Salsa Cassidy Alloy Enduro Frame — Brushed Aluminum | $1,099.00 (was $2,649) at Jenson USA
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 Is the Salsa Cassidy Frame 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 have 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 occupies that sweet spot between trail and full downhill.
It is also an excellent choice for riders building up 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 choosing upgrades where they matter most to you.
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 around $1,099 for the frame and shock, this positions the Cassidy well below carbon enduro frames from brands like Santa Cruz, Yeti, and Specialized, while still delivering a modern, aggressive geometry that holds its own on race day or weekend shuttle runs.
Split Pivot+ Suspension: What Makes It Different
Developed in partnership with Dave Weagle, Split Pivot+ isolates pedaling forces from braking forces. In practical terms this means the rear suspension stays active and supple under braking instead of locking up through rough sections when you are on the binders. It also pedals efficiently on climbs because the anti-squat characteristics are tuned independently.
The frame ships with a Rock Shox Super Deluxe Select+ air shock (230 x 62.5mm) and is designed to pair with a 170-180mm travel fork with 42-51mm offset. One clever feature: the geometry Flip Chip 2.0 in the shock link mount lets you adjust head tube angle and bottom bracket height to suit your terrain preferences or wheel size without swapping parts.
Geometry at a Glance
The Cassidy runs a 63.8-degree head tube angle across all sizes — slack enough for confident descending on steep terrain. The 75.7-degree seat tube angle keeps your weight centered for efficient climbing. Chainstays are a compact 432mm, which keeps the rear end snappy and responsive through tight switchbacks and technical line choices.
Reach ranges from 439mm (Small) through 502mm (Extra Large), and Salsa recommends running a shorter stem to complement the longer front-center. Available in four sizes covering riders from approximately 5 feet 5 inches to well over 6 feet 2 inches.
Tire and Wheel Compatibility
Out of the box the Cassidy is a 29er with clearance for tires up to 29 x 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 changes the ride character toward more playful handling.
The Super Boost 157mm rear hub spacing is worth noting when selecting wheels. It is wider than standard Boost 148mm, so check hub compatibility if you are 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 is compatible with a wide range of aftermarket components. A few things to keep in mind when speccing your build:
- The frame is not compatible with coil shocks — the leverage rate is optimized for air springs
- Internal dropper post routing is included, and at this travel level a 170-200mm dropper makes sense depending on your frame size
- Bottle cage mounts are included on the down tube, which is a nice touch for longer backcountry rides
How It Rides
Reviewers consistently praise the Cassidy for its 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. The Split Pivot+ design 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 will not climb like a cross-country bike, but that is not what you are 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 suspension design from Dave Weagle, and the freedom to build a custom rig tailored to their riding style, it represents strong value in the enduro frame market.