Salsa Cutthroat Review & Buyers Guide 2020

The Salsa Cutthroat was first released back in July of 2015 to tackle the Tour Divide – a 2,750 mile bikepacking race across USA. It has proven to be one of the most successful platforms since then. Dominating the field within the Tour Divide and swinging in popularity as a bicycle that is able to do it all, while reducing vibrations of a wide range of terrain. It is the ultimate gravel bike! Made from a all carbon build it is such a good looking bike that just works!

Aside from the annual paint upgrades and the build kit tweaks, there has been no significant improvement on the bike over four years. But recently, Salsa unveiled a two-piece Cutthroat version, a completely redesigned bike with a new fork with 32% more compliance, the class 5 Vibration Reduction System, refined geometry and many other exciting details. It’s totally different from the original, and more amazing!

I have been rather intrigued by the Salsa Cutthroat, when I was doing some research into what adventure bike I was going to purchase for my own bikepacking trips.

Whenever anyone asks which drop-bar bike I recommend. It would come down to the Kona Sutra LTD (my bike of choice) and the Salsa Cutthroat. After doing research for this article I am going to have to buy a Cutthroat as well. They are both rather different bikes, but they are both light-hearted, and they are capable, comfortable, and very well designed. It it could be said that the Cutthroat is lighter, more compact, and comfortable for longer rides and is designed for such riding. It would probably be one of the most important bikes designed in the last decade. But, as always, I try my best to look at both sides of the spectrum and I have a few things to criticise. But first lets have a look at all the different models the Salsa Cutthroat is available in today ready to ride of into the sunset!

Cutthroat GRX 810 Di2 (V2)

The GRX 810 Di2 or also know as the Salsa Cutthroat V2 is there elite, high end level option. Shimano’s GRX Di2 electronic shifting groupset offers clean and precise shifting. Thanks to this, this model is classified as a ultra high-end component level carbon frame gravel bike. This bike is on the pricy side at a retail price of $5,799 that also means that the drivetrain is full electronic, as expected for a bike at this cost.

Specs

Build

Wheels

Cutthroat GRX 810 1x

The Cutthroat GRX 810 1x is my kind of bike, there is something about the 1X setup that makes me feel happy inside! It just looks so right! And I continue to mention this in every bike a talk about with 1X. The Shimano’s GRX 810 drivetrain is said to deliver precision performance. With this setup the drivetrain is 1X11 with a 11-42t rear and 36t at the front. And this model does come with the Hydraulic Disc brakes. Priced at $4,199.00 over at REI.com.

This Cutthroat continues to impress you can tell that it is made for long days in the saddle. The cockpit is super comfortable, whether in the drops, tops or hoods. The Shimano GRX drive-train continues to function flawlessly with no mis-shifts, or other issues. This bikes is simply made to go fast on roads and dirt of all type. From pavement to gravel to sand to chunky rocks, the Cutthroat just keeps going. This model is a high-end component level carbon frame gravel bike that delivers all you could ever want in a bike.

Specs

Build

Wheels

CUTTHROAT GRX 600

Again there is not much more to say about the bike as it is the same frame for all models, but just some difference when it comes to components as you go down the list. This bike features the GRX 600 groupset with a 2×11 setup. This puts it in with the high-end component level carbon frame gravel bikes category. It has the Shimano GRX 400 Hydraulic disc brakes.

Some riders have said for this build, it would be better of with a different set of wheel then the WTB Speedterra Hub, WTB ST i23 TCS 2.0 32h Rim, 15 x 110 mm combination. The wheels are on the very low side and would benefit with a upgrade on this model. Also the WTB Volt Comp saddle is not the best either and will potentially need upgrading, depending on the rider. It does not compare to the WTB Volt Race and Pro saddles on the higher end versions of this bike. However the price is $3,299.00 at REI.com.

Specs

Build

Wheels

CUTTHROAT APEX 1

Their more budget option Cutthroat in the line up is the Apex 1. Another one of those 1X gravel setup that has me frothing. Considering it is the cheapest bike it is the most appealing to the money pocket. At $2,699.00 at REI.com. And you can get it in a black option if pink is not your thing. The Apex 1 is still a very capable bike but in comparison to the higher end models it only has TRP Spyre-C, 160 mm mechanical disc brakes (the only bike to have mechanical in the line up). And the SRAM Apex 1 components puts this bike in the category of a mid-range component level carbon frame gravel bike.

