Cannondale’s Scalpel has always been a minimum mass favourite of the shaved leg and skin suit brigade. This latest, more technically capable version doesn’t just reflect more radical XC courses though, it also makes it a lot more fun on the trails. It’s even got a tech friendly 740mm handlebar and routing for an internal dropper post.
Cannondale Scalpel Black Inc spec overview
- Frame: BallisTech Hi-MOD Carbon
- Fork: Lefty 2.0 Carbon
- Shock: RockShox Monarch
- Wheel Size: 29”
- Drivetrain: Shimano XTR Di2
- Brakes: Shimano XTR
- Head Angle: 69.6
- Seat Angle: 73.5
- Reach: 445mm (L)
Cannondale Scalpel Black Inc ride impression
Obviously we’re talking ‘more trail capable’ in relative terms and even with the 55mm OutFront offset on the single legged, full carbon Lefty fork the 69.5-degree head angle certainly isn’t slack and low by contemporary enduro standards.
It’s impressively balanced and traction-rich as far as the 100mm front, flex stay rear travel and Schwalbe Racing Ralph semi-slick tyres go though. The massive 1.5in head tube, Lefty fork and ENVE M50 rims are impressively stiff tracking too and while the back end is twangy it’s never treacherous.
A complete bike weight of 10.13kg (the large frame weighs just over 2kg) means every turn of the gorgeous looking Cannondale SpideRing Si 30mm axle cranks accelerates you far faster than normal and it climbs up loose and rocky slopes with outrageous, ego boosting ease even on the last lap of a 24hr race (more on that in a later feature).
Alternatively, hit the remote controlled, double ended hydraulic hard lock suspension and acceleration is even more savage.
Gear geeks will love the precision and adjustability of the electrically operated Shimano XTR Di2 transmission, but there’s an almost identical analogue XTR ‘Race’ version for £6,800, a SRAM 1x12 Eagle ‘Team’ bike at £6,500 as well as cheaper Ballistec carbon versions down to £3,299.
While they work really well, idiosyncrasies like the Lefty fork front wheel and Chris King hubbed asymmetric Ai rear wheel potentially make upgrading challenging, although it’s hard to see how you’d improve the Black Inc.
