2026 Salsa Blackthorn 145 Eagle 70 Transmission - Black Spruce

The best all-mountain bikes perform on a wide variety of terrain and give you everything you need to thrive on rides where you're out all day and don't always know what to expect. Blackthorn 145 Eagle 70 Transmission was built for this. Its aluminum frame features a slack 63.9-degree head angle and short chainstays for stability and maneuverability when descending and navigating tech, with a steep 77.4-degree seat tube for comfortable seated pedaling when you're climbing up to the next pass.

Split Pivot suspension design allows us to optimize Blackthorn's pedaling and braking performance independently, for better small bump compliance, braking traction, and pedaling efficiency. A RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ shock delivers 145mm of rear travel and a RockShox Lyrik fork gives you 160mm of travel to play with.

Blackthorn's cargo mounts make it easy to load up all the water, snacks, and kit you need for long days out. SRAM's Eagle 70 Transmission drivetrain and Maven four-piston brakes give you precise control over your pace up and down the mountain.

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.

Frame Specs

• Design Wheel/Tire Sizes 55-63.5mm (2.2-2.5")
• Alternate Wheel/Tire Sizes 584/27.5" Rear Wheel Only 63-70mm (2.5-2.7")
• Max Tire Outer Diameter Tire Clearance Frame: 29 x 2.5"
  Tire Clearance Fork: 732 mm Diameter / 81mm Width
• Frame Construction 6061 Aluminum
• Suspension Fork Length (Travel) 160mm travel
• Fork Offset 44mm
• Rear Spacing 12 x 148mm
• Rear Axle Size 12 x 188mm, TP=1.0, TL=20
• Rear Brake (Rotor) 74mm Post Mount (180-200mm rotor)
• Front Brake (Rotor) 74mm Post Mount (180-220mm rotor)
• Headset - Upper ZS44/28.6
• Headset - Lower ZS56/40
• Rear Shock Size 210x55
• Shock Mount, Fore ø10 x 30mm
• Steerer Tube 1.125-1.5" Tapered
• Crown Race 59mm
• Seatpost 30.9mm
• Dropper Post Compatible Yes (internal)
• Seatpost Clamp 35.0mm
• Max Post Insertion SM: 215mm; MD: 240mm; LG: 265mm; XL: 290mm
• Derailluer Hanger SRAM UDH
• Bottom Bracket 73mm BSA
• Crankset (Max Ring) 34t (55mm)
• Accessory Mounts Top Tube Accessory Mounts: 1
• Bottle Mounts 2
• Fork Mounts None
• Front Fender Mounts None
• Rear Fender Mounts None

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.

6061-T6 aluminum frame

Heat-treated aluminum frame for stiffness and durability.

Top tube accessory mounts

Top tube mounts accommodate direct-mount top tube bags or the 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.

Click for Geometrical Chart

Click for Build Kit

Click for Blackthorn Size Chart (PDF)

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

Click for Suspension Frame Service Gen 3 & 4 - Flip Chip 1557 Shock Mount Hardware

Click for Link Hardware Kit 3731 Instructions

Click for Coil Shock Spring Rate Recommendations for Blackthorn 2

Click for Suspension Frame Service - Control Link Pivot Hardware Type 2

Click for Suspension Frame Service - Rear Axle Pivot Type 2 and SRAM UDH

Click for Travel Conversion - Blackthorn 2 & Moraine 1

?? WARNING:

This product can expose you to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.