SALSA CYCLES HORSETHIEF SLX | A 29er trail bike that climbs far and descends with confidence
For both leisurely rides and aggressive attacks. A full-suspension 29er for more freedom on trail rides.
Some days you want to conquer long climbs to reach your favorite trail, while other days you want to fully enjoy technical descents. The SALSA CYCLES HORSETHIEF SLX is a full-suspension bike that caters to this wide range of trail riding needs.
The well-balanced design, combining 120mm of rear travel with a 140mm front fork, achieves both nimble pedaling performance and excellent descending capabilities. The superior traction and stability unique to 29-inch wheels connect you smoothly through the trail.
The Split Pivot® rear suspension features a unique design that isolates pedaling and braking forces. It provides efficient propulsion on climbs and enhances ground contact on descents, ensuring excellent control.
The EPS carbon main triangle and carbon seatstays ensure lightweight and rigidity, while the 6066-T6 aluminum chainstays provide high durability. This makes it suitable for long trail rides and backcountry adventures with confidence.
Furthermore, it is designed to accommodate two full-size water bottles on all sizes and is equipped with a top tube mount. This offers greater freedom for hydration and carrying gear, making it a suitable bike for adventure rides.
Features
- 29-inch full-suspension trail bike
- 120mm rear travel / 140mm front fork travel
- Split Pivot® rear suspension
- Combines efficient pedaling performance with excellent ground contact
- Stable suspension characteristics due to progressive leverage rate
- High anti-squat performance with 1x specific design
- Flip Chip for geometry adjustment
- EPS carbon main triangle
- Carbon seatstays + 6066-T6 aluminum chainstays
- Modern trail geometry with 67° head angle x 432mm chainstays
- Standard tires: 29×2.5 (F) / 29×2.4 (R)
- Compatible with 29×2.2–2.6 inches and 27.5×2.8–3.0 inches
- Accommodates two full-size water bottles on all sizes
- Top tube accessory mount
- Compatible with 30.9mm dropper post (stealth routing compatible)
- Full-sleeve internal cable routing
- Molded frame protection
- Shimano SLX 1×12 drivetrain
SPEC
- Frame: EPS Carbon Main Triangle / Carbon Seatstay / 6066-T6 Aluminum Chainstay
- Rear Suspension: Split Pivot®
- Rear Travel: 120mm
- Fork: 140mm
- Wheel Size: 29 inches
- Standard Tires: 29×2.5 (Front) / 29×2.4 (Rear)
- Drivetrain: Shimano SLX 1×12 speed
- Seatpost Diameter: 30.9mm
The HORSETHIEF SLX is a trail bike with an exquisite balance, positioned precisely between XC and Enduro.
It climbs efficiently and the rear suspension naturally follows the terrain on descents, allowing you to maintain your flow on the trail. The Split Pivot movement feels very natural, giving the impression of efficient progress without excessive reliance on lockouts.
The stability provided by the 29-inch wheels is also appealing, making it well-suited for long trail rides and backcountry adventures. The frame design, which accommodates two water bottles on all sizes, is also practical.
It's not as specialized as a race machine, nor as heavily equipped as an enduro bike. This exquisite positioning makes it a user-friendly bike for many riders.
