After the commanding test victory in BIKE 7/2012 we had expected a lot from the pimped-up Ultimate version with the 2013 Lefty fork on the first two stages. But the bottle check was a sobering experience: the 0.7-litre bottle only squeezes reluctantly into the holder, and operating the CTD lever on the Fox shock becomes a test of skill. Climb mode takes the exuberant eagerness out of the potent suspension on the climbs. The super-sensitive twitching of the Lefty is effectively reined in by the XLoc handlebar lever. Almost underwhelmed by the gravel and tarmac roads, the Scalpel craved difficult terrain on the second stage. On the damp trails above Landeck and behind the Almstüberl, we finally encountered technical, rough terrain: thanks to precise handling and harmonious suspension, we were able to make up a few places. The XTR stoppers with small 160 mm discs performed bravely. Bottle empty: In the end, Coconcelli suffered from hunger pangs.
Conclusion: downhill-hungry thoroughbred racer for technical marathons. Long-distance drawback: no space for a large water bottle.
