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Today’s Deals2024 Cannondale
Scalpel LAB71
A 29″ carbon frame full suspension trail bike with ultra high-end components.
Manufacturer Price
$14,000| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Full, 120 / 120mm |
| Fork | Cannondale Lefty Ocho Carbon |
| Shock | RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate |
| Wheels | 29″ Carbon |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 Electronic |
| Groupset | XX SL Eagle Transmission, Eagle AXS |
| Brakes | SRAM Level Ultimate Stealth 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
Jun 2025 · Jeremy Benson
Cannondale Factory Racing's team paint and build kit are now available to the public on the Scalpel LAB71 CFR Team Edition.
Jun 2025 · Cannondale Bikes
The tricked-out version features a colour-matched Lefty and CFR sponsor components, including the all-new Shimano XTR drivetrain.
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 · Hannah Dobson
The new Cannondale Scalpel has essentially been modernised to give it more travel, and more capable, more stable handling.
Jul 2023 · Tom Marvin
Sharp and snappy, but at times nervous, the Scalpel is best-suited to tight and punchy courses
Solid frame that transfers power well
Neat design touches on the frame
Quick handling
The Lefty Ocho left in the shadows of more established XC forks
Nervous on technical sections
Questionable tyre choice
Creaky BB
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.
| Frame | Scalpel LAB71, Series 0 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 Color: Burnt Pewter |
|---|---|
| Fork | Lefty Ocho 120 Carbon, 120mm, Chamber Damper, OppO Spring System, tapered steerer, 50mm offset, TwistLoc Ultimate remote dual lockout Travel: 120mm |
| Shock | RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate, 2-Pos mode adjust, adjustable rebound, 190x45, TwistLoc Ultimate remote dual lockout Travel: 120mm |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB BSA 73mm MTB, Ceramic |
| 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 | RockShox Reverb AXS, 31.6, 125mm (S), 150mm (M-XL) Type: Dropper |
| Pedals | Not Included |
| Grips | RockShox Smooth Silicone |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM XX SL Eagle AXS, T-Type |
|---|---|
| Crank | SRAM XX SL T-Type, 34T |
| Shifters | SRAM AXS T-Type Ultimate Pod Controller |
| Cassette | SRAM XX SL Eagle, 10-52, T-Type, 12-speed |
| Chain | SRAM XX SL, T-Type, 12-speed |
| Brakes | SRAM Level Ultimate Stealth, 4-piston hydraulic disc, SRAM CLX rotors, 180mm 6-bolt (F) /160mm centerlock (R) Type: SRAM Level Ultimate Stealth Hydraulic Disc |
| Brake Levers | SRAM Level Ultimate Stealth |
| Rims | DT Swiss XRC 1200 SPLINE, carbon, 30mm inner width, hookless, TSS tubeless ready |
|---|---|
| Spokes | DT Swiss Aerolite straight pull (F) / Aerolite & Competition straight pull (R) |
| Front Hub | DT Swiss Lefty, 6-bolt (F) / DT Swiss 180 Ratchet EXP 36, centerlock, XD driver (R) |
| Rear Hub | DT Swiss Lefty, 6-bolt (F) / DT Swiss 180 Ratchet EXP 36, centerlock, 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 |
First added February 20
Last updated June 7