Hot on the heels of the all-new Rangefinder from Salsa Cycles is their more familiar 130mm travel hardtail trail bike, the Salsa Timberjack. The aluminium Timberjack sees no changes to frame specifications or geometry for 2020; updates are in the form of some fresh colorways and build options in line with the ever changing drivetrain and componentry options that are out there. If aluminium just won’t cut your mustard, the Titanium Timberjack frame is back for another year, too.
Salsa Timberjack 2020
Owing to its Alternator Dropouts, the Salsa Timberjack is a pretty versatile hardtail mountain bike with an adaptable platform able to roll on 29″ or 27.5″ wheels, with a variety of hub standards. With agile 27.5″ wheels, the frame offers sufficient clearance for up to 3.0″ wide tyres. With a faster rolling 29″ wheelset, the frame will comfortably accommodate 2.6″ wide tyres.
The Salsa Timberjack’s “trail” geometry is built around a long top tube and a short stem, with reach measurements spanning 395mm to 485mm, across the XS to XL size range. Slightly slacker than the new Rangefinder, a 67.4 degree head angle is coupled to a variable chainstay length of 420mm to 437mm, adaptable around different wheel size setups. The Salsa Timberjack, with its boost spacing, boasts 130mm of fork travel for soaking up trail chatter and features, while a dropper post allows the rider additional freedom of movement over the bike for when the terrain steepens up.
While the Salsa Timberjack is pitched more at trail centre riding, it is also bikepacking friendly, featuring a Rack-Lock seatpost collar for use with an alternator rack. Cables are internally routed, including the dropper cable, while the frame features two sets of bottle bosses. Let’s take a quick look at the 2020 models.
Salsa Timberjack XT 27.5+
- RockShox Sector RL 130mm fork
- Shimano XT derailleur and shift with 12-speed SLX 10-51T Cassette
- Shimano MT501 brakes and rotors
- Shimano MT400/MT510 hubs laced to WTB ST i40 rims
- WTB Vigilante 27.5 x 2.8″ TCS Light/High Grip, Ranger TCS Light/High Grip
- MSRP: $1,999
Timberjack XT 29
- RockShox Sector RL 130mm fork
- Shimano XT derailleur and shift with 12-speed SLX 10-51T Cassette
- Shimano MT501 brakes and rotors
- Shimano MT400/MT510 hubs laced to WTB ST i29 rims
- WTB Trail Boss 29 x 2.6″ G2 TCS Light/Fast Rolling
- MSRP: $1,999
Salsa Timberjack SLX 27.5+
- RockShox Recon RL 130mm fork
- Shimano SLX 12-speed drivetrain
- Shimano MT401 brakes and rotors
- Shimano MT400/MT510 hubs laced to WTB ST i40 rims
- WTB Trail Boss 29 x 2.6″ G2 TCS Light/Fast Rolling
- MSRP: $1,699
Timberjack SLX 29
- RockShox Recon RL 130mm fork
- Shimano SLX 12-speed drivetrain
- Shimano MT401 brakes and rotors
- Shimano MT400/MT510 hubs laced to WTB ST i29 rims
- WTB Trail Boss 29 x 2.6″ G2 TCS Light/Fast Rolling
- MSRP: $1,699
