Salsa likely uses a shorter reach to keep the rider in more of an upright position and not stretched out too much. If you set the fork to proper air pressure, it feels exceptionally harsh and clunky. The Salsa scoots up and over technical pitches remarkably well. It has only been ridden three times and shows minimal signs of wear or use. Kicking the New Year off the right way, Salsa has launched two brand new hardtails. The Timberjack can get rad but is limited by its geometry and fork specification. Searching for the limitations of the Timberjack on some short steep slabs. Learn More, We have ~100 routes on our worldwide bikepacking routes map. The best approach to climbing on the Timberjack is to take your time and grind it out. The cockpit feels decisively tight. The Salsa Timberjack comes in several different models and variations; however, I will be focusing on the Salsa Timberjack 2020 model for this review. Timberjack 20 features a kid-sized aluminum frame and fork with 20 x 3” plus-sized tires so younger riders can be as big a part of the adventure as the grownups. If you are seeking a fun hardtail for thrashing singletrack day in and day out, look no further than the Specialized Fuse 29. The short chainstays push the axle forward under the rider's weight which makes it more challenging to keep the bike from doing a wheelie on steep trails under pedaling loads. It's designed to encourage rides that will make young explorers into lifelong ones. View and share reviews, comments and questions on mountain bikes. The Timberjack combines the best of high-performance mountain bikes with the mobility and storage capabilities that you would expect from a … The DV9 is our Top Pick for the cross-country application thanks to its feathery climbing abilities and zippy acceleration. View The Map, There are some routes that are made classic by their sheer perfection, and others by races. No, it may not be the hardest charger, but the short rear end and quick handling create a surprisingly playful ride. Start with the wheels: Run plus-size tires up to 3 inches wide or 29-inch tires up to 2.6 inches. January 18, 2020 by Ryan Stewart. The redesigned Pine Mountain also has a more modern geometry that is more capable on the descents and the climbs. Our DV9 NX sells for $2,550 with a high-end carbon fiber frame, killer tires, and a rock-solid fork. Ed note: This is part of our initial bike test of three new hardtails introduced at QBP Saddle Drive 2016, each shod with 27plus tires: the aluminum Salsa Timberjack, carbon Salsa Woodsmoke and steel Surly Karate Monkey. This can make an enormous difference on the ascent where you don't want to get kicked off your line by firm tire pressure. Instead, they increased the number of build options to include both 29 x 2.6” and 27.5 x 2.8” options, based around Shimano SLX 12-Speed, SRAM NX Eagle, and Shimano XT 12-Speed. When it comes to saddling up a mountain bike and heading to the hills – you always check everything from the drivetrain to the tires and so on. Got feedback? Price. We believe travel by bicycle encourages conservation and inspires respect for people and cultures. The RockShox Sektor fork that comes stock on the Timberjack is a miserable specification. The Timberjack is a sensible option for the rider who wants a hardtail for adventure riding on the weekend and wants to get out for some trail riding with the crew during the week. Banjo Brothers. Cick the link to see them plotted or select from the links to the right to filter. Salsa. With agile 27.5″ wheels, the frame offers sufficient clearance for up to … The chainstays measure 424mm in the short setting with a 1168mm wheelbase. Click the link below to learn about each. You should post in the NJ forum to see who might be interested in riding with you. The Timberjack is a solid climber but gets a little funky on super steep sections of trail. As a result, we would call this a great bike for those bikepacking missions while it is only a decent option for day to day trail riding. Brand. Salsa’s popular Timberjack trail hardtail is back for 2020 with fresh paint, updated graphics, and new parts specs. The fourth issue of The Bikepacking Journal hit mailboxes this spring. As we mentioned in the downhill section, the wide rubber also works to provide a little bit of extra damping. The aluminum bikes keep the same frame geometry […] 2020 Salsa Timberjack 24 Suspension Kids Bike For sale on Pinkbike buysell The Timberjack is built around an aluminum frame and is designed around a 130mm fork. Also, at 29 lbs 13 oz, it is relatively light for an aluminum hardtail with 2.8-inch rubber. It's slack enough to feel confident when pointed down a steep section of trail. This added element of comfort can be hugely beneficial on bikepacking missions when you are in the saddle all day long. A new bike just showed up for review. On the descent, the DV9 has a more precise feel and more predictable handling than the Timberjack. Power is respectable, but they have a cheap lever feel. It is for riders seeking a fun, predictable, and adaptable all-arounder for exploring trails near and far. The Fuse has an aluminum frame and delivers a very well-rounded ride and is shockingly capable as an all-around trail-riding hardtail. The Timberjack is a sensible option for the rider who wants a hardtail for adventure riding on the weekend and wants to get out for some trail riding with the crew during the week. In this feature story, Ben Page offers a reminder of the value of getting out on shorter, simpler trips, instead of getting wrapped up in planning something big... Salsa’s