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Today’s Deals2021 Cannondale
Scalpel Carbon SE LTD
A 29″ carbon frame full suspension trail bike with high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price
$8,300| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Full, 120 / 120mm |
| Fork | RockShox SID Ultimate |
| Shock | RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate |
| Wheels | 29″ Carbon |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | X01 Eagle, Truvativ Stylo |
| Brakes | SRAM Level TLM 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
Jul 2021 · Robin Weaver
An incredibly comfortable and fun mile-munching machine that prefers technical singletrack to challenging downhills
Smooth, comfortable ride when tackling technical terrain
Agile and fun to chuck around
Lefty fork feels smooth and precise
Front tyre needs more bite
Conservative geometry means it’s not as surefooted at speed as others
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 · Bobby Lea
Fast enough for XC races and big enough to rip descents
Lightweight frame with modern geometry
Non-racers may want knobbier tires
| 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: Mantis |
|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox SID Ultimate, 120mm, Debonair, 15x110mm thru-axle, tapered steerer, 44mm offset Travel: 120mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate, 2-Pos mode adjust, adjustable rebound Travel: 120mm |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB PF30 MTB83 |
| 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 1 Riser, Carbon, 31.8mm, 9° sweep, 4° rise, 780mm |
| Saddle | Fabric Scoop Flat Race, titanium 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 X01 Eagle |
|---|---|
| Crank | Truvativ Stylo C, 34T, Ai offset |
| Shifters | SRAM X01 Eagle, 12-speed |
| Cassette | SRAM XG-1295, XO1 Eagle, 10-52, 12-speed |
| Chain | SRAM X01 Eagle, 12-speed |
| Brakes | SRAM Level TLM hydraulic disc, 160/160mm CenterLine rotors Type: SRAM Level TLM Hydraulic Disc |
| Brake Levers | SRAM Level TLM hydraulic disc |
| Rims | HollowGram 25, Superlight Hi-Impact Carbon, 28h, 25mm IW, tubeless ready |
|---|---|
| Spokes | DT Swiss Competition Race, straight-pull |
| Front Hub | HollowGram, 15x110mm thru-axle |
| Rear Hub | HollowGram w/DT Swiss Star Ratchet inernals, 12x148mm |
| Tires | (F) Maxxis Ardent Race, 29 x 2.35", EXO Protection, tubeless ready (R) Maxxis Rekon Race 29 x 2.35", EXO Protection, tubeless ready |
First added July 7
Last updated September 12
Not listed for 1,744 days