Updated: 19th March 2024
The Salsa gravel bike battle! Well which bike is best? We are going to compare these two iconic gravel bikes side by side and see what the difference is between each. When it comes to price the Warbird’s base Apex model is $100 cheaper at $2,599 when the Cutthroat starts at $2,699. But what really is the difference and which one is best for you and your riding goals?
The Cutthroat is classified by Salsa to be a bike suited for, Ultra-endurance mixed surface and bikepacking riding. As it was inspired by the Tour Divide bikepacking race! A much more capable bikepacking bike with a more upright riding position compared to the Warbird, longer wheelbase, and a more stable ride feel. While the Warbird on the other hand is considered best for gravel racing, fireroad riding and road riding! With a more racy geometry and slightly lighter weight. Also the cutthroat comes with 29″ wheels compared to 700c on the Warbird.
It makes it rather easy to figure out which bike out of these two are best for you, if you know what you are going to be using your bike for the most. Looking to go mostly bikepacking? Then the Cutthroat. What about mostly road riding with some gravel here and there? Then the Warbird. But wait, there are some other things you should consider before making that final decision!
Salsa Cutthroat Bike Models
Let’s take a look at each of the bikes and see which options offer which components and features. There are four Cutthroat options and three Warbird bikes.
****Also it is worth noting that since August 2020 Salsa have released a safety notice on Cutthroat V2 Fork which are the forks on all these Cutthroat bikes. It is recommended to head to their blog to see information if your current fork is affected. I am not sure I would purchase one of these 2020 models. It is disappointing but from what I read online people have had some bad experiences.****
I am personally waiting until the 2021 models come out and hopefully the problem is fixed. But you might still be okay to go ahead and purchase a Cutthroat with the V2 fork, just make sure to ask the retailer about this and determine whether the bike has an affected fork. And you can get it replaced by Salsa if this is the case.
Salsa Cutthroat Apex 1
Starting at the base Cutthroat model is the Apex 1 bike. As all these bikes are carbon gravel bikes, this Apex has mid-range components and mechanical disc brakes. Weighing 23.3 lbs / 10.58 kg and powered by the 1 x 11 Apex 1 groupset with Race Face Ride, DM 36t chainring and SRAM PG-1130, 11-42t cassette. With the Teravail Sparwood 29 x 2.2″ tires.
With this setup you get a 24.84″ climbing gear and 94.46″ highest gear with a 0.86 : 3.27 gear ratio. Priced at $2,699
Salsa Cutthroat GRX 600
The next step up id the GRX 600 Cutthroat which has high-end components and hydraulic disc brakes. Featuring a 2 x 11 GRX 800, GRX 600 groupset, with Race Face Ride w/ Easton DM 46/30t chainrings and Shimano HG700-11, 11-34t cassette. Weighing 23.4 lbs / 10.6 kg and those same 29 x 2.2″ wheels/tires.
With this 2 x 11 drivetrain you get a 25.42″ climbing gear and 120.75″ highest gear. That means a gear ratio of 0.88 : 4.18 and is priced at $3,299
Salsa Cutthroat GRX 810 1x
The Cutthroat GRX 810 1x is a carbon frame gravel bike with high-end components and hydraulic disc brakes. Featuring that 1 x 11 GRX 800 groupset and weighs 21.6 lbs / 9.8 kg. Comes with the Race Face Turbine w/ Race Face DM 36t chainring and Shimano M7000-11, 11-42t cassette.
Which gives you the same 24.84″ climbing gear as the Apex 1, but with higher quality components. Same 0.86 : 3.27 gear ratio and is priced at $4,199. However you do get better quality DT Swiss X 1900 Spline 15 x 110 mm rims then the entry level Apex.
Salsa Cutthroat GRX 810 Di2
Then there is the highest end option with the ultra high-end components and hydraulic disc brakes giving you the most equipped Cutthroat out of the bunch. With DT Swiss X 1700 Spline 15 x 110 mm rims, deluxe fork V2, and other slight uprights.
