2021 Salsa Timberjack Gets New Geometry and 9 Builds

The Salsa Timberjack made our list of top 5 bikepacking bikes for 2020, and for good reason. It’s well specced, reasonably priced, and has a balanced geometry that’s perfect for bikepacking and trail riding. The Timberjack is a value-packed aluminum hardtail built up around a 130mm travel fork, modern components and specs, and is one of the safest bets for anyone looking for a versatile mountain bike for bikepacking.

Although I dealt out a lot of praise in my review last year, there’s always room for improvement, and Salsa appears to have addressed some of the major geometry related critiques I had. The biggest change is a slacker head tube angle, from 67.6° to 66.35°, and a steeper seat tube, from 73.2° to 75.1°. These changes should result in a more efficient pedalling position and a slacker front end that will help on steep, technical descents. The chainstay length and bottom bracket height remain unchanged, while the effective top tube length and wheelbase are also relatively similar. Otherwise, the only other changes are the addition of top tube bosses, down tube three pack mounts, Salsa’s Alternator 2.0 dropouts, revised cable routing, and some integrated chainstay protection. The frame is also now designed to handle up to a 150mm travel fork, for those exploring bigger, more challenging terrain.

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The 2021 Salsa Timberjack is offered in eight complete builds, from $1,699 to $2,499 USD—depending on what level of components are desired. Within each build is the option to choose between 29 x 2.6″ or 27.5 x 2.8″ tires, and new for 2021 is a singlespeed Timberjack at the lowest price point. Salsa will continue to offer the Timberjack as a frame-only for $599 USD as well as a titanium frame-only for $2,699 USD, though the latter didn’t receive a geometry update. Find each model, build highlights, pricing, and photos below.

2021 Salsa Timberjack GX Eagle 27.5+

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• U.S. MSRP $2,499
• Marzocchi Bomber Z2 AirSweep Adjust, 130mm
• SRAM GX Eagle, 10-52T 12-speed
• SRAM Guide T Hydraulic Brakes
• WTB ST i40 Rims
• WTB Speedterra XD Hubs, Maxxis Minion DHF (front) / Rekon (rear) 27.5 x 2.8″

2021 Salsa Timberjack GX Eagle 29

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• U.S. MSRP $2,499
• Marzocchi Bomber Z2 AirSweep Adjust, 130mm
• SRAM GX Eagle, 10-52T 12-speed
• SRAM Guide T Hydraulic Brakes
• WTB ST i30 Rims
• WTB Speedterra XD Hubs, Maxxis Minion DHF (front) / Rekon (rear) 29 x 2.6″

2021 Salsa Timberjack XT 27.5+

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• U.S. MSRP $2,099
• RockShox 35 Gold RL, 130mm
• Shimano XT, 10-51T 12-speed
• Shimano MT501 or Tektro M745 Hydraulic Brakes
• WTB ST i40 Rims
• Shimano MT410/MT400 Hubs, Maxxis Minion DHF (front) / Rekon (rear) 27.5 x 2.8″

2021 Salsa Timberjack XT 29

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• U.S. MSRP $2,099
• RockShox 35 Gold RL, 130mm
• Shimano XT, 10-51T 12-speed
• Shimano MT501 or Tektro M745 Hydraulic Brakes
• WTB ST i30 Rims
• Shimano MT410/MT400 Hubs, Maxxis Minion DHF (front) / Rekon (rear) 29 x 2.6″

2021 Salsa Timberjack SLX 27.5+

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• U.S. MSRP $1,799
• RockShox 35 Silver TK, 130mm
• Shimano SLX, 10-51T 12-speed
• Shimano MT401 Hydraulic Brakes
• WTB ST i40 Rims
• Shimano MT400/MT410 Hubs, Maxxis Minion DHF (front) / Rekon (rear) 27.5 x 2.8″

2021 Salsa Timberjack SLX 29

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• U.S. MSRP $1,799
• RockShox 35 Silver TK, 130mm
• Shimano SLX, 10-51T 12-speed
• Shimano MT401 Hydraulic Brakes
• WTB ST i30 Rims
• Shimano MT400/MT410 Hubs, Maxxis Minion DHF (front) / Rekon (rear) 29 x 2.6″

2021 Salsa Timberjack 27.5+ Singlespeed

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• U.S. MSRP $1,699
• RockShox 35 Gold RL, 130mm
• Shimano MT510 Crank 32T/18T
• Shimano MT401 Hydraulic Brakes
• WTB ST i40 Rims
• Shimano MT400 Hubs, Maxxis Minion DHF (front) / Rekon (rear) 27.5 x 2.8″

2021 Salsa Timberjack 29 Singlespeed

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• U.S. MSRP $1,699
• RockShox 35 Gold RL, 130mm
• Shimano MT510 Crank 32T/18T
• Shimano MT401 Hydraulic Brakes
• WTB ST i30 Rims
• Shimano MT400 Hubs, Maxxis Minion DHF (front) / Rekon (rear) 29 x 2.6″

We’re quite excited about the update and the range of builds to choose from. Plus, we’re getting one in for a closer look soon. Stay tuned! Until then, head over to SalsaCycles.com to learn more.

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