We have reviewed the Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle.
- Price: $2799
- Frame: Horsethief Alloy
- Gear: 1×12
- Tires: 29 x 2.5″ (front) 29 x 2.4″ (rear)
What we like about it: The quality frame combined with the outstanding shock absorption system and powerful tires allow you to go on a wide range of fun and free off-road trips.
What don’t we like about it: The choice of paint colors is too homogeneous.
Rating (4.7/5)
Introduction
When we were conducting random interviews with passersby, many of them enjoyed cycling. Not only for environmental and low-carbon reasons but also because the excitement and relaxation that comes from riding are indescribable. However, when we asked about the problems encountered in riding, we counted that whether it was riders who liked off-road riding or riders who liked road riding, they all felt for the problem of bumps, which is a hindrance in riding.
Yes, in the face of unavoidable bumpy riding routes, we always want a bike that is fully damped.
This interesting 2021 Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle, with its premium Horsethief alloy frame, excellent RockShox Recon Silver RL fork with 140mm of travel and RockShox Deluxe Select+, wide SRAM SX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain, and the powerful Tektro HD-M285’s hydraulic disc brakes, we were shocked at its climbing performance in the bumpy and rugged Whistler MTB Park.
During the two months of riding, the bike accompanied us to challenge the sharp rocky roads and traverse the tight and winding forest trails. Not only did we feel the bike’s excellent shock absorption, but we also experienced its great climbing ability.
Below we analysis the climbs, descents, key features, components, and specifications of the 2021 Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle as well as other versions. Do you want to learn more about the bike’s review? Stay tuned with us.
Learn More: Salsa Spearfish Deore 12 Review-Is A Full-suspension Trail Bike For You?
Climbing
There are always unpredictable things in the path of climbing. This includes unimaginable bumps, unavoidable tree stumps, and dirt pits that must be crossed. In such terrain, a full-suspension bike will always deliver unexpected performance.
We chose to test the ride at Whistler MTB Park, where the mountain bike trails, with their steep rock walls and countless ruts, made for a slicker surface and a more difficult climb for me. But the Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle did a great job of conquering the trail with me. With its excellent full suspension design, this 2021 Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle was able to use its shock absorption to give me a comfortable climb even in the face of the bumpy Whistler MTB Park climbing trails.
In addition, the wide SRAM SX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain allows me to adjust to the most appropriate gear ratio when I feel fatigued and get the most energy-efficient ride to keep me strong enough for subsequent rides. The unimaginable Maxxis Minion DHF Tires and Maxxis Minion DHR II Tires are different in size but uniquely matched. Not only do they have more grip, but they also have excellent traction when facing corners.
Meanwhile, the comfortable WTB Volt Sport saddle is cleverly designed with an ergonomic window from the bottom of the saddle. It not only relieves the pressure on sensitive areas in normal riding but also protects bumpy paths. In addition, the saddle’s use of microfiber cover as well as the internal padding has a soft characteristic. It also maintains a certain level of support, making you more comfortable while riding.
Descending
An exciting descent is a trip that I think more trail riders love, and I was no exception. So we took a different road from Whistler MTB Park for our descent ride. There were more open views on this route. But the low shrubs and fallen leaves made me a little worried about whether they would roll onto my wheels, and the raised mounds of dirt also made me a little concerned about being able to accurately avoid or make exciting jumps. The actual ride told me that with this Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle, we worked great together.
Based on the wide SRAM SX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain, it allows me to make fast shifts depending on the terrain and not worry about the risk of dropping the chain. A standard BB drop (33mm), kept my center of gravity in a proper position and allowed me to pedal through even small raised dirt piles without hindrance.
Experience
I must mention that when I encountered the need for emergency braking during the descent, one finger pressed the button and the Tektro HD-M285 hydraulic disc brake responded sensitively and accurately, bringing my wheel to a steady stop. One thing we always have to mention during the descent is its shock system, the RockShox Recon Silver RL fork with 140mm of extra distance travel.
It is always responsive when encountering bumps and achieves damping through compression rebound. It softly rebounded when I made leap jumps that touched the ground so that my arms would not feel sore and numb due to the strong vibration. In addition, the design of the TranzX YSI05JL dropper not only has a shock absorption effect, but the adjustable dropper design also allows me to always sit in a comfortable position.
Overall, I was impressed with the performance of this 2021 Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle, both on technical climbs and descents.
Main Features
Frame
Can you tell at a glance the frame characteristics of this 2021 Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle? I don’t see where it performs as distinctive. But it’s the classic and versatile black paint that looks subdued and the sturdy Horsethief Alloy
The frame is made to make it more durable.
