Changing XC? The all-new Cannondale Scalpel-Si race bike
The all-new Cannondale Scalpel-Si is the latest successor of the well-known Scalpel models. The light full-suspension bike was developed with the increasingly technical XC Worldcup courses in mind. According to Cannondale, they combined a well-balanced geometry with a super-stiff frame and potent suspension to create the ultimate race bike. Find out more in this press release:
“Over the last few years, cross-country courses have been changing. The climbs are getting steeper and the descents are getting nastier. There’s no room for error and to win at this game, you need more than just light and stiff, you need capable and stable handling. Cannondale’s engineers and designers took this challenge head on by pairing visionary geometry with our System Integration design approach to deliver the performance needed to tackle new course paradigm. Scalpel-Si is literally built for the world stage,” said Scott Rittschof, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing and Product Development for Cannondale.
Cannondale has a long-standing history of using the latest innovation and technology to develop world-class high-performance XC race bikes for its athletes. And it’s that commitment to cutting-edge performance that has made the Scalpel the single winningest bike on the UCI WorldCup stage since its introduction in 2002.
The Scalpel-Si is developed by utilizing the brand’s System Integration approach to design, where key components like cranks, fork, and frame are all developed together. The Scalpel-Si’s proprietary Ai offset drivetrain delivers the shortest chainstays in mountain biking for unmatched rear wheel traction and agile handling, without sacrificing tire clearance, or limiting the rider to single ring set-ups. With the combination of these super short chainstays, an evenly dished Ai-offset rear wheel, LockR locking axles and the brand’s legendary BallisTec Carbon construction, Cannondale has delivered the lightest, stiffest and most durable full suspension cross-country bike on the market.
Cannondale is introducing OutFront Steering Geometry, which pairs Scalpel-Si’s 69.5 slack head angle with a custom 55mm fork offset found only on Lefty. This proprietary technology gives the rider the best of both worlds: a slack head angle for the stability to attack the new generation of technical courses, as well as a tight “trail” measurement to keep the handling quick and XC-nimble everywhere else. Utilizing the lightest, smoothest and most torsionally stiff suspension fork in the world, Lefty’s unbelievable rigidity and confident steering precision out-corners, out-handles and runs circles around its XC competition.
The two women’s Scalpel-Si models are built around 27.5 wheels and bring the same crush-the-racecourse attitude in sizes all the way down to XS. With the same proprietary system integration and Ai drivetrain, the two models feature Lefty forks and a carefully selected parts package to optimize the experience for female riders.
The Scalpel-Si will be available in ten models, with a price range of $3,000 -$12,000 USD.
Geometry of the Cannondale Scalpel-Si
Mens version
| Size | S 650 | M 29 | L 29 | XL 29 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 400 mm | 440 mm | 480 mm | 520 mm |
| Top Tube | 570 mm | 599 mm | 624 mm | 648 mm |
| Head Tube | 97 mm | 110 mm | 122 mm | 134 mm |
| Head angle | 69,5° | 69,5° | 69,5° | 69,5° |
| Seat tube angle | 73,5° | 73,5° | 73,5° | 73,5° |
| Chainstay | 425 mm | 435 mm | k.A. | k.A. |
| BB drop | 20 mm | 38 mm | k.A. | k.A. |
| Wheelbase | 1079 mm | 1118 mm | 1144 mm | 1169 mm |
| Reach | 407 mm | 424 mm | 445 mm | 466 mm |
| Stack | 550 mm | 592 mm | 604 mm | 615 mm |
Womens version
| Größe | XS 650 | S 650 | M 650 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 380 mm | 400 mm | 420 mm |
| Top Tube | 548 mm | 570 mm | 603 mm |
| Steering tube | 97 mm | k.A. mm | 110 mm |
| Head angle | 69,5° | 69,5° | 69,5° |
| Seat tube angle | 73,5° | 73,5° | 73,5° |
| Chainstay | 425 mm | k.A. | k.A. |
| BB drop | 20 mm | k.A. | k.A. |
| wheelbase | 1057 mm | 1079 mm | 1113 mm |
| Reach | 385 mm | 407 mm | 437 mm |
| Stack | 550 mm | k.A. mm | 562 mm |
Ausstattungsvarianten des Scalpel-Si
The Cannondale Scalpel-Si will be available in 10 variants (most of them starting now). The high-end model is priced ad $ 11,999 and has this spec:
Scalpel-Si Black Inc.
Forks: Lefty 2.0 Carbon, 100mm, XLR Isolated Damper Technology with XC+ tune and XLoc Full Sprint remote, 55mm offset
Rear Shock: RockShox Monarch XX, 100mm, Full Sprint remote
Cranks: Cannondale HollowGram SiSL2, hollow forged, BB30, 26/36 Praxis Chainrings
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XTR Di2, 11-speed
Cassette: Shimano XTR, 11-40, 11-speed
Brakes: Shimano XTR Race, 160/160mm, Ice Tech Rotors
Rims: ENVE Carbon M50, tubeless ready,28h
Hubs: Lefty 60 front, Chris King ISO rear, 142×12, 28 hole (Ai Offset dish – Rear)
Saddle: Prologo Zero II CPC Nack Carbon
Stem / Handlebar: Cannondale C1, 6061 Alloy, 1.5″, 31.8, -5 deg. / ENVE Carbon Sweep, flat, 740mm
Seatpost: ENVE Carbon, Di2 compatible, 31.6x400mm
Tires: Schwalbe Racing Ralph EVO Snakeskin, 29×2.25″, folding, tubeless ready
The cheapest version, the Scalpel-Si 5 is $ 2.999:
Scalpel-Si 5
Forks: Lefty 2.0, 100mm, PBR Isolated Damper Technology with XC+ tune and updated controls, 55mm offset
Rear Shox: RockShox Monarch RL, 100mm
Cranks: Cannondale Si, BB30, 36/26 CNC Rings
Rear derailleur: SRAM GX, 11-speed
Cassette: SRAM PG-1130, 11-speed, 11-42
Brakes: Shimano Deore hydraulic disc, 180/160mm
Rims: Stan’s ZTR Rapid 29, 32 hole, tubeless ready
Hubs: Lefty 60 front, Formula DHT-142×12, (Ai Offset dish – Rear)
Saddle: Prologo K3
Stem / Handlebar: Cannondale C1, 6061 Alloy, 1.5″, 31.8, -5 deg. / Cannondale C2 Butted AL2014 Alloy, 760mm
Seatpost: Cannondale C3, Micro Adjust, 6061 Alloy, 31.6x350mm (S,M) 400mm (L,X)
Tires: Schwalbe Racing Ralph Performance, 29×2.25″, folding, tubeless ready
More information on cannondale.com
Words and Photos: Cannondale PR
Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more.
