Salsa launch new Cutthroat 'ultra endurance' bike for 2020, with more accessory mounts and a redesigned fork

Salsa Cycles have revamped their 'ultra-endurance' Cutthroat for 2020, featuring an updated frame, a totally redesigned carbon fork and increased cargo capacity. Taking the line-blurring between mtb and road to extreme levels, the Cutthroat has drop bars but comes with 29er wheels and tyres only. 

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Invariably described as a 'drop bar mountain bike', Salsa themselves position the Cutthroat as a steed perfect for taking on some of the world's toughest unsupported cycling events on mixed terrain, such as the brutal 2,745 mile Tour Divide. 

The latest version makes the Cutthroat even more suitable for long journeys on your lonesome, with top tube mounts, three pack mounts on the fork, three bottle mounts inside the main frame triangle (two on the smallest 52cm version) and two further accessory mounts on the underside of the down tube. it's also compatible with a whole host of accessories Salsa have developed to fit directly onto the frame mounts. Salsa's innovative EXP Series Thumb Screws also allow for tool-free attachment of the packs to the frame. 

The redesigned frame features a vibration reduction system to offer a more comfortable ride, and the 69° head tube angle with a longer wheelbase should provide greater stability. Salsa claim the new 775g high-modulus carbon fork is 32% more compliant than the previous Cutthroat fork, and it now has abrasion-resistant plates in high-wear areas to prevent mud damage. Brake and internal dynamo cable routing is internal. 

Interestingly Salsa are speccing most models with mountain bike cranks and road/gravel components elsewhere, with both 1x and 2x versions coming with Race Face mountain boost cranks and Easton direct-mount chainrings. The maximum chainring size for 2x is 50/34t (complete bikes ship with 46/30t) and for 1x you can go up to 40t. 

The new Cutthroat comes in sizes ranging from 52cm to 60cm, and with Shimano GRX 810 Di2 components it'll set you back £5,800. With mechanical GRX 810 it's £4,200 and £3,300 with GRX 600, and you can also go for the SRAM Apex 1 version for £2,850; the frameset is priced at £2,150. Check out Salsa's website for more info.