Salsa Cassidy Alloy Enduro Frame — Brushed Aluminum | $1,099.00 (was $2,649) at Jenson USA
Key Takeaway: The Salsa Cassidy alloy enduro frame is a Split Pivot+ enduro platform with 165mm of rear travel, 63.8° head tube angle, and a Flip Chip 2.0 for on-the-fly geo tuning — at $1,099 (down from $2,649 at Jenson USA), it undercuts carbon enduro frames by thousands. Best for custom-build riders who want bike-park-ready descending capability without the carbon premium. Air-shock only; not compatible with coil.
The Salsa Cassidy aluminum frame brings genuine enduro capability to riders who want a purpose-built descender without the carbon price tag. With 165mm of rear travel powered by Split Pivot+ suspension and a geometry that inspires confidence on the steepest lines, this frame punches well above its weight class.
Who the Salsa Cassidy Frame Is For
The Cassidy targets riders who spend their weekends pushing into aggressive terrain — rock gardens, steep chutes, bike park laps, and technical descents that demand long-travel suspension. If you've been riding a trail bike and find yourself wanting more capability on the downhill without giving up the ability to pedal back to the top, the Cassidy lives in that sweet spot between trail and full downhill.
It's also an excellent choice for riders building a custom enduro rig. Buying the frame separately lets you spec components to your exact preferences and budget, reusing parts from an existing build or upgrading where it matters most.
Frame Construction and Materials
The Cassidy uses 6061-T6 double- and triple-butted, heat-treated aluminum throughout. Salsa has added molded protection on the seatstay, chainstay, down tube, and seat tube to guard against rock strikes and trail debris. Internal cable routing keeps the cockpit clean and protects housing from the elements.
At $1,099 for the frame and shock, the Cassidy positions well below carbon enduro frames from Santa Cruz, Yeti, and Specialized while delivering a modern, aggressive geometry that holds its own on race day or weekend shuttle runs.
Split Pivot+ Suspension: What Makes It Different
Split Pivot+ — developed by Dave Weagle — isolates pedaling forces from braking forces. In practical terms, the rear suspension stays active and supple under braking instead of locking up through rough sections when you're on the binders. It also pedals efficiently on climbs because anti-squat is tuned independently of the braking circuit.
The frame ships with a RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ air shock (230 × 62.5mm) and is designed to pair with a 170–180mm-travel fork with 42–51mm offset. One useful detail: the Flip Chip 2.0 in the shock link mount lets you adjust head tube angle and bottom bracket height to suit your terrain or wheel size without swapping parts.
Geometry at a Glance
- Head tube angle: 63.8° (slack — built for steep descending)
- Seat tube angle: 75.7° (steep — keeps weight centered for efficient climbing)
- Chainstays: 432mm (compact, snappy through tight switchbacks)
- Reach: 439mm (Small) → 502mm (Extra Large)
- Sizes: Four total, fits riders ~5'5" to well over 6'2"
- Adjustable geo: Flip Chip 2.0 swaps head angle and BB height
Salsa recommends running a shorter stem to complement the longer front-center across all sizes.
Tire and Wheel Compatibility
Out of the box the Cassidy is a 29er with clearance for tires up to 29 × 2.6 inches. If you prefer the added traction and compliance of plus-sized rubber, the frame also accepts 27.5-inch wheels with tires up to 3.0 inches wide — a swap that lowers the bottom bracket slightly and shifts the ride character toward more playful handling.
The Super Boost 157mm rear hub spacing is worth noting when selecting wheels. It's wider than standard Boost 148mm, so check hub compatibility if you're transferring a wheelset from another bike.
Build Considerations
With a 73mm BSA threaded bottom bracket, 30.9mm seatpost diameter, and standard headset sizing (ZS44/ZS56), the Cassidy works with a wide range of aftermarket components. A few things to plan around:
- Air shock only. The leverage rate is optimized for air springs — coil shocks are not compatible
- Dropper sizing. Internal dropper routing is included; at this travel level a 170–200mm dropper makes sense depending on frame size
- Bottle cage mounts. Included on the down tube — a nice touch for longer backcountry rides
How It Rides
Reviewers consistently praise the Cassidy for descending confidence. The combination of slack geometry and active suspension lets riders push speed through sections that would have them reaching for the brakes on a shorter-travel bike. The aluminum frame has a slightly more compliant feel compared to carbon, which some riders prefer for the damped feedback it provides through rough terrain.
Climbing is respectable for an enduro frame. Split Pivot+ keeps the suspension from wallowing under pedal input, and the steep seat angle puts you in a good position for sustained fire road ascents. It won't climb like a cross-country bike, but that's not what you're buying it for.
The Bottom Line
The Salsa Cassidy aluminum frame delivers a compelling enduro platform at a price point that undercuts most carbon competitors by thousands of dollars. For riders who want genuine 165mm-travel capability, a well-sorted Dave Weagle suspension design, and the freedom to build a custom rig tailored to their riding style, the Cassidy represents strong value in the enduro frame market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a coil shock on the Salsa Cassidy frame?
No. The Cassidy's leverage rate is tuned specifically for air shocks, and Salsa does not list coil compatibility for this frame. Stick with the included RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ or a comparable 230 × 62.5mm air shock.
What size fork should I run on the Cassidy?
Salsa designed the Cassidy for a 170–180mm-travel fork with 42–51mm offset. RockShox Lyrik Ultimate, Fox 38, or Marzocchi Bomber Z1 in 170–180mm all work well. Running a shorter or longer fork than spec will alter geometry and suspension feel away from intended performance.
Is Super Boost 157mm rear spacing a problem when sourcing wheels?
It's a consideration, not a deal-breaker. Most modern enduro and DH wheelsets are available in Super Boost 157mm spacing, but if you're transferring an existing wheelset from a Boost 148mm bike, you'll need a new rear hub or wheel. Brands like DT Swiss, Industry Nine, and We Are One offer 157mm options off-the-shelf.
How does the Cassidy alloy frame compare to the carbon version?
The alloy frame weighs roughly 700–900 grams more than the carbon Cassidy and costs about 60% less. Ride feel is slightly more compliant on alloy, slightly stiffer and snappier on carbon. For most riders — especially those building a bike-park or shuttle-day rig — the alloy frame's value-to-performance ratio is exceptional and the weight penalty is barely noticed on the descents the bike was built for.
Will the Cassidy work as a one-bike quiver for trail and enduro?
It can, but it's optimized for descending. If your riding is split 50/50 between trail and aggressive enduro, the Cassidy will make every climb feel a bit slower and every descent feel meaningfully better than a 140mm trail bike. If you mostly ride mellow flow trails with occasional gnar, a shorter-travel trail frame is a better all-around match.