NEW Salsa Blackthorn 125 C Eagle 90 Transmission Trail Mountain Bike - 29", Carbon, Dark Umber/Canyon Red - 210000074784
Blackthorn 125 is Salsa’s trail bike. It’s a well-balanced machine for riders who want the speed and agility to handle anything the trail may bring; it’s fluid in the tight sections and precise when navigating techy descents. Designed to bring everything you need for long rides without weighing you down, Blackthorn 125 excels at going farther without compromising the joy of the ride.
Features
- Carbon fiber frame, seatstays, and chainstays with 6061-T6 aluminum links for durability
- Split Pivot suspension design features 125mm of efficient travel that’s fully active under braking and supportive throughout its stroke, paired with a 140mm suspension fork
- Split Pivot + design philosophy lets riders switch travel class to the 145mm rear/160mm front travel found on Blackthorn 145 by swapping out shock link, shock, and fork
- Rear Flip chip adjusts the head tube angle and bottom bracket height to accommodate varying terrain, wheel sizes, and personal preference
- Integrated strap location on frame for tube and multitool
- Fits two bottles on all sizes
- Top tube mounts for use with EXP-R Series Trillium Top Tube Bag or K-Edge computer mounts
- Clearance for up to 29 x 2.5" tires
- Compatible with mixed wheel sizes
- Compatible with most coil shocks
- Molded frame protection
Specifications
- Frame: Blackthorn 125 Carbon
- Fork: RockShox, 140mm
- Rear Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select+, 2-position, 190 x 45mm
- Color: Dark Umber/Canyon Red
- Crankset: SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission, 30t, single guard
- Front Derailleur: N/A
- Rear Derailleur: SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission
- Cassette: SRAM XS-1270 Eagle Transmission, 10–52t, 12-speed
- Chain: SRAM Eagle 70 Transmission Flattop
- Grips / Bar Tape: WTB Wavelength Lock-On
- Handlebar: Race Face Chester 35.0mm
- Stem: Salsa Guide 35.0
- Headset: FSA Orbit 1.5E ZS NO.57E
- Shifter: SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission
- Brakes & Rotors: SRAM DB6 Levers/SRAM DB6 4-Piston Calipers, SRAM CenterLine 2.0 Rotors (6-bolt, 200mm front, 180mm rear)
- Saddle: WTB Solano Steel Fusion Form, medium
- Seatpost: TranzX REVERSE YSI35 dropper w/ GL MMX lever
- Front Wheel: WTB Frequency 3x 15 x 110mm hub, WTB KOM Trail i30 TCS, 32h, 29" rim
- Rear Wheel: WTB Frequency 3x 12 x 148mm hub, WTB KOM Trail i30 TCS, 32h, 29" rim
- Tires: Front: Teravail Kessel 29 x 2.5", 60 TPI Durable casing, Grip compound / Rear: Teravail Clifty 29 x 2.5", 60 TPI Durable casing, Grip compound
- Tubeless Accessories: WTB TCS valve and sealant included
- Pedals: not included
What our Experts Think
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A lightweight carbon trail platform, the Salsa Blackthorn 125 C is built for riders who want fast climbing efficiency with modern trail confidence on descents.
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Carbon frame construction reduces overall weight and improves ride responsiveness, making long rides and sustained climbs more efficient.
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125mm rear travel design (frame platform) focuses on pedaling efficiency, control, and all-day trail endurance rather than extreme downhill travel.
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29” wheel platform enhances stability, rollover speed, and traction on technical climbs and rough singletrack.
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SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission drivetrain delivers precise, load-shift capable performance with exceptional durability for demanding trail use.
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Modern trail geometry balances agility and stability, making it suitable for varied terrain from flow trails to technical forest routes.
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Full suspension efficiency tuning prioritizes traction and comfort while maintaining a lively, responsive ride feel.
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Dark Umber/Canyon Red carbon finish gives the bike a distinctive, premium look with a strong performance identity.
- Frequently chosen by riders seeking a fast, efficient carbon trail bike that performs equally well on long climbs and technical singletrack descents.
- Ideal for cyclists wanting a modern lightweight full-suspension platform that blends climbing speed, trail control, and high-end drivetrain performance.
Q&A
Q: What is the Salsa Blackthorn 125 C designed for?
A: The Salsa Blackthorn 125 C is a lightweight full-suspension trail bike built for efficient climbing, fast singletrack, and technical trail riding.
Q: What type of riding is it best for?
A: It is optimized for trail and cross-country-style riding, including long climbs, flow trails, and moderate technical descents.
Q: What frame material is used?
A: It uses a carbon frame from Salsa, offering low weight, stiffness, and responsive handling.
Q: What drivetrain does it use?
A: It features SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission, providing precise, durable shifting and a wide gear range for varied terrain.
Q: What wheel size does it use?
A: It runs 29" wheels for improved speed, stability, and rollover performance on rough trails.
Q: Why choose the Salsa Blackthorn 125 C?
A: Riders choose it for its efficient carbon build, modern trail geometry, and balanced performance for climbing speed and technical control.
Maintenance Tips
- Clean frame, linkage, and drivetrain after muddy or wet rides to prevent grit damage and premature wear.
- Inspect carbon frame and swingarm regularly for cracks, chips, or impact damage—especially after crashes or rock strikes.
- Service suspension pivots and bearings on schedule; check for play, creaks, or stiffness before every ride.
- Keep SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission drivetrain clean for precise shifting and long-term reliability under load.
- Check derailleur mounting, crank interface, and all bolts regularly due to high-torque trail riding.
- Inspect fork and rear shock for air pressure stability, seal wear, and oil leaks; follow manufacturer service intervals.
- Maintain brake system (pads, rotors, calipers) with frequent inspection due to aggressive trail braking demands.
- Grease pivot hardware only where specified and use correct torque values to protect carbon interfaces.
- Avoid high-pressure washing near pivots, bearings, and drivetrain components.
- Store indoors in a dry, stable environment and re-check torque settings after initial rides as parts bed in.