Cannondale’s New Scalpel Bulks Up | 120mm XC Race Bike First Look

Cannondale has given its cross-country race bike, the Scalpel, a refresh for 2024.

An updated frame sees increased suspension travel, race-ready geometry and lightweight builds.

Is the Scalpel sharp enough to take the top spot of the cross-country race bike podium?

And why does it still use a fork with only one leg?

Tom Marvin answers this and other questions after spending some time with the new Scalpel.

What do you think of Cannondale’s updates?

Let us know in the comments!

#cannondalescalpel #crosscountry #mtb

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:22 The New Scalpel
01:13 Redesigned Frame
02:42 New Geometry
03:10 The Lefty
03:55 Models
05:38 First Ride
08:07 Outro

Image Credit:
Dustin Satloff / Contributor

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[bikeradar]

Are you a fan of Cannondale's Lefty fork?

[JenkinsB]

Yes for the fork comparison, add the new Ohlins in there too

[adamsolomon]

so you still see cables but they made it a pain to do maintenance?

[tombeck]

Looks like the entry level model (scalpel 4) is 12.8 kg. Remember “strong, light, cheap, pick 2”?. I think we now only have “expensive”. 😅

[gravelDave]

I am actually suprised that Cannondale is even still in business.

[benjy]

XC tracks have become more gnarly, so we have to make XC bikes more capable, now that XC bikes are more capable we have to make XC tracks more gnarly, the whole thing is circular and has resulted in XC bikes turning into lightweight short travel trail bikes, my 2019 norco fluid is a short travel trail bike with a 66.5 head angle, 120 rear, 130 front, so in 2024 would it now defined as a heavy XC bike? if so then you can ride double black downhill tracks on an XC bike now.

[MartinGiraldo-mp]

Do you know how much does the Lab71 Scalpel SE weights?

[keeganburns]

What wahoo mount is that? I can’t find one that fits the integrated bar and stem… please help

[ctsingletrack]

Would love to add one of these to the fleet. It's somehow as light as my carbon everything hardtail.

[frankdamelio]

Is it good for Single track woods, w/tight twisty trails with 90’ turns, lots of tight hardwood trees . Need something narrow, & flickable . Is this the answer ???

[Valentin]

Frame looks like they literally cutted the head tube, added that extra 10mm, and bonded all of that together.
I've seen some guy's was making such with old epics, but never thought production bikes will be like that 😂

[Doggepp]

So $14, 000 - Pretty much the same price as the new S-works, Pivot Mach 4, Yeti ASR, and Mondraker to name a few. All those come equipped with flight attendant, and a power meter. This does not. Cant see them selling many of these.

[garthTurningCranks]

Shame that the Lefty is gone from the US market, but I guess it makes mine that much more unique and more challenging to service due to fewer being out there? Not sure why they needed to switch to DUB from 30mm Crank spindle. Not surprised to see AI offset go away though.

[ginbraiba]

Does it accept 100mm travel fork and suspension without messing with the geometry? I know the previous models accepted 100mm or 120mm without problems...that said by Cannondale. I believe this one will be the same..if anyone knows will appreciate

[rubenwesterman]

I can't get over the angular thing near the chainstay bottom bracket, while the rest is round and smooth. Would be for me a dealbreaker looking at the amount of money they ask for it.
And thank the gods they routed every cable through a small bearing, an invention as useless as square wheels.

[RatluBoogerbag]

You say thank heavens it's a threaded BB. But that is only a good thing if the shell is aligned properly, which let's be honest, it probably isn't. I'd rather see a press fit so I can use a proper 1 piece BB.

[MAGAmaniac]

As a mechanic I would curse when I see this thing come into the shop.

[benjy]

Also I think that they need to change the name, a scalpel is sharp, and a bike with a 66 and a half degree head angle doesn't exactly have sharp scalpel like handling, how do I know? because I own a bike with a 66 and a half degree head angle, and if I wasn't riding steep bike park terrain then I would actually prefer a steeper head angle bike.

[danielpaulin]

No stash kit or any internal storage 🤷🏻‍♂️😕 I found it useful.

[Andy-copn]

.5 of a degree here, 3mm there makes no odds to nost of us. Good to see real world features like 2 water bottles and room for decent size tyres ( or mud clearance in winter)