NOTE: this was written in March 2020. My Horsethief has changed considerably since…
The Horsethief has morphed from my first Salsa full suspension mountain bike, the pony rustler. When I realised the Horsethief was compatible with my preferred wheel/tire combo (27.5+/mid fat) I decided to build the ultimate backcountry bikepacking rig and use it on my upcoming mission into the jungles of the Whanganui on a six day bikerafting expedition.
I was first drawn to the Salsa brand by their ‘adventure by bike’ ethos and their hip/alternate approach to the American bike market. This was when the mountain biking world was frothing over the plus tire thing and I jumped on the bandwagon. I loved it and still do, the traction on gnarly terrain is like riding on rails. I also like the ability to tailor the ride by checking PSI. It seems the plus trend has peaked as the new normal seems to be 27.5 x 2.5-2.6 or true adventure styles 29 x 2.8-3.0 (29+).
The 2019 Horsethief was a totally re designed frame with even more emphasis on the backcountry bikepacking market by means of a larger front triangle space with more bolt on points, bolt on top tube bag mounts and modern relaxed head angle.
I’ve been using a frame bag on my full sus rig for a couple of years thanks to Dirtbag Utility. I got to the point of leaving it on full time for short rides to swallow pump, tools and spare tube. So the the idea of having an even bigger frame bag was super enticing. Unfortunately the slow down of airfreight pre virus meant the salsa branded frame bag didn’t arrive in time. This is where the versatility of the Horsethief came into play and I decided to put two bottle cages on with the capacity to carry 1.5 litres water meaning I dispatched with a hydration bladder.
A top tube bag is an essential for multi day, quick snacks, my phone or Inreach and bum lube live there and bolt on make the set up way more bomber.
I only managed a few short rides on the Horsethief pre trip, my first impressions were a significantly stiffer rear end which was a big improvement on the puny seat stays/ chain stays of the Pony rustler. The longer wheel base felt more stable in the bike park but little more cumbersome on the techy gnar.
On the 2nd day of the trip ( the first on the bike) I realised straight away I was sitting too far into the sag not having checked w a load on. and bummed out w the reality check that for on a trip w 3 full sus bikes, why o why did we not have a shock pump, doh! I adjusted my load accordingly and didn’t think about it for the next 4 days...too much. Subsequently for most of the Mangapurua, graded 4 but in primo dry conditions I was wondering if the Mukluk fat bike would of been a better weapon. Once hitting the jungle ultra tech of the Matemateonga I had a small light bulb moment in the reality that a full sus, plus tired bike was the ideal bike and initially my eye balls were hanging out for the first few hours I quickly starting whooping and hollering enjoying the Horsethief’s ability to absorb the big hits hiding in the overgrown regrowth.
The build, I custom built the pony rustler from my previous rig and the remaining component from that Santa Cruz build is the Ibis 741 wheels I re hubbed them to boost for the first Salsa, now I’m using a spacer on the rear for the new 157mm super boost hub spacing. These wheels have been superb are still straight as a gate and took too plus tires like a duck to water with the 35mm internal width.
I am a bit of Fox fan so it was an easy choice to change the travel of the Factory 34 from 130 to 140mm. I wonder if a 36 or Pike would be more appropriate for a bikepacking build though.
I had to purchase a new seatpost for the horsethief and Dave at Goat Cycles recommended the Fox Transfer. It’s buttery smooth and super stiff, however I did have an issue w the cable pulling thru on the first day of riding on the Whanganui, it probably just needed a fraction more torque.
I’ve always preferred Shimano components especially their brakes. I was stoked to get a deal on the XTR 4 pot trail brakes and it took till the 4th day of the trip until, it dawned on me that my brakes were dime stoppingly good.
The drive train is heavily shimano, 11sp XTR rear mech, cassette, XTR shifter, and factory cranks from Sram.
Cockpit is 800mm carbon Salsa Rustler handlebars and a longish 70mm Salsa Guide stem (I’m on the big side of the sizing for a medium frame).
Pedals are the best in th business XTR trail.
I’ve preferred Teravail rubber for as long as Bryce at Cyclewerks has been carrying them and they one of the QBP brands (Quality Bicycle Products) that Salsa is incorporated too so they also very much lend themselves to the Adventure by Bike brand and therefore have great variety for us kooky plus riders. For the gnarliest trails I prefer the Kennebec 27.5x2.8.
I was amping to come back to Canterbury and get further acquainted to the Horsethief, global events mean that the most it’s done is laps on the forest bike track, it’s been fun but not the environment for this bike, it really need to be slashing scree, being carried to the top of Mint Lyndon or screaming down The Edge of Craigieburn.