Blackthorn 145 C Eagle 90 Mountain Bike

What Our Gearhead® Experts Are Saying:

"The Blackthorn 145 C runs SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission on a high-modulus carbon frame with Fox 36 Performance 160mm fork and Fox Float X Performance EVOL rear shock for 145mm of rear travel. Split Pivot suspension isolates pedaling and braking forces independently for better small-bump compliance and braking traction without sacrificing climbing efficiency. The flip chip adjusts BB height by 5mm and head tube angle by 0.3 degrees, and the Split Pivot+ design allows conversion to 125mm rear travel by swapping control and shock links. A carbon all-mountain build with real suspension engineering and practical trail features throughout."

Who It's For

Advancing all-mountain riders who want carbon construction and Fox Performance suspension.

The Blackthorn 145 C targets riders with solid technical trail experience who want the weight and responsiveness advantages of a carbon chassis without stepping to flagship component pricing. It suits those who ride demanding all-mountain terrain consistently and want a bike that feels composed and efficient across varied conditions.

What It's For

Steep and technical all-mountain terrain where a lighter chassis makes a noticeable difference.

The Blackthorn 145 C shares the same proven geometry as the aluminum model—63.9-degree head tube angle, 77.4-degree seat tube angle, and short chainstays—with the added responsiveness and weight savings of carbon. The 160mm Fox 36 fork and 145mm Float X rear travel handle aggressive terrain confidently in both directions. The flip chip provides a quick 5mm BB height and 0.3-degree head tube angle adjustment for riders who want to fine-tune handling for terrain or tire size.

Why We Like It

High-modulus carbon construction and Split Pivot engineering.

Salsa's high-modulus carbon frame uses carbon fiber seatstays and chainstays with 6061-T6 aluminum links at the pivots for a chassis that balances light weight and compliance with long-term durability where it matters most. Internally guided cable routing simplifies setup and maintenance while keeping the frame profile clean for both mechanical and dropper post setups. Molded rubber frame protection on the downtube, seat tube, chainstays, and seatstays guards against trail impacts and abrasion on demanding terrain.

Fox 36 Performance fork with GRIP damper and Fox Float X Performance EVOL rear shock deliver capable, tunable Fox suspension front and rear, matched to the travel and geometry of the Blackthorn 145. Split Pivot suspension isolates pedaling and braking forces independently, delivering supple small-bump compliance, efficient pedaling on sustained climbs, and smooth, predictable braking throughout the travel. The progressive leverage rate adds bottom-out resistance at the end of the stroke for confidence on bigger hits without compromising the supple feel earlier in the travel.

SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission with a 10-52 cassette and 30T chainring covers every gradient reliably, and the MRP 1x iO SL chain guide keeps the drivetrain secure on rough terrain. SRAM Maven Base four-piston brakes with 200mm rotors provide powerful, progressive stopping power matched to 160mm of front travel. WTB KOM Trail i30 TCS rims ship tubeless-ready with TCS valves and sealant included, and two bottle mounts on all frame sizes support hydration on longer days out.

Heads up! We do our best to keep bike specs and images current, but occasional component changes can happen without warning, and sometimes the photos might not show the exact build you'll receive. If you want to double-check the details, our Gearheads are always here to help.