2025 Salsa Horsethief C SLX - Red

The Salsa Horsethief C SLX is a versatile mountain bike with design elements and features you'll appreciate on every ride. Space for two full-size bottles in the triangle and top tube mounts mean you can carry all your ride essentials on your bike instead of a sweaty backpack or hip pack.

The carbon fiber frame is built with our modern trail geometry for surefooted descending and stable climbing. 120 mm of Split Pivot rear suspension travel paired with a 140 mm fork offers enough squish for your favorite local loops and your dream riding destinations. 29" wheels roll easily over trail obstacles to maintain precious momentum.

Shimano's SLX 1 x 12 drivetrain is a solid performer that you can rely on for years of use on all types of trails.

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:

Cane Creek 40 Series IS41/IS52

Seatpost:

TranzX YSI05, Shimano MT500 lever, 30 mm travel adj, SM: 125 x 409 mm, MD: 150 x 459 mm, LG: 170 x 499 mm, XL: 200 x 559 mm

Stem:

Salsa Guide Trail 50 mm

Grips/Bar Tape:

Salsa File Tread Lock-on

Saddle:

WTB Volt 250 Steel SL, 250 x 135

Handlebar:

Race Face Aeffect R 35

Rear Derailleur:

Shimano SLX M7100 SGS

Cassette:

Shimano Deore M6100, 10-51t, 12-speed -OR- Ruby, 11-50t, HG, steel spider

Chain:

Shimano Deore M6100

Crankset:

Shimano SLX M7130, 30t

Shifter:

Shimano SLX M7100

Brake Calipers:

Shimano Deore M6120 four-piston -OR- Tektro HD-M745 four-piston

Rotors:

Shimano RT64 (Center Lock, 180 mm)

Front Wheel:

Shimano SLX M7110 15 x 110 mm hub, WTB ST Light i30 29" rim

Rear Wheel:

Shimano SLX M7130 12 x 157 mm hub, WTB ST Light i30 29" rim -OR- WTB Frequency Comp 157 x 12 mm Center Lock HG hub, WTB ST Light i30 29" rim

Front Tire:

Maxxis DHF 29 x 2.5", EXO, TR

Rear Tire:

Maxxis DHR II 29 x 2.4", EXO, TR

Complete Bike:

31 lb 5 oz for Medium

Frame:

Horsethief Carbon V3

Color:

Red

Rear Shock:

Fox Float DPS Performance

Suspension Fork:

RockShox Pike Select+ RC, 140 mm, 42 mm offset

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

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 System

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 / Incredible pedaling efficiency / Smooth and predictable braking throughout travel / Maximum traction

Progressive Leverage Rate

The leverage rate is progressive and 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 remain relatively unchanged, providing 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. A slightly lower overall rate yields lower shock pressures making for easier and quicker initial setup.

Consistent Braking Traction

The Split Pivot® suspension design allows us to isolate braking forces from the rest of the system. Braking effect on suspension is minimal and consistent throughout the suspension travel.

Efficient Pedaling

Revised anti-squat design leads to better pedaling performance. This improved anti squat is partly the result of designing the bike to be 1x specific and optimized around a 32-tooth chainring. The riding result is incredibly efficient pedaling without the need to over dampen the rear shock (thereby hindering small bump compliance) or necessitating the use of a lockout.

Metric Shock Standard

This shock standard brings a host of benefits: Increased stiffness in rear triangle/rear suspension frame members / Able to be fine-tuned for improved ride quality and personal preference

Flip Chip

Integrated into the shock link mount, the Flip Chip allows simple, quick adjustments to bottom bracket height/headtube angle to account for wheel size, tire diameter, terrain, or the rider's personal preference.

EPS Carbon Main Triangle with Carbon Seatstay

EPS construction allows for greater manufacturing control, smooth surfacing, a simplified bottom bracket junction, and an integrated shock mount. Carbon fiber material offers improved stiffness, better vibration damping, excellent toughness and weight savings compared to other materials. 6066-T6 aluminum heat-treated chainstays add durability.

Horsethief Geometry

Horsethief is designed as an incredibly versatile 29er trail bike with the capabilities to take on a wide range of trails. A highly adaptable machine, Horsethief sports the geometry and suspension travel to suit everything from weeknight hot laps to weekend XC racing to extended destination trail riding vacations. The 67-degree head tube angle, 432 mm chainstays, and overall wheelbase length combine to promote confident descending while retaining slow speed maneuverability. Spec'd as a 29er, Horsethief is also capable of running 27.5 x 2.8-3.0" wheels and tires. The built-in flip chip can be used to adjust headtube angle and bottom bracket height based on wheel size, terrain, or personal preference. The low top tube and dropper post contribute to the bike's descending prowess, and amazingly all sizes of Horsethief can fit two full-size water bottles inside the front triangle

Modern Trail Bike Fit

Horsethief is designed for a modern trail bike fit. This means a short stem, wide bar, and longer effective top tube are used to place the rider in the same position they are familiar with on their older trail bike. This results in a more precise steering motion due to the shorter stem, a lot of front wheel control with the wide bar, and plenty of front-center length and cockpit room for fore-aft body movement when things get rowdy. We've also done our best to provide a low top tube for on-trail body language shifts. Each frame size is designed around a 50 mm stem and wide bar. To maintain the correct hand position relative to the pedals and saddle, Horsethief has a longer horizontal top tube. No need to size up when selecting a frame size with the intent of running 40 to 60 mm stems. We built it in for you.

Versatile Tire Fit

Horsethief is spec'd with a 29 x 2.5" front wheel/tire and 29 x 2.4" rear wheel/tire, but also fits: 29 x 2.2-2.6" / 27.5 x 2.8-3.0"

Top Tube Accessory Mounts

Bolt on your Salsa EXP Series Top Tube Bag for a secure connection and elimination of strap wear

Accommodates Two Full-Size Bottles

All Horsethief sizes accept two full-sized (26 oz) water bottles within the front triangle

Internal Sleeved Cable Routing

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

Dropper Post Stealth Routing Compatible

Compatible with 30.9 mm dropper posts for true trail bike performance

Molded Frame Protection

Protects your investment from impacts

Click for Geometrical Chart

SUPPORTIVE DOCUMENTS:

Click for Bicycle Owner's Manual

Click for ASTM 3 Framesheet

Click for Gen 4 Split Pivot Suspension Setup

Click for Main Pivot Instructions

Click for Control Link Pivot Instructions

Click for Rear Axle Pivots & Hanger Instructions

Click for Shock Mount Hardware Instructions

Click for Flip Chip 2.0 Shock Mount Hardware

Click for Cable Port Frame Plug Instructions

Click for Removable ISCG Bracket and Cover Ring Instructions

Click for ASTM Riding Conditions Classifications

Click for Gen 3 Link Bolt Type 1 Instructions