2026 Salsa Cutthroat C Rival GX AXS Transmission SUS - Deep Orchid
SalsaThe Cutthroat C Rival GX AXS Transmission SUS is a carbon bikepacking bike designed for the roughest routes. We designed it to thrive on the mixed terrain and long miles that riders experience on the Tour Divide: its lightweight carbon fiber frame features our Class 5™ VRS (vibration reduction system) to soak up road chatter, and our drop-bar mountain bike geometry puts you in a confident, comfortable riding position. We've equipped this Cutthroat with a 100mm suspension fork for extra stability and control. Cargo mounts on the frame give you plenty of space for your supplies and shelter. The SRAM Rival - GX AXS Transmission drivetrain delivers smooth, effortless shifting and massive gear range.
Features
On-Bike Storage
- Adventures require gear and riders should get to choose whether they carry it on their bike or on their body

Class 5 VRS
- Comfort equates to speed and distance over rough terrain
- Rider benefit is inherent to the design

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 29 x 2.25" (29 x 2.4" Max) (Some front derailleurs may reduce tire clearance. Check manufacturer's specifications to confirm clearance before installing.)
- Suspension Fork Length (Travel) 506 mm (100 mm Travel)
- Rigid Fork Length 483 mm
- Fork Offset 51 mm
- Rear Spacing 148 x 12 mm Thru-axle
- Rear Axle Size M12 x P1.0 x 175
- Rear Brake (Rotor) Flat mount (140-160 mm), flat mount frame standard (25mm Thickness), 32 mm bolt length
- Front Brake (Rotor) Flat mount (160-180 mm), flat mount frame standard (35 mm thickness), 42 mm bolt length
- Headset - Upper IS41
- Headset - Lower IS52
- Front Spacing 110 x 15 mm Thru-axle
- Seatpost 27.2 mm
- Dropper Post Compatible For Internal Dropper Post Routing:
1x mechanical drivetrain: Route the dropper post cable through the drive side of the down tube
Di2 drivetrains: Mount the Di2 battery in the seatpost, then route the dropper post cable through the drive side of the downtube
For External Dropper Post Routing:
1x/2x mechanical and Di2 drivetrains: Route the dropper post cable through the dynamo rear light holes on the non-drive side of the top tube. - Seatpost Clamp 32.0 mm
- Front Derailleur Type Road, braze-on, 2x, bottom-pull
- Derailluer Hanger SRAM UDH
- Bottom Bracket Press Fit BB92, 41 x 92 mm
- Crankset (Max Ring) 1x MTN Boost: 40t Max; 2x RD Boost outer ring: 46-50t, inner ring: 30-36t *Oval chainrings subtract 2t from max*
- Accessory Mounts Downtube Accessory Mounts: Yes, two pairs
Rack Mounts Frame: Yes, Salsa Rack Lock seatpost collar required. Salsa Wanderlust Rack recommended. Salsa Bent Rack Struts (part #RK8030) required for installation on 58cm and 60cm frames. Not compatible with Salsa Wanderlust HD Rack
Rack Mounts Fork: No
Top Tube Mounts: Yes, compatible with Salsa Top Tube bag - Bottle Mounts Frame: Frames up to 54cm: 2 in main triangle. Frames 56cm and larger: 3 in main triangle
Fork: No - Front Fender Mounts Compatible with RockShox SID 2-Bolt A2 Fender
- Rear Fender Mounts N/A
Additional Features
Class 5™ VRS
The Class 5™ Vibration Reduction System revolves around seatstays with a tall, thin, vertically-oriented profile that promotes vertical compliance by allowing the seatstays to "flex" outwards on impacts. Horizontally-oriented chainstays work to resist torque and maintain a laterally stiff rear end. The lack of seatstay and chainstay bridges allows the full length of the stays to contribute to flexibility. A rear thru-axle delivers precise tracking while allowing the seatstays to provide incredible compliance
Interior junction control mold technology
We use interior molds at all of the main front triangle junctions during layup and curing. This allows for precise control of wall thickness and inner-wall smoothness in these areas. This process increases compaction and reduces voids and wrinkles in critical high-stress zones. The end result is a top-quality carbon frame that delivers consistent high performance
Cutthroat geometry
Our drop bar mountain bike geometry features a 69° head tube angle for a long wheelbase that provides supreme stability over long days on any surface. 445 mm chainstays with Class 5 VRS will get you through everything from remote two-track gravel roads to technical singletrack trails, with the efficiency and comfort that endurance riders need to keep at it day after day. Cutthroat is designed for optimized fit with the Salsa Cowchipper or Woodchipper Bars
Tour Divide-inspired features
Designed for maximum frame bag volume on every size. Stay hydrated with room for three bottles on 54-60 cm frames (two bottles on 52 cm frames). The top tube bag mount makes mid-ride refueling easy, and the two Three-Pack mounts on the fork offer extra capacity for gear or water. The Cutthroat carbon fork has internal wire routing for dynamo hub lighting systems. Abrasion-resistant plates reduce frame and fork wear cause by mud and debris
Massive tire and mud clearance
Fits a 29 x 3.0" tire up front and a 29 x 2.4" tire in the rear, plus the mud you are likely to encounter in multi-day endurance races.
