Are you looking for a mountain bike that combines performance and quality at an affordable price? If so, the Salsa Horsethief SLX could be the ideal choice for you.
Salsa is a well-known brand in the cycling industry, producing high-quality mountain bikes that are designed with optimal performance and comfort in mind. The Horsethief SLX is one of their newer models, designed for aggressive descents and trail conditions.
This review will take an in-depth look at the Salsa Horsethief SLX mountain bike – its components, design features and ride quality – to help you decide if this model is right for you.
The Salsa Horsethief SLX is a great all-around full suspension mountain bike that features a lightweight aluminum frame and reliable components.
Whether you’re looking for an efficient cross country machine or an affordable trail shredding machine, the Horsethief SLX offers an excellent mix of performance, affordability and versatility. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at what makes the Horsethief SLX so appealing.
The Salsa Horsethief SLX is the perfect bikepacking companion. It’s built with an aluminum frame and Shimano SLX 1×12 drivetrain to ensure lightweight durability.
You’ll enjoy 29-inch Maxxis tires for added traction and cushioning on off-road terrain, plus ample space for any bikepacking adventure you may have in mind.
The Horsethief has a lower riding position for stability on pitches and descents, and features geometry that makes it a great choice for more technical trails.
Features:
– Lightweight aluminum frame
– Shimano SLX 1×12 drivetrain
– 29″ Maxxis tires
– Low riding position enhances stability on harder trails
– Disc brakes for strong stopping power
– Wide range 10-51T, 12-speed cassette for varied terrain
Frameset:
At the heart of the Salsa Horsethief SLX is a lightweight aluminum frame which provides plenty of stiffness and responsiveness without sacrificing comfort. The frameset has comfortable geometry that can handle both XC riding and technical obstacles. It also has internal cable routing which gives the bike a sleek look.
Drivetrain:
The Salsa Horsethief SLX comes with a Shimano SLX 1x drivetrain which features both reliability and top-notch shifting performance. It’s equipped with 12-speed gearing which gives you plenty of range to work with whether it be steep climbs, fast descents or flat sections in between.
The sequential shifting feature ensures smooth transitions from one gear to the next so you can stay on pace even when the terrain changes quickly.
Wheels & Tires:
This bike comes ready to ride with 29” WTB ST i30 wheels wrapped in aggressive Maxxis DHF 29 x 2.5 in. tire up front and a axxis DHR II 29 x 2.4 in. out back featuring aggressive side knobs for excellent traction in loose conditions.
The wheels are tubeless compatible, allowing you to significantly reduce rolling resistance as well as save weight compared to a traditional tube setup.
If fat biking is more your style, then you can easily switch out the “narrow” wheels and tires for wider 27.5″ models depending on where you want to ride and how soon you need more grip when cornering or braking in tougher conditions.
Brakes & Suspension:
The Salsa Horsethief SLX also features Shimano Deore M6120 disc brakes which provide admirable stopping power especially compared to rim brakes – meaning less energy spent on long descents and better safety overall should things go wrong suddenly on your ride.
For suspension duties, it comes equipped with 140mm RockShox Revelation RC fork at the front end and a Fox Float DPS Performance in the rear – giving you a smooth ride without robbing your pedaling efficiency when climbing back up the mountain trails afterward!
Verdict:
All in all, if you are looking for an efficient yet capable full suspension mountain bike that’s still relatively affordable, then look no further than the Salsa Horsethief SLX.
