@@greiner7414that was a crazy deal I saw it too. They’ve gone up on it since. If I didn’t have a Roscoe on order I would’ve snagged that. First real bike, so maybe a HT will serve me better anyway! Let us know how it rides!
Ma dude, thank you for this *detsiled* review of the blackthorn...a shop is building my cassidy right now and I should be able to pick it up this week. Not a ton of in depth reviews out there since the salsa brand isn't a huge share of the mtb market....again, big thanks man
For sure - I will say the V3 ripmo sounds like it solves some of the downsides. BUUUUUUT the blackthorn is on a pretty insane sale at the moment- might be releasing new versions soon?
Just bought the SLX Carbon on the crazy sale for $2200 for my wife to replace her 2015 Kona Process 134, local XC and Pisgah rides with occasional bike parks. Hoping it pedals pretty well on the mellow XC stuff we ride during the week here in NC.
Just bought a $2200 XL carbon slx to replace my 1999 diamond back hardtail... Years and years of not even knowing what I'm looking at withbikes, certainly not enough to drop $2k+ and feel pretty certain that I'm getting my money's worth... I'm pretty sure I'm getting my money's worth!! Gonna be something else boy howdy
@@toddmulligan2609 no question!! just remember that at first the bike will feel different and awkward compared to what you're used to. give it a good few rides to get used to the new-school handling - you're in for a treat
I’ve been looking at the Ripmo for a couple years and recently came across the Salsa Blackthorn. It is sooo much cheaper than the Ripmo. Wondering what your recommendation since you have ridden both?
My local has one for 1899 I tried today, feels good, tbh don’t really need a mountain bike per-say cause I’m gonna be riding trails and pavement. Tried a cutthroat but it just doesn’t feel as smooth even when riding on pavement. What you think?
I think it would be a bit much for flat trails & pavement - too heavy and squishy. You might be better off with something in between like a hardtail mountain bike (Salsa has the Rangefinder and Timberjack - for example)
Yeah the prices right now are nuts! For 95% of my riding which involves punchy tech, some steep rollers, moderate drops the blackthorn is more than enough bike and handles better than the Cassidy at non-bike-park speeds. If I spent a lot of time at parks, the Cassidy is great with the higher stack, slacker head angle, extra suspension…. Blackthorn is still plenty of bike for moderate park trails but if you’re trying to smash through things at higher speeds the Cassidy would be nice
They don't use sliding dropouts, but according to Salsa's site, you can run 27.5+ wheels (2.8"-3" tires) and they recommend using the "high" setting on the flip chip.
Excellent review.
much appreciated!
thanks for the review ...i am looking to get a hardtail upgrade ...but i am leaning toward the Salsa Blackthorn.....see you out there
Nice, and hope it was somewhat helpful. I think it’s an underrated bike that can handle a huge variety of terrain. Best of luck!
I purchased the blackthorn..and this thing is a beast ...can't wait for the trails to open...see you out there
@@chuckriley2764 congrats! hope it serves you well, and happy riding!
Just picked one up (alloy delivered next week) at REI for 1750!
@@greiner7414that was a crazy deal I saw it too. They’ve gone up on it since. If I didn’t have a Roscoe on order I would’ve snagged that. First real bike, so maybe a HT will serve me better anyway! Let us know how it rides!
Ma dude, thank you for this *detsiled* review of the blackthorn...a shop is building my cassidy right now and I should be able to pick it up this week. Not a ton of in depth reviews out there since the salsa brand isn't a huge share of the mtb market....again, big thanks man
My pleasure, and thanks for watching and glad you found it helpful. Please do report back with how you like it! What’s your build kit looking like?
Thanks for the review! Appreciate your comparison to the ripmo as that’s the other bike I’m mainly considering right now.
For sure - I will say the V3 ripmo sounds like it solves some of the downsides. BUUUUUUT the blackthorn is on a pretty insane sale at the moment- might be releasing new versions soon?
Just bought the SLX Carbon on the crazy sale for $2200 for my wife to replace her 2015 Kona Process 134, local XC and Pisgah rides with occasional bike parks. Hoping it pedals pretty well on the mellow XC stuff we ride during the week here in NC.
@@AUSTIN_RIDES it’s a deal that’s hard to pass up! Will be curious to hear how she likes it!
Just bought a $2200 XL carbon slx to replace my 1999 diamond back hardtail... Years and years of not even knowing what I'm looking at withbikes, certainly not enough to drop $2k+ and feel pretty certain that I'm getting my money's worth...
I'm pretty sure I'm getting my money's worth!! Gonna be something else boy howdy
@@toddmulligan2609 no question!! just remember that at first the bike will feel different and awkward compared to what you're used to. give it a good few rides to get used to the new-school handling - you're in for a treat
I picked one up too!
I’ve been looking at the Ripmo for a couple years and recently came across the Salsa Blackthorn. It is sooo much cheaper than the Ripmo. Wondering what your recommendation since you have ridden both?
Yeah, tough to say a bad word about the ripmo, but tell me more about where you usually ride
Did you post the review in Cassidy? I appreciate the comment on the flip chip I may put in high position and see how I like it. I have a Cassidy
😬I haven't yet gotten around to it- oops! What kind of trails do you mostly ride?
@@RootsRocksRaffi Vermont bike parks and enduro type trails for this bike. I have a trail bike for xc races and rolling stuff
My local has one for 1899 I tried today, feels good, tbh don’t really need a mountain bike per-say cause I’m gonna be riding trails and pavement. Tried a cutthroat but it just doesn’t feel as smooth even when riding on pavement. What you think?
I think it would be a bit much for flat trails & pavement - too heavy and squishy. You might be better off with something in between like a hardtail mountain bike (Salsa has the Rangefinder and Timberjack - for example)
What do you like it better as a blackthorn or Cassidy? I can get either for the same price.
Yeah the prices right now are nuts! For 95% of my riding which involves punchy tech, some steep rollers, moderate drops the blackthorn is more than enough bike and handles better than the Cassidy at non-bike-park speeds. If I spent a lot of time at parks, the Cassidy is great with the higher stack, slacker head angle, extra suspension…. Blackthorn is still plenty of bike for moderate park trails but if you’re trying to smash through things at higher speeds the Cassidy would be nice
Are their sliding dropouts on the rear wheel allowing 27.5”/29” wheel?
They don't use sliding dropouts, but according to Salsa's site, you can run 27.5+ wheels (2.8"-3" tires) and they recommend using the "high" setting on the flip chip.