Test Cannondale Scalpel HT Lab71: Hardtail trendsetter with new XC competition
Jan Timmermann
· 29.11.2024
The Cannondale Scalpel HT has always been an eye-catching cross-country hardtail. At the latest when the striking Lefty suspension fork was added to the front, the American race bike had an unmistakable recognisable feature. The rebel status of the Scalpel HT was finalised around two years ago. When Cannondale lifted the curtain and presented a hardtail with 110 millimetres of suspension travel and a steering angle of around 67 degrees. While the XC full-suspension bikes were constantly being upgraded, there was previously a kind of unwritten law that stipulated 100 millimetres of travel for fast hardtails and rarely a slacker head angle than 69 degrees. A good two years is a long time in the fast-moving world of MTB products. In the meantime, most of the major manufacturers have followed suit, at least in terms of the head angle, and made their hardtails slacker. We were therefore all the more excited to see how well the trendsetter Cannondale Scalpel HT in the premium Lab71 version for € 10,500 could keep up with its new high-end peers.
Details of the Cannondale Scalpel HT Lab71
- Area of application: Cross Country / Marathon
- Suspension travel: 110 mm
- Wheel size: 29"
- Frame material: Carbon
- Complete bike price: 10,500 euros
- Weight: 9.0 kg
How the Cannondale super hardtail got even better
When we took the latest version of the Scalpel Hardtail 2022 out on the trail for the first time, we were amazed. Cannondale proves that a race hardtail with extra travel and a slack head angle can do both: Win races and have fun. At that time, the Scalpel HT was the reference among rigid-rear cross-country racers on demanding courses with a high proportion of trails. In our current comparison test of the latest high-end hardtails, the Cannondale is also on the slack side, appearing to be a lot more compact than the Scalpel HT. to the 0.4 degree flatter Pinarello Dogma but no longer as extreme - but more on that later. What's more, the Scalpel HT can't deny that it's been quite a while since the last refresh of its overall concept. Compared to the carbon one-piece bikes of the competition and in view of the proud price Cannondale is asking for the bike, the classic cockpit seems almost old-fashioned. The 25 millimetre inner rim width is also narrower than today's mountain bike standard and the 27.2 millimetre thin, rigid seat post is only likely to appeal to purists - although admittedly this can still be found on the competition.
Instead of getting lost in these kinds of details, the Cannondale engineers have once again focussed on the central component: the frame. At the launch of the latest Scalpel HT generation, there was still no really competitively light chassis available, but the Americans have now followed suit. At just 1035 grams, Cannondale has the second lightest frame in our test field. Only the highest quality carbon fibres are used for the Lab71 chassis in a load-specific and weight-optimised layup. Low-set seat stays and an optimised use of material on the chain stays should ensure a high level of comfort at the rear and allow the rider to tire more slowly.
The chainstay length of the Scalpel hardtail grows with the frame size. Cannondale promises a central riding position and balanced handling, regardless of body size. If you want to stick with a mechanical drivetrain and get the last bit of lightweight construction and performance out of it, you can also install interrupted instead of continuous outer sleeves thanks to variable cable stops. The Lab71 chassis is finished off with a stylish special paint finish.
Price question
The Cannondale Scalpel HT Lab71 is only available in limited numbers from selected dealers at an official price of €10,500. In this way, the manufacturer wants to maintain a certain degree of exclusivity for the top model. Unfortunately, Cannondale does not offer a frameset for individual sale. If you want to call a Lab71 your own, you have to buy the expensive complete bike with Sram XX1 SL Eagle AXS transmission. Not only the Cannondale Lefty Ocho Carbon comes from Cannondale, but also the Hollowgram 25 Superlight carbon wheelset with the hub internals of the tried and tested Dt Swiss 240S. The manufacturer offers a lifetime guarantee on both the wheels and the frame. For a better understanding of the price, here are the complete bike weights and RRP of the comparison group:
- Bike Ahead The Frame: 8.34 kg / 8850 Euro
- Cannondale Scalpel HT Lab71: 9.01 kg / 10,500 euros
- Pinarello Dogma HT: 9.05 kg / 11,000 euros
- Storck Rebel Platinum: 9.74 kg / 4199 Euro
The equipment of the Cannondale Scalpel HT Lab71
- Fork: Cannondale Lefty Ocho Carbon
- Gear system: Sram XX1 SL Eagle AXS, 1 x 12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 34, 10-52 / 520 %
- Brakes: Sram Level ULT 180/160 mm
- Seatpost / Diameter: Cannondale Hollowgram Save Carbon / 27.2 mm
- Wheels: Cannondale Hollowgram 25 Superlight
- Tyres: Schwalbe Racing Ray Evo Addix Speedgrip / Racing Ralph Evo Addix Speed Super Ground TLE, 29 x 2.25"
The Cannondale cross-country hardtail in a practical test
On first contact with the Cannondale Scalpel HT Lab71, contradictory emotions fight within the observer. On the one hand, there is the beautiful, super-light frame with the prestigious Lab71 lettering and the dream Cannondale Lefty Ocho Carbon fork. This radiates emotion and whets the appetite for a racy, beautiful race hardtail. On the other hand, the 80 millimetre long, conservative aluminium stem and the angular silicone grips catch the eye. Fetishists will therefore find tuning potential even in the sinfully expensive Cannondale. The fork can be locked via the handlebar remote. Just like on the even more expensive Pinarello, some may be bothered by the cheap feel of the plastic lever. The bike does not have a steering stop limiter. But it does have a minimalist chain guide and a sensor on the front wheel hub. This should provide data-hungry racers with even more precise information than a purely GPS-based end device.