With the Electronic GRX Di2 drivetrain and groupset, you get Race Face Turbine w/ Easton DM 46/30t chainrings and Shimano HG800-11, 11-34t. Which give the bike the same 25.42″ climbing gear as the GRX 600. with the gear ratio of 0.88 : 4.18 and weighing in at 22.1 lbs / 10.0 kg. Priced at $5,799
Salsa Warbird Bike Models
Dive deep into the world of the Warbird with our comprehensive guide that leaves no stone unturned. From its inception to its evolution into a gravel racing powerhouse, we meticulously dissect every facet of this legendary bike. Whether you’re considering making it your next ride or simply curious about what sets it apart in the world of cycling, our guide offers insights, technical breakdowns, and real-world applications.
We cover everything from its design philosophy, frame geometry, and component selection to its performance on both gravel paths and rugged terrains. Get ready to explore the Warbird in unparalleled detail, and discover everything you need to know before you pedal off into your next adventure.
Salsa Warbird Carbon Apex 1
The entry level Warbird model is a carbon frame gravel bike with mid-range components and mechanical disc brakes. Featuring a 1 x 11 Apex 1 groupset. You might think this is the same as the Cutthroat Apex but this bike comes with a SRAM Apex 1 X-Sync, 42t crank compared to the Cutthroat’s Race Face Ride, DM 36t chainring. They both have the same SRAM PG 1130, 11–42t cassette. This means the Warbird Apex has a 27.80″ granny gear compared to the 24.84″ on the Cutthroat Apex. And the Warbird has a 106.18″ highest gear compared to the Cutthroat’s 94.46″
All the Warbird bikes come with the Teravail Cannonball 700c x 42 mm tires. The Apex Warbird weighs in at 21.6 lbs / 9.8 kg and is priced at $2,599
Salsa Warbird Carbon GRX 600
The Warbird Carbon GRX 600 is a carbon frame gravel bike with high-end components and hydraulic disc brakes. Comes with the 2 x 10 GRX 800, GRX 600 groupset and weighs 20.5 lbs / 9.3 kg. Which has the same teeth as the GRX 600 Cutthroat just different types of rings. You get the Shimano RX600-11, 46/30t crank and Shimano HG700-11, 11–34t cassette.
You get a slightly better 24.46″ climbing gear and a 116.18″ highest gear (which is not as capable as the GRX 600 Cutthroats). Priced at $3,199
Salsa Warbird Carbon GRX 810
Then the highest end Warbird model is the GRX 810 which is a carbon frame gravel bike with high-end components and hydraulic disc brakes. With a Shimano RX810-2, 48/31t (RX600, 46/30t with 165mm arms on 49cm size) crank and Shimano HG800-11, 11–34t cassette. Weighing 19.8 lbs / 9.0 kg and priced at $4,099. The bike has a 25.29″ climbing gear and 121.19″ highest. Which is ever so slightly easier at climbing than the $5,799 Cutthroat.
Difference in Specs (Build, Wheels and Groupset) Cutthroat Vs Warbird
Below in the tables I have gathered all the specs of each bike and stacked them side by side for a better visual representation of all the build, groupset and wheel differences.
The main differences between the Cutthroat and the Warbird is handlebars, saddles and rims/tires with slight variations in groupset components and rings.