You also get the base model Salsa Cowchipper handlebars when the other options are deluxe or carbon versions. And you get the WTB Volt Sport saddle. The standard Salsa Guide seatpost as well. Most parts on this bike are Salsa standard level. But it is still nice enough to buy in my opinion and this is the model I will be looking into for my own personal use.

Specs

Build

Wheels

What Has Changed On The New Cutthroat?

Now that you are formally introduced to all the Cutthroat options lets take a look at what has been improved on this rig for 2020!

Upgraded Fork

Salsa have included a new carbon fork with this years Cutthroat. Offering 32% more compliance over the previous Cutthroat fork. They have gone as far to include abrasion-resistant plates in and around the areas of most wear for added protection. The all carbon fork adds road dampening, which is designed for the intensity of many different surfaces encountered while adventure cycling.

Vibration Reduction System

The class 5 VRS, is a technology that is designed to add even more compliance to the overall ride. It revolves around the seatstays with a tall, thin and vertically oriented profile promoting vertical compliance, this results in the seatstay flexing outwards on impact. Then the bike also features horizontally oriented seatstays and thru-axle compliance with this system.

Updated Cutthroat Geometry

They have really thought about comfort on long days in the saddle and as a result the drop bar mountain bike geometry has been refined with a 69 degree head tube angle for a longer wheelbase. The 445 mm chainstay with the class 5 VRS offers efficiency and comfort for endurance riders on varying terrain for long days riding consecutively.

Road Boost Drivetrain

The bike also features a road drivetrain that is paired with a mountain boost crank resulting in the best drivetrain and tire clearance for a 29″ drop bar bike.

Cutthroat Direct-Mount Frame Pack

I mention more about the frame bags specifically made for this bike a little further down. But this bike allows for the salsa pack to mount to the frame via thumb screws, which means tool-free attachment and removal. Creating a stream lined look and prevents strap rub, which is a issue I had with standard frame bags, without this feature.

Heaps Of Cargo And Water Bottle Storage Options

With the 52 cm frames you can get four or with the 54 to 60 cm frames, five water bottles on this bike. With three pack mounts on the forks. There is also mounts for the EXP Series Top Tube bag, two accessory mounts underneath the down tube provide more room. Along with the frame bag bolt on option, you also get the option to mount rear racks.

Salsa Cutthroat Frameset & Tire Sizes

So the Cutthroat can be purchase as a frame set and then you can build your dream bikepacking machine from that. The minimum tires width is recommended to be 45 mm to fit in this frame. When the recommended and max tires sizes are, 29 x 2.25″ (29 x 2.4″ Max).

Bike Owners Thoughts on the Salsa Cutthroat

When doing these write ups of a bike for a review I like to get other bike owners thoughts and include them here for your reference.

I received my Apex 1 Sus Cutthroat on October 1, 2019 and so far I have put a little over 1,000 miles on it. Most of those miles have been on rough county roads but a few of them have been on some “Green / Blue” MTB Trails at Brown County State Park in Southern Indiana. I LOVE this bike. It is comfortable enough for lengthy road rides and more than capable of handling beginner to intermediate MTB trails. The only changes I have made to the bike is to swap out the 32t chain ring for a 40t (most of my miles are on rough roads) and I swapped out the OEM seat post for a Cane Creek eeSilk suspension post. These two minor upgrades made it the perfect bike for my needs. -Bottom Line-

The bike has a carbon frame and fork with 29″/700c wheels which can’t be interchanged with 27.5/650b wheels. You can swap out the rigid fork with a suspension fork though, or get the build kit with a Rockshox Reba fork. But what really sold me on the bike was it’s versatility. You can run it light without any load, roughly 9kg with pedals; or you can use it for touring with frame packs and still keep the bike weight relatively low. The ride is surprisingly supple and compliant without having any active suspension. The small size frame also fits me just right at 5’6″ and still allowing me to stand-over the frame with both my feet planted on the ground. There are a lot of things I really like about the bike which makes up for the few things I dislike. -Mary Lopez-

What I  like about Salsa Cutthroat  – Dave  Max-

• Lots of mounts on the frame and fork for bottle cages and racks.
• Availability of bike specific frame packs and bags. Salsa bags have a similar build quality to Ortlieb bags which I also like.
• Versatile bike for bikepacking or gravel grinding. You can also swap out the drop bars and build it up as a straight hard-tail.
• Low maintenance, with no active suspension. The rear wheel is easily removed thanks to the clutch read derailleur from SRAM and almost tool less disassembly of the DT Swiss 350 Hub
• The black on Black version of the bike complements their camo-green frame packs really well.

