy 420 day!

[@SudoChuckwalla]

hehe 420, weed number

[@platypaty5007]

420 nice👌

[@Matias-dp5dq]

want to donate it to me

[@akiraung]

smoke weed every day

[@lonewolf30531]

The girl 🤔🤷‍♂️

[@scrutch666]

Starts with hints about 4.20 and forgets to record half of the video. Ohhhhhk

[@lukassalzman4938]

Hahaha 1700usd for a standart hardtail, and even Mord expenisve is the shown one

[@mattblack133]

A MOUNTAIN BIKE FOR MOUNTAIN BIKERS THAT WANT TO GO MOUNTAIN BIKING!!!!! BRO SOUNDS LIKE CARMELLA HARRIS....OMG HOW DOES THIS CHANNEL HAVE OVER THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION FOLLOWERS!?!?!?

[@mattblack133]

SHE FORGOT SHE WAS RIDING IT?????? LORD

[@riggermortisfpv526]

$2100.00 Hard tail ? THATS NOT EVEN CARBON ?!?! ROTFL, Its a joke yeah ?

[@riggermortisfpv526]

omg even at the lowest end its robbery, rotfl

[@dho]

that's expensive, but the chameleon is even more expensive. so, i guess that makes this a little more proportional. the fork kinda sucks but the drivetrain sounds pretty solid.

[@riggermortisfpv526]

@@dho You are talking to a bike mechanic that left the industry about 5 years ago now after a 10 year stint. The inflation rate on the price of bikes is insane.....not kinda steep, not a concern....no its insane and predatory.

[@compasteedee]

Yeah, the price is absolutely insane. The fact that people are paying these prices means it isn't going to change either. $2100 for a fully is fine, for a basic hardtail with a mixed bag of parts is straight up laughable. I'll stick to my Kona Process for the foreseeable future I guess...

[@dho]

@@riggermortisfpv526 it's seriously not that bad. I just checked the price of a 2012 chameleon D build and it was $1800 retail. account for inflation and you're easily over $2100. the chameleon is even more expensive now but it's really not that crazy. new bikes have always been expensive