Cannondale Scalpel 2024: 120 millimetres for the new race fully with the Lefty fork

Few bikes can boast as many race victories as the Cannondale Scalpel. Since the early 2000s, the fast race fully has been shaking up the World Cups of this world. Greats such as Manuel Fumic, Henrique Avancini and most recently junior world champion Charlie Aldridge have steered the cross-country bike to the top of the podium. After the last update four years ago Cannondale is now rolling out a completely newly developed bike. With 120 millimetres of suspension travel for all models and full trail expertise.

120 millimetres - that sounds like a lot for a cross-country MTB, but should hardly come as a surprise to fans. Starting with the Scott Spark In recent years, more and more manufacturers have been adding more suspension travel to their race bikes, from Arc8 about Giant and Orbea until Trek or Willier. Together with an extended geometry and a lowerable dropper post in all models, this should give the bikes more safety downhill on the demanding race tracks of this world. After Cannondale had already given the Race hardtail Scalpel HT has prescribed an intensive lengthening and flattening programme for the geometry, it is only logical to implement the same for the Fully.

>> Cannondale Scalpel 1 on test: We put the new racer through its paces in practice and in the BIKE test lab.

Downcountry is the modern cross country. - Scott Vogelmann, Cannondale

Despite more travel, the Scalpel remains true to itself. The side line is still unmistakable, and the Scalpel still cultivates its image as a special race bike with the Lefty. And as a radical racer, Cannondale still places great value on efficiency on the climbs. The suspension has therefore been revised again for the latest edition and of course you can engage the lockout from the handlebars using the twist grip. Fast, albeit wide tyres and weight-optimised equipment should leave your opponents in the dust.

The facts about the Cannondale Scalpel 2024

• Frame material: Carbon
• Suspension travel: 120 / 120 mm
• Wheel size: 29 inch
• Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Six models between 4299 and 12,999 euros
• Weight: from 10.5 kg (manufacturer's specification top model, size M) / 11.5 kg (BIKE measurement Cannondale Scalpel Carbon 1, size L)
• Special features: Lefty, Flexpivot rear triangle, two bottle cages, Cannondale wheel sensor

The new Cannondale Scalpel in the video presentation

From 1775 grams: The carbon frame of the Cannondale Scalpel

The declared goal: frame and stiffness at least on a par with the predecessor, despite the significantly longer geometry and greater suspension travel. To achieve this, the developers have opted for slimmer tubes, which give the new bike a more delicate appearance. For weight reasons, the cables run through the headset into the frame, and the storage compartment for the minimalist tool under the bottle cage has been removed. Racers will be less bothered by this, but everyday users will lose some added value. On the other hand, the frame now offers more space for the two water bottles.

The Scalpel chassis is available in two versions. Only the top model Lab71 comes with the most expensive carbon fibres (Series 0), according to Cannondale the frame should then only weigh 1775 grams without shock. That would be a strong figure, even if some of today's competitors manage it even lighter. All other models come with the slightly cheaper fibres (Series 1) and, according to the manufacturer, should only weigh 100 grams more. Unfortunately, we were unable to fully confirm this value (at least for frame size L) in our own test laboratory. The frame of our test bike Cannondale Scalpel Carbon 1, the second most expensive model in the line-up, weighs 2058 grams without the shock. This places the new Scalpel "only" in the midfield in the pure laboratory evaluation among the extremely strong competition.

The lightest MTB frames 2024: comparison of weights

1. Arc8 Evolve FS (size L): 1536 g
2. Trek Supercaliber (size L): 1672 g
3. Canyon Lux CFR (size L): 1675 g
4. Specialised S-Works Epic 8 FACT 12M (size L): 1682 g
5. Cannondale Scalpel Series 0 (size M): 1775 g / 2052 g (Series 1, size L)
6. Scott Spark RC World Cup (size L): 1780 g
7. Pivot Mach 4 SL (size M): 1845 g
8. Specialised Epic EVO 8 FACT 11M (size L): 1872 g
9. Simplon Cirex 120 (size L): 1880 g
10. MMR Kenta SXC (size L): 2125 g
11. Canyon Lux Trail (size L): 2137 g
12. BH Lynx Race LT (size L): 2351 g

120 millimetres and Flexpivot: The suspension of the Cannondale Scalpel

Cannondale has also fundamentally revised the suspension for the new bike. The front and rear now both offer 120 millimetres of travel. This was previously only known from the downcountry model Scalpel SEthat will no longer exist in the future. The shock is now also slightly steeper in the frame, which should give the rear end more natural progression. With more anti-squat in the climbing gears, pedalling efficiency has been increased compared to its predecessor, and there is now less anti-squat in the lower gears for better sensitivity of the rear triangle on the downhill.

Cannondale continues to rely on a flex pivot design in the rear triangle. Instead of the fourth bearing in the chainstay area (Horst link), the chainstay flexes itself. This saves weight and should result in more lateral stiffness and less stress during maintenance. We are already familiar with this system from the previous Scalpel and many other bikes in this suspension travel class.

