Similar Products Used: jamis dakar, gt zaskar ,merida AM500
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Submitted by
baggsby
a Cross Country Rider
from Tallahassee, Florida, USA
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2009
Strengths: Lefty Front shock, "living hinge' rear suspension
Weaknesses: Larson TT tires, a little heavy compared to my hard-tail.
Bottom Line:
This isn't really a full suspension bike: it's a hard-tail with rear travel!
I wanted a hard-tail, but they had knocked the price down from $2650 to $1500 since this was the 'old-frame' with 69mm rear travel instead of the new 100mm.
A Screaming-Demon! I am able to blast through spots where I previously had to brake on my F900.
Bike Setup: Box-Stock except for Eaton handlebar & longer stem
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Submitted by
JaySC
a Cross Country Rider
from Mooresburg, TN
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2009
Strengths: This bike climbs like a hard tail. The shock works very well. Light weight.
Weaknesses: Many people have had problems with the RP3.
Nylon or some sort of plastic seat stays.
Nothing really to speak of.
Bottom Line:
This bike is a great deal if you can pick up on used. The frame design is awesome, and really does allow the bike to climb like a hard tail and absorb the bumps like a full suspension bike.
Similar Products Used: Carbon Scalpel 1.
Mongoose Zero G2
Bike Setup: 05 Scalpel 1000 with Carbon Lefty Speed, Monkey Lite XC carbon bars
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Submitted by
mosuca
a Cross Country Rider
from Auckland, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2009
Strengths: Fast, Very Precise, Beautiful, Super Light for a Fully, High Tech
Weaknesses: None for me (o.0)
Bottom Line:
Its an amazing bike!!! When ever I ride it, it makes me smile and go faster and faster...
Matt Black makes it more stealth so nobody really sees what Im riding which I like cause it doesn't look to shiny.
It surely isn't a cheap bike but for what you get its sooooo worth it!
Try one and you will never ride an other bike again...
Bike Setup: Matt Black Scalpel Carbon Frame, Mavic Crossmax SLR Wheels, Avid Juicy Ultimate Brakes, SRAM X-9 Gear
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Submitted by
Quentin
a Cross Country Rider
from Eleanor, WV, USA
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2008
Strengths: Light, fast, precise, fast, fast, and a fantastic climber. Phenomenal climber.
Weaknesses: Low bottom bracket, wheelset and pedals not terribly durable
Bottom Line:
I absolutely love this bike. It is a champ on fast XC riding and very precise for the technical stuff. I've had fantastic luck w/ my lefty fork. The low BB leaves you hitting your pedals off things occasionally, and it isn't the most ideal for log crossings. In the proper performance envelope (which I will admit I diverge from), it is an amazing bike. It still does all mountain riding well enough with the 2.5" of travel in the rear. I've never ridden a bike that wants to climb like this one though.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, Gary Fisher x-caliber
Bike Setup: Stock other than ergon grips
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Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Nowy Sacz, Poland
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2008
Strengths: Lefty, EPO chainstays, FOX RP3 with PP, X.O/XT setup, Larsen TT tires and OMG awesome Cannondale system headset which is indestructible so far!
Weaknesses: Maybe rear wheel flexes too much but I'm none of the light guys so really cant say if this is a weakness. Apart from that I couldn't find any.
Bottom Line:
Possibly the best alu-frame based XC full suspension bike. 67mm rear travel is really enough despite what some ppl say and I am heavy one (92kg atm)
Strengths: Has a very nice feel,great suspension,just enough travel to take the edge off.
Weaknesses: There is none
Bottom Line:
This is one of the best bikes for your bucks. It has spectacular steering and perfect tracking. With 2.6 in of travel you wont notice any movement of the rear end. This bike can take some bigger hits compared to other XC racing machines, But I would not recommend taking on any drop that is larger than two feet if you want to keep you bike whole. This bike can tackle any rock garden or steep section. The lefty fork really smooths out the trail and is butter smooth and it looks sweet two. This bike can take almost any thing that the trail will through at you, but remember it is still a cross county race bike and taking that four foot drop could end with a crash.
Similar Products Used: first short travel race bike.
Bike Setup: same setup when bought.
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Submitted by
Stuart
a Weekend Warrior
from Baltimore, Maryland
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2007
Strengths: Balance
Weaknesses: tough to cartop, lefty stays on
Bottom Line:
This is a wonderful bike for the roadie getting into Mtn biking. The suspension manages to do really well on the usual trail stuff and keeps me from killing myself on more rigorous stuff. Great climbing, fantastic balance. I spent more for this than I planned but you MUST TEST RIDE your options. The only bikes matching the ride of the Cannondales cost 2-3 x as much. It's all about balance and speed out there in the wilderness, this is one great machine!
Similar Products Used: my first dedicated trail bike
Bike Setup: stock
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Submitted by
Robert
a Cross Country Rider
from Huntington Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2007
Strengths: Great lockout, geometry and suspension.
Weaknesses: Slight fish tail motion in the back when cornering hard - due to the chainstay/carbon construction. As with carbon handlebars you have to get used to a flex
Bottom Line:
As a repeat buyer of a Scalpel I feel this is the best quality product for the money in this segment of the market. Affords a strong climbing and XC performance.