Yes, I’m complimenting it. This bike has 6066-T6 aluminum tubing applied to the entire frame, which gives it more rigidity and less weight. In addition, the carefully designed tubing allows for added extra strength. Meanwhile, the internal cables are designed to keep the precise control lines in order inside the tubes.
Making them not only free from damage from the outside environment but also easier to maintain and clean. More than that, the bike is prepared with two water bottle mounting holes designed inside the front triangle, allowing you to carry plenty of water when going on long rides. If you are careful enough, you may also notice that it can run not only 29er-size tires but also 27.5 x 2.8-3.0″ tires, allowing you to change the most suitable tires according to your preferred terrain.
Geometry
When buying a bike, if someone tells you that geometry is irrelevant, make sure you stay away from them. Be aware that unscientific geometry will not only hinder your ride but may also hide dangers.
The steep seat tube angle (73.9°) of this Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle not only allows for easier pedaling but also keeps you riding comfortably upright when you feel tired. The standard BB Drop (33mm) keeps your center of gravity in the right place for agile cornering and better handling stability. In addition, the head tube angle (67.3°), which conforms to that of a trail bike, allows you to climb effectively even at low speeds. The relatively slack angle will not hinder your descent either.
I have to mention that for me, who doesn’t have long enough arms, the Reach of this bike (455mm) would make me have to bend forward (replaced with the right size). This made my ride less than enjoyable. So this shows how important the right geometry is. I would cautiously suggest here that if you need a bike, make sure you take note of the bike’s geometry data to see if it fits your body.
Components and Specifications
SRAM SX Eagle 1×12 Drivetrain
A great drivetrain that gives you the best ride on any route. It is important to know that Eagle is a lighter, simpler, and easier-to-use drivetrain. So the SRAM SX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain has easier and faster shifting than 2× or 3×, and the new 1× used achieves greater durability. In addition, X-SYNC™ pulley technology provides greater efficiency. It also provides clearer and more intuitive operation during your continuous shifts, without making you aware of its sound.
On my actual rides, I would always worry if the 1× drivetrain would risk dropping the chain when shifting. For this reason, I shifted repeatedly on bumpy routes, but this drivetrain did not let me down. The simple and precise shifting makes it an even more attractive ride.
Tektro HD-M285 Hydraulic Disc Brake
The importance of braking, I believe, is known to anyone who has driven any kind of transportation, and it is a matter of our safety.
On my actual ride, I was riding on a smooth and wet downhill section when a sudden accident forced me to press the brake control button. The extremely responsive braking system quickly brought me to a smooth and precise stop. Although it was a false alarm, the excellent braking power gave me the desire to find out what was going on. What I didn’t expect was that it was a 2-piston brake.
I had thought, like many others, that such a 2-piston brake would not have too much braking power, but reality sobered me up. This Tektro HD-M285 hydraulic disc brake is relatively affordable and portable. In normal use, you only have to lift one finger to get the braking power you want. And the ability to start braking steadily and precisely in any situation is one of its selling points.
If you want a light enough braking system with great braking power, I think you should try this 2021 Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle.
Maxxis Minion DHF Tire and Maxxis Minion DHR II Tire
Can you tell me any different? Not only are the front and rear tires on this bike, not the same type, but even the width of the tires is a little different.
The front tire is a 29 x 2.5″ Maxxis Minion DHF Tire with raised, tapered lugs that effectively reduce rolling resistance, giving you faster speeds. Also, excellent traction and cornering stability give you unexpected results when cornering fast. The rear tire uses a 29 x 2.4″ Maxxis Minion DHR II Tire, which has relatively wider side knobs for more support. And the center tread has an angled leading edge, which allows you to have more speed. In addition, the batter knob on the center tread is effectively embedded when you brake hard, which gives you more control.
In short, the combination of these two tires gets a stronger combination of off-road tires to make your off-road riding more exciting.
RockShox Recon Silver RL Fork and RockShox Deluxe Select+ Shock
What would annoy you about riding on bumpy roads? My annoyance is the bumpy vibrations.
This 2021 Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle bike features the RockShox Recon Silver RL Fork with 140mm of travel. it not only has excellent steering, but the extra travel also gives it a softer and smoother compression and better shock absorption.
And, Motion Control™ damping has a low-speed compression adjustment lockout feature. This allows you to gain speed when you want it by locking the fork and eliminating kinetic energy loss from the cushioned damping, resulting in faster speeds.