Build
| Cutthroat GRX 600 | Cutthroat Apex 1 | Cutthroat GRX 810 Di2 | Cutthroat GRX 810 1x | Warbird Carbon GRX 810 | Warbird Carbon GRX 600 | Warbird Carbon Apex 1 | |
| Frame | Cutthroat Carbon V2 | Cutthroat Carbon V2 | Cutthroat Carbon V2 | Cutthroat Carbon V2 | Warbird Carbon V2 | Warbird Carbon V2 | Warbird Carbon V2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fork | Cutthroat Carbon V2 | Cutthroat Carbon V2 | Cutthroat Carbon Deluxe V2 | Cutthroat Carbon Deluxe V2 | Waxwing Deluxe | Waxwing | Waxwing |
| Bottom Bracket | Press Fit BB92, 41 x 92 mm | Press Fit BB92, 41 x 92 mm | Press Fit BB92, 41 x 92 mm | Press Fit BB92, 41 x 92 mm | BB86 PressFit | BB86 PressFit | BB86 PressFit |
| Headset | Cane Creek 40 | Cane Creek 40 | Cane Creek 40 | Cane Creek 40 | Cane Creek 40 | Cane Creek 40 | Cane Creek 40 |
| Stem | Salsa Guide | Salsa Guide | Salsa Guide | Salsa Guide | Salsa Guide | Salsa Guide | Salsa Guide |
| Handlebar | Salsa Cowchipper Deluxe | Salsa Cowchipper | Salsa Cowchipper Carbon | Salsa Cowchipper Deluxe | Salsa Cowbell Deluxe | Salsa Cowbell Deluxe | Salsa Cowbell |
| Saddle | WTB Volt Comp | WTB Volt Sport | WTB Volt Pro | WTB Volt Race | WTB Volt Race | WTB Volt Comp | WTB Volt Sport |
| Seatpost | Salsa Guide Deluxe | Salsa Guide | Salsa Guide Carbon | Salsa Guide Deluxe | Salsa Guide Deluxe | Salsa Guide Deluxe | Salsa Guide |
| Grips | MSW Anti-Slip Gel | MSW Anti-Slip Gel | MSW Anti-Slip Gel | MSW Anti-Slip Gel | MSW Anti-Slip Gel | MSW Anti-Slip Gel | MSW Anti-Slip Gel |
Groupset
| Cutthroat GRX 600 | Cutthroat Apex 1 | Cutthroat GRX 810 Di2 | Cutthroat GRX 810 1x | Warbird Carbon GRX 810 | Warbird Carbon GRX 600 | Warbird Carbon Apex 1 | |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano GRX 810 | SRAM Apex 1 | Shimano GRX 815 Di2 | Shimano GRX 812 | Shimano RX810 | Shimano RX810 | SRAM Apex 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front Derailleur | Shimano GRX 810 | — | Shimano GRX 815 Di2 | — | Shimano RX810 | Shimano RX810 | — |
| Crank | Race Face Ride w/ Easton DM 46/30t chainrings | Race Face Ride, DM 36t chainring | Race Face Turbine w/ Easton DM 46/30t chainrings | Race Face Turbine w/ Race Face DM 36t chainring | Shimano RX810-2, 48/31t (RX600, 46/30t with 165mm arms on 49cm size) | Shimano RX600-11, 46/30t | SRAM Apex 1 X-Sync, 42t |
| Shifters | Shimano GRX 600 Hydro | SRAM Apex 1 | Shimano GRX 815 Di2 Hydraulic | Shimano GRX 810 Hydro | Shimano RX810 Hydraulic | Shimano RX600 | SRAM Apex 1 Mechanical |
| Cassette | Shimano HG700-11, 11-34t | SRAM PG-1130, 11-42t | Shimano HG800-11, 11-34t | Shimano M7000-11, 11-42t | Shimano HG800-11, 11–34t | Shimano HG700-11, 11–34t | SRAM PG 1130, 11–42t |
| Chain | Shimano HG601-11 | SRAM PC-1110 | Shimano HG701-11 | Shimano HG701-11 | Shimano HG701-11 | Shimano HG601-11 | SRAM PC 1110 |
| Brakes | Shimano GRX 400 Hydro, RT66 160 mm | TRP Spyre-C, 160 mm | Shimano GRX 810 Hydraulic, RT76 160 mm | Shimano GRX 810 Hydro, RT76 160 mm | Shimano RX810, Hydraulic, RT76 160 mm rotors | Shimano RX400, Hydraulic, RT66 160 mm rotors | TRP Spyre-C Flat Mount, 160 mm rotors |
Wheels
| Cutthroat GRX 600 | Cutthroat Apex 1 | Cutthroat GRX 810 Di2 | Cutthroat GRX 810 1x | Warbird Carbon GRX 810 | Warbird Carbon GRX 600 | Warbird Carbon Apex 1 | |
