jmeb

I've been riding my TI 26" hardtail with V-brakes for a couple seasons now in CO. It's about as high end as that era of bikes can go: XT/XTR build, Reba Team fork, Ti frame. But after a short jaunt on my friends Yeti I have an itch for a bit more suspension 29" wheels.

For reference I'm 6'2" with slightly longer legs than torso. I tend towards more XC type-riding with the standard long CO rocky descents. My whole body hurt after doing Monarch Pass on the TI stead and am looking for something that will take a bit less out of me.

Thoughts on picking up the following bike appreciated. Particular pain points with this model (brakes?)? Sizing advice?

$1100.
- XL 2012 Salsa Horsethief
- Stock build (2012 Horsethief | Bikes | Salsa Cycles) except the following which all have 1/2 a season on them:
- Chris King bottom bracket
- New Chain
- GEAX Saguaro tires

Suspension has not been serviced since new. Claims that shop suggested no service when bb/chain were installed. No mileage estimate yet.

ColinL

Pass. It's a single pivot. Later, I think 2014 model year, Salsa licensed something from Dave Weagle and now they have some kind of linkage-driven suspension that pedals much more efficiently.

I would ride a single pivot bike downhill in Colorado, but I wouldn't want to ride it back up.

dminor 

Gosh, guess someone should have told Colorado company Yeti Cycles that, eh ?

jmeb

I'm thinking the size is more of an issue (I probably am more of an L it sounds like) than the single pivot. The rear shock has ProPedal settings to adjust firmness and reduce pedal bob.

ColinL

They're all switch link or switch infinity now, except the 303, right?

Canker

2012 Salsa Horsethief - New and Used Bike Value
price seems pretty fair to me.

It has the CTD rear shock so I don't see the single pivot thing as such a negative as ColinL. I have a single pivot pro-pedal rear suspension though and it doesn't bother me. Yes a fancy rear suspension would be better but test ride it and see if you like it first. $1100 doesn't go a long way even used when it comes to highend full suspension bikes.

osco53

I ride my single pivot up big hills and down all the time. Never wanted for more. No complaints..
Remember OP. It ain't the bike, It's the engines..... Always has been.

Papa Wheelie

If I were you, I would go check that bike out.

I had a 2013 Salsa Spearfish, with the single-pivot rear end. I loved it. It had the Rock Shock Monarch shock, and you could tune it to the platform that you wanted. Very efficient bike, and this one should have a little more downhill in her blood.

I sold that, and bought the Salsa Bucksaw. That has the Split-Pivot rear end by Dave Weagle, similar to the DW-Link. Is it different? Yes. By one skosh. It will still be active when braking, and the platform feels a LITTLE different.

I think somebody would have to ride each bike back to back to back to tell the difference. In my opinion, the BIGGEST difference between the two bikes is the purchase price. $1,100 for that Horsethief? That is ASKING PRICE! You might get a little wiggle out of that. The Bucksaw was $5,000, no wiggle room.

Having owned bikes with both rear ends, I say go ride that thing.

dminor 

Only the SBs and 303 WC. Everything else, from the ASR to the venerable 575 is still single-pivot.

gsa103

Looks like a good deal. Definitely an upgrade from your current bike. I currently have a Yeti 575, and with a ProPedal shock its fine for climbing. Assuming the suspension isn't shot, that's a good price. Even if you had to spend $300 tuning it up (replacement parts), $1300-1400 a great price for a solid FS rig.

ColinL

Consider me enlightened!



I did a demo event in 2012 and rode a Horsethief and Spearfish. A shock with platform does help, but when you set it up for pedaling efficiency you will lose bump compliance. With a more sophisticated suspension, you can have your cake and eat it too.

That said... of course you could ride this bike happily in Colorado, assuming it's the right size.

jmeb

Well damn, dude had a bunch of email exchanges with me, setup a meeting tonight. Just got an email that he sold it this AM. I wasn't available. Ce la Craigslist.