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2024 Cannondale

Scalpel 1

A 29″ carbon frame full suspension trail bike with ultra high-end components.

Manufacturer Price

$9,500
FrameCarbon
SuspensionFull, 120 / 120mm
ForkFox Factory Float 34
ShockFox Float SL Factory
Wheels29″ Carbon
Drivetrain1 × 12 Electronic
GroupsetX0 Eagle Transmission, Eagle AXS
BrakesSRAM Level Silver Stealth Hydraulic Disc
SeatpostDropper
Where to Buy
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Top Comparison
Insights
Gearing

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Lowest gear

(climbing)

29 mph

Scalpel 1

26 mph

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Spec Level

Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.

Sizing
SM

5'0" – 5'5"

MD

5'4" – 5'10"

LG

5'7" – 6'1"

XL

5'10" – 6'6"

Rider Fit Notes
  • 6'1", size XL, Fits large
Reviews

Summary

The Cannondale Scalpel is a trail bike that excels in climbing and descending, offering a lightweight design with innovative suspension technology. It's praised for its efficiency, fun riding experience, and modern geometry, though some note limitations in travel and component preferences.

Pros
  • Wicked climber

  • Lightweight design with FlexPivot technology

  • Good traction over tech

  • Confidence-inspiring, stable but snappy XC bike

  • Integrated bar and stem is actually comfortable

Cons
  • Through-headset cable routing

  • 120mm travel might be too much for some cross-country purists

  • Limited speed on rough descents

  • Hexagonal shape grips made hands ache on long descents

Key Quotes
Holy hell this bike climbs fast.
BIKE Magazine logoBIKE Magazine
If 2024 had travel, it would be 120mm.
Bikerumor logoBikerumor
the Scalpel has certainly changed my ideas about how much fun an XC race bike can be
Singletrack World logoSingletrack World

Feedback?

View all reviews

Bicycling
The Cannondale Scalpel Is as Capable as a Trail Bike While Being Lighter, Faster, and More Fun to Ride, Even If You’re Not Racing.

Mar 2025

Cannondale has ditched its proprietary wheel spacing and press-fit bottom bracket, making the new Scalpel an easier bike to own.

Read Review

Escape Collective
Cannondale Scalpel 2 cross-country bike review: Rapid fun

Feb 2025 · Dave Rome

Long-term test of the well-rounded race bike that’s a practical, but not flawless, everyday choice.

Read Review

Pinkbike
Review: Cannondale's 2025 Scalpel 1 is a Capable, Modern XC Bike

Jan 2025 · Sarah Moore

Modern cross-country bikes are incredible and the Cannondale Scalpel is one of the best there is. It feels like a rocket ship on the climbs as you would expect, but descends with a composure that makes it a fun choice even when you aren't toeing a race line.

Highs
  • Comfortable and efficient climber

  • Capable and fun descender

  • More versatile than most cross-country bikes

Lows
  • Noisy fork and two position dropper

Read Review

BIKE Magazine
Tested: Cannondale Scalpel 2

Jun 2024

A confidence inspiring cross-country machine

Read Review

Bikerumor
Updated Cannondale Scalpel Gets 120mm Travel Front & Rear, One Piece Carbon Bar

Mar 2024 · Jordan Villella

The new Cannondale Scalpel will be the steed on which riders like Mona Mitterwallner will chase down their Olympic dreams.

Read Review

Singletrack World
Cannondale Scalpel 1 Lefty: First Ride Review

Mar 2024 · Hannah Dobson

The new Cannondale Scalpel has essentially been modernised to give it more travel, and more capable, more stable handling.

Read Review

BikeRadar
Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-MOD 1 review

Jul 2023 · Tom Marvin

Sharp and snappy, but at times nervous, the Scalpel is best-suited to tight and punchy courses

Highs
  • Solid frame that transfers power well

  • Neat design touches on the frame

  • Quick handling

Lows
  • The Lefty Ocho left in the shadows of more established XC forks

  • Nervous on technical sections

  • Questionable tyre choice

  • Creaky BB

Read Review

Flow Mountain Bike
Cannondale Scalpel HT Review | A mostly contemporary XC rocket ship

Mar 2022

Brand new for 2022, the Cannondale Scalpel HT is the first hardtail to wear the Scalpel name. Featuring progressive geometry, big tyre clearance and the option of a 110mm travel fork, the Scalpel HT promises to be a versatile XC race bike. So does it deliver? Read on for our Cannondale Scalpel HT review.

Highs
  • Lightweight & compliant carbon chassis

  • Proportional Response Design makes so much sense

  • Awesome all-round handling

  • Frame will accept a longer fork and bigger tyres

  • Marvellous paint job

Lows
  • Cheap, narrow tyres

  • Heavy wheels

  • No dropper

  • Lack of A.I offset

Read Review

Geometry
Specs
Build
Frame

Scalpel, lightweight carbon construction, 120mm travel, Proportional Response Suspension and Geometry, FlexPivot Chainstay, full internal cable routing, 73mm BSA, 1.5" headtube with 1-1/8" upper reducer/internal cable guide, 148x12mm thru axle, 55mm chainline, UDH, post-mount disc – 160mm native

BB StandardBSA, 73mm, Threaded

Hanger StandardUDH

ColorRally Red

Fork

Fox Float Factory 34 SC, Kashima, 120mm, 15x110mm thru-axle, tapered steerer, 44mm offset

Travel120mm

Spring TypeAir

Shock

Fox Float SL Factory EVOL SV, Kashima, 190x45, custom tune

Travel120mm

Bottom Bracket

SRAM DUB BSA 73mm MTB Wide

Headset

Acros ICR

Stem

SystemBar XC-One Flat, carbon integrated bar/stem

Handlebar

SystemBar XC-One Flat, carbon, integrated bar/stem, internal cable routing, 5° upsweep, 8° backsweep, 760mm width, -6° stem, 1-1/8" clamp

Saddle

Prologo Dimension NDR, Tirox rails

Seatpost

Fox Transfer SL Factory, Kashima, 31.6, 125mm (S), 150mm (M-XL)

TypeDropper

Pedals

Not Included

Grips

Cannondale XC Silicone

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

SRAM XO Eagle AXS, T-Type

Crank

SRAM XO T-Type, 34T

Shifters

SRAM AXS T-Type Pod Controller

Cassette

SRAM XO Eagle, 10-52, T-Type, 12-speed

Chain

SRAM XO, T-Type, 12-speed

Brakes

SRAM Level Silver Stealth, 4-piston hydraulic disc, SRAM HS2 180/160mm rotors

TypeSRAM Level Silver Stealth Hydraulic Disc

Brake Levers

SRAM Level Silver Stealth

Wheels
Rims

DT Swiss XRC 1501 SPLINE ONE, carbon, 30mm inner width, hookless, TSS tubeless ready

Spokes

DT Competition Race, straight pull

Front Hub

DT Swiss 240 15x110, 6-bolt (F) / 240 Ratchet EXP 36, 6-bolt, XD driver (R)

Rear Hub

DT Swiss 240 15x110, 6-bolt (F) / 240 Ratchet EXP 36, 6-bolt, XD driver (R)

Tires

(F) Maxxis Rekon Race WT, 29x2.4", EXO Protection, tubeless ready / (R) Maxxis Aspen WT, 29x2.4", EXO Protection, tubeless ready

Rider Notes
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First added March 26

Last updated October 19

Not listed for 236 days