Overview
Ready to elevate your bikepacking game? Well here is a critical piece to that puzzle, the Salsa Cutthroat C GRX 810, the right tool for approaching the Tour Divide or any epic gravel bikepacking route. Engineered to marry the ruggedness of a mountain bike with the finesse of a gravel bike; that’s the magic of its drop-bar geometry and Class 5™ VRS carbon frame. This geometry offers stability on treacherous descents while producing efficient long term power transfer through relentless headwinds and climbing sufferfests. The Shimano GRX 810 2x drivetrain ensures seamless shifting with a wide gear range, letting you be connected to the terrain without fighting your bike against it. This isn’t just a bike; it’s the key to unlocking that epic tail that awaits you.
When you load up your bikepacking bags on the Salsa Cutthroat C GRX 810, you’re not just preparing for a trip; you’re gearing up for an odyssey. This bike is your ticket to the gravel-road epics you’ve been dreaming of—think the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route or the TransAmerica Trail. With ample cargo mounts, this bike is a rolling basecamp, ready to carry you and your gear to the ends of the earth. So, when the urge to escape the mundane hits, you know what to do—gear up, head out, and let the Cutthroat turn your bikepacking dreams into reality.
Geometry & Ride Characteristics
The Salsa Cutthroat C GRX 810 geometry is made for the challenges of ultra-endurance bikepacking races, particularly the Tour Divide. Its drop-bar mountain bike geometry is characterized by a longer effective top tube, which allows riders to stretch out and maintain an aerodynamic position, crucial for battling headwinds. The bike also features a slack headtube angle, ensuring stability on steep and unpredictable descents, while its shorter chainstays provide nimbleness and quick handling. The combination of these geometric features, along with the Class 5™ VRS, ensures a bike that’s both aggressive and comfortable, designed to handle the rigors of extended off-road expeditions.
Riding the Salsa Cutthroat C GRX 810 feels like a seamless fusion of speed and resilience. Its geometry, coupled with the Class 5™ VRS, delivers a ride that is both responsive and forgiving, making it adept at handling rugged trails, gravel roads, and mountain passes. The bike’s design leans towards endurance-oriented bikes, and with its drop-bar, riders can anticipate a forward-leaning yet comfortable riding position. This setup not only offers better aerodynamics but also ensures reduced fatigue on the rider’s body, making extended backcountry trips and competitive races more enjoyable and efficient.
- Reach: The Cutthroat offers a reach ranging from 357.77mm for the 52cm size to 406.36mm for the 60cm size, ensuring a comfortable and ergonomic riding position across various sizes.
- Stack: The stack measurements provide a balance between an aggressive and upright stance, ranging from 584.98mm in the 52cm size to 664.34mm in the 60cm size, catering to the demands of varied terrains.
- Wheelbase: The wheelbase of the Cutthroat ensures stability at high speeds, with measurements spanning from 1049.54mm in the 52cm size to 1128.6mm in the 60cm size, making it suitable for diverse terrains.
- Head Tube Angle: The consistent head tube angle of 69° across all sizes ensures stability on descents and a balanced steering response, differing from racing bikes that might have steeper angles for quicker turns.
- BB Drop: The Cutthroat maintains a consistent BB drop of 70mm across all sizes. This design ensures a low center of gravity, providing stability, especially during turns and descents.
- Wheelbase: The wheelbase of the Cutthroat varies depending on the size, ensuring stability at high speeds and making it suitable for diverse terrains.
- Chainstay Length: The Cutthroat features a consistent chainstay length of 445mm across all sizes, emphasizing stability and predictable handling.
- Top Tube Length (Effective): The effective top tube lengths range from 520mm to 600mm, ensuring riders have a comfortable reach to the handlebars.
- Seat Tube Angle: The seat tube angles vary slightly across sizes, ranging from 73.75° to 74.5°. This variation ensures an optimal pedaling position and balance of comfort and efficiency.
- Fork Length and Offset: The Cutthroat is designed with a rigid fork length of 483mm and a fork offset of 51mm. This combination ensures stability and a balanced steering response.