System bar: One-piece carbon cockpit for the Scalpel

In addition to the frame itself, Cannondale is also reducing the weight of the bikes for the first time with a specially developed, one-piece carbon cockpit (235 grams, manufacturer's specification). The system bar is available with a stem length of 60 or 75 millimetres, depending on the frame size. The width is always a modern 760 millimetres. A slight upsweep (5°) and backsweep (8°) should ensure an ergonomic position and comfort on the long haul, while the stem angle is not too aggressive at -6°. The cables also run through the carbon cockpit into the frame. Specially adapted bearings, especially in the headset, should ensure long durability.

Scalpel on a radical cure: the geometry of the Cannondale racer

As early as 2022, Cannondale with the new Scalpel HT race hardtail an exclamation mark. The slack head angle and rear suspension flex brought racers unprecedented comfort on the descents. It is therefore only logical that Cannondale has now transferred this philosophy to the Scalpel full suspension bike. The head angle is now 66.6 degrees (manufacturer's specification, BIKE measurement: 67 degrees), the reach is a long 475 millimetres in size L (manufacturer's specification, BIKE measurement: 473 millimetres). A super-short head tube should still put a lot of pressure on the front on the climbs, while slightly longer chainstays prevent the front wheel from rising and provide more confidence on the descents. The geometry is therefore absolutely up to date.

However, it is also clear that the new Scalpel is no longer quite as agile as its predecessor with its one degree steeper head angle, shorter reach and 30 millimetres less wheelbase. As with the suspension travel, the geometry is also clearly moving in the direction of trail bikes. Also fully in line with the trend: in addition to the main frame itself, Cannondale has also allowed the rear triangle to grow or shrink with the sizes. As a result, the size S bike has significantly shorter chainstays than an M, while the XL has significantly longer chainstays, so that even very small and very tall riders can enjoy a balanced geometry.

Practical test: How the new Scalpel rides

We were able to get a first impression of the new Cannondale Racer at the bike's launch. As expected, the bike makes a very "traily" and potent impression for a cross-country full-susser. The uphill acceleration is efficient, but the Scalpel 1 is no longer as radical as race bikes of the sub-ten-kilo generation with an 11.5-kilo bike.

>>In the meantime, we've been able to put the Cannondale Scalpel 1 through its paces on the XC circuit and in the BIKE test lab. You can read the detailed test report including lab data in this separate article

With a view to the MTB cross-country competitions at the 2024 Olympics many manufacturers are currently presenting their new race fullys. These include, for example, the Liv Pique Advanced for female racers and the Specialised S-Works Epic with the new, electronic Rockshox Flight Attendant suspension.

From 4299 euros - Cannondale Scalpel: models and equipment

With a total of six models ranging from 4299 to 12,999 euros, the model range of the new Scalpel is broad. The top model Lab71 is particularly exclusive with the new XMC 1200 wheels from DT Swiss, special paintwork and the lightest frame from Cannondale's Series 0 fibres. According to the manufacturer, this bike should weigh 10.5 kilos in size M. Carbon wheels and Srams Transmisson are also found in the Scalpel 1 and 2 models, the latter of which is available with either a Lefty fork or a Rockshox SID alternative. The more affordable Scalpel 3 and 4 models rely on conventional Rockshox suspension, twelve-speed drivetrains from Shimano and aluminium wheels.

Still a real race bike? An interview with Scott Vogelmann from Cannondale

BIKE: 100 millimetres has long been the standard for cross-country bikes. Why have you now opted for more suspension travel?

SCOTT VOGELMANN: With a modern chassis, more suspension travel no longer has any disadvantages. We can give the rider a little more comfort and more downhill potential. That was a clear decision for us.

Is the bike still fast uphill?

It's even faster than before. Firstly, the longer chainstays help with balance when climbing. The rider can relax the upper body more on steep terrain and concentrate on putting maximum power onto the chain. Secondly, we have drastically increased the anti-squat in the climbing gears compared to the predecessor. This makes the suspension even more efficient when pedalling uphill.

Compared to its predecessor, the geometry is much longer. Doesn't this mean that the agile, lively handling of the race bike is lost?

You have to take a close look at where you gain and lose time in the race. Uphill, the longer wheelbase helps you to get over obstacles cleaner and faster. In a tight bend, you may have to work harder uphill with the longer wheelbase. But if you lose a second here and gain 15 on the rest of the lap, then that's a clear calculation. Especially as the advantage of the longer geometry downhill is very clear.

What's more, the geometry and the additional suspension travel are designed to take the strain off the rider. There's a good saying. You win races uphill, but you lose them downhill. If you can relax better on the downhill, you'll be more rested on the next climb.

You now install a Vario support in every model ex works. Why?

As well as being fun, it also allows the rider to recover better downhill. And with a dropper post, it's also easier to go on the attack to make up some time on the downhill.

The Lefty is still used in the high-end versions. What is the advantage over a traditional fork?

With our own fork, we can perfectly harmonise the rear and front. Especially when the fork flexes under braking, the Lefty with its needle bearings also has a clear advantage in terms of response behaviour.

Will there still be a Scalpel SE downcountry model in the future?

In fact, all new Scalpels are SE models. For us, this is the future of Cross Country.