2024 Cannondale Scalpel Lefty Review - Is It Worth It?

Review of the 2024 Cannondale Scapel Lefty 1, the most progressive version of this XC race bike ever made but do the changes make it a better bike for XC racing and riding or not?

Content
00:00 Intro
1:29 Bike Details
6:23 Revised geometry
7:16 Climbing
9:34 Descending
12:19 Ride impressions summary
12:57 Likes and Dislikes
16:42 Conclusion

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[Andy_ATB]

Well it's won 3 World championships this season; XCO Alan Hatherly, XCM Simon Andreassen & Mona Mitterwallner. And the XCO World Cup Overall Alan Hatherly.

I'd disagree about the winning races on the downhills; N1no has won quite a few that way, and his last World title in 2022 on the descent were he gapped David Valero-Serrano.

[graemecrichton]

Dave..When will we see a long term of the New Canyon Lux Trail you did a 1st ride on months ago? Love the content

[jdotoko]

I've just finished building up my relatively budget upgraded version of relatively low spec Scalpel 3 2024.

-800g, result weight is same as Scalpel 2 2024 but wider rims, no electric shifting, infinite dropper adjustment and not limited by Cannondale stem options. Plus I like Tiger Shark color scheme.

Basically replaced every Deore component with XT/SLX + Chinese (Speedsafe) carbon wheels + Cannondale Carbon Riser with regular stem (had to replace headset cover, ordered from the manufacturer - Acros).

Also changed tyres to more capable ones + installed light inserts. Ready to hit wet rocky trails.

[jeffreymartin]

Great review. Any thoughts on how it compares the Epic Evo or Pivot Mach 4 SL?

[bitgeist_]

Love the bike. Cannondale is all I ride. For me; I would want a nice GripShift setup on that lovely one-piece carbon handlebar! Great for XC riding 🙂

[nitronaf]

this is something of a poster bike for me. It's nice to look at and watch on the tele much like a hyper car. but actually owning no thanx too many proprietary parts just to keep it running and few mechanics are competent working on it.

[marksandoval]

I'm not a fan of the Lefty fork. However, I think the the Scalpel with the normal fork is one of the best XC/Downcountry bikes made. In addition, the least expensive model, the Scalpel 4, is a good value.

[JmeGarg]

@Davidarthur have you ridden the Spesh Epic 8? If so how does is compare with the Scalpel?

Beware: Read Cannondale’s fine print in their Limited Warranty Policy. They may use it against you for their best interest. My $5000.000 carbon fiber frame Jekyll broke after six years of use. Cannondale never made a finding that it was due to use or abuse. A hairline crack formed at a weak point in the frame. The bike was sold to me with a lifetime warranty on the frame. The best offer Cannondale gave me, under their lifetime warranty, was 20% of or retail – yes, that is right 20% off of retail. I fought them on it over a two month period and lost. So, I am now stuck with a 34lb paperweight. Cannondale has what I feel is the worse warranty in the bike business. If you do purchase a Cannondale bike and something goes wrong, know that they probably will not work with you at any level in your best interest. In my opinion, they do do not value you as a customer, they only value your money. This has been my experience.

[Frankthegravelrider]

Good video! Mondraker F Podium of this for XC/XCM racing?

[flippergv]

66.6, the number of the beast! The one for you and me! (inserts Iron Maiden).

[MTBukk]

Giant Anthem vs this Scalpel. You have experience with both bikes, could you help? What do you think?

[frienduro]

Good looking bike. Not a fan of all the damn lock out cables. I would drop the lefty for wireless suspension

[Bread_Garlichouse]

Cannondale's XCs in the late 2010s had much nicer, zestier colours

[TC-hlws]

Is Cannondale still a US company? I'm not sure, but I thought the ownership and manufacture moved overseas. Maybe the design team is still in the USA. Does anyone know?

[oOoACFREEMANoOo]

Just here to see if they where calling this a flat bar gravel 🚲

[MarceloAlves-tvvf]

Continue com os vídeos pois ajuda a muitos 😉👍.
Aceita produzir um vídeo focado nessa situação a seguir?
PoV: E se... Você é estudante universitário e irá sair (todos os dias) de casa pela manhã as 9h e retornar para sua casa as 21h? Voce tem dentro da sua mochila de costas: 01 caderno, 01 ou 02 livros, computador portátil, 01 muda de roupa, 01 toalha de banho, itens de higiene, 01 par de tenis simples solado reto. E sim! Tudo cabe perfeitamente na sua mochila de 26L que você gostaria de carregar na bicicleta gravel e não nas suas costas por 10, 8km/trecho pedalado. Problema: simplesmente até hoje você não achou no YouTube quem mostrasse no passo a passo como resolvesse esse problema, exceto por fotos num fórum - brasileiro (sim, eu sou brasileiro) - antigo na internet de ciclistas com uma bicicleta básica "tipo mtb", com um bagageiro metalico - garupa - fixado na traseira dessa bicicleta com um baú - 30L - de motocicleta

[allthingsbike.]

Just for context. A royal Enfield interceptor 650cc is 2k cheaper. 👍💵💵💵

[dcv]

Looks like you never really use dropper posts - coz all droppers usually work up or down, no halfway point 😎