- Front and Rear Spacing: With a front spacing of 110 x 15 mm and rear spacing of 148 x 12 mm, the Cutthroat is designed to accommodate modern thru-axle standards, ensuring rigidity and efficient power transfer.
vs. the Salsa Cutthroat C GX Eagle
The Salsa Cutthroat C GX Eagle, with its SRAM GX Eagle AXS drivetrain, is a more premium version of the Salsa Cutthroat C GRX 810. While both bikes share the same frame, the primary differences lie in the componentry as follows:
Drivetrain:
- GRX 810: Features Shimano GRX RX810 front and rear derailleurs with an 11-speed, 11–34t cassette.
- GX Eagle: Equipped with a SRAM GX Eagle AXS rear derailleur and a 12-speed, 10–52t cassette.
Shifter:
- GRX 810: Uses a Shimano GRX RX810 shifter.
- GX Eagle: Employs a SRAM Rival eTap AXS shifter with wireless shifting technology.
Brakes and Rotors:
- GRX 810: Features Shimano GRX RX810 brakes with Shimano RT70 rotors.
- GX Eagle: Comes with SRAM Rival Hydraulic brakes and SRAM CenterLine rotors.
Wheels:
- GRX 810: Rides on wheels with Shimano Deore XT hubs and WTB ST i25 rims.
- GX Eagle: Uses DT Swiss X1900 wheels.
Crankset:
- GRX 810: Equipped with a Race Face Aeffect-R crankset with Easton 46/30t chainrings.
- GX Eagle: Features a SRAM GX Eagle DUB crankset with a 34t chainring.
Seatpost:
- GRX 810: Uses a Salsa Guide seatpost.
- GX Eagle: Comes with a TranzX JD-YSP38 dropper post.
vs. the Salsa Cutthroat C GRX 600
The Salsa Cutthroat C GRX 600, with its Shimano GRX RX600 and RX812 components, is a budget-friendly version of the Salsa Cutthroat C GRX 810. While both bikes share the same frame, the primary differences lie in the componentry as follows:
- Drivetrain:
- GRX 600: Features Shimano GRX RX812 rear derailleur with an 11-speed, 11–42t cassette.
- GRX 810: Equipped with Shimano GRX RX810 front and rear derailleurs with an 11-speed, 11–34t cassette.
- Shifter:
- GRX 600: Uses a Shimano GRX RX600 shifter.
- GRX 810: Employs the Shimano GRX RX810 shifter for more precise and smoother shifting.
- Brakes and Rotors:
- GRX 600: Comes with Shimano GRX RX400 brakes and Shimano RT64 rotors.
- GRX 810: Features Shimano GRX RX810 brakes with Shimano RT70 rotors for enhanced braking performance.
- Ride Feel:
- GRX 600: Offers a reliable and efficient ride suitable for varied terrains, leaning towards a more budget-friendly option without compromising on performance.
- GRX 810: Delivers a smoother and more refined riding experience, especially noticeable in shifting and braking, making it ideal for riders seeking premium performance.
- Geometry:
- GRX 600: Shares the same foundational geometry as the GRX 810, ensuring consistent ride characteristics across the Cutthroat range.
- GRX 810: While the foundational geometry remains consistent with the GRX 600, the premium components can influence the overall ride feel, offering a slightly more responsive and agile experience.
vs. the Salsa Warbird C GRX 810
The Salsa Warbird C GRX 810 and the Salsa Cutthroat C GRX 810, while both being top-tier offerings from Salsa, cater to distinct riding experiences. The Warbird, with its specific geometry and componentry, is tailored for gravel racing, emphasizing agility and speed on mixed terrains. In contrast, the Cutthroat C GRX 810, with its endurance-oriented geometry, is designed for ultra-long-distance bikepacking races, prioritizing comfort and stability over extended periods. While both bikes boast premium components, their distinct designs make them suitable for different terrains and riding ambitions.
- Frame and Fork:
- Warbird C GRX 810: Uses the Warbird Carbon frame paired with the Waxwing fork, optimized for gravel racing.
- Cutthroat C GRX 810: Features the Cutthroat Carbon for both frame and fork, designed specifically for ultra-endurance bikepacking races.
- Crankset
- Warbird: Shimano GRX RX810-2, 48/31t
- Cutthroat: Race Face Aeffect-R, Easton 46/30t chainrings
- Wheels and Tires
- Warbird: Shimano RS470 hubs with WTB EZR i23 TCS rims, Teravail Cannonball 700c x 42 mm tires
- Cutthroat: Shimano Deore XT hubs with WTB ST i25 rims, Teravail Sparwood 29 x 2.2″ tires
- Ride Feel:
- Warbird C GRX 810: Tailored for gravel racing, it emphasizes agility, speed, and responsiveness on mixed terrains.
