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Today’s Deals2021 Cannondale
Scalpel Carbon 2
A 29″ carbon frame full suspension crosscountry bike with high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price
$6,300| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Full, 100 / 100mm |
| Fork | Cannondale Lefty Ocho |
| Shock | Fox Float DPS Performance Elite |
| Wheels | 29″ Carbon |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | XT |
| Brakes | Shimano XT Hydraulic Disc |
5'0" – 5'5"
5'5" – 5'10"
5'7" – 6'1"
6'0" – 6'6"
None yet.
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Summary
The Cannondale Scalpel is a lightweight and efficient cross-country bike that excels in climbing and smooth trails, with a supple suspension system for comfort. However, its geometry is considered conservative, limiting performance in aggressive or technical terrain. It offers integrated features like storage and water bottle mounts, enhancing its practicality for long rides.
Lightweight and efficient for climbing
Supple and comfortable suspension
Integrated storage and water bottle mounts
Agile and fun handling on flowing trails
Good value in some builds
Conservative geometry not as modern as competitors
Limited capability in aggressive or technical terrain
Some components like tires and brakes may underperform
Suspension can feel too soft on steep climbs
Dropper post may be sluggish
The Scalpel SE is just a really easy bike to understand, feeling like home from the first ride and getting better from there.
BetaThe Cannondale Scalpel SE 1 is an efficient, well-handling, and fun bike.
Bike PerfectIts smooth, well-balanced and supple suspension mean it can slither its way beautifully over messy root spreads and battered rocky sections.
BikeRadarLow-angle descents have the Scalpel flying like a low-altitude projectile. This bike is fast.
Vital MTBFeedback?
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Dec 2022 · Sarah Bedford
This hardtail impressed us greatly with its all-round capability, compliance and seriously good spec for the price tag
Value for money
Slack head angle and SID SL fork give control and confidence
Strong-performing, mid-range drivetrain and brakes
Seat tube bottle boss position limits post-insertion depth
Chain slap
Brake pad rattle
Nov 2021 · Beta
For those times when even a regular Scalpel is too blunt an instrument.
Nov 2021 · James Smurthwaite
Now, just over a week later, we have the full details for the Cannondale Scalpel HT that replaces the F-Si as the brand's XC race hardtail..
Oct 2021 · Ryan Simonovich
Does the Cannondale Scalpel SE 1 slice and dice with life-saving precision, or does it need another trip to the operating room to turn it into a truly modern XC rig?
Efficient pedaling and climbing
Smooth and responsive RockShox suspension
Powerful Shimano brakes
Confident and predictable handling
Dependable dropper post
Geometry could go slacker and longer
Chain guide is extraneous and vulnerable
Marketing it as a trail bike is confusing
Apr 2021 · McCoy
How much difference can 20mm of travel make?
Feb 2021 · Zach Overholt
Looks like the Lefty Ocho grew a bit in the off season! Cannondale just leaked a new 120mm version of their famous fork leg.
Feb 2021 · Mike Wirth
Cannondale Scalpel SE long term review. This bike has really impressed us and here is a detailed break down of why this bike is so much fun.
May 2020
Clever design touches aim for race-day gains.
| Frame | Scalpel Carbon, 100mm travel, Proportional Response Tuned, FlexPivot Chainstay, PF30-83, Tapered Headtube, Speed Release 12mm thru axle, Ai Offset, Stash compatible BB Standard: PF30, Press Fit Colors: Graphite; Slate Gray |
|---|---|
| Fork | Lefty Ocho, 100mm, Chamber Damper with remote lockout, OppO Spring System, tapered steerer, 55mm offset Travel: 100mm |
| Shock | Fox Float DPS Performance Elite EVOL, remote lockout, adjustable rebound Travel: 100mm |
| Bottom Bracket | Cannondale Alloy PressFit30 |
| Headset | Integrated, 1-1/8 to 1.5", sealed angular contact bearings |
| Stem | Cannondale 1, 7075 Alloy, 1-1/8", 31.8, 7° |
| Handlebar | Cannondale 2 Flat, butted 2014 Alloy, 31.8mm, 3° rise, 8° sweep, 760mm |
| Saddle | Prologo Dimension NDR, STN rails |
| Seatpost | Cannondale 2, 7075 Alloy, 31.6 x 400mm Type: Rigid |
| Pedals | Not included |
| Grips | ESI Chunky Silicone, 32mm dia. |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano XT |
|---|---|
| Crank | HollowGram, BB30a, OPI SpideRing, 34T, Ai offset |
| Shifters | Shimano XT, 12-speed |
| Cassette | Shimano XT, 10-51, 12-speed |
| Chain | Shimano XT, 12-speed |
| Brakes | Shimano XT hydraulic disc, 160/160mm XT rotors Type: Shimano XT Hydraulic Disc |
| Brake Levers | Shimano XT hydraulic disc |
| Rims | HollowGram 25, Superlight Hi-Impact Carbon, 28h, 25mm IW, tubeless ready |
|---|---|
| Spokes | HollowGram, 2.0/1.8/2.0, straight-pull |
| Front Hub | Lefty 60 |
| Rear Hub | DT Swiss, 12x148 |
| Tires | (F) Schwalbe Racing Ray EVO, 29 x 2.25", SnakeSkin, Addix Speedgrip, tubeless ready, (R) Schwalbe Racing Ralph EVO, 29 x 2.25", SnakeSkin, Addix Speed, tubeless ready |
First added July 15
Last updated September 12
Not listed for 1,729 days