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Today’s Deals2018 Cannondale
Scalpel SE 2
A 27.5″ / 29″ carbon frame full suspension crosscountry bike with high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price
$4,500| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Full, 115 / 120mm |
| Fork | Fox Performance Elite Float 34 |
| Shock | Fox Float DPS Performance |
| Wheels | 27.5″ / 29″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | GX Eagle, Truvativ Stylo |
| Brakes | SRAM Level TL Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
5'2" – 5'8"
5'6" – 5'11"
5'10" – 6'3"
6'1" – 6'7"
🐐 Estimated
None yet.
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Summary
The Cannondale Scalpel is a highly innovative cross-country bike that excels in speed, handling, and suspension performance, making it a favorite for competitive riders. Its design allows for efficient pedaling and confident handling on technical descents, though some models may have issues with climbing efficiency and brake performance. The bike's unique features, like the Lefty fork and asymmetric frame, contribute to its standout performance but may pose challenges for upgrades.
Innovative design with efficient pedaling and technical handling
Balanced and controlled suspension performance
Lightweight and stiff, leading in class for weight and stiffness tests
Accommodates two water bottles in the frame’s front triangle for 29er models
Slack seat-tube angle affects climbing efficiency
SRAM Level TL brakes may be inadequate for steep descents
Idiosyncrasies like the Lefty fork make upgrading challenging
Cannondale is an incredibly innovative brand and has a long history of creating things in-house that are then followed or disregarded by the rest of the industry.
BIKE MagazineThe Scalpel SE pedals efficiently, shrugs off technical features bigger than we’d equate with cross country and uses its travel well without being bogged down by it.
BIKE MagazineIt’s simply letting you know this is one XC bike that’s not meant to be converted to a trail bike.
BikerumorIt’s hard to see how this bike could be improved
BikeRadarOver the last few years, cross-country courses have been changing. The climbs are getting steeper and the descents are getting nastier. There’s no room for error and to win at this game, you need more than just light and stiff, you need capable and stable handling Scalpel-Si is literally built for the world stage
MTBRFeedback?
View all reviews
Dec 2019 · Mick Kirkman
The Scalpel SE can be sharp, but doesn’t quite cut it in terms of frame shape and rider position
Frame finish, smoothness and pivot hardware detailing are excellent
Suspension isn’t the supplest over small bumps and ripples, which tones down cornering and climbing grip
SRAM Guide T brakes are bottom of the Guide range and feel a bit stiff
Apr 2019 · Alan Muldoon
Cannondale Scalpel SE's extra travel front and rear, and components like 150mm dropper post, makes it a different animal to its race stablemates.
Sleek carbon frame construction
Short, tall geometry
Sep 2018 · Riley Missel
With a brand-new fork and lockout system, Cannondale's cross-country bike got a whole lot better.
Jun 2018
SE stands for Special Edition. A Scalpel is a tool of precision. The Scalpel SE is special and precise, but it isn't perfect.
Apr 2018 · McCoy
We tested Cannondale’s Scalpel Si in April of last year. It immediately impressed us as a quick and lightweight cross-country weapon; however, it was
May 2017 · Emily Schaldach
Cannondale blends cross-country speed with 100 millimeters of front and rear travel on its speedy Scalpel-SI Carbon. It’s an ideal pick for XC racing or
Nov 2016 · Tyler Benedict
The pic above was taken at the launch event for the 2017 Cannondale Scalpel, the brand’s flagship full suspension racer that was completely overhauled to create a faster, more capable bike in every regard. Now, I’ve had the opportunity to put the XL 29er through the ringer at Charlotte’s U.S. National Whitewater trails during Cyclofest to see …
Nov 2016
The Cannondale Scalpel is a bike that has always polarised with its weird and whacky frame and ‘fork’ designs since way back. It’s always been a platform to showcase Cannondale’s latest designs and material technologies. The Scalpel was an early adopter of a carbon ‘flex stay’ arrangement, at one point had plastic chain stays, super …
Incredibly light.
Lightning fast and confident.
Excellent updates to Lefty.
SRAM Eagle and ENVE wheels.
Limited suspension adjustability or tuning.
Front brake fiddly to adjust.
| Frame | Scalpel SE, 115mm, BallisTec Carbon, Zero-Pivot seatstay, Carbon Link, PF30, 1.5 Si head tube, Ai Offset BB Standard: PF30, Press Fit |
|---|---|
| Fork | Fox Float 34, Performance Elite Series, 120mm, FIT-4 Damper, 3 Position Adjust, 110x15, 51mm Offset Travel: 120mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | Fox Float Performance DPS EVOL SV, 3 Position Adjust 115mm Travel Travel: 115mm |
| Bottom Bracket | Cannondale Alloy PressFit30 |
| Headset | Cannondale HeadShok Si |
| Stem | Cannondale C1, 6061 Alloy, 1-1/8", 60mm, 31.8, 5° |
| Handlebar | Cannondale C3 riser, Alloy, 4° upsweep, 9° backsweep, 760x15mm |
| Saddle | Fabric Scoop Flat Race w/ Titanium Rails |
| Seatpost | RaceFace Aeffect Dropper, 31.6mm, 125/150mm travel. Type: Dropper |
| Pedals | Not included |
| Grips | Cannondale Lock-On |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed |
|---|---|
| Crank | Truvativ Stylo Eagle 6K, 32t |
| Shifters | SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed Trigger |
| Cassette | SRAM 1275 Eagle 10-50t 12-speed |
| Chain | SRAM GX Eagle |
| Chain Guide | N/A |
| Brakes | SRAM Level TL hydro disc, 180/160mm, Centerline Rotors Type: SRAM Level TL Hydraulic Disc |
| Brake Levers | SRAM Level TL |
| Rims | Stans Notubes ZTR ARCH S1 28hole, Tubeless Ready, 26mm inner |
|---|---|
| Spokes | DT Swiss Competition |
| Front Hub | Formula 110x15 Boost front, Formula 142x12 with XD driver, rear |
| Rear Hub | Formula 110x15 Boost front, Formula 142x12 with XD driver, rear |
| Tires | Maxxis Ardent 2.4"/2.25", Dual Compound, EXO Protection, Tubeless Ready, gumwall |
First added February 20
Last updated October 10
Not listed for 2,432 days