How to Choose Mountain Bikes

With ample accessory mounts and progressive trail geometry that's stable on descents and techy sections, the Salsa Timberjack XT 27.5 bike is a well-rounded hardtail that handles aggressive trails.
Imported.
Best Use | Mountain Biking |
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Frame | 6061-T6 aluminum |
Mountain Bike Style | Trail |
Bike Suspension | Front Suspension |
Fork | RockShox 35 Silver TK, 130 mm, 44 mm offset |
Fork Travel | 130 millimeters |
Crankset | Shimano MT510, 30T |
Bottom Bracket | Shimano BB-MT501 |
Rear Derailleur | Shimano XT M8100 SGS |
Rear Cogs | 6100-12, 10-51T, 12-speed |
Number of Gears | 12 gear(s) |
Brake Type | Hydraulic Disc Brake |
Brakes | Shimano MT401, Shimano RT10 Center Lock (180 mm front, 160 mm rear) |
Brake Levers | Shimano MT401 |
Rims | WTB ST i40 32h, 27.5 in. rim |
Front Hub | 400-B 15 x 110 mm hub |
Rear Hub | 410-B Micro Spline 12 x 148 mm hub |
Wheel Size | 27.5+ inches |
Tires | Front: Maxxis Minion DHF (EXO, TR); rear: Maxxis Rekon (EXO, TR) |
Tire Width | 2.8 inches |
Handlebar Shape | Flat Bar |
Handlebar | Race Face Chester 35 |
Stem | Salsa Guide Trail |
Seat Post | TranzX YSI05 RAD+/Shimano MT500 lever, 30 mm travel adjust |
Dropper Post | Yes |
Saddle | WTB Volt 250 Steel |
Pedals | Not included |
Headset | FSA Orbit 1.5E ACB |
Chain | Shimano Deore M6100 |
Weight | 33 pounds |
Bike Weight | Bike weight is based on median size, as sold, or the average of two median sizes. |
Gender | Unisex |
XS | S | M | L | XL | |
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Height Range | 5'1'' - 5'4'' | 5'3'' - 5'9'' | 5'8'' - 6'0'' | 5'11'' - 6'3'' | 6'2'' - UP |
Reach | 410.7 | 433.6 | 453.6 | 475.5 | 492.6 |
Stack | 499 | 499 | 607.4 | 613.5 | 625.5 |
Effective Top Tube | 570 | 594.1 | 615.3 | 639 | 659.3 |
Seat Tube Center-Top | 342.9 | 370 | 395 | 432 | 457.2 |
Standover Height | 702.9 | 722.6 | 742.1 | 772.1 | 792.9 |
Head Tube Length | 100 | 100 | 105 | 115 | 125 |
Head Tube Angle (degrees) | 66.4 | 66.4 | 66.4 | 66.4 | 66.4 |
Seat Tube Angle (degrees) | 75.1 | 75.1 | 75.1 | 75.1 | 75.1 |
Wheelbase | 1120 | 1142.5 | 1164.5 | 1180.5 | 1211.7 |
Chainstay | 420 | 420 | 420 | 420 | 420 |
Fork Offset | 44 | 44 | 44 | 44 | 44 |
Measurements are stated in millimeters unless otherwise indicated.
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Got this bike a year ago with the intention of bikepacking on it. While I have only had time to do mostly single overnighters and two weekend trips with it, it has been fantastic! I went with the 27.5 inch version of this bike over the 29 inch because I wanted something that would be able to climb better and the ability to change the chain-stay length helps with that immensely. That being said, be aware that changing the chain-stay length to the shorter configuration also makes the bike a little less stable on the descents. This is not a bad thing per say, but it might take some getting used to. The tires were too wide for what I was intending because I wanted tires with less rolling resistance, but they are nice and the whole setup is tubeless compatible, even comes with a tubeless valve. I am by no means taking this on large jumps, I am still somewhat a beginner, but I have comfortably done four foot jumps at the local dirt park and done smaller 1.5 foot drops on the trail while it is loaded up. Just make sure you have the correct air pressure in the suspension for what you intend to do as well as adjusted for your weight. For a reference, I am 5' 8" and the medium was a perfect size.