- Cutthroat C GRX 810: Designed for ultra-long-distance bikepacking, it prioritizes comfort, stability, and endurance over varied terrains.
- Geometry:
- Warbird C GRX 810: Its geometry is optimized for gravel racing, ensuring a balance between agility and stability on unpredictable terrains.
- Cutthroat C GRX 810: Features an endurance-oriented geometry, designed to provide comfort and consistent performance during extended rides and bikepacking adventures.
Features
Endurance Bikepacking Geometry: The geometry of the Salsa Cutthroat C GRX 810 is tailored for ultra-endurance bikepacking races, ensuring comfort and stability during extended rides across varied terrains.Features like a varied effective top tube length, reach, and stack across sizes ensure that riders of different statures can find a comfortable and efficient fit.
Premium Gravel Groupset: Equipped with the Shimano GRX RX810 groupset, the bike offers precise shifting and reliable performance, essential for long-distance adventures.
Tailored Bikepacking Geometry: Unlike many gravel bikes, the Cutthroat’s geometry is specifically designed for long-distance bikepacking and ultra-endurance events. This ensures a balance between speed and comfort over extended periods of riding.
Versatile Crankset: The Race Face Aeffect-R with Easton 46/30t chainrings offers a unique and versatile gear range that’s well-suited for a variety of terrains, from steep climbs to fast descents.
Multi-Surface Wheel Setup: The combination of Shimano Deore XT hubs with WTB ST i25 rims and Teravail Sparwood 29 x 2.2″ tires is uncommon in gravel bikes. This setup offers greater durability and is tailored for multi-surface adaptability.
Bag and Rack Mounting Points
The Salsa Cutthroat C GRX 810 is equipped with the following mounting points to cater to all your gear-hauling needs:
Front Fork Mounts: There are multiple mounts on both sides of the front fork for water bottles, cargo cages, or front racks.
Front Rack Mounts: Lowrider compatible. Salsa Down Under rack recommended.
Rear Rack Mounts: The bike’s rear is equipped with mounting points for a standard rear rack, suitable for panniers or additional equipment. However, due to the absence of upper mounting eyelets on the seatpost, it requires a Salsa Racklock Seatpost Collar. Salsa Wanderlust Rack recommended. Salsa Bent Rack Struts also required for installation on 58 cm and 60 cm frames. Not compatible with Salsa Wanderlust HD Rack.
Seat Tube Mounts: The seat tube also has mounts for a water bottle cage.
Down Tube Mounts: The down tube has mounts for a water bottle cage or for attaching additional gear.
Under Downtube Mount: There’s a mount under the downtube, which is a common place to carry an extra water bottle or tool keg.
Salsa Cutthroat C GRX 810 Featured in the Wild
The New Salsa Cutthroat Carbon GRX 810 1x is Built for High-Speed Adventures
The Salsa Cutthroat C GRX 810 is an ultra-endurance mountain bike designed for high-speed adventures. Inspired by the Tour Divide, a challenging bikepacking race from Canada to Mexico, the Cutthroat is engineered to be swift while carrying significant gear. The 2020 redesign has made the bike lighter and more compliant, enhancing its cargo-carrying capacity. Selene Yeager, the author, notes, “Fully loaded, the ‘Cutty’ is graceful, quick, and eye-catching, more pack unicorn than mule.” The bike’s geometry, combined with over 20 frame mounts, ensures a blend of speed and utility, making it a top choice for gravel-enduro racing and aggressive gravel riding.
2021 Salsa Cutthroat Carbon GRX 810 Review
The Salsa Cutthroat C GRX 810 is not your typical gravel bike. As reviewed by Matthew Page on off-road.cc, this bike is a unique blend of mountain and gravel biking, specifically crafted to handle the challenging ultra-adventure race, the Tour Divide. However, its capabilities extend beyond this niche. Page describes the Cutthroat as “incredibly capable and a huge amount of fun to ride,” even questioning if a hardtail mountain bike might be a better choice for some. He further states, “The Salsa Cutthroat might have been designed to tackle the Tour Divide, but I found myself choosing to ride it over more ‘standard’ bikes available simply because of how enjoyable it was.” The bike’s geometry, combined with its wide tires, offers a ride that’s both efficient and thrilling, especially on rough terrains.