This bike, the RockShox Deluxe Select+ Shock, features the new DebonAir+ air spring. Not only does it have a relatively lighter weight, but it will also give you a butter-smooth ride when facing exciting and bumpy descents, giving you more confidence when riding on bumpy routes. In addition, the minimalist design makes me more impressed. It is worth mentioning that the Maxima Plush Dynamic Suspension Lube has a stronger ability to reduce friction and also provide some traction.
Altogether, this bike has a shock absorption system that will make your trail rides easier and more enjoyable.
Other Versions Of 2021 Salsa Horsethief
We have reviewed the frame of this 2021 Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle with Horsethief Alloy, SRAM SX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain, Maxxis Minion tires, Tektro HD-M285 hydraulic disc brake, and other components. To have a more comprehensive review, we found other versions of the 2021 Salsa Horsethief series. There are five versions in the 2021 Salsa Horsethief series, and in addition to the 2021 Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle, the protagonist of our review above, the other four versions are equally good.
A relatively higher price will always have performance that a lower price doesn’t have. If you’re looking to invest in this series of bikes, the $7,499 2021 Salsa Horsethief Carbon XTR may be one of the options you can’t miss. The bike’s excellent Performance Elite Float fork with 140mm of extra travel has even better damping, and the wide and higher-end Shimano XTR 1×12 drivetrain will give you amazing speed changes.
Yes, all of these versions of bikes in this series have excellent performance. Whether you want a friendly price or you want to invest, the 2021 Salsa Horsethief series will give you a choice of bikes that will satisfy you.
What we like about it?
- High-strength Horsethief Alloy for gravel and exciting road rock impacts.
- Full suspension design allows you to show off your jumping skills on bumpy roads.
- The wide SRAM SX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain allows you to shift to the right speed in the face of any terrain.
- Tektro HD-M285 hydraulic disc brake for excellent braking performance in all conditions.
- Different sizes of Maxxis Minion tires are paired to give you more speed.
What don’t we like about it?
- Less choice of paint colors.
- Some people think that the 2-piston brake on this bike is not powerful enough for braking performance.
FAQs
- What is the frame material of the Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle?
The frame material of the Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle is Horsethief Alloy.
- What is the drivetrain of the Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle?
The drivetrain of the Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle is the SRAM SX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain.
- What sizes does the Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle come in?
Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle size chart.
| Size | SM | MD | LG | XL |
| Recommended Rider Height | 165cm-173cm | 173cm-180cm | 180cm-188cm | 188cm-UP |
Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle Specs
| 2021 Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle | 2021 Salsa Horsethief SLX | |
| Frame | Horsethief AlloyBB Standard: BSA, 73mm, ThreadedColor: Black | Horsethief AlloyBB Standard: BSA, 73mm, ThreadedColor: Teal |
| Fork | RockShox Recon Silver RL, 140 mm, 42 mm offset | RockShox 35 Gold RL, 140 mm, 44 mm offset |
| Rear Shock | RockShox Deluxe Select+ | RockShox Deluxe Select+ |
| Bottom Bracket | 73mm BSA, threaded Carbon bike requires. ISCG cover ring or ISCG mounting bracket in place of 2.5mm DS BB Spacer | 73mm BSA, threaded Carbon bike requires. ISCG cover ring or ISCG mounting bracket in place of 2.5mm DS BB Spacer |
| Headset | FSA Orbit IS-2 ACB, IS41/IS52 | FSA Orbit IS-2 ACB, IS41/IS52 |
| Stem | Salsa Guide Trail, 35.0 mm clamp | Salsa Guide Trail, 35.0 mm clamp |
| Handlebar | Race Face Chester 35 | RaceFace Chester 35 |
| Saddle | WTB Volt Sport | WTB Volt Sport |
| Seatpost | TranzX YSI05JL , 30 mm Travel Adjustable, Travel: SM = 125 mm, MD = 150 mm, LG = 170 mm, XL = 200 mm | TranzX YSI05JL2 , 30 mm Travel Adjustable, Travel: SM = 125 mm, MD = 150 mm, LG = 170 mm, XL = 200 mm |
| Grips | Salsa File Tread Lock-On | Salsa File Tread Lock-on |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM SX Eagle | Shimano SLX M7100 |
| Front Derailleur | N/A | |
| Crank | Truvativ Descendant 7k, 32t | Race Face Ride, 32t |
| Shifters | SRAM SX Eagle | Shimano SLX M7100 |
| Cassette | SRAM PG1210, 11-50t, 12-speed | Shimano Deore M6100, 10-51t, 12-speed |
| Chain | SRAM SX Eagle | Shimano Deore M6100 |
| Brakes | Tektro HD-M285, Shimano RT26 rotors (180 mm, 6-bolt) | Tektro HD-M745 4-piston brakes, Tektro rotors (180 mm, 6-bolt) |
| Rims | Novatec D791SB 15 x 110 mm hub, WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 29″ rim, tubeless-ready | Novatec D791SB 15 x 110 mm hub, WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 29″ rim, tubeless-ready |
