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This Just In: Salsa’s Deadwood SUS 29+ full suspension bike will surprise you

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If you haven’t heard the news, Salsa has a new bike. Specifically, the Deadwood SUS is their take on a full suspension frame built around 29+ wheels and tires. Salsa isn’t the first company to shoehorn the tires into a suspension frame, but their move into the space is a big indication of what’s to come. Along with their fellow Q-brand Surly, Salsa has routinely been ahead of the wave when it comes to new tire sizes, whether that means plus, gravel, or fat.

To launch their newest masterpiece, Salsa invited us out to Stokesville, Virginia to give it a rip. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make the trip, but when Salsa offered to send a bike, the wheels started turning. Looking for the opportunity to get in some fat bike testing as well, we set off in search of the sun, warm weather, and dry trails. That led us down to Ocala, FL to check out the Santos trail system. It’s been years since I’ve been to Santos – the last time was on a 26″ mountain bike, and I think 29ers had just become a thing (27.5″ was not even a concept at that point). At that time, I remember thinking to myself that the constant roots, jagged rock, and sandy corners made for a ride that offered little reward for a lot of work. This time though, it was different.

It’s amazing how much of a difference a little time, and a lot of tire volume can make…

It isn’t often that I’m presented with the opportunity to review a bike and I’m a bit hesitant. I wasn’t worried the Deadwood SUS would deliver, it was more the concern that the 29+ tires on a full suspension frame might be too much for someone my size (5’8″, 30″ inseam). I’ve come away from other 29+ hardtails thinking that I could appreciate the ride, but that it wasn’t for me.

Now, after actually riding the Deadwood SUS, I’m so glad I didn’t turn it down.

For starters, even at my height, I found the medium frame to fit admirably well considering. One of my biggest concerns on 29ers, let along 29+, is the handlebar height. Since the front suspension is limited to 100mm out of the RockShox Pike, I was able to get the bar close to where I’d like it with the stem fully slammed and in the negative position. It’s still a little high for my taste, but you could get rid of the riser bar and drop it another 15mm. Taller riders may want to add a longer travel dropper post, but I was stoked to see a 100mm Reverb Stealth on the medium which allowed me to use full travel and still have room to spare on the post.

Most importantly, it wasn’t the components that were chosen, it was the geometry of the bike. Salsa has done a tremendous job of making the 29+ wheels and tires feel so nimble, that you forget that this isn’t a “normal” 29er. Manuals take a little more effort, but it’s still very easy to get the front wheel aloft for technical drops. Of course, the added tire volume and suspension are able to erase a lot of mistakes if your maneuver doesn’t go as planned. Don’t let the travel numbers fool you, the Deadwood SUS is a true trail bike that feels completely comfortable in the air or on the ground.

I wasn’t quite sure going into it, but Santos turned out to be an incredible place to test out a 29+ full suspension rig. Between the loose sand in sweeping corners, gnarled masses of exposed roots, and frequent rock outcroppings, the added float and traction for days was hugely appreciated. Starting out the day at 14/15 psi front/rear, I ended up airing down trail side to about 12/13 psi which seemed to be the sweet spot. The addition of the WTB Ranger Tough/Fast casing tire in the rear was key to my confidence of running lower pressures, especially with how rocky it was and how many times I landed to flat off jumps and North Shore features. If I were to own this bike for myself, it would be a needed upgrade, though the Light/Fast casing on the front did the trick. Even after bottoming out the fork and the front tire a few times on some of the gnarlier bits, the tires remained puncture free.

I will say that while the traction from the 29+ tires is impressive, the Rangers could use more aggressive cornering lugs if you really want to push it in corners. Or, WTB should just offer something like the Riddler in a 29+ version, at least for the front. While the tires tended to push in loose corners, elsewhere the traction was incredible whether on moss or sand covered rock, or pine needle covered single track. To be fair, Santos has a lot of wide open, flat, sandy corners that most tires will struggle with, and the Deadwood SUS still maintained a good clip.

Which brings me to another revelation – the added momentum of the 29+ wheels and tires. Yes, there is a lot of mass to get moving from a dead stop, but once you get these things rolling, watch out. I was amazed at how much speed the bike was able to carry through technical sections, making tricky moves much easier than they should be. In this regard, I almost feel like full suspension plus is better suited to 29+ than 27.5+. The biggest draw back to any plus full suspension rig is the added energy it takes to get the big tires up to speed. If you ride a lot of technical trails where your speed often drops to almost nothing and then you have to quickly crank up a steep incline, that can really add up in the long run. After a four hour ride at Santos including every bit of technical trail and features we could find, I was tired, but not nearly as tired as I expected to be after pushing a 31lb bike around the place.

You might think that a state as flat as Florida wouldn’t have much in the way of climbs, but there were a number of steep, punchy sections that will put your climbing abilities to the test. More than anything, it seemed to highlight how much the added traction of the tires help in these situations with the ability to claw your way up at stupid slow speeds.