Specs
Build Kit
The Salsa Cutthroat C GRX 810 drivetrain is dominated by Shimano GRX RX810 components, including both front and rear derailleurs, and is complemented by a Shimano HG700 11-speed cassette. The bike rides on Shimano Deore XT hubs, laced to WTB ST i25 rims, and is wrapped in Teravail Sparwood 29 x 2.2″ tubeless-ready tires. For rider comfort, it features a Zoom DR-AL-199BTFOV handlebar, a WTB SL8 Medium Steel SL saddle, and is finished with anti-slip silicone tape for grip.
Frameset
- Frame: Cutthroat Carbon
- Fork: Cutthroat Deluxe
Drivetrain
- Front Derailleur: Shimano GRX RX810
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano GRX RX810
- Cassette: Shimano HG700 11–34t, 11-speed
- Chain: Shimano HG601
- Crankset: Race Face Aeffect-R, Easton 46/30t chainrings
- Shifter: Shimano GRX RX810
- Brakes: Shimano GRX RX810
- Rotors: Shimano RT70 Center Lock rotors (160 mm)
Components
- Headset: Cane Creek 40
- Stem: Salsa Guide
- Handlebar: Zoom DR-AL-199BTFOV
- Grips / Bar Tape: Anti-Slip Silicone Tape
- Seatpost: Salsa Guide
- Saddle: WTB SL8 Medium Steel SL
- Seatclamp: Salsa Lip-Lock
Wheels
- Front Wheel: Shimano Deore XT 15 x 110 mm hub, WTB ST i25 rim, 32h
- Rear Wheel: Shimano Deore XT 12 x 148 mm hub, WTB ST i25 rim, 32h
- Tires: Teravail Sparwood 29 x 2.2″, 60 tpi, tubeless compatible, Durable casing
Frame Construction
The Salsa Cutthroat C GRX 810 frame is designed to accommodate a 29 x 2.25″ tire size, with the capability to fit up to a 29 x 2.4″ tire. The frame is versatile, designed to work with both suspension and rigid forks, featuring lengths of 506 mm (with 100 mm of travel) and 483 mm, respectively. For added stability and precision, the bike employs a 110 x 15 mm thru-axle in the front and a 148 x 12 mm thru-axle in the rear. Unlike traditional welding, the frame’s construction utilizes interior molds at all main front triangle junctions during the layup and curing process. This technique allows for precise control over wall thickness and inner-wall smoothness, particularly in high-stress zones. The result is increased compaction, reduced voids and wrinkles, and a top-quality carbon frame that consistently delivers high performance.
Geometry
| Size | 52cm | 54cm | 56cm | 58cm | 60cm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Effective Top Tube | 520 | 540 | 560 | 580 | 600 |
| B. Stand Over | 700.44 | 741.72 | 810.51 | 851.75 | 874.22 |
| C. Reach | 357.77 | 372.91 | 385.28 | 395.13 | 406.36 |
| D. Stack | 584.98 | 592.45 | 619.53 | 644.73 | 664.34 |
| E. Total Seat Tube Length | 355.6 | 419.1 | 508 | 558.8 | 584.2 |
| F. Headtube Length | 90 | 98 | 127 | 154 | 175 |
| G. Headtube Angle | 69 | 69 | 69 | 69 | 69 |
| H. Seat Tube Angle | 74.5 | 74.25 | 74.25 | 74 | 73.75 |
| I. BB Drop | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 |
| K. Chainstay Length | 445 | 445 | 445 | 445 | 445 |
| L. Fork Length Axle to Crown | 483 | 483 | 483 | 483 | 483 |
| M. Fork Offset | 51 | 51 | 51 | 51 | 51 |
| N. Wheelbase | 1049.54 | 1067.55 | 1090.31 | 1109.83 | 1128.6 |
| Crank Arm Length | 170 | 170 | 175 | 175 | 175 |
| Handlebar Width | 44cm | 46cm | 46cm or 48cm | 46cm or 50cm | 46cm or 52cm |
| Recommended Rider Height | 154cm–168cm | 168cm–175cm | 173cm–185cm | 183cm–193cm | 190cm–UP |
| Stem Length | 60 | 70 | 80 | 80 | 90 |
Measurements based on:
- an 483mm AC x 51mm offset fork which is equivalent to an average 100mm 29″ suspension fork at 25% sag
- a 29″ x 2.2″ tire measuring 740mm in diameter
- Standover for all sizes is measured vertically to top of toptube from a position 50mm forward of BB center
Warranty
WARRANTY REGISTRATIONS
Register your purchase at Salsa’s Warranty Registration.