| Rims | WTB Speedterra Hub, WTB ST i23 TCS 2.0 32h Rim, 15 x 110 mm | WTB Serra Hub, WTB ST i23 TCS 2.0 32h, 110 x 15 mm | DT Swiss X 1700 Spline 15 x 110 mm | DT Swiss X 1900 Spline 15 x 110 mm | DT Swiss C 1800, 12 x 100 mm, 700c | WTB Speedterra 12 x 100 mm hub, WTB ST i23 TCS 2.0 28h 700c rim | WTB Serra 12 x 100 mm hub, WTB ST i23 TCS 2.0 28h 700c rim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | Teravail Sparwood 29 x 2.2″ Durable, Tubeless Ready | Teravail Sparwood 29 x 2.2″ Durable, Tubeless Ready | Teravail Sparwood 29 x 2.2″ Durable, Tubeless Ready | Teravail Sparwood 29 x 2.2″ Durable, Tubeless Ready | Teravail Cannonball 700c x 42 mm, Durable, Tubeless-Ready | Teravail Cannonball 700c x 42 mm, Durable, Tubeless-Ready | Teravail Cannonball 700c x 42 mm, Durable, Tubeless-Ready |
| Disk Rotors | Flat mount (160–180 mm), flat mount frame standard (35 mm thickness), 42 mm bolt length | Flat mount (160–180 mm), flat mount frame standard (35 mm thickness), 42 mm bolt length | Flat mount (160–180 mm), flat mount frame standard (35 mm thickness), 42 mm bolt length | Flat mount (160–180 mm), flat mount frame standard (35 mm thickness), 42 mm bolt length | Flat mount 140, 140–160mm, flat mount frame standard 20mm thickness, 27mm bolt length | Flat mount 140, 140–160mm, flat mount frame standard 20mm thickness, 27mm bolt length | Flat mount 140, 140–160mm, flat mount |
Geometry – Cutthroat Vs Warbird
Geometry can play a big part in the difference of how I bike rides and feels. It is definitely something to consider when buying a bike. It is clear to see that the Cutthroat is better designed for long days in the saddle, exploring with bikepacking gear loaded on the bike. Thanks to longer wheelbase, chainstay, and more relaxed angles. Along with a more upright position. While the Warbird is adapted for road riding with some gravel grinding here and there. All the measurements below are in mm and are for both 56 cm sized bikes.
Want to learn more about understanding bike geometry? Read this article which goes through all the jargon and what it means for a comfortable ride!
You can clearly see how much more upright and comfortable the Cutthroat is geometry wise when it comes to adventure cycling.
| Bike | Cutthroat | Warbird |
| Stack | 619.53 | 584.85 |
| Reach | 385.28 | 381.19 |
| Stack/Reach Ratio | 1.61 | 1.53 |
| Top Tube Length | 560 | 560 |
| Seat Tube Length | 508 | 510 |
| Seat Tube Angle | 74.25 | 73 |
| Head Tube Length | 127 | 160 |
| Head Tube Angle | 69 | 70.75 |
| BB Drop | 70 | 70 |
| Front Center | 655 | 618 |
| Chainstay Length | 445 | 430 |
| Wheelbase | 1090.31 | 1038.21 |
| Rake | 51 | 50 |
| Trail | 79 | 69 |
| Standover Height | 810.51 | 770.11 |
The Salsa Cutthroat has a 1.61 stack/reach ratio which is nice and upright compared to the 1.53 on the Warbird, this is still rather upright for a gravel bike. The chainstay on the Cutthroat is 445 mm which makes it on the longer end feeling rather chill in the back compared to the Warbird’s 430 mm chainstay which is in that mid range making it feel like an all-rounder in the rear.
The trail on the Cutthroat is on the high end at 79 making it rather sluggish and stable at the front. While the Warbird is 69 which is still in that high end of trail lengths for gravel bikes. But more stable than sluggish. Also the Warbird has a 40.4 mm lower standover height compared to the Cutthroat.
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