Cannondale Scalpel Carbon 3

The Cannondale Scalpel Carbon 3 from 2024 is a high-quality mountain bike designed for demanding cross-country riders. With a price tag of 4299 EUR, it offers an impressive package of technical specifications and features.

The frame of the Scalpel Carbon 3 is made of lightweight and robust carbon and has 100 mm of suspension travel. It is equipped with Proportional Response Tuned technology and FlexPivot chainstays for optimum suspension performance. The frame also has a PF30-83 bottom bracket, a tapered head tube and a Speed Release 12 mm thru axle.

Braking performance is provided by Shimano Deore M6000 hydraulic disc brakes with 160 mm RT54 rotors at the front and rear. The brake levers are also from the Shimano Deore M6000 series and offer precise control and reliability.

The shifting system consists of a Shimano XT drivetrain and Shimano SLX shifters with 12 gears. The crankset is a HollowGram BB30a with OPI SpideRing and 34T chainring, optimised by the Ai offset. The sprocket is a Shimano SLX with a gradation of 10-51 teeth, which offers a wide gear range.

The Lefty Ocho fork with 100 mm travel, chamber damper with remote lockout and OppO suspension system provides excellent damping and control. The Fox Float DPS Performance Elite EVOL shock with remote lockout and adjustable rebound completes the suspension and also offers 100 mm of travel.

The bike is equipped with a Cannondale Alloy PressFit30 bottom bracket. The handlebar is a Cannondale 2 Flat made of butted 2014 aluminium, 760 mm wide, with a 3° rise and 8° sweep. The grips are Cannondale XC Silicone. The stem is Cannondale 3, 6061 aluminium, with an angle of 7 degrees.

The wheels are made of Stan's NoTubes Crest S1 rims with 28 spokes and are tubeless ready. The tyres are Schwalbe Racing Ray Performance at the front and Schwalbe Racing Ralph Performance at the rear, both in size 29 x 2.25" and with Addix Compound, also tubeless ready. The hubs are a Lefty 60 at the front and a Shimano MT510 at the rear with a 12x148 mm thru axle.

The saddle is a Prologo Dimension NRD with STN rails, while the seatpost is a Cannondale 2 made of 7075 aluminium in 31.6x400 mm.

To summarise, the Cannondale Scalpel Carbon 3 offers a first-class combination of advanced frame and suspension technology, high-quality components and well thought-out design that has been specially developed for cross-country enthusiasts.