popular Timberjack trail hardtail is back for 2020 with fresh paint, updated graphics, and new parts specs. Trek Stache 9.7. This bicycle has an enormous amount of space in the front triangle to accommodate a full-size frame bag. As we mentioned before, when you're cooking down a trail at Mach 10, it doesn't feel fantastic, but in most scenarios, the handling is crisp. Do you believe that steel is real? The seat tube angle is on the slacker side of the spectrum at 72.3-degrees. View The Classics, The Bikepacking Journal is our printed collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography.Find details here alongside a growing collection of web exclusive features... Have one to share? I purchased this bike in June 2020 and have the receipt for it! This year’s new models feature the same frame sizes (XS-XL) and specs as before, … This isn't a bike that you would want to enter in a cross country race like the 26.5-pound Ibis DV9 or the 26.75-pound. Find a quick look at the 2020 Timberjack models below. Salsa Timberjack Slx. to support us & get The Bikepacking Journal, Shimano MT400/510 hubs with WTB ST i29 TCS 2.0 29″ Rims, Shimano MT400/510 hubs with WTB ST i40 TCS 2.0 27.5″ Rims. As a trail bike, the Salsa delivers average performance. This makes a lot of sense for bikepacking and long distances when you're in the saddle all day and comfort is critical. Salsa Timberjack 24. All trademarks property of their respective owners This was especially noticeable when turning through a steep corner. Salsa’s aluminum Timberjack trail hardtail has returned for 2020 with fresh colors, graphics, and build specs. Find your ideal bike using bike-on-bike geometry comparisons with diagrams, powerful search tools, and category analysis. Let us know! Specs, reviews & prices for the 2020 Salsa Timberjack XT 29. GearLab is reader-supported. Find a quick peek at the new Timberjack lineup here…. We fiddled with the adjustable dropouts to lengthen the bike. BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. The 440mm reach is short and can feel a little bit cramped on steeper pitches. When you are slicing and dicing down a technical stretch of trail, the Vigilante has an excellent bite to back up the rider's quick moves. The SRAM Level brakes are serviceable. That said, we would have no problem riding this bike all day long. We expect this bike to function much better as a bikepack/adventure rig. The Salsa is a surprisingly fun bike. Compare forks, shocks, wheels and other components on current and past MTB’s. The Timberjack delivers impressive handling on the descent. The Ibis has a carbon fiber frame and moves uphill far more effectively than the Salsa. Reviews, ratings, specifications, weight, price and more for the 2020 Salsa Timberjack SLX 27.5+ Bike This was helpful but didn't make a significant difference. But when you have a bike that makes it all effortless and more reliable – then you don’t have to do much of that. Do you prefer your hardtail mountain bikes to have some cross-country DNA? Regardless, we appreciate its versatility and could be a strong value for the right buyer. Posted by Lucas Winzenburg. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. We provide inspiration and information through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of gear, news, and events that help our community thrive. We lowered the stem as far as we could to try to force more weight over the front end and keep the front wheel planted. 2020 Timberjack SLX 27.5+ | Salsa Cycles. Riders who are simply looking for a ripping trail bike should look elsewhere. Lighter riders might be able to get away with slightly lower tire pressures while heavier riders should be wary of dinging and damaging the rim. Originally Posted by Battery. I'm a "belt and suspenders" guy and posted in both places. While the Salsa is fun and capable on singletrack, there are significantly better options at this price. First, it is difficult, if not impossible, to dial in this fork. Second, the 32mm stanchions create a floppy and flimsy feel. I think you can probably find the SLX version of the TJ for around 1250$ at least that’s what my shop offered and it comes with a dropper post. While the Salsa is fun and capable on singletrack, there are significantly better options at this price. Joining the brands already comprehensive roster are two hardtails dubbed the Timberjack and Rangefinder. Combine the rollover of 29 x 2.6” tires with agile trail geometry, 130 mm of suspension up front, and a dropper post for … We found 19 PSI in the front tire and approximately 21 PSI in the rear to be the sweet spot. Salsa Timberjack 2020 Owing to its Alternator Dropouts, the Salsa Timberjack is a pretty versatile hardtail mountain bike with an adaptable platform able to roll on 29″ or 27.5″ wheels, with a variety of hub standards. View All Features. Welcome! It prefers the smoother trails over the chunk, but the Salsa does okay just about everywhere on the descents. Clear all filters. The wheelbase grew approximately 16mm. The Timberjack has a relatively good all-around performance and versatility to double as a bike pack rig. Salsa’s Timberjack line of mid-range hardtail MTB trail bikes is aimed at intermediate trail riders and long-distance bikepackers. Hardtail Trail MTB bike with 5 sizes. Our large test bike tips the scales at 29 lbs 13 ounces set up tubeless without pedals. Read more here. The component grouping works well on the ascent thanks to an NX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain and meaty rubber. 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