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Today’s Deals2021 Cannondale
Scalpel Carbon SE 2
A 29″ carbon frame full suspension trail bike with upper mid-range components.
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Manufacturer Price
$4,000| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Full, 120 / 120mm |
| Fork | RockShox SID Select |
| Shock | RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ |
| Wheels | 29″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | SX Eagle, Truvativ Stylo |
| Brakes | Shimano Deore Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
5'0" – 5'5"
5'5" – 5'10"
5'7" – 6'1"
5'10" – 6'6"
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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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
May 2021 · Lydia Tanner
The short-travel 29er category is being overrun by outsiders. But what if a brand experienced in XC shows up? The Scalpel SE happens.
Balanced capabilities
Light & quick FlexPivot Chainstay
Carbon wheels at under $6K
Two bottles fit in every size
Useful Integrated frame storage
Geo not as modern as some in the category
Sluggish dropper post
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.
Aug 2020 · Mike Levy
But Cannondale has been offering the real Scalpel since way back in 2001 when it debuted as a focused, sharp bike made for, you guessed it, cross-country racing.
Excellent technical climber.
Relatively forgiving suspension = all-day comfort, all-day speed.
I mean, that rim did crack…
Being based off the same XC race frame, its geo isn’t exactly progressive. More reach and a shorter seat tube, please.
May 2020 · Daz Hall
Cannondale's 2020 Scalpel offers a modern geometry and rethought suspension that puts it into fast trail bike territory
May 2020 · BHowell
The revised Cannondale Scalpel SE gets a more relaxed geometry in the name of being trail-worthy, but is it enough?
| Frame | All-New, 120mm travel, BallisTec Carbon, Proportional Response Tuned, FlexPivot Chainstay, PF30-83, Tapered Headtube,Speed Release 12mm thru axle, Ai Offset, Stash compatible BB Standard: PF30, 83mm, Press Fit Color: Saber |
|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox SID Select, 120mm, Debonair, 15x110mm thru-axle, tapered steerer, 44mm offset Travel: 120mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | RockShox SIDLuxe Select+, 2-Pos mode adjust, adjustable rebound Travel: 120mm |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB PF30 MTB83 |
| Headset | Integrated Sealed Bearing, Tapered |
| Stem | Cannondale 3, 6061 Alloy, 31.8, 7° |
| Handlebar | Cannondale riser, butted 6061 Alloy, 31.8mm, 5° rise, 9° sweep, 760mm |
| Saddle | Fabric Scoop Radius Sport, steel rails |
| Seatpost | Cannondale DownLow Dropper, internal routing, 31.6, 100mm (S), 125mm (M-L), 150mm (XL) Type: Dropper |
| Pedals | Not included |
| Grips | ESI Chunky Silicone, 32mm dia. |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM SX Eagle |
|---|---|
| Crank | Truvativ Stylo 6K DUB, 34T, Ai offset |
| Shifters | SRAM SX Eagle, 12-speed |
| Cassette | SRAM PG-1230, NX Eagle, 11-50, 12-speed |
| Chain | SRAM SX Eagle, 12-speed |
| Brakes | Shimano MT500 hydraulic disc, 180/160mm RT54 rotors Type: Shimano Deore Hydraulic Disc |
| Brake Levers | Shimano MT500 hydraulic disc |
| Rims | Stan's NoTubes Crest S1, 32h, tubeless ready |
|---|---|
| Spokes | Stainless Steel, 14g |
| Front Hub | Shimano Deore 15x110 |
| Rear Hub | Shimano Deore, 12x148 |
| Tires | (F) Maxxis Ardent Race, 29 x 2.35", EXO Protection, tubeless ready (R) Maxxis Recon Race, 29 x 2.25", EXO Protection, tubeless ready |
First added July 15
Last updated October 8
Not listed for 1,718 days