Salsa Gravel Bike: The Cutthroat C Force

SPECIAL THANKS TO SALSACYCLES.COM FOR THE IMAGES
AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE.

Born for Adventure: The Tour Divide Inspiration Behind the Cutthroat

Salsa gravel bike, the Cutthroat C Force is this weeks “Bicycle of the Week”.  Salsa Cycles has always been about pushing the boundaries of adventure. Their mission? To design bikes that inspire exploration. The Salsa Cutthroat is no exception. Built for the Tour Divide, one of the most grueling off-road races in the world, this Salsa gravel bike was engineered to thrive on rugged, unpredictable terrain.

The Tour Divide is anything but a casual ride. Spanning 2,745 miles from Canada to Mexico, it forces riders to tackle a wide range of surfaces—from smooth gravel roads to rugged mountain passes. The Cutthroat was engineered to handle these extremes with ease. It’s a true gravel racing bike, but it’s also a top choice for any bikepacking adventure that involves mixed terrain.

It’s not just about surviving the ride; it’s about thriving on every surface. Whether you’re navigating dirt trails, rocky paths, or loose gravel, this Salsa gravel bike was purpose-built for versatility. With its drop-bar mountain bike geometry and advanced vibration reduction system, the Cutthroat transitions seamlessly between terrains, making it more than just a carbon gravel bike—it’s an all-terrain adventure machine.

This Salsa gravel bike shines where others struggle. Its lightweight carbon frame is optimized for long distances. You don’t have to choose between comfort and speed. The Class 5™ VRS (Vibration Reduction System) absorbs harsh vibrations, letting you ride longer without feeling worn down. The drop-bar mountain bike geometry gives you control on gnarly descents and confidence when the trail gets sketchy, all while maintaining that essential balance of gravel bike stability.

Featherweight Yet Durable: The Carbon Frame & Class 5™ VRS

When it comes to bikepacking, weight matters. But so does strength. That’s where the Cutthroat’s durable carbon frame steps in. This Salsa gravel bike offers a rare combination of being both featherweight and incredibly durable.

Designed with long-distance cycling in mind, its carbon construction provides the toughness needed for unpredictable terrain without adding unnecessary bulk. You get a bike that feels nimble but can withstand the toughest conditions the Tour Divide race can throw at you.

But it’s not just the frame that makes the Cutthroat special. The bike’s drop-bar mountain bike geometry is what truly sets it apart. You might think drop bars are just for road bikes, but on the Cutthroat, they serve a far more important role. They enhance rough terrain handling, giving you total control when the trail becomes sketchy, crucial for any serious bikepacking adventure.

Here’s why the drop-bar geometry of this Salsa gravel bike excels:

Wider Hand Positioning: It offers multiple hand positions for better balance and comfort, especially on bumpy trails.

Enhanced Control: Drop bars provide superior control over technical terrain, letting you tackle descents and uneven paths with confidence.

Aero Efficiency: When the wind picks up on open stretches, you can tuck into an aerodynamic position for more speed with less effort.

Reduced Fatigue: Long days on the saddle are less punishing with drop bars. They distribute pressure more evenly, reducing hand and wrist fatigue.

More Versatility: The Cutthroat’s off-road geometry gives you the freedom to adjust to various terrains, whether you’re climbing steep climbs or cruising along flats.

The Class 5™ VRS (Vibration Reduction System adds even more comfort to this Salsa gravel bike. It dampens vibrations from rough surfaces, so you don’t feel every bump in the road. This means you can push further, ride longer, and keep your energy focused on the journey ahead. It’s a small feature with a huge impact, especially on ultralight bikepacking and bike touring adventures.

Built for Bikepacking: Gear Distribution Made Easy

isn’t just about the ride—it’s about carrying everything you need for days, or even weeks, on the trail. The Salsa gravel bike excels in this department. With cleverly integrated rack mounts and plenty of room for bikepacking bags, the Cutthroat allows you to bring along all your essentials without compromising your ride.

“Gear up for your next bike packing adventure—check out these essentials here!”

Customization is key when it comes to bikepacking gear, and the Cutthroat gives you plenty of options to tailor your setup. You can choose how to distribute your gear for maximum balance and efficiency. This Salsa gravel bike is designed to keep you agile, even when fully loaded, ensuring that your gear stays secure and out of the way on tough terrain.

Here’s how the Salsa Gravel Bike Cutthroat makes gear distribution easy:

Multiple Mounting Points: Offering ample mounting points for racks, bottle cages, and frame bags, it gives you flexibility to pack light or load up.

Balanced Weight Distribution: The gravel bike geometry is designed to keep the weight low and centered, helping maintain gravel bike stability, even when fully loaded.

Easy Access to Essentials: Frame bags fit snugly within the frame’s triangle, so your snacks, tools, and maps are always within reach.

Durability Under Load: The robust carbon gravel bike frame and fork ensure that the bike stays strong, even with gear weighing it down.

Effortless Shifting: The Power of SRAM X01 Eagle AXS and Force Shifters

When you’re covering long miles on tough terrain, every little bit of effort adds up. That’s why the Salsa gravel bike is equipped with the SRAM X01 Eagle AXS drivetrain. This electronic shifting system is a game changer.

It allows you to shift gears smoothly and effortlessly with the push of a button. No more clunky, mechanical shifts or wasted energy. The precision of the SRAM Eagle drivetrain means you get the exact gear you need, exactly when you need it.

One of the biggest advantages of this system is its ability to reduce hand fatigue on long rides. The SRAM Force shifters are designed to require minimal effort, allowing your hands to rest easy, even after hours in the saddle. For bikepackers and adventure cyclists, this means less strain on your wrists and more focus on the ride. The combination of the X01 Eagle AXS and Force shifters gives the Salsa gravel bike the perfect balance of performance and comfort, keeping you in control no matter how far or fast you go.

Taming the Trail: Cutthroat Carbon Fork and Its All-Surface Performance

The Cutthroat’s carbon fork is engineered with vibration reduction through its Class 5™ VRS (Vibration Reduction System). This system works by dispersing the energy from bumps and jolts throughout the fork, rather than transferring it directly to the rider.

By using flexible, yet strong carbon fibers, the fork absorbs the shock from uneven terrain, smoothing out the ride. This prevents harsh vibrations from traveling up into your arms and shoulders, which can quickly lead to fatigue on rough surfaces. Over long distances, this feature is crucial.

It keeps your body relaxed and reduces wear and tear on your muscles, allowing you to stay fresh and focused for the journey ahead. The result? A Salsa gravel bike with a more controlled and comfortable experience, especially on extended bikepacking routes with multi-surface capability.

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