The Salsa all-terrain gravel/adventure bikepacking bike battle! Which bike out of the two is the best? We are going to compare these two adventure gravel bikes side by side and see what the difference is between each. For the same Apex 1 spec-level bikes, the Cutthroat is approximately $400 more.
Both bikes come in different build options, with the Fargo available in a titanium build if you so desire. And the Cutthroat is available in many build options with prices up to $12,000. But for the sake of this article, we are comparing the Salsa Fargo 2021 Apex to the Salsa Cutthroat Apex 2020 model.
Both bikes seem to be built with an adventurous DNA. On first inspection, we can see that the Cutthroat is a full carbon build, while the Fargo is a steel frame and carbon fork. This makes the Cutthroat lighter by about half a kilogram.
The Fargo is more of a touring bike (that could potentially still race) while the Cutthroat is more suited to gravel racing and endurance riding, riding fast with all the gear. While Fargo doesn’t particularly worry about getting you places fast. Having that said the Ti Fargo has been used in endurance racing events. When comparing steel to carbon the Cutthroat comes out on top in this regard, as a slightly lighter build.
Both are focused on adventure geometry which means more comfortable the longer you stay in the saddle. Both bikes also offer mounting options to carry all the necessary gear you may need for a bikepacking trip.
When it comes to tire clearance the Fargo comes out on top with max tire clearance up to 29 x 3.0″. While the Cutthroat has an official tire clearance of 2.4” for both frame and fork. While some have measured for up to 29 x 2.8″ tires. Both vary when it comes to gearing and brakes (depending on what model you opt for).
Due to the 36T crank on the Cutthroat compared to the 32T crank on the Fargo (both having an 11–42T rear cassette). The Fargo has the superior gearing with a 21.96″ climbing gear and 84.06″ largest gear. While the Cutthroat has 24.84″ to 94.46″. And both bikes have mechanical disc brakes.
When it comes to tires, both bikes come stock with the Teravail Sparwood 29 x 2.2″ tires.
When it comes to the bike’s geometries. The Fargo features a very upright stack/reach ratio compared to the already upright Cutthroat (1.75 vs 1.61), the chainstay is the same for both bikes (445 mm on medium-sized) and Wheelbase is approx 7.3 mm longer on the Cutthroat. Both bikes are considered planted and ready to carry extra weight in the form of gear for bikepacking adventures.
The trail for both bikes is considered very high. With a 2 mm difference, the Fargo is the longest (88.2 mm Fargo vs 86.2 mm Cutthroat) meaning the Fargo would have a slightly slower and calmer steering response compared to the Cutthroat. However, the Cutthroat is still rather calm and slow compared to other gravel bikes with a mid-range trail.
Between the two and the standover height is 30 mm higher on the Cutthroat. The Bottom Bracket drop is identical on both bikes and the Fargo has a higher bottom bracket height with a 5.1 mm in difference.
Salsa Fargo
- Category: 29er Gravel / Off-Road Touring Bike
- Price : $2,649
- Frame/Fork : Steel/Carbon
- Bike Weight : 11.1 kg (24.47 lbs)
- Tire Clearance : 29 x 3″
- Wheels/Tire Size : 29 x 2.2″
- Low/High Gear Inches : 21.96″ to 84.06″
- Stack/Reach Ratio (M) : 1.75
- Chainstay (M) : 445 mm
- Wheelbase (M) : 1083 mm
- Trail (M) : 78 mm
This bike could be considered an off-road touring bike at heart but it still makes a great adventure gravel bike. Just like the Cutthroat it’s made for exploring. It does offer wide tire clearance of up to 3″ rubber. You also get different build options when available if that’s what you’re after, with the choice of titanium for those epic and fast adventures. Could also be considered a drop bar mountain bike. The steel frame and carbon fork build offer a lighter option, weighing in at around 11.1 kg. Priced at $2,649 for the 1×11 Apex model you get mechanical disc brakes on 29 x 2.2″ tires.
Salsa Cutthroat
Cutthroat is a high-performance bicycle designed for ultra-endurance bikepacking, inspired by the unique challenges presented by the Tour Divide race. The bike has been built with a drop-bar mountain bike geometry that provides riders with the confidence needed to tackle even the most challenging riding conditions.
Its carbon frame delivers excellent power transfer, while the Class 5™ VRS technology effectively absorbs micro-impacts from both the road and trail, helping riders to conserve their energy and stamina. Additionally, the bike has ample cargo mounts that allow for personal customization and the ability to carry loads based on individual preferences. The bike features a reliable SRAM Apex 1 groupset, which is perfect for Tour Divide races and off-road adventures that require durability and endurance.
Geometry – Cutthroat Vs Fargo
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!
Geometry can play a big part in the difference between how a bike rides and feels. It is definitely something to consider when buying a bike. Just by looking at the illustration above, the Salsa Fargo in black is much more upright, with a shorter reach, giving you a very upright riding position. While the Cutthroat in White is slightly longer in the wheelbase, meaning a more stable and planted ride.
| Bike | Salsa Cutthroat | Salsa Fargo |
| Stack | 619.5 | 643 |
| Reach | 385.3 | 368 |
| Stack/Reach Ratio | 1.61 | 1.75 |
| Top Tube Length | 560 | 656 |
| Seat Tube Length | 508 | 457.2 |
| Seat Tube Angle | 74.25 | 73 |
| Head Tube Length | 127 | 140 |
| Head Tube Angle | 69 | 69 |
| BB Drop | 70 | 70 |
| Front Center | 654.6 | 647.3 |
| Chainstay Length | 445 | 445 |
| Wheelbase | 1090.3 | 1083 |
| Rake | 51 | 51 |
| Trail | 86.2 (very high) | 88.2 (Very high) |
| Standover Height | 807.4 | 777 |
If you plan to mostly go on adventures with gear both these bikes are great options. But if you plan to ride terrain that is steep off-road, the Fargo might be your better option, thanks to the lower climbing gear and room for slightly wider 3″ tires. The Fargo has gearing that is more suited to touring, with gear and slow, steep climbing. While the cutthroat is better suited for those long flatter terrain rides.
With very similar spec levels as we compared very similar bikes. The Cutthroat is the superior model when it comes to component spec levels with options up to $12,000 and X01 Eagle AXS with Force eTap. A bike like that is tuned for speedy endurance racing events! While the Fargo is better suited to those off-road bikepacking and touring trips where speed is really a concern!
It’s clear that the Cutthroat is more suited to a minimalist bikepacking style of riding rather than traditional touring or off-road touring, with more mountain eyelets on the frame for bolt-on bags, (top tube and inside the frame).
It seems the Fargo leans more towards being a drop bar mountain bike that is more a touring bike than a gravel bike. While the Cutthroat is still technically a drop bar mountain bike but more of an ultra-endurance bikepacking bike than it is a touring bike. And this is where the main difference is. This is evident in the geometry of both bikes.
We can see that the Fargo’s trail is very high making it more sluggish and less responsive when cornering, as expected if you are running front panniers. Both bikes in fact have very high trails, meaning they both would perform well with a front load.
So if you want a bike more for touring and riding long distances and want to be super comfortable the Fargo is your better option. But if you want a bike to dominate those ultra-endurance bikepacking events. That will allow you to go bikepacking comfortability enough but with speed in mind. Then the Cutthroat might be a better option. But having that said Salsa offers their Titanium Fargo for such events. But the Cutthroat is just more accessible for this type of riding.
However, both bikes are amazing in their own right. And at times it can be difficult to recommend one bike over the other when they are both great bikes and offer something special. But I hope this article clears up some questions you might have had.
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