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

Just over a year ago, Cannondale unveiled the new Scalpel HT, taking the trend towards ever-longer and flatter geometries a little further than anyone else. For years, head angles of around 70 degrees had been the norm for marathon and cross-country hardtails. At 66.9 degrees, the Scalpel HT’s head angle is flatter than that of any other race hardtail to date. Our endurance test will reveal whether this extreme design can hold its own in the long run.

Reliable & comfortable: a sports bike for long-distance riding

The riding position on the Scalpel HT is less unconventional than the geometry data might suggest. For someone 180 centimetres tall, the size L carbon frame doesn’t feel too long. With its 760-millimetre-wide handlebars mounted on an 80-millimetre-long stem, the Cannondale offers an excellent, comfortable riding position. On long rides with plenty of trails in my local area around Pfaffenhofen, the Scalpel HT proved exceptionally comfortable to ride.

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 levels of comfort proved invaluable during those long hours in the saddle – whether on a 155-kilometre day ride through Franconian Switzerland or a three-day bikepacking tour through the Upper Palatinate. The Scalpel HT proved to be a reliable and comfortable bike for long-distance riding.

In terms of weight, the Hi-Mod 1, at ten kilos ready to ride, has to concede to the top models from other manufacturers. However, if you don’t mainly use the bike for racing, this is hardly worth worrying about. Whilst the Cannondale isn’t one of those zippy, agile racing machines, it’s clearly superior to hardtails with conservative geometry when it comes to descents.

Once you’ve got used to the shallow head angle, the Scalpel HT, with its responsive Lefty fork and 110 millimetres of travel, sits firmly on the trail and can be steered smoothly through root-strewn sections. It’s also happy to tackle bends. Whilst classic CC bikes may navigate tightly winding sections more nimbly, with a bit more determination and an anticipatory riding style, the Cannondale has hardly any disadvantages here. On demanding trail rides, such as the Jurassic 100 loop around Kelheim – which consists of 80 per cent singletrack – the Scalpel HT scored highly as an all-rounder.

Encouraging results: minimal wear in the endurance test

The condition of the wear parts at the end of the test period is particularly pleasing. Even after 3,860 kilometres, the first set of brake pads still has sufficient material left on the backing plates, and the chain would only need replacing now. After 3,400 kilometres, the worn Schwalbe tyres were removed from the bike. The combination of Racing Ray and Racing Ralph offered not only long-lasting durability but also low rolling resistance and good grip. On the upside-down fork, the front brake cable came under particular strain. A guide came loose and had to be provisionally secured with a cable tie.

During the final inspection in our test laboratory, we noticed that the hub bearings were running rough. It is high time to replace them, particularly on the front wheel. Despite regular cleaning, a recurring clicking noise began to be heard from the bottom bracket after 2,000 kilometres. The Ergon GXR grips, which replaced the uncomfortable original parts. The soft, well-cushioned rubber on the clip-on grips began to disintegrate after just 300 kilometres.

Tuning tip: Steering angle limiter

Due to the shallow steering angle and the imbalance in the fork, the front wheel tends to tip over when stationary. In this case, the extra weight of a steering angle limiter would be useful to protect the top tube from damage.

Conclusion by Stefan Loibl, Digital Editor-in-Chief at BIKE

The responsive Lefty fork and excellent riding comfort make the Cannondale Scalpel Hardtail the perfect long-distance bike for me. The head angle is only an outlier on paper; in practice, you quickly get used to the smooth handling. Over the long term, the Shimano components have won me over. They work flawlessly and last an exceptionally long time.

Technical Specifications and Review: Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1

• Frame material: Carbon, size L
• Price: 6,999 euros
• Weight: 9.6 kg excluding pedals
• Suspension travel: 107 mm
• Impeller size: 29 inches
• Fork: Cannondale Lefty Ocho Carbon

Distance covered: 3,860 km | 59,500 hm

Costs during continuous operation

Overall, the running costs are nothing to complain about. If you take care to keep the drivetrain clean and maintain or replace the hubs and bottom bracket yourself, the Scalpel HT will prove to be good value for money in the long run.

See also:

>>Hardtail: BIKE OF THE YEAR 2022: Cannondale Scalpel HT<<