2023 Salsa Cassidy C XT

Cassidy C XT is a well-balanced carbon enduro bike. The stiff frame helps you hold your line through treacherous terrain, while Fox’s Float X2 Performance shock and Float 38 Performance Elite GRIP2 soften the trail with 165 mm rear and 180 mm front travel. Progressive trail geometry and our Split Pivot suspension design keep your tires planted both down and up the mountain. On-bike cargo features such as a padded tube strap spot, top tube mount, and full-size bottle clearance support extra laps or longer days out, making Cassidy ideal for enduro adventures. Shimano’s XT 1 x 12 components bring smooth shifting, wide range, and four-piston brakes to take it all to the next level. Time to start adding trails to your “must-ride” list.

Features

Split Pivot Rear Suspension

Split Pivot provides a host of impressive suspension characteristics because the system isolates pedaling forces and braking forces from each other, allowing us to tune and optimize the bike for both independently. The concentric rear axle pivot, in conjunction with precise wheel link, brake link, and control link placement, results in excellent bump compliance and pedaling efficiency, smooth and predictable braking throughout travel, and maximum traction

Split Pivot+ Design Methodology

The Split Pivot+ design methodology allows our engineers to optimize a frame for more than one travel class. This means that Blackthorn riders can swap control and shock links, in addition to the rear shock and fork, to switch travel to Cassidy’s 165 mm rear and 180 mm front capability. One frame, multiple bikes

Progressive Leverage Rate

Progressive from start to finish, Cassidy’s leverage rate is tuned for speed. It delivers supple small-bump action early for a smooth ride at high speed; a consistent and supportive feel through the mid-stroke for popping, pumping, and holding up to high-G corners; and continued progression through the end-stroke to provide plenty of support for big hits and recovering from poor line choices

Flip Chip 2.0

Integrated into the shock link mount, Flip Chip 2.0 allows simple, quick adjustments to bottom bracket height and head tube angle to account for the rider’s personal preference, terrain, or wheel size and tire diameter

6061-T6 Aluminum Frame

Top-shelf, double and triple-butted, heat-treated 6061-T6 aluminum tubing is strategically shaped and formed for additional stiffness and strength optimization in key stress areas

Top Tube Accessory Mounts

Top tube mounts accommodate K-Edge Top Tube Mount for bike computers or the Salsa EXP Series Direct Mount Top Tube Bag

Down Tube Three-Pack Mounts

Three-Pack mounts on down tube accommodate a large water bottle on the lower pair and a frame-mounted pump bracket on the upper pair

Integrated Repair Kit Location

Located in front of the rear shock in the front triangle, we provide a dedicated place for a small repair kit, tube, or bag of gummies. No more loading up your pockets or strapping the essentials to random spots on the frame and damaging the frame finish. Carbon frames feature an integrated reinforced slot and frame protection. Aluminum frames feature a machined strap slot. The slot is sized to accommodate most ¾"- to 1"-wide straps. A Salsa Tube Strap is included with each frame (Salsa Tube Straps are for use with tubes only)

Accommodates a 26 oz Bottle

All Blackthorn sizes accept a standard 26 oz water bottle within the front triangle

Stealth Dropper Post Routing

Compatible with 30.9mm dropper posts for true trail bike performance

Molded Frame Protection

Molded rubber down tube, seat tube, chainstay, and seatstay guards protect your frame from impacts and abrasion

Versatile Tire Fit

Spec’d as a 29er, Blackthorn is also capable of running 27.5 x 2.8-3.0" wheels and tires

Chain Guide-Compatible

Blackthorn frames features ISCG-05 mounts for chain guides (removable on carbon frames)

Remote Lockout Ready

Blackthorn C comes equipped for remote lockout, with cable routing to the rear shock via a guided port on the drive side of the downtube that exits under the forward shock mount.

BUILD KIT

FRAMESET

• Frame: Cassidy Carbon V1
• Fork: Fox Float 38 Performance Elite GRIP2, 180 mm, 44 mm offset
• Color: Red
• Rear Shock: Fox Float X2 Performance

DRIVETRAIN

• Front Derailleur: N/A
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT M8100 SGS
• Cassette: Shimano SLX M7100, 10–51t, 12-speed
• Chain: Shimano SLX M7100
• Crankset: Shimano XT M8130, 30t
• Shifter: Shimano XT M8100
• Brakes and Rotors: Shimano SLX M7120 four-piston, Shimano RT64, Center Lock (203 mm)

COMPONENTS

• Headset: Cane Creek 40 Series, ZS44/ZS56
• Stem: Salsa Guide Trail 50 mm
• Handlebar: Race Face Turbine R 35
• Grips/Bar Tape: Salsa File Tread Lock-on
• Seatpost: TranzX YSI05, Shimano MT500 lever, 30 mm travel adjust (SM 125 x 409 mm, MD 150 x 459 mm, LG 170 x 499 mm, XL 200 x 559 mm)
• Saddle: WTB Volt 250 Steel SL, 250 x 135

WHEELS

• Front Wheel: Shimano XT M8110 15 x 110 mm hub, WTB KOM Tough i30 29" rim
• Rear Wheel: Shimano XT M8130 12 x 157 mm hub, WTB KOM Tough i30 29" rim
• Tires: Maxxis Assegai 29 x 2.5" front, Maxxis Dissector 29 x 2.4" rear, Maxx Grip, DD, TR

WEIGHT

• Complete Bike Weight: 35 lbs 7 oz for Medium

Geometry Details

Click for Geometry Chart