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Downhill powerCannondale Scalpel HT Carbon 2 on test

Max Fuchs

 · 10.06.2022

Downhill power: Cannondale Scalpel HT Carbon 2 on testPhoto: Max Fuchs
Downhill power: Cannondale Scalpel HT Carbon 2 on test

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The flattest race hardtail ever - that's how we remembered the top model Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 after the first tests. Here is the more affordable bike.

For this issue, we opted for the 2500 euro cheaper Carbon 2 version. The biggest difference: ten millimetres less travel and a 150 gram heavier frame, without the ultra-light Hi-Mod fibres. With the shorter aluminium Lefty, the steering angle is almost one degree steeper. But does this mean that the Cannondale loses its core competences downhill? Not at all. The losses compared to the top model are hardly noticeable on the descent.

Cannondale Scalpel HT Carbon 2: Risk of injury: Without a retractable seatpost, it's easy to get caught on the sharp-edged plastic end of the seat on the descent.Photo: Max Fuchs Cannondale Scalpel HT Carbon 2: Risk of injury: Without a retractable seatpost, it's easy to get caught on the sharp-edged plastic end of the seat on the descent.
Cannondale Scalpel HT Carbon 2: The information on the air pressure table tends to be too low.Photo: Max Fuchs Cannondale Scalpel HT Carbon 2: The information on the air pressure table tends to be too low.

Conclusion on the Cannondale Scalpel HT Carbon 2:

Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor: The more affordable Scalpel HT also has its strengths on the descents. With the added comfort and riding safety, it shines in marathons and on long tours. The weight is too high for cross-country use at this price.

Max Fuchs, BIKE test editorPhoto: Max Fuchs Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor

Technical data Cannondale Scalpel HT Carbon 2

General information

Equipment

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  • Fork: Cannondale Lefty Ocho Remote
  • Crank: Cannondale Hollowgram aluminium
  • Gear system: Shimano XT 1 x 12
  • Gear ratio / bandwidth: 34; 10-51 / 510 %
  • Brake system / disc (front / rear): Shimano XT BR-M 8100 / 180 mm / 160 mm
  • Seatpost / Ø: Hollowgram SAVE Carbon / 27.2 mm
  • Wheels: Stans No Tubes Crest MK4 system wheels
  • Tyres: Schwalbe Racing Ray / Racing Ralph SuperGround TL EVO Addix Speedgrip 29 x 2.25
  • Ease of maintenance: weak
Cannondale Scalpel HT Carbon 2: Geometry dataPhoto: BIKE Testabteilung Cannondale Scalpel HT Carbon 2: Geometry data Cannondale Scalpel HT Carbon 2: CharacteristicsPhoto: BIKE Testabteilung Cannondale Scalpel HT Carbon 2: Characteristics

All test results for the Cannondale Scalpel HT Carbon 2daten in the big comparison test of the 9 race bikes from BIKE 6/2022 can be conveniently downloaded as a PDF below the article.

The test report costs 1.99 euros. Why not free of charge? Because quality journalism has a price. In return, we guarantee independence and objectivity. This applies in particular to the tests in BIKE. We don't charge for them, but the opposite is the case: we do charge for them - tens of thousands of euros every year.

Downloads:

Test Racebikes (pdf)

Max Fuchs

Max Fuchs

Editor

Max Fuchs hat seine ersten Mountainbike-Kilometer bereits mit drei Jahren gesammelt. Zunächst Hobby-Rennfahrer und Worldcup-Fotograf im Cross-Country-Zirkus, jetzt Testredakteur und Fotograf bei BIKE. Sein Herz schlägt für Enduros und abfahrtsstarke Trailbikes – gern auch mit Motor. Bei der Streckenwahl gilt: je steiler und technischer, desto besser.

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