| Tires | Maxxis Minion DHF 29 x 2.5″ front, DHR II 29 x 2.4″ rear, 60 TPI, EXO, tubeless-ready | |
| Disk Rotors | Tektro HD-M285, Shimano RT26 rotors (180 mm, 6-bolt) | Tektro HD-M745 4-piston brakes, Tektro rotors (180 mm, 6-bolt) |
Video
Comparison Table
| Bicycles | Price | Driveline | Tires | Front Fork Travel | Click to view |
| Salsa Spearfish Deore 12 | $2799 | 1×12 | 29 x 2.35″ | 120mm | Click View |
| Kona Process 134 29 | $2899 | 1×11 | 29×2.5″ | 140mm | Click View |
| Liv Intrigue 29 1 | $3600 | 1×12 | 29×2.5”[F] 29×2.4” [R] | 140mm | Click View |
| Santa Cruz Tallboy D | $3099 | 1×12 | 29×2.3″ | 130mm | Click View |
Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle vs Salsa Spearfish Deore 12
I have to say that Salsa, no matter which series it is, always manages to have a friendly price and outstanding performance bikes. These two bikes are made by Salsa, and from the overall frame only, there is little change except for the different paint colors. Of course, excellent design always needs to be inherited.
There is one thing, however, that is worth noting. This Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle has a 140mm shock fork. This is 20mm longer than the Salsa Spearfish Deore 12 damping fork with 120mm of travel, which gives you a more comfortable and softer ride on descending, or bumpy surfaces. In terms of drivetrain, they both have a 1×12 shifting range. And whether it’s SRAM or Shimano, they are both excellent brand manufacturers. So in actual riding, I did not feel any significant difference.
If you’re more focused on bumpy, rough terrain riding, then both bikes are good choices. But if you want a longer-range shock-absorbing fork, you might want to try the Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle.
Learn More: Salsa Spearfish Deore 12 Review-Is A Full-suspension Trail Bike For You?
Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle vs Kona Process 134 29
We can notice that this Kona Process 134 29, which has a Shimano Deore 1×11 drivetrain, has a narrower gearing range than the Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle. However, the same 1× gearing makes their speed changes the same smooth and convenient.
In addition, on the rear shock, we can see the difference between these two bikes. They are placed in two completely different directions. In actual riding, my feeling is that the Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle’s RockShox Deluxe Select+ rear shock feels more responsive to me.
Also, the more comfortable saddle of the Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle is not only soft enough but also provides enough support that I can’t stop my ride. If you’re interested in a comfortable ride and a wider range of speed transfer, perhaps the Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle is the one for you.
Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle vs Liv Intrigue 29 1
The slightly curved top tube and streamlined downtube got me interested in this Liv Intrigue 29 1 bike. Priced at $3600, the Liv Intrigue 29 1 has a 1×12 drivetrain. In actual riding experience, it didn’t feel much different than the Salsa Horsethief SX to me. And with the same 140mm fork, there is little difference in damping from the Salsa Horsethief SX.
But this Liv Intrigue 29 1 has tires that are also different sizes front and rear. The pairing of front and rear tires also has a superb grip and traction that is 1+1 greater than 2. But the Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle also has the same design as the front and rear tires. And in my riding experience, I have a more intuitive feeling of the rolling power of the Maxxis Minion DHR II Tire rear tire of the Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle.
The bottom line is that the Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle is $801 cheaper than the Liv Intrigue 29 1. I think the Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle is the more affordable option.
Learn more : Is Liv Pique 29 2 A Good Choice? -[Liv Pique 29 2 Review]
Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle vs Santa Cruz Tallboy D / Aluminum / 29
This Santa Cruz Tallboy D / Aluminum / 29 has a fork with 130mm of travel. This is a shorter fork than the Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle and will be slightly less damped than the Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle.
The same SRAM SX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain makes little difference in their shifting. In addition, the Santa Cruz Tallboy D / Aluminum / 29 has slightly slimmer 29 “x2.3” tires, and it may be a little faster in terms of speed. But in terms of stability, the Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle’s tires will be even better, and the different size of the front and rear tires also makes it a better overall rolling performance.
I must say that the Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle is the best value for money on this table. If you’re thinking more about budget, I think this $300 cheaper Salsa Horsethief SX Eagle would be a great choice for you.
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learn more: Santa Cruz TALLBOY X01 Review [2022]- Worth Getting?
