Endurance test Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1: Reliable & sporty over long distances

Just over a year ago, Cannondale presented the new Scalpel HT and rode the wave of ever longer and slacker geometries a little further than everyone else. For years, head angles of around 70 degrees were the norm among marathon and cross-country hardtails. At 66.9 degrees, the head angle of the Scalpel HT is slacker than any other race hardtail to date. Our endurance test will show whether the extreme concept is also convincing in the long term.

Reliable & comfortable: sports equipment for the long haul

Sitting on the Scalpel HT is less unconventional than the geometry data would suggest. At 180 centimetres tall, the carbon frame in size L doesn't look too long. With the 760 millimetre wide handlebar on the 80 millimetre stem, the Cannondale offers an excellent comfortable riding position. On long tours with a high proportion of trails in our home territory near Pfaffenhofen, the Scalpel HT spoilt us with an exceptionally high level of comfort.

The combination of low-set seat stays and the 27.2 millimetre thin Cannondale Save-Two carbon seat post creates a pleasant flex. The high comfort values were worth their weight in gold during the long hours in the saddle - whether on a one-day tour of 155 kilometres through Franconian Switzerland or on a three-day bikepacking tour through the Upper Palatinate. The Scalpel HT proved to be a reliable and comfortable piece of sports equipment for long distances.

In the weight classification, the Hi-Mod 1, with its ready-to-ride ten kilos, has to leave the top models from other manufacturers behind. However, if you don't use the bike primarily for racing, you can disregard this. Although the Cannondale is not one of the lively and agile racing bikes, it is clearly superior to hardtails with conservative geometry on descents.

Once you get used to the slack head angle, the Scalpel HT with its sensitive Lefty fork and 110 millimetres of travel sits firmly on the trail and can be steered smoothly through root passages. Nevertheless, it also corners willingly. Classic CC bikes are quicker through tight, twisty sections, but with a little more vigour and an anticipatory riding style, the Cannondale has hardly any disadvantages here. On demanding trail tours, such as the Jurassic 100 loop around Kelheim with 80 per cent singletrack, the Scalpel HT scored plenty of points as an all-rounder.

Encouraging results: low wear and tear in the endurance test

The condition of the wearing parts at the end of the test period is particularly pleasing. Even after 3,860 kilometres, the first brake pads still have enough material on the backing plates, and the chain also only needs to be changed now. After 3400 kilometres, the worn Schwalbe tyres flew off the bike. The combination of Racing Ray and Racing Ralph tyres offered long durability as well as low rolling resistance and good grip. The front brake cable on the upside-down fork was particularly stressed. A guide came loose and had to be fixed with a makeshift cable tie.

During the final check in our test lab, we noticed the rough running hub bearings. It's time to replace them, especially on the front wheel. After 2000 kilometres, despite regular cleaning, a recurring cracking noise appeared on the bottom bracket. The Ergon GXR gripswhich replaced the uncomfortable original parts. The soft and well-damping rubber of the plug-in grips began to disintegrate after just 300 kilometres.

Tuning tip: Steering lock limiter

Due to the slack steering angle and the imbalance on the fork, the front wheel tends to tip over when stationary. The additional weight of a steering angle limiter would be useful here to protect the top tube from damage.

Conclusion from Stefan Loibl, BIKE Editor-in-Chief Digital

A finely responsive Lefty fork and plenty of seating comfort make the Cannondale Scalpel hardtail the perfect long-distance replacement for me. The steering angle is only an outlier on paper, in practice you quickly get used to the unagitated handling. In the long term, the Shimano components convinced me. They work flawlessly and last a long time.

Technical data and rating Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1

• Frame material: Carbon, size L
• Price: 6999 Euro >> available here
• Weight: 9.6 kg without pedals
• Spring travel: 107 mm
• Wheel size: 29 inch
• Fork: Cannondale Lefty Ocho Carbon

Mileage: 3860 km | 59 500 hm

Costs in continuous operation

Overall, the wear costs give no cause for criticism. If you keep the drivetrain conscientiously clean and maintain or replace the hub and bottom bracket yourself, the Scalpel HT will also be a favourable choice in the long term.

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