Contrary to what the long stem might suggest, the Cannondale Scalpel HT offers a pleasantly balanced ride. The frame has by far the shortest top tube length of the test candidates. At the same time, the seat angle of 74.8 degrees is nice and steep and puts the rider in an efficient pedalling position on demanding climbs. The Cannondale has the most harmonious riding position for marathons with many metres of climbing. The seating comfort is only average despite the flex support. Integrated into the Scalpel HT, you can also endure extra-long riding days. Unfortunately, the saddle on our test bike cracks loudly and the carbon seat post works audibly in the frame - annoying on such an expensive bike!
With purchase prices equivalent to a small new car, every detail has to be right. Creaking frames and seat posts are particularly annoying! - Hans-Peter Ettenberger, BIKE test laboratory
If the Cannondale pilot feeds high wattage into the Scalpel HT, the rider-bike team pulls away extremely quickly. The Lab71 has the lightest wheel combination and the best acceleration values in the test. The tried and tested Schwalbe tyres roll extremely well, but have significantly less traction compared to the wider tyres on the Bike Ahead. A sensitive rider is needed to achieve optimum power transfer on steep ramps with loose surfaces.
Even downhill, the combination of narrow tyres and thin rims offers little reserves. Today, 25 millimetres of internal width is more gravel bike terrain. Fortunately, the Cannondale can count on the excellent guidance of the in-house fork. The sensitive, confident Lefty is the best suspension fork in the test. Thanks to the slightly longer travel and slack head angle, the Scalpel HT stays in line even when reaching higher speeds on a rough trail. The Sram Level brakes from an older series also do a surprisingly good job. Despite the long control centre and the shortest reach in comparison, riding safety is at a high level. With a stronger wheel/tyre combination, the Cannondale would secure the downhill crown in the test. As it is, however, the American bike has to take the top spot. with the German Bike Ahead share.
From the test lab
Measured values
- Total weight: 9.01 kg (without pedals)
- Frame weight: 1035 g
- Weight of wheels: 3642 g
- Acceleration of running wheels: 2498 kg x cm²
- Seat comfort: 7.33 mm
We determine the weight of the complete bike without pedals in the BIKE test lab. The wheel weight is per set with tyres, cassette and brake discs. The following applies to wheel inertia: the lower the measured value, the easier it is to accelerate.
Valuation
- Uphill riding behaviour (15 %): 1.50
- Play instinct (8 %): 2.25
- Downhill riding behaviour (15 %): 2.25
- Downhill suspension (10 %): 0.5
Driving behaviour grade (45%): 1.61
- Weight without pedals (12 %): 1.25
- Inertia impellers (6 %): 1.50
- Seating comfort (12 %): 2.50
Laboratory grade (30 %): 1.80
- Equipment quality (5 %): 1.05
- Usability/added value (5 %): 3,50
- Transport volume bottle cage (5 %): 0.50
- Saddle retractability (5 %): 5.00
- Quality/processing (5 %): 1.75
Equipment grade: 2.36
Overall grade: 1.86
Conclusion
The lightweight Cannondale Scalpel HT with the powerful Lefty fork is still a formidable cross-country hardtail. Even if the geometry is no longer as progressive in all areas, it is still coherent. The elegant Lab71 frame is a feast for the eyes, but unfortunately some of the equipment details don't quite do it justice. Measured against this, the high price hurts twice as much. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE test editor
Pro
- lightweight, beautiful frame
- Best suspension fork in the test
- Balanced geometry
- strong acceleration
Contra
- does not offer the perfection that the price would suggest
- Narrow rim/tyre combination
Jan Timmermann
Editor
