2025 Salsa Blackthorn 145 C X0 Transmission - Coffee Black / Sage

Let's get down: Blackthorn 145 C X0 Transmission is our carbon all-mountain bike made to take on rowdy and rugged trails with you.

Its stiff carbon frame and WTB CZR carbon wheels make for a light, responsive ride you'll appreciate when picking through techy terrain. Our all-mountain geometry is slack enough to make steep, techy descents feel less harrowing without sacrificing uphill pedaling comfort. 145mm of rear Split Pivot suspension travel soaks up trail impacts and serves as a perfect pedaling platform when the trail points back up. Paired with a RockShox Lyrik Ultimate 160mm fork, you've got enough cushion for control through drops, rock gardens, steep slabs, and more.

Blackthorn's on-bike cargo mounts make room for two bottles plus your tube and multitool; top tube mounts accept our EXP-R Series Trillium Top Tube Bag or a K-Edge computer mount. SRAM's X0 Transmission drivetrain puts laser-precise electronic shifting at your fingertips, plus a durable derailleur design that stands up to trail abuse.

WARNING:

This product can expose you to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Headset:

FSA Orbit 1.5E ZS NO.57E

Seatpost:

TranzX REVERSE w/ GL Stealth MMX Lever, SM: 160mm travel; MD: 180mm travel; LG-XL: 210mm travel

Stem:

Aluminum CNC

Grips/Bar Tape:

WTB Wavelength Lock-On

Saddle:

WTB Solano, Medium, Steel SL, Fusion Form

Handlebar:

Salsa Guide Carbon

Rear Derailleur:

SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission

Cassette:

SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission, 10-52t, 12-speed

Chain:

SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission Flattop

Crankset:

SRAM X0 Eagle, 30t w/ MRP 1x iO SL ISCG-05 composite bashguard

Shifter:

SRAM AXS Pod controller, Right, w/ MatchMaker X Clamp

Brake Levers:

SRAM Maven Ultimate Stealth

Brake Calipers:

SRAM Maven Ultimate Stealth

Rotors:

SRAM HS2 (6-bolt, 200mm front and rear)

Front Tire:

Teravail Clifty, 29 x 2.5", Durable casing, WTB TCS Sealant Included

Rear Tire:

Teravail Clifty, 29 x 2.5", Durable casing, WTB TCS Sealant Included

Frame:

Blackthorn 145 Carbon

Color:

Coffee Black / Sage

Rear Shock:

RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate

Bottom Bracket:

SRAM DUB BSA 73mm MTB Wide

Suspension Fork:

RockShox Lyric Ultimate, 160mm

Front Hub:

WTB Solano, Medium, Steel SL, Fusion Form

Rear Hub:

WTB Frequency 12 x 148mm

Spoke:

Double butted, black

Rim:

WTB CZR Carbon i30, 28h

KEY FEATURES:

Split Pivot Suspension System

• Allows us to tune the pedaling and braking forces independently
• Maximizes pedaling and braking performance without compromising either
• Results in optimal pedaling efficiency and traction when braking

Split Pivot +

• Multiple travel classes in one chassis provides riders with the opportunity to adapt their bikes to various adventures

Flip Chip

• Provides the ability to alternate wheel and tire sizes
• Riders can adjust for their terrain, or desired handling characteristics

Suspension Kinematics

• Lively, responsive ride feel with good bottom-out resistance
• Free, active, and uniform suspension feel under braking
• Efficient pedaling, stellar climbing traction, supple small-bump performance
• Tunable for all riders

On-Bike Storage

• Adventures require gear and riders should get to choose whether they carry it on their bike or on their body

Frame Protection

• Our products are built from experience - we've been there enough to know that a carbon fork can benefit from added protection just as much as the downtube on a suspension bike.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

Split Pivot rear suspension design

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 145 riders can swap control and shock links, in addition to the rear shock and fork, to switch travel to Blackthorn 125's 125mm rear and 140 mm front capability. One frame, multiple bikes.

Progressive leverage rate

Blackthorn is designed with a progressive leverage rate that offers plenty of bottom out performance at the end of the stroke, promoting more confidence and control on bigger hits and a deeper feel to the travel. The beginning and mid-stroke provide extremely supple small bump compliance off the top for a smooth ride and consistent mid-travel support to help combat rider fatigue and maintain bike geometry.

Purpose-tuned suspension

Blackthorn-specific control link and shock links optimize the frame geometry and kinematics for its suspension travel, delivering a well-rounded, balanced trail feel

All-mountain geometry

Blackthorn 145 is long, low, and slack, with a dash of moderation to preserve pedaling performance. A 63.9-degree head tube angle creates a long front center with the stability to descend loose, steep trails in total confidence, while a steep 77.4-degree seat tube angle makes seated pedaling and climbing more comfortable. Short 432-433mm chainstays keep Blackthorn agile for handling tight situations.

Flip chip

A flip chip allows a simple and quick 5mm adjustment to bottom bracket height and 0.3-degree adjustment to head tube angle to account for your personal preference, terrain, or wheel size and tire diameter

Carbon fiber frame

High-modulus carbon fiber frame, seatstays, and chainstays with 6061-T6 aluminum links for durability

Top tube accessory mounts

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

Fits two bottles on all sizes

Stay hydrated on long trail rides with space for two bottles on all frame sizes

Integrated repair kit location

Bring your multitool and tube without scuffing your frame or hauling around a hip pack

Versatile wheel and tire fit

Blackthorn features clearance for up to 29 x 2.5" tires and is compatible with mixed wheel sizes

Coil shock compatibility

Blackthorn is compatible with most coil shocks

Molded frame protection

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

Internally guided cable routing

Internal tubes guide housing through the frame, simplifying setup and maintenance, and creating a clean bike profile

Click for Geometrical Chart

SUPPORTIVE DOCUMENTS:

Click for Travel Conversion Instructions for Blackthorn 2.0 and Moraine 1.0

Click for Gen 4 Split Pivot Suspension Setup

Click for Bicycle Owner's Manual

Click for ASTM Riding Conditions Classifications

Click for ASTM 4 Framesheet