The New Cannondale Scalpel 2024
The Cannondale Scalpel has been no stranger to the top step of the world cup cross country competitions since its introduction in 2002. Back then, the Scalpel redefined what an XC bike could be, showing the world that a full suspension MTB could be light, fast and agile enough to win races at the highest level. The design has evolved and been refined over the years, with suspension travel being increased and geometry moving toward the "longer, slacker" we're all familiar with a modern XC bike. These improvements have been driven by a change in the courses that World Cup athletes are expected to compete over, with gnarlier, more demanding courses providing a need for more capable bikes.
22 years after it first burst onto the racing scene, the latest Cannondale Scalpel is here, blurring the lines between cross country bike and trail bike. The new Scalpel is not only fast enough to win World Cups, but is also capable, playful and fun, appealing to a lot more riders than an XC mountain bike has done previously. More suspension travel than ever before on a Cannondale XC bike, the new Scalpel packs 120mm of front and rear travel into a package that only weighs roughly 11kg/24lbs. This latest iteration also sees geometry tweaks that more closely resembles that of a trail bike, or even an enduro mountain bike, with a head tube angle of 66.6° and an effective seat tube angle of 75.5°. In Cannondale's own words; "Fast may be fun. But faster is funner", and the new Cannondale Scalpel embodies that philosophy.
Suspension
Cannondale's FlexPivot technology ensures more traction and control from the rear suspension, while reducing the weight and maintenance that bearing pivots introduce. This leads to an efficient and more responsive design on track, with less time required to maintain the suspension off the track.
Here in the UK, the top two models are equipped with Cannondale's iconic Lefty fork, providing that instantly recognisable signature look. The Lefty is race-proven time and again, offering 120mm of silky smooth, needle bearing controlled travel, in a chassis that is lighter and stiffer than a traditional two-sided suspension fork. Two versions are available, with the Scalpel 1 being fitted with a carbon Lefty, and the Scalpel 2 benefitting from the lower price of the alloy Lefty.
The new Cannondale Scalpel once again utilises their Proportional Response Suspension system, which sees each frame size being equipped with different length chainstays. This allows the kinematics to be tailored to each rider's size, to improve traction and performance for each frame size.
Features
Dropper Posts
Most cross country bike racers now will agree that the benefits of having a dropper post are greater than the weight penalty incurred over a standard seatpost. A dropper post allows riders more freedom to move on the bike, meaning technical sections are navigated much quicker and easier than with a standard post. All of the new Scalpel XC bikes are fitted with a dropper post as standard.
FlexPivot
FlexPivot technology is one of the ways Cannondale keep the new Scalpel's weight so low. Flexible carbon sections are tuned to create the perfect reaction to pedaling, braking and bump sensitivity, without needing a heavier Horst link. Maintenance is also reduced due to the pivots having no moving parts, resulting in an ultra fast, efficient pedaling cross country bike, that's easier to work on.
SystemBar XC
The one-piece bar and stem combo that has been successful on Cannondale's road bikes, has now made its way to an XC bike in the for of the SystemBar XC. Combining the handlebars and stem into a single component creates a cockpit that is stiffer and lighter than most two-piece interfaces. Cables are also routed internally through a port in the front of the handlebars.
Geometry
The New Scalpel Range
Scalpel 1 Lefty
Frame: Series 1 Carbon construction, 120mm travel
Fork: Lefty Ocho 120 Carbon, Chamber Damper, OppO Spring System
Rear Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Select+
Rear Derailleur: Sram XO Eagle AXS, T-Type
Shifters: SRAM AXS T-Type Pod Controller
Chain: SRAM XO
Crank: SRAM XO, 34T
Rear Cogs: SRAM XO Eagle, 10-52
Brakes: SRAM Level Silver Stealth, HS2 180/160mm rotors
Rims: DT Swiss XCR 1501 Spline One, Carbon
Hubs: DT Swiss Lefty, 6-bolt (F) / 240 Ratchet EXP 36, 6-bolt, XD driver (R)
Tires: (F) Maxxis Rekon Race WT / (R) Maxxis Aspen WT
Handlebar: SystemBar XC-One Flat, Carbon integrated bar/stem
Saddle: Prologo Dimension NDR, Tirox rails
Seatpost: Fox Transfer SL Performance Elite, 125mm (S), 150mm (M-XL)
Scalpel 2 Lefty
Frame: Series 1 Carbon construction, 120mm travel
Fork: Lefty Ocho Alloy 120, Chamber Damper, OppO Spring System
Rear Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Select+
Rear Derailleur: SRAM GX Eagle AXS, T-Type
Shifters: SRAM AXS T-Type Pod Controller
Chain: SRAM GX Eagle
Crank: SRAM GX Eagle, 34T
Rear Cogs: SRAM GX Eagle, 10-52
Brakes: SRAM Level Silver Stealth, HS2 180/160mm rotors
Rims: HollowGram XC-S 27, Hi-Impact Carbon
Hubs: (F) HollowGram Lefty 60 / (R) HollowGram w/DT Swiss 350 internals
Tires: (F) Maxxis Rekon Race WT / (R) Maxxis Aspen WT
Handlebar: Cannondale 1 Flat, Carbon
Saddle: Prologo Dimension NDR, STN rails
Seatpost: Fox Transfer SL Performance Elite, 125mm (S), 150mm (M-XL)
Scalpel 3
Frame: Series 1 Carbon construction, 120mm travel
Fork: RockShox SID Select, 120mm, DebonAir
Rear Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Select+
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT
Shifters: Shimano SLX M7100
Chain: SRAM GX Eagle
Crank: Shimano Deore M6120, 32T
Rear Cogs: Shimano Deore M6100, 10-51
Brakes: Shimano Deore M6100, 180/160mm RT54 rotors
Rims: Stan's NoTubes Crest MK4
Hubs: (F) Formula CL-811 / (R) Shimano MT510B
Tires: (F) Maxxis Rekon Race WT / (R) Maxxis Aspen WT
Handlebar: Cannondale 2 Flat, butted 2014 Alloy
Saddle: Prologo Dimension NDR, STN rails
Seatpost: Cannondale DownLow Dropper, 125mm (S), 150mm (M-XL)
Scalpel 4
Frame: Series 1 Carbon construction, 120mm travel
Fork: RockShox SID, 120mm, DebonAir
Rear Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Select+
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore 6100
Shifters: Shimano Deore 6100
Chain: Shimano Deore
Crank: Shimano M5121, 32T
Rear Cogs: Shimano Deore, 10-51
Brakes: Shimano MT501, 180/160mm RT10 rotors
Rims: Stan's NoTubes Crest S2
Hubs: (F) Shimano TC-500 / (R) Shimano MT410B
Tires: (F) Maxxis Rekon Race WT / (R) Maxxis Aspen WT
Handlebar: Cannondale 2 Flat, butted 2014 Alloy
Saddle: Prologo Dimension NDR, STN rails
Seatpost: Cannondale DownLow Dropper, 125mm (S), 150mm (M-XL)
