Salsa Timberjack frameset: Tested
If you have ridden a bike for a long time you will be familiar with the concept of n+1, where n is the number of bikes you own now, while n+1 is the number of bikes you would like to own. I’ve been thinking a trail hardtail would be a good addition for fun and adventure – enter the Salsa Timberjack.
The build
The Salsa Timberjack is available as a frameset ($1799) or a whole bike ($3390). I opted for the frameset so I could build it up as I wanted. While the frame can take 100mm-150mm travel forks, I used a 120mm short travel Ohlins trail fork that I already had, along with the new SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission 12-speed group set, and SRAM’s Motive four-piston brakes. I finished the build with some of my EIE carbon rimmed wheels, a Beast carbon riser bar, and Wolftooth dropper post.
So why the Timberjack? I wanted something reliable and versatile. The alloy frame has a threaded bottom bracket for easy servicing, internal routing that does not go through the headset, tyre clearance for 29×2.6-inch tyres (or 27.5×2.8-inch), three water bottle mounts, a top tube bag mount and progressive geometry, with a 66-degree head angle and 75-degree seat tube. What is cool are the bolt-on drop-out options. I bought the UDH kit to work with a SRAM Transmission drivetrain where the derailleur becomes part of the frame.
The dropouts allow a 17mm difference in chainstay length, to help get the handling – or clearance – you’re after. Longer will be more stable and will climb better on steep ascents, while shorter may feel nimbler but could make keeping the front wheel on the ground tricky on steep climbs. You can even get a singlespeed hanger kit.
On the trail
The build I put together is very nice; it was no surprise the Timberjack felt great from the get-go. With a low-rise bar, plus 120mm fork, 2.4-inch tyres with tyre inserts and some burly brakes, I’ve had a ball letting the Timberjack run free on some of my local trails. The front end is direct and a longer travel fork would open even more lines on rougher terrain. The handling is forgiving without being lazy; it takes away any nervous feeling you might associate with riding a hardtail. The steep seat angle and long reach deliver a comfortable climbing position when things go up.
I have also used the Timberjack for a three-day casual bikepacking trip on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail and found it perfect. I could sling a bar roll on the bars, along with a top tube bag, and pedal all day. The same geometry that makes it stable at speed on the trails means the Timberjack isn’t a handful with extra weight strapped on. What’s cool is the frame can take a lot more gear than how I have loaded it up so far. The downtube projects forward which helps fit two full size bottles into the main triangle – or makes more room for a frame bag, custom or otherwise. Salsa has included bosses underneath the downtube for an additional mount – be it for a water bottle or equipment storage. While there are no rack bosses on the frame, there are on the dropouts, and you can get a seat collar for a top mount. Many of the modern racks will also be able to be fitted, such as Aeroe, or Tailfin, amongst others.
In November of 2025 I decided to splash out and upgrade the drivetrain to Shimano’s new XT Di2, ahead of tackling the Hunt 1000 event. Some may worry about having another battery to charge, but the effortless shifting won me over for days with long hours. I also swapped the Ohlins fork over to the Fox 34SC from my old hardtail, as the remote lock out was preferred for the bikepacking event. Yep, I can see this frame taking on a few guises over the coming years!
The final word on the Salsa Timberjack
The Salsa Timberjack may well replace my XC hardtail given how versatile it is, while also ticking the box as a light trail bike and bikepacking bike. If you’ve got a number of outdoor pursuits and need to add a mountain bike, then this is a great place to look. The ride quality is just as good as much pricier bikes, and the design and features are considered. The Timberjack is a bike that you can ride to the office on Mondays, meet friends for a post-work trail ride on Wednesdays and jump into a sprint adventure race on the weekend. It’s no quiver-killer but I can tell I’ll hold onto the Timberjack for a long time to come.
RRP: $1799 (frameset)
See Salsa Cycles for more info.
