The Salsa Cassidy aluminum frame just dropped to $1,099 — that is 59% off the original $2,649 retail price. For a 165mm enduro 29er frame from a company with Salsa's reputation, this is a deal worth building around.
[title:10819111] [image:10819111]Why the Cassidy Stands Out
Salsa designed the Cassidy as a no-compromise enduro platform. The 6061-T6 aluminum frame uses double and triple-butted, heat-treated tubing that is strategically shaped for stiffness where you need it and compliance where you want it. This is not a downcountry bike pretending to be an enduro rig — with 165mm of rear travel paired with a 180mm fork up front, the Cassidy is built for steep, rough, and fast terrain.
The suspension design is the real headline. Salsa's Split Pivot+ platform, developed in partnership with Dave Weagle, delivers supple small-bump compliance at speed, consistent mid-stroke support, and progressive end-stroke for the big hits. The leverage rate is tuned for riders who carry momentum rather than picking their way through technical sections.
Geometry That Inspires Confidence
The numbers tell the story: a 63.8-degree head tube angle, 432mm chainstays, and a 75.7-degree seat tube angle. That slack front end plants the wheel in rough descents while the short rear end keeps the bike snappy through turns. The longer top tube means you can run a short stem for quick steering response without feeling cramped.
Salsa includes their Flip Chip 2.0 system integrated into the shock link mount. A quick swap lets you adjust bottom bracket height and head tube angle to suit different terrain or personal preference — no spacers or complicated hardware required.
Versatility Built In
One of the Cassidy's most interesting features is wheel size flexibility. The frame clears up to 29 x 2.6-inch tires, but you can also swap to 27.5-inch wheels running up to 3.0-inch rubber. That means one frame can serve as a long-travel 29er for speed and rollover or a 27.5+ setup for maximum traction and playfulness.
The frame also shares its platform with the Salsa Blackthorn. By swapping link sets and shock components, you can convert the 165mm Cassidy into a 140mm trail bike. That kind of adaptability is rare at any price — at $1,099 for the frame, it is exceptional.
Practical Trail Features
Salsa builds bikes for riders who actually spend full days on the trail, and the Cassidy reflects that. You get a full-size bottle cage mount on the down tube, a tube strap spot, and a top tube accessory mount for tools or nutrition. Internal cable routing keeps things clean. Molded frame protection guards against rock strikes on the down tube and chainstays.
The frame accepts a Super Boost 157mm rear hub spacing, which provides additional tire clearance and improves wheel stiffness — a meaningful benefit when you are pushing hard into rough terrain.
What to Build With It
At $1,099, you have serious room in the budget for a quality custom build. The stock shock spec is a RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ (230 x 62.5mm), and the frame is designed around a 180mm fork. A few build directions worth considering:
- Budget Build ($2,500–3,000 total): Pair with a RockShox ZEB Base or Marzocchi Z1, Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain, and Shimano MT420 four-piston brakes. You get enduro-capable performance without breaking the bank.
- Mid-Range Build ($3,500–4,500 total): Step up to a RockShox ZEB Select+ or Fox 38 Performance, Shimano SLX or SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain, and matching four-piston brakes. This hits the sweet spot between weight, performance, and value.
- Go All Out ($5,000+ total): Fox 38 Factory or RockShox ZEB Ultimate fork, SRAM X0 or Shimano XT drivetrain, carbon wheels, and top-tier brakes. At this budget you are building a bike that rivals $8,000+ complete builds.
Size Guide
The frame is available in the Large size (this listing), which fits riders from approximately 5'10" to 6'2" (180–188 cm). Salsa's reach of 481mm in Large is progressive without being extreme, making it a comfortable fit for most riders in that height range.
The Bottom Line
A sub-$1,100 enduro frame with Split Pivot+ suspension, convertible wheel sizes, Flip Chip geometry adjustment, and the ability to transform into a trail bike does not come around often. The Salsa Cassidy aluminum frame at Jenson USA represents one of the strongest value propositions in enduro mountain biking right now. If you have been waiting for the right time to build up a proper enduro rig, this is it.