Salsa’s looking to make a splash in 2023 with its venerable aluminum hardtail, the Timberjack. The bikepacking-friendly ride boasts the same progressive geometry, accessory and rack mounts, and adjustable dropouts as the 2022 models, but with updated colorways and specs.
Let’s take a look.
The Salsa Timberjack XT Z2 has the most high-end components of the lot. The XT Z2 boasts a Marzocchi Z2 Rail 130 mm fork, a Shimano XT 1 x 12 drivetrain with Shimano SLX hydraulic disc brakes, and a TranzX adjustable-travel dropper post. The 29er comes in an eye-catching marigold, while the 27.5 model leaps off the screen in glossy merlot (above). Both models have an MSRP of $2,899.
Meanwhile, peep the subtle bluish-green tones on display with the Salsa Timberjack XT 29. A RockShox 35 Gold RL 130 mm fork pairs with a Shimano XT/SLX 1 x 12 drivetrain for a more moderately priced build that still delivers in the quality department.
Even better, the TranzX adjustable-travel dropper post carries over from the higher-end model. Salsa’s mid-range Timberjack comes with an MSRP of $2,499.
The XT 27.5 takes a page from its big brother’s book by rocking a muted, neutral colorway reminiscent of brass or light honey. All other specs remain the same as the XT 29.
At the budget end of the spectrum, Salsa offers the Timberjack SLX. The 29-inch model sports a green-ish grey paint job that should look right at home tearing up trails outside of Brevard, N.C.
And for something that stands out a tad more, consider the sea foam stylings of the SLX 27.5.
Both SLX models include a RockShox 35 Silver TK 130 mm fork, Shimano SLX/Deore 1 x 12 drivetrain with Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, and of course, the TranzX dropper post included in all the other 2023 Timberjacks. The SLX 29 and 27.5 has an MSRP of $2,199.
All 2023 Salsa Timberjacks can accommodate up to 29 x 2.6 or 27.5 x 2.8-inch tires. They range in frame sizes from XS to XL, and come with full-length internal cable routing. A ZS44/56 headset, a 73 mm threaded bottom bracket, and a 12 x 148 mm rear thru-axle round out the features.
In the geometry department, the Timberjack is firmly in the “long, low, slack” family, with a 66.4-degree head tube angle and 75-degree seat tube angle.
