NEW Salsa Blackthorn 145 C Eagle 90 Transmission All-Mountain Bike - 29", Carbon, Black/Graphite Gray - 210000074788
Blackthorn 145 is Salsa’s All-Mountain Bike. It’s a rugged rig that’s ready for backcountry trails and rowdy lines. It’s most at home on the steep and techy terrain — both up and down the mountain. Built to be capable, confident, and cargo-friendly without being a handful, Blackthorn 145 brings the fun to big days on the trail.
Features
- Carbon fiber frame, seatstays, and chainstays with 6061-T6 aluminum links for durability
- Split Pivot suspension design features 145mm of efficient travel that’s fully active under braking and supportive throughout its stroke, paired with a 160mm suspension fork
- Split Pivot + design philosophy lets riders switch travel class to the 125mm rear/140mm front travel found on Blackthorn 125 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 145 Carbon
- Fork: FOX 36 Performance, GRIP, 44mm offset, 160mm
- Rear Shock: FOX Float X Performance EVOL LV, 2-position, 210 x 55mm
- Color: Black/Graphite Gray
- 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 GX Eagle Transmission Flattop
- Grips / Bar Tape: Salsa file tread lock-on
- Handlebar: Race Face Chester, 35.0
- Stem: Salsa Guide 35.0
- Headset: FSA Orbit 1.5E ZS NO.57E
- Shifter: SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission
- Brakes & Rotors: SRAM Maven Base, 4-piston, SRAM CenterLine 2.0 Rotors (6-bolt, 200mm front and rear)
- Saddle: WTB Solano Steel Fusion Form, medium
- Seatpost: TranzX REVERSE YSI35 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", 60TPI Durable casing, Grip Plus compound / Rear: Teravail Kessel 29 x 2.5", 120TPI Durable Plus casing, Grip Plus compound
- Tubeless Accessories: WTB TCS valve and sealant included
- Pedals: not included
What our Experts Think
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A premium all-mountain carbon trail bike, the Salsa Blackthorn 145 C is built for riders who want high-end efficiency paired with serious descending capability.
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Lightweight carbon frame construction reduces fatigue on long climbs while increasing responsiveness and trail feedback on technical terrain.
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145mm rear travel platform (frame design) delivers a strong balance of pedaling efficiency and downhill control for modern aggressive trail riding.
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29” wheel setup maximizes rollover speed, stability, and traction across rocky, rooty, and high-speed singletrack.
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SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission drivetrain provides ultra-precise, under-load shifting with exceptional durability for demanding trail conditions.
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Modern progressive trail geometry enhances confidence on steep descents while maintaining agility in tight corners and switchbacks.
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Full suspension tuning for all-mountain versatility, capable of handling everything from big backcountry climbs to technical downhill sections.
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Premium Black/Graphite Gray carbon finish gives the bike a refined, performance-focused aesthetic that matches its high-end build spec.
Q&A
Q: What is the Salsa Blackthorn 145 C designed for?
A: The Salsa Blackthorn 145 C is a carbon full-suspension all-mountain bike built for aggressive trail riding, technical descents, and long backcountry rides.
Q: What type of terrain is it best for?
A: It excels on steep, rocky trails, technical singletrack, and enduro-style terrain where control, stability, and suspension performance are critical.
Q: What frame material is used?
A: It uses a carbon frame from Salsa, reducing weight while maintaining high stiffness and efficient power transfer.
Q: What drivetrain does it use?
A: It is equipped with SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission, offering precise shifting, wide gear range, and strong performance under load in rough conditions.
Q: What wheel size does it use?
A: It uses 29" wheels for improved rollover capability, stability, and speed on technical terrain.
Q: Why choose the Salsa Blackthorn 145 C?
A: Riders choose it for its carbon efficiency, modern all-mountain geometry, and strong downhill capability combined with efficient climbing performance.
Maintenance Tips
- Clean frame, linkage, and drivetrain after every muddy or wet ride to prevent grit damage and premature wear.
- Inspect carbon frame and rear triangle regularly for cracks, deep scratches, or impact marks—especially after crashes or hard rock strikes.
- Service suspension pivots and bearings on schedule; check for play, creaks, or stiffness before rides.
- Keep SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission drivetrain clean for optimal electronic/mechanical precision and shifting reliability.
- Check derailleur alignment, crank interface, and mounting bolts frequently due to high-torque trail use.
- Inspect fork and rear shock for air pressure stability, seal condition, and oil leaks; service per manufacturer intervals.
- Maintain brake system (pads, rotors, calipers) with frequent inspection due to aggressive all-mountain braking loads.
- Grease pivot hardware where specified and use correct torque settings to protect carbon interfaces.
- Avoid high-pressure washing around pivots, bearings, and drivetrain components.
- Store indoors in a dry, temperature-stable environment and re-check torque settings after initial rides