Salsa Cutthroat Frame Bags

There are a couple of frame bags that you can get which are specifically designed for the Cutthroat as it does have a different geometry to most bikes with a most MTB geometry.

Salsa Cutthroat Direct Mount Frame Bag

I was trying to find the direct mount frame bag but could only come across this frame bag. It seems to mount to the frame using multiple rip-and-stick tabs located around the pack. The frame bags for this bike because of geometry don’t provide as much space as a bike like the Sutra LTD as the shape is more condensed. But it will still work. It is only made of a weather-resistant construction which does not mean waterproof. Exit port along down tube can be used for hydration reservoir or lights. It is designed to perfectly fit Salsa Cutthroat bike frames; select the size that matches your bike frame size. Priced at $69.93 on REI.com.

Revelate Designs Cutthroat Frame Bag

Your other option for a frame bag with the Cutthroat is the Revelate Designs Frame Bag. Which is rather pricy at $185.00. This bag features the bolt on design. It is made from Dyneema® which is said to be the world’s strongest fiber. It is probably the better choice for a frame bag for the Cutthroat. As it fits the frame flawlessly and mounts securely. The zippers are bombproof and easily operated while in the saddle.

Salsa Cutthroat Vs Warbird

If you are still looking at bike and want to make comparisons, I also did a write up on the Salsa Warbird which can be viewed here. But it comes down to your intended use of the bike to really tell which one come out on top. The Warbird is more suited to gravel racing and was actually one of the first gravel racing bikes on the market back when it was released. When the Cutthroat is a bike for ultimate off-road adventures and bikepacking races like the Tour Divide.

However the Warbird is still a capable bikepacking rig and might be a better option if you are not planning to ride tough events like the Tour Divide and instead shorter rides, plus it is $100 cheaper then the Cutthroat.

Geometry

Groupset

Build

Wheels

Salsa Cutthroat vs Kona Sutra LTD

Both the Cutthroat and Sutra LTD are great adventure bikepacking options. I might be a little bias and say that I like the Sutra. But so much attracts me to the Cutthroat also. From my experience scratching up my frame on the Sutra with bike bags. O like the idea of bolt on bags for the Cutthroat. Also the overall geometry on the Cutthroat runs a bit bigger wheelbase by about 20mm which means more comfort potentially over the rough stuff. Also I found that the Sutra stand over hight to be rather high. I have the 56cm build and am just under 6 foot. But on hike a bike sections it was a big difficult getting my leg over the bike all the time. With just under a 30 mm lower stand over hight on the Cutthroat this is also another reason for consideration. But maybe I just need to practise yoga more regularly. However the Kona is cheaper and I also like a good steel adventure bike. The Kona also has the Rival 1 groupset which is slightly better then the Apex 1 on the Cutthroat. But if you want to read my review on the Kona Sutra LTD 2020, check that out here.

Geometry

Groupset

Build

Wheels

Final Thoughts

The Salsa Cutthroat is that ultimate bikepacking adventure bike suited for such challenging events like the Tour Divide. If you plan to ride routes as demanding this is the bike for the job. I am starting to dream about this bike. And to be honest I want it so bad! Comparing it to something like the Kona Sutra LTD it is even better then that and I thought that was a great bike. It goes without saying if you are after a all in one bikepacking rig look no further then the Cutthroat!

Salsa Cutthroat 2020

$2,699.00

4.4

PRICE

4.0/5

DURABILITY

4.5/5

FUNCTIONALITY

4.8/5

Pros

• Comfortable for long days riding
• Versatility (works well loaded or unloaded with gear)
• supple and compliant without having suspension
• Lower stand over height
• Many mounting options & bike specific frame packs

Cons

• The Apex 1 does not have the best wheels and saddle
• You could say price! Some bike similar are a bit cheaper
• Really struggled to find anything wrong with this bike!

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About The Author

codey

Codey Orgill, a seasoned bicycle adventurer, has been exploring the world on two wheels for over 10 years. Since embarking on his initial cycling journey, Codey Orgill has traversed numerous countries, experiencing a series of epic adventures.

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