You will not see many complaints about this bike....those that talk about new bikes with hyrdracoils, etc. are bs'ing....that's a lawsuit if it's true (I.e. selling used as new). I highly doubt Cannondale wants litigation.
Bike Setup: Crossmax XL disc rear upgrade, carbon handlebars. XT cassette today, SRAM chain, wtb seat...otherwise all stock
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Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from golden colorado
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2006
Strengths: Light Frame, Good Feel, attractive look
Weaknesses: None yet, But not looking for any - Common sense maintenance and appropriate riding makes Jeff a happy guy :)
Bottom Line:
I started riding 1 1/2 years ago on a Cannondale f400 hardtail, I loved the hardtail but it hurt my back on long rides over washboard, rocks etc. I decided to go with the Scalpel for the simple fact that it is basically a light hardtail with a shock. Turn off the rear shock and see what I mean. It has served it's purpose very well, I am 220 lbs, 6'4" and have ridden over 500 miles on it. XC riding, Basic Downhill stuff, I Rode Moab, Slickrock Trail in march and then Fruita CO. last month. The bike handles very well. It has taken mild trail bobble jumps,and a recent tip over off a cliff ledge with me attached...... If you want a great XC TRAIL BIKE, that is light and fast, easy on the hills. Buy it. But buy it for what it is for, It is not a downhill bike and if you ride it for the wrong reasons, You'll brake it........
Strengths: Fast bike. Good geometry. I like the colors.
Weaknesses: I'm finding more and more as the months go on. Frame wobbles quite a bit, not a stable platform in the corners.
Bottom Line:
I don't think the bike is that light for an XC racing machine, 27.4 pounds. My frog link failed once and was replaced under warranty. My headset bearings failed just this week and weren't covered. The shop mechanic asked me if I had worked on the Lefty fork because he found a Helicoil in the spindle which holds the hub on. I never had it apart. I just sent Cannondale an email to answer that one. My eggbeater pedals broke and were repaired by Crankbrothers under warranty. And the amount of travel stated in the specs is 110mm but the actual is 88mm.
This bike rocks. It climbs better than anything I have ridden except the hardtail. I just did a race today with it and I made me faster on the climbs on the course. What the guy said about being twitchy on the downhill this is a xc race bike it is made to be twitchy for handling. I have not experienced any more twitchyness than any other xc racing machine that I have ridden. this bike will make you a faster rider just by getting on it. BUY THIS BIKE!
Similar Products Used: Trek, Cannondale (hardtail), fuji
Bike Setup: Stock 2006
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Submitted by
gs
a Cross Country Rider
from brisbane
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2006
Strengths: Light frame. Plush front fork.
Weaknesses: Extremely unreliable. In two years: 3 front fork re-builds and two broken rear stays, all with fairly minimal riding. Very sketchy riding downhill. Twitchy front end which seems to lose [front] traction easily. Short travel rear end will 'pogo stick' once you have blown through its limited [65 mm] travel.
Bottom Line:
This bike is OK for smooth trails. It is not a bike for tight trails or steep descents. Reliability is a major concern and if you buy one expect it to spend a fair bit of time in the shop for repairs.
Bike Setup: XT/LX groupset. Mavic 223 wheels. Lefty speed 110 mm fork. Fox float rear shock.
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Submitted by
Robert Tipton
a Cross Country Rider
from Willard Ohio
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2006
Strengths: Sterring response is awesome. I also like how light this bike is, how is looks & how the suspension feel. This bike has made me a better rider. Plus it is made in the USA
Weaknesses: I dont care for the stock pegs as they are rated as top of the line. I guess I have to get used to them.
Bottom Line:
I looked long & hard as to what I wanted for my style of riding as this is best suited for my style. I looked at Specialized, Giant, Trek, even the Prophet plus a few other bikes. This bike "ROCKS". A very solid bike, this is a great climber & very fast & light. Im so glad I made this purchased as the lefty shock is better than I ever expected, so if you have your doubts just go out & test ride one & you too will be converted over to Cannondale's technology. Everything is so sweet asI can see why this bike has won so many races, more than any other XC racer.
does anyone have an idea what the weigths are of these (Euro) models :
scalpel 1000 2007 vs rush 5 2007 (both have lefty in euro version)
is there a full lockout on the fox r Read More »
I can get either bike for ~$2,000. Right now I ride mostly AM but would like to get into XC for more exercise. I'm concered with bike weight, and would like to keep the rig to 25#s Read More »
I'm debating between a Cannondale HT and Scalpel. I know they're both XC bikes, but I want something light-weight and that's where it's at.
Does anyone have experience on riding Read More »
hi, i just saw a 2003 scalpel 1000 in our local classifieds. the guy who sells it says he can't ride any more - it is supposedly in good condition, it comes with two seats, two sea Read More »
Hey all, I'm in the market for a new All-Mountain type rig and a 2002 Scalpel 1000 just popped up in my local listings. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this bike Read More »
