The Salsa Cutthroat has made a name for itself by getting on podiums or outright winning the Tour Divide for the last several years. Of course it’s the rider atop the bike that makes the difference, but it’s telling that many riders are choosing the Cutthroat as their bike of choice for this challenging route.
The Cutthroat is made for long days in the saddle and tackling any terrain you may encounter. Pavement, rutted double track, gravel, and single track trails are all great surfaces for this bike. Salsa provides a range of build options for your budget and the Cutthroat is available in a frame only option as well.
The Salsa Cutthroat in its natural environment
Salsa pretty much invented the drop-bar-mountain-bike category with the introduction of the Fargo many many years ago. A drop bar mountain bike is one of the best bike platforms for adventure. It combines the rugged capability of mountain bikes with the geometry and handling of a road bike. This makes long days in the saddle while riding challenging terrain a little more comfortable.
This drop bar mountain bike is comfortable all day on any terrain
Salsa Cutthroat Specifications
| Feature Type | Feature Specs | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 23lbs 14oz | Lightweight out of the box with room to cut weight with upgrades |
| Type | Drop bar mountain bike | Mountain bike meets road bike for plenty of speed |
| Material | Carbon Fiber | Light, rigid, fast, and comfortable. |
| Wheel Size | 29″ | Fast-rolling mountain bike tires can roll over chunky terrain |
| Tire Clerance | 2.6″ in front 2.5″ in back | Loads of clearance for oversized tires |
| Drivetrain | SRAM 1×12 11-52T | Massive gear ratio without a front derailleur |
| Dropper post | Hydraulic dropper post | Drop your seat for gnarly descents or technical singletrack |
| Mounting Points | Multiple on-frame and fork | Unlimited options to customize and store extra kit |
| Suspension | Available | You can add a suspension fork to this bike. Ask REI or Salsa for details. |
| Ideal Terrain | Gravel, double track, non-technical single track | The Cutthroat is meant to handle any and all surfaces |
| Manufacturer Warranty | REI/Salsa proudly stands by this bike. | 365 Days for REI members |
| Weight restrictions | None listed | The Cutthroat does not have weight restrictions. Check with wheel manufacturers if there is a concern. |
| Retail Price | $5500 | Multiple builds are available at lower and higher price points |
Unique Features of Salsa Cutthroat
On bike storage
The Salsa Cutthroat was designed to be the bike of choice for racing the Tour Divide. Riders embarking on this sort of journey have to carry everything they will need for the duration of the ride on the bike. On the Cutthroat you’ll find a massive frame triangle meant for maximum storage capability. Fitting a full frame bag on the bike is simple and is a great way to carry water, clothing, tools, or all of the above. It doesn’t end there!
A giant frame triangle provides plenty of room for storage
You will also find multiple mounting points on the underside of the down tube as well as on both sides of the carbon fork. Self supported bikepacking is all about carrying everything you need to not just sustain yourself but to fix any mechanical issues. Storing tools, tube, lube, and other necessities is a must and it’s great to see you can easily do that on this bike.
Geometry you can race or ride
Salsa has dialed in the geometry of this bike and struck a perfect balance that allows you to fully take advantage of fast fire roads and aero-positioning while also staying comfortable and confident on more technical single track. This bike is comfortable to ride over long hours and punishing terrain and lets the rider sit up a little bit more than a specific gravel bike.
The riding position of the Cutthroat lends itself to all day efforts
Tire clearance
An important consideration when picking a bike for bikepacking is tire size. Fortunately, the Salsa Cutthroat gives ample room for aggressive and knobby tires or something quicker rolling if you choose. You can fit a massive 3″ tire on the front of the bike and a maximum of 2.4″ on the rear. This allows your bike to adapt to specific adventures and lets you fit the rubber you need to ride in comfort.
If you get a complete bike from Salsa it comes fitted with 2.2″ Teravail Starwood tires which will adequately handle most terrain but are best suited for gravel.
Massive tire clearance for the gnarliest endeavors
Dropper post
The SRAM Rival GX build comes equipped with a dropper post which is incredible handy for riding single track. The dropper lever is nicely positioned on the left side of the drop handlebars and is easy to hit while on the move. You’ll love the ability to get behind the saddle for bombing down descents and to keep your weight properly balanced so the more technical terrain won’t cause issues.
Enjoy a massive gear range on the SRAM Rival GX build
How the Salsa Cutthroat compares to other bikepacking bikes
Salsa Cutthroat Vs Canyon GRZL
Canyon has been growing in leaps and bounds in recent years and for good reason. They offer some pretty incredible bikes at great prices. The Canyon GRZL is their adventure racing bike that would best compare to the likes of the Salsa Cutthroat. It is offered in a dizzying array of options which include front suspension, 2x and 1x drivetrain options, and more.
While this is an appealing ride it is best suited more toward gravel rides with minimum “chunk”. The GRZL can not accommodate oversized mountain bike tires which is a major drawback to an otherwise fantastic bike. For riders looking for maximum versatility, the Salsa Cutthroat is the best option.
How does this offering from Canyon stack up?
Salsa Cutthroat Vs Lauf Siegle
This next bike is quite an interesting ride and from a brand you may be unfamiliar with. They’re best known for their unique suspension forks which utilize leaf springs instead of standard air chambers. The Lauf Seigla is an adventure-ready workhorse that matches the Salsa Cutthroat in many regards. It’s able to fit larger mountain biking tires. It has similar geometry. It provides a 1×13 drivetrain option, and has a fantastic suspension fork. However, it lacks the mounting options that the Salsa Cutthroat provides.
If you’re planning on an overnight trip this isn’t a deal breaker but when traveling long distances over multiple days or weeks you’re going to want as many mountain points as possible.
The Lauf Siegla is a great bike but how does it stack up to the venerable Cutthroat?
Salsa Cutthroat Vs Salsa Fargo
While it might seem odd to compare bikes from the same brand this is actually a very fitting comparison. Both bikes are built around a drop bar mountain bike frame whose primary purpose is to tackle any and all surfaces. You will find both bikes have plenty of mounting options for racks, bags, cages, etc.
The biggest difference between these two adventure bikes is weight and geometry. The Salsa Fargo is built from steel and has a more relaxed geometry meant for very long days in the saddle with or without a load. The Fargo weighs a hefty bit more than the Cutthroat but provides a reliably comfortable ride thanks to the steel construction.
If you’re looking for the lightest weight bike that can tackle a long ride like the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route and budget isn’t a large consideration, the Cutthroat is for you. For those looking for the most capable bike on a tighter budget the Salsa Fargo is a fantastic choice.
The Salsa Fargo is an incredibly capable bike, albeit heavier and slower than the Cutthroat
Who is Salsa Cycles?
Salsa Cycles invites you to Adventure By Bike and explore on two wheels. They’ve been making genre-defining bikes for decades and have become synonymous with adventure, bikepacking, and exploration. They offer approachable and affordable bikes for every level of rider as well as higher-tier racing machines. The Salsa Cutthroat not only fits into their lineup of bikes but helps to define who the brand is and who they appeal to.
A Cutthroat yearns for new adventures
See the Salsa Cutthroat, and learn more about Salsa.
Salsa sponsors this post.
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