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Today’s Deals2024 Cannondale
Scalpel 4
A 29″ carbon frame full suspension trail bike with upper mid-range components.
Manufacturer Price
$4,199| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Full, 120 / 120mm |
| Fork | RockShox SID |
| Shock | RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ |
| Wheels | 29″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | XT, Deore |
| Brakes | Shimano Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
5'0" – 5'5"
5'4" – 5'10"
5'7" – 6'1"
5'10" – 6'6"
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.
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
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
Holy hell this bike climbs fast.
BIKE MagazineIf 2024 had travel, it would be 120mm.
Bikerumorthe Scalpel has certainly changed my ideas about how much fun an XC race bike can be
Singletrack WorldFeedback?
View all reviews
Mar 2025
Cannondale has ditched its proprietary wheel spacing and press-fit bottom bracket, making the new Scalpel an easier bike to own.
Feb 2025 · Dave Rome
Long-term test of the well-rounded race bike that’s a practical, but not flawless, everyday choice.
Mar 2024 · Jordan Villella
The new Cannondale Scalpel will be the steed on which riders like Mona Mitterwallner will chase down their Olympic dreams.
Mar 2024 · Mike Kazimer
The Scalpel's frame is longer, lighter, and it uses a threaded bottom bracket.
Mar 2024 · Hannah Dobson
The new Cannondale Scalpel has essentially been modernised to give it more travel, and more capable, more stable handling.
Jun 2023 · Ron Koch
The SE version of the Scalpel uses the same frame as that ultra-light steed but with a longer-stroke shock and increased fork travel to combine the best attributes of a dedicated cross-country and trail bike into one machine.
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
| 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 Standard: BSA, 73mm, Threaded Hanger Standard: UDH Colors: Smoke Black; Race Yellow |
|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox SID, 120mm, Debonair, 15x110mm thru-axle, tapered steerer, 44mm offset Travel: 120mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | RockShox SIDLuxe Select+, 2-Pos mode adjust, adjustable rebound, 190x45 Travel: 120mm |
| Bottom Bracket | Shimano BSA 73mm |
| Headset | Acros ICR |
| Stem | Cannondale C1 Conceal, Alloy, 31.8, -6° |
| Handlebar | Cannondale 2 Flat, butted 2014 Alloy, 31.8mm, 3° rise, 8° sweep, 760mm |
| Saddle | Prologo Dimension NDR, STN rails |
| Seatpost | Cannondale DownLow Dropper, internal routing, 31.6, 125mm (S), 150mm (M-XL) Type: Dropper |
| Pedals | Not Included |
| Grips | Cannondale XC Silicone |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano XT |
|---|---|
| Crank | Shimano M5121, 32T |
| Shifters | Shimano Deore 6100, 12-speed |
| Cassette | Shimano Deore, 10-51, 12-speed |
| Chain | Shimano Deore, 12-speed |
| Brakes | Shimano MT501 hydraulic disc, 180/160mm RT54 rotors Type: Shimano Hydraulic Disc |
| Brake Levers | Shimano MT501 hydraulic disc |
| Rims | Stan's NoTubes Crest S2, 32h, tubeless ready |
|---|---|
| Spokes | Stainless Steel, 14g |
| Front Hub | Shimano TC-500, 15x110mm thru-axle |
| Rear Hub | Shimano MT410B, 12x148mm thru-axle |
| Tires | (F) Maxxis Rekon Race WT, 29x2.4", EXO Protection, tubeless ready / (R) Maxxis Aspen WT, 29x2.4", EXO Protection, tubeless ready |
First added March 26
Last updated October 19
Not listed for 236 days