While Santos turned out to be a great place to test out the Deadwood SUS’s abilities in natural terrain, it also provided a chance to see how it would react to something a little more… unnatural. If you haven’t been in awhile, if you venture into the Vortex section at Santos you may not recognize the place. That’s largely due to bike park legend Ray Petro lending his expertise to the creation of new features. Yes, that’s the same Ray from Ray’s MTB Park, and his signature is unmistakable as you fly over the Roller Coaster or down through the Corkscrew.

Whether it was on a jump line, or over one of the many skinnies, the Deadwood SUS never felt out of its element. That is something I did not expect from this bike going in. I sort of expected it to be the plus MTB equivalent of a Cadillac – plush and comfortable, but slow on its feet. I could not have been more wrong.

If anything, the Deadwood SUS was built to shatter preconceptions which it seems to do in spades. I went into this review with the anticipation that the bike would probably be good, but it wouldn’t be for me. Now I’m left wondering what else I’m wrong about – and where I can continue to ride this thing while our local trails are drying out from an all-too-wet winter. If my first impressions are any indication of the long term ride, the Salsa Deadwood SUS is a complete surprise. This is one book bike that can’t be judged by its cover tires.

SalsaCycles.com

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mudrock
mudrock
7 years ago

Good, honest review. I’m your size, and I’ve had the same doubts.

WhatchyouKnowAboutEthic
WhatchyouKnowAboutEthic
7 years ago

Wherever you’re riding looks magical. Wood obstacles for days!

neologisticzand
neologisticzand
7 years ago

Two things

1)I love when Santos gets some press. It’s a wonderful trail system for FL. Argueably the best in the state.

2) where can you get a 100mm pike?

Contrarian
Contrarian
7 years ago

I’m a broken record on this topic, but Florida needs more Santos, and needs more Cross-Florida Greenway. It really is a shame that Santos and the Greenway, not mention Alafia or Palm Boyette are so far from the vast majority of the population.

neologisticzand
neologisticzand
7 years ago
Reply to  Contrarian

I agree with you on that. I enjoy Alafia and have made the 2.5 hr drive quite a few times to ride there, but it is basically in the middle of nowhere. Same for Palm Boyette, which is pretty close to there. I’m lucky enough to live a 45 min straight shot from Santos and make my way there pretty often.

Mike D
Mike D
7 years ago

IMO, Salsa as a brand in general doesn’t get enough love. I know they are well loved in some parts of the country, but they really put out some capable bikes *especially* if your typical ride isn’t launching off senders all day. I have lots of saddle time on both the Spearfish and the Horse Thief (and a bit on it’s midfat counterpart, the Pony Rustler) and have been nothing but impressed. The Horse Thief is one of the most well-rounded bikes I have ever ridden! This Deadwood SUS looks like a blast too.

J D
J D
7 years ago
Reply to  Mike D

I love the original budget-minded pivotless spearfish. The complcations added to it did improve it significantly, but detracted from its price 🙁

If I was in the market for a FS XC bike, it would be my #1 pick, still. Of course I’m still young and can take the bumps a bit more than my older friends want more travel for.

RobertW
RobertW
7 years ago

The urge almost prevailed upon me to leave a reply Deadwood Style, but I was afeared the colorful profanity would be far too much for this website to bear. So I will abstain.

zory
zory
7 years ago
Reply to  RobertW

Excellence! Break out the canned peaches!

MICHAEL C WAGNER
MICHAEL C WAGNER
7 years ago

29+ is probably going to take off since the Trek Stache is selling well. All the big companies will be jumping on it in a few years.

Aarown
Aarown
7 years ago

You can probably make your own 100mm 29er Pike by installing a 140mm 26 airshaft from the Pike DJ.

Shafty
Shafty
7 years ago

There’s not really much stopping you from using any of the Pike Solo Air shafts(aside from equipping longer than your damper can handle). Should be the same ID for all the stanchions, but it will sort of mess with the air spring curve. You’d need higher pressure to prevent bottoming out. You might be able to run an excess of tokens(don’t quote me–haven’t measured), since the shaft won’t move so far up the stanchion.

doug
doug
7 years ago

I adore my spearfish, wouldn’t mind having move clearance for bigger wheels, but then I couldn’t run my narrow crank (156). Only quarks I have on my ’14 split pivot is the hokey old school disc brake mount and my desire for some better sealing of the pivot bearings. Without spending a fortune, it weighs in at 25 lbs with spare tube mounted, pedals, blinkies, 2.35/2.25 tires, etc.

Tomi
Tomi
7 years ago

If only SRAM could make those forks available separately. AFAIK they are only available as OEM which is a shame for early 29+ adopters.

Israel Magalit
7 years ago

Excellent write up! Thanks for the review!
The Deadwood SUS is exactly what I’ve been hoping Salsa would make — a Spearfish on steroids!

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