Salsa Cycles have an all-new hardtail that beginning mountain bikers should be stoked about, and they have also updated the Timberjack. The new Rangefinder brings modern geometry and components to an affordable pricepoint, and the Timberjack gets two new build kits, both with reliable and high quality 12-speed Shimano drivetrains.
The all-new Salsa Rangefinder
Salsa calls the new Rangefinder an “approachable trail hardtail.” It features comfortable geo, an aluminum frame, and works with either 29 or 27.5+ wheels and tires.
The Rangefinder has all the touches of a modern hardtail, with a 120mm fork, a 1x drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, a dropper post, and of course a bit of Salsa flavor with top tube mounts, room for two water bottles inside the frame, and a mount on the underside of the down tube.
A lot of affordable hardtails that are geared toward beginners look past modern or comfortable geometry, since beginners might not notice. Salsa has approached this differently, and the Rangefinder has a 74° seat tube angle (STA), a 68° head tube angle (HTA), and a longer reach than the updated Timberjack. The size medium has 439mm of reach, but with a shorter wheelbase at 1148mm in a medium. These measurements are based on a 27.5+ Rangefinder model.
The Rangefinder will be available with a SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain in either 29-inch or 27.5+ wheels. This build will come with an SR Suntour XCR fork, Shimano MT201 brakes, and a TranzX dropper post. The SX build retails for $1,299.
The Rangefinder Deore build includes an SR Suntour fork as well, but in a 32mm stanchion rather than a 34mm. The hardtail will get a 10-speed, 11-42t Shimano Deore drivetrain, Shimano MT201 hydraulic disc brakes, Shimano wheels, and a TranzX dropper post. The Deore build is also available in either 29-inch or 27.5+ wheels and retails for $1,099.
Rangefinder is Salsa’s confidence-building trail hardtail, designed to deliver thrills on local singletrack or venture into unknown territory without hesitation.
– Salsa cycles
⭐️Find the Salsa Rangefinder at REI.com
The 2020 Salsa Timberjack
The Salsa Timberjack isn’t new to the Salsa lineup, but this year it sees new branding and a new choice of build kits. The previous $2,000 Timberjack was specced with a very budget friendly 12-speed SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain. For 2020, Salsa is speccing the top-end Timberjack with a crisp and high-quality 12-speed Shimano XT drivetrain that buyers shouldn’t need to upgrade down the line.
The Timberjack XT also gets a TransX dropper post, Shimano MT501 hydraulic disc brakes, Shimano wheels, and a 130mm RockShox Sektor RL fork.
Geometry stays the same with a 67.4° HTA, and a 73.5° STA. The reach stays pretty conservative across the frame sizes and the chainstay length is adjustable depending on the wheelsize. The dropouts are interchangeable to allow different drivetrain or hub options. The Timberjack can be specced with a 135mm quick release axle, or a 142mm non-Boost axle, or a 148x12mm Boost spaced axle. The Timberjack can fit 29-inch wheels up to 2.6″ wide, and 27.5-inch wheels with tires up to three inches wide.
It will still be available in sizes XS to XL. The brand has also added a 12-speed Shimano SLX build kit for $1,700. Finally, buyers can get an aluminum Timberjack frameset for $450 or spring for a titanium frame for $2,500.
Timberjack is a trail hardtail built to tackle a wide range of trail types. It is for riders seeking a fun, predictable, and adaptable all-arounder for exploring trails near and far.
– Salsa Cycles
⭐️Find the Salsa Timberjack at REI.com and compare prices and builds.