Road Boost drivetrain
2x mechanical-compatible using Race Face mountain boost cranks and Easton direct-mount chainrings (max 50/34t, complete bikes ship with 46/30t) and a road drivetrain in all other areas
Direct-mount frame pack compatible
Custom frame bags can be bolted directly to frame tool-free with EXP Series Direct Mount Thumb Screws
Multiple bottle and cargo-carrying options
Capable of carrying four (52 cm frames) or five (54-60 cm frames) bottles with Three-Pack Mounts on the fork. Mounts for EXP Series Top Tube Bag and two accessory mounts on the underside of the downtube provide space for the Salsa Anything Bracket Mini or fuel, water bottle, or Salsa KEG. Cutthroat Direct Mount Frame Pack provides ample capacity across all frame sizes, and front and rear rack mounts offer endless options for carrying cargo
Rear rack compatible
Accommodates the Salsa Wanderlust Rack (requires the Salsa Rack-Lock seatpost collar). Salsa Bent Rack Struts (part #RK8030) required for installation on 58 cm and 60 cm frames. Cutthroat V2 is not compatible with the Salsa Wanderlust HD Rack.
Frame protection
Abrasion-resistant plates on the frame and fork prevent damage from mud buildup and other debris.
SRAM UDH-compatible
SRAM's Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) makes it faster and easier to find a replacement at any bike shop, no matter how far from home you are.
Click for Cutthroat Size Chart (PDF)
Click for Bicycle Owner's Manual
Click for Salsa Cutthroat V2 Front Triangle Frame Bag Guide
Click for ASTM Riding Conditions Classifications
?? 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.
- Headset:
- FSA NO.42/ACB
- Seatpost:
- TranzX YSP38 dropper post, 90mm travel
- Stem:
- Teravail Radia
- Grips/Bar Tape:
- Teravail Radia
- Saddle:
- WTB Rocket Fusion
- Handlebar:
- Teravail Radia 24 Carbon
- Front Derailleur:
- N/A
- Rear Derailleur:
- SRAM GX Eagle Transmission
- Cassette:
- SRAM XS-1275 Eagle Transmission, 10-52t, 12-speed
- Chain:
- SRAM GX Eagle Transmission Flattop (118 links)
- Crankset:
- SRAM GX Eagle Transmission DUB, 34t
- Shifter:
- SRAM Rival AXS HRD
- Brake Levers:
- SRAM Rival AXS HRD
- Brake Calipers:
- SRAM Rival
- Rotors:
- SRAM CenterLine (6-bolt, 180mm front, 160mm rear)
- Front Wheel:
- WTB CZR Light i30 carbon, 15 x 110mm hub, 24h, 29 Inches
- Rear Wheel:
- WTB CZR Light i30 carbon, 12 x 148mm hub, 24h, 29 Inches
- Front Tire:
- Teravail Camrock 29 x 2.4, Light Trail casing (WTB TCS Sealant included)"
- Rear Tire:
- Teravail Camrock 29 x 2.4, Durable casing (WTB TCS Sealant included)"
- Complete Bike:
- 23 lbs. 14 oz.
- Frame:
- Cutthroat Carbon
- Color:
- Deep Orchid
- Rear Shock:
- N/A
- Bottom Bracket:
- SRAM DUB Wide, PF92
- Suspension Fork:
- RockShox SID Select+, 3-position, 100mm, black