The Salsa Cutthroat Apex AXS is built for riders who want to venture beyond the beaten path. Its carbon frame with Class 5 VRS, drop-bar mountain bike geometry and SRAM Apex AXS Eagle Transmission drivetrain create a stable and efficient platform for long-distance off-road adventures.
The stock dropper post and wireless 1x12 drivetrain further enhance its capability on technical terrain while preserving the versatility that has made the Cutthroat one of the defining bikes of modern endurance bikepacking.
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The Cutthroat for the adventurer
The Salsa Cutthroat Apex AXS represents one of the most modern interpretations of the Cutthroat platform.
It retains everything that made the Cutthroat famous in the endurance bikepacking world — a carbon frame, Class 5 VRS technology, drop-bar mountain bike geometry and impressive cargo capacity — while adding a wireless SRAM Eagle Transmission drivetrain and a dropper post as standard.
It was designed for long off-road crossings, forest tracks, remote routes and self-supported adventures, yet it also delivers surprisingly capable handling on more technical terrain thanks to the combination of 29" wheels, MTB gearing and a dropper post.
The Cutthroat is not simply an oversized gravel bike. It is a platform designed from the ground up to cover big distances across mixed terrain while maintaining speed, control and comfort even when fatigue starts to build.
Carbon and Class 5 VRS
The Cutthroat C frame uses high-modulus carbon fibre and Salsa's proprietary Class 5 VRS (Vibration Reduction System).
The concept is straightforward: the seatstays are engineered to flex in a controlled way and absorb a portion of trail vibration, while the rest of the rear triangle remains laterally stiff to preserve pedalling efficiency.
The result is not a disguised suspension system but a meaningful reduction in rider fatigue over long distances.
On gravel roads, rough tracks and washboard surfaces, the difference becomes increasingly noticeable after many hours in the saddle, when comfort and efficiency begin to matter more than a few grams of weight.
SRAM Apex AXS Eagle Transmission
The heart of this version is the SRAM Apex AXS Eagle Transmission 1x12 drivetrain.
Compared to the GRX 610 model, it offers:
wireless electronic shifting
simpler adjustment and setup
full SRAM AXS ecosystem integration
a wide 10–52 gear range
The Eagle Transmission system comes directly from the mountain bike world and provides gearing particularly suited to steep climbs, fully loaded bikepacking and long off-road ascents.
The SRAM S1000 Eagle Transmission rear derailleur uses the frame's UDH interface and offers a particularly robust construction for demanding off-road use.
Dropper post as standard
One of the most interesting differences compared to the GRX 610 is the inclusion of a 90 mm TranzX dropper post.
It may seem like a small detail, but when the terrain becomes technical it allows you to lower your centre of gravity quickly and improve bike control.
For riders who regularly tackle singletrack, rough descents or alpine routes, a dropper post quickly becomes a feature that is difficult to live without.
Wheels and components
The Cutthroat Apex AXS is equipped with:
WTB KOM Team TCS 2.0 rims with 25 mm internal width
Shimano TC500 Boost hubs
Teravail Sparwood 29 x 2.2" tyres
The component selection prioritises reliability, ease of maintenance and compatibility with long-distance travel.
The Teravail Sparwood remains one of the benchmark tyres in the bikepacking world thanks to its excellent balance of rolling efficiency, comfort and traction.
Who is the Cutthroat Apex AXS for?
The Apex AXS is arguably the most balanced Cutthroat in the range.
It is ideal for riders who:
want the convenience of electronic shifting
regularly ride off-road terrain
want a bike that is ready for travel and bikepacking with minimal modifications
appreciate the benefits of a dropper post
are looking for a modern platform that is less extreme than the Rival GX AXS
If the GRX 610 is the explorer's Cutthroat, the Apex AXS is the adventurer's Cutthroat.
Which Salsa Cutthroat should you choose?
The Cutthroat is available in several configurations that share the same frame but interpret off-road travel in different ways.
The correct size and overall setup have a major impact on how a Cutthroat performs.
We can help you evaluate:
frame size selection
bikepacking setup
future upgrade options
rack and luggage compatibility
Contact us before purchasing for dedicated advice.
FAQ
Is the Cutthroat Apex AXS a gravel bike?
Not in the traditional sense. The Cutthroat was designed as a drop-bar mountain bike and uses geometry, tyre clearance and cargo capacity that place it much closer to the world of endurance MTB and bikepacking.
Can I install a suspension fork?
Yes. The frame is compatible with suspension forks up to 100 mm travel and 506 mm axle-to-crown height.
Can I use racks?
Yes. The frame is compatible with rear racks and the fork includes numerous mounting points for accessories and additional cargo.
Can I run a 2x drivetrain?
The frame is designed to accommodate double chainring configurations, even though this complete bike is supplied with a 1x12 drivetrain.
Is it suitable for the Tour Divide?
The Cutthroat was developed directly from the Tour Divide experience and remains one of the benchmark platforms for this type of event.
CTA
Not sure which Cutthroat makes the most sense for your riding?
Get in touch and tell us about your project: lightweight bikepacking, ultra-distance events, off-road travel or long-range expeditions.
We'll help you choose the configuration that best matches your goals.
Technical specifications
Frame and fork
Frame
Salsa Cutthroat C High Modulus Carbon
Technology
Class 5 VRS
Colour
Tangerine
Fork
Salsa Cutthroat Carbon Deluxe
Headset
FSA NO.42/ACB
Bottom Bracket
Press Fit BB92 41 x 92 mm
Drivetrain
Rear Derailleur
SRAM S1000 Eagle Transmission
Shifters
SRAM Apex AXS D1
Crankset
SRAM Stylo 6K Eagle DUB 34T
Cassette
SRAM XS-1270 T-Type 10–52
Chain
SRAM GX Eagle Transmission Flattop
Brakes
Brakes
SRAM Apex Hydraulic Disc
Rotors
SRAM CenterLine 160 mm
Wheels
Front Wheel
Shimano TC500 / WTB KOM Team 25 TCS 2.0
Rear Wheel
Shimano TC500 / WTB KOM Team 25 TCS 2.0
Tyres
Teravail Sparwood 29 x 2.2" Tubeless Ready
Components
Handlebar
Salsa Cowchipper
Stem
Salsa Guide
Seatpost
TranzX JD-YSP38 Dropper Post 90 mm
Saddle
WTB SL8 Medium Cromoly
Bar Tape
Velo Anti-Slip Shock-Proof Silicone
Weight
Claimed Weight
Approx. 11.3 kg (size 56 cm)
Geometry
Size
52
54
56
58
60
Effective Top Tube
520
540
560
580
600
Reach
358
373
385
395
406
Stack
585
592
620
645
664
Head Tube Length
90
98
127
154
175
Head Tube Angle
69°
69°
69°
69°
69°
Seat Tube Angle
74.5°
74.25°
74.25°
74°
73.75°
BB Drop
70
70
70
70
70
Chainstay Length
445
445
445
445
445
Wheelbase
1050
1067
1091
1110
1129
Suggested Rider Height
154–168 cm
168–175 cm
173–185 cm
183–193 cm
190+ cm
Brand
Reference
BK00422
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