LIMITED WARRANTY
Salsa Cycles ( “Salsa ” ) makes the following limited Warranty:
All Salsa products are warranted against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship from the date of retail purchase of the product, subject to the limitations detailed below. Every Salsa frame, component, and apparel has a useful product life cycle. The length of that useful product life cycle will vary depending on the construction and the materials of the product, maintenance and care the product receives, and the amount and type of use the product is subjected to over its life. Your bike has an intended level of use as defined by the ASTM Riding Condition Classification Chart. Failure to adhere to the use cases identified in this chart will void your warranty. Save your dated receipt for proof of purchase.
NOTE:
All warranty periods below apply to the original owner only
ONE YEAR WARRANTY
All apparel
All frame bags
Salsa Cycles does not guarantee the compatibility of original components with a warranty replacement frame. Salsa Cycles is not responsible for parts or labor required to remove and/or refit and re-adjust the product within the bicycle assembly, including wheel rebuilds.
Salsa Cycles cannot guarantee a color match to the original frame, component, or apparel in the event of a replacement.
This warranty applies to 2014 and newer model bicycles and covers only Salsa Cycles branded product. Any other original part or component shall be covered by the stated warranty of the original manufacturer. Any products not specifically included above are hereby excluded.
TWO YEAR WARRANTY
Aluminum chainstays of suspension frames
Aluminum seatstays of suspension frames
Carbon seatstays of suspension frames
All other suspension frame parts (excludes hanger, pivot hardware, bearings)
THREE YEAR WARRANTY
Aluminum frames
Aluminum front triangles of suspension frames
All Salsa forks
All Salsa components
FIVE YEAR WARRANTY
Steel frames
Titanium frames
Carbon frames
Carbon front triangle of suspension frames
THE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THE FOLLOWING
Damage due to improper assembly or follow-up maintenance or lack of skill, competence or experience of the user or assemble
Bicycles that were not assembled or serviced by an authorized Salsa Cycles dealer
Products that have been modified, neglected, used in competition, or for commercial purposes such as rental, courier, police, security, etc, misused or abused, involved in accidents or anything other than normal use
Installation of components, parts, or accessories not originally intended for use with or compatible with Salsa frames and components
Salsa Cycles bicycles, frames, components or softgoods purchased from an unauthorized dealer
Salsa Cycles bicycles, frames, components or softgoods purchased from third-party internet sites, including auction websites, and regional trading websites (examples: Amazon, eBay, and Craigslist) are not covered under this warranty, even if you have a receipt
Sandblasting, sanding, grinding, wire brushing, filing, welding, brazing, drilled holes, anodizing, refinishing, powder coating, or chrome plating the bicycle, frame, or component will void the warranty
Internal rust perforation on all steel frames
Wear, scratches, chips and cracks to paint, finish, or coating on all Salsa frames and components
Bent or broken derailleur hangers or Alternator plates
Labor required to remove and/or refit and re-adjust the product within the bicycle assembly, including wheel rebuilds
Damage to carbon fiber caused by any carbon assembly paste
Normal wear and tear
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
This limited warranty is expressly limited to the repair or replacement of a defective product, at the option of Salsa Cycles, and is the sole remedy of the warranty. This limited warranty applies only to the original purchaser of the Salsa Cycles product and is not transferable. This warranty applies only to Salsa Cycles products purchased through an authorized dealer or distributor. In no event shall Salsa Cycles be liable for any loss, inconvenience or damage, whether direct, incidental, consequential, or otherwise resulting from breach of any express or implied warranty or condition of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or otherwise with respect to our products except as set forth herein. This warranty gives the consumer specific legal rights, and those rights and other rights may vary from place to place. This warranty does not affect your statutory rights.
TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW, THESE WARRANTIES ARE EXCLUSIVE AND THERE ARE NO OTHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS INCLUDING WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
For 2013 and older model bicycles and products, please consult your Owner’s Manual, Salsa Cycles product instructions, or contact Salsa Cycles or your authorized Salsa dealer for the applicable warranty information.
