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Cannondale
Scalpel Team Replica
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Submitted by
Oliver
a Cross Country Rider
from Brownsville, Texas
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$5500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle World of Brownsville | | Strengths: | Light weight. Good Handling. | | Weaknesses: | Chain slips off chain ring when pushing hard up steep inclines. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Scalpel 2000 | | Bike Setup: | was stock - now, have switched frames to the 2000 version with XTR bottem bracket and crank | | Bottom Line: | I had a severe skipping problem when cranking up hill. I have been in contact with Cannondale for 2 years trying to fix the problem. After switching out the chainrings, cogs, rear derailleur, the rear triangle and finally, the frame, I still had the same problem. Finally figured out that it is the SI crank. Cannondale sent me a 2000 frame and I put on an XTR crank and the problem was solved. Now I really love the bike. The SI crank may be good for light weight riders, but is too flexy for us heavier folk! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Fitzpatrick
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | ACFL | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$5000.00 | | Purchased At: | Gregg's | | Strengths: | Lightweight (24 lbs on the store scale); good fit & standover clearance (medium frame, I'm 5"9"); Marta discs; Lefty "fork"; 29-tooth chainring (at least for the trail I test-rode the bike on); tubeless tires; did I mention lightweight? | | Weaknesses: | Coda saddles are awful; blue & white paint job (I really like polished alloy Cannondale frames); 29-tooth small chainring for most trails in the Pacific Northwest (I need a REAL granny gear!). The 1.9 front tire felt a little skittish at times, and it was quite dry when I rode; I think something more meaty would help in this part of the US. | | Similar Products Used: | I've owned a Rocky Mtn Instinct for 2 years. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Easton Monkey-lite riser bar. | | Bottom Line: | I was really impressed with this bike; I thought I'd miss having a lower granny gear but at least on the trails I rode (no really huge climbs), the 29-tooth small ring was perfect. I think the combo of light weight and the tubeless tires made the bike feel like a rocket. The Lefty felt much smoother than my '01 'Zoke X-fly (both forks have same 100 mm travel). Although the rear end has about 1 inch less travel than my Instinct and a little smaller tire (1.9 vs 2.1) it felt just as plush. I weigh 210; I put about 150 psi in the fork, and played with the rear shock until I had 5mm of static sag; everything seemed to work just fine. Maybe not for everybody (I'd worry about drops over a couple feet or too many long, fast pounding descents) but a very sweet ride for the right person (light, or strictly XC riding and racing); highly recommended! Can't give 5 flamers for value because it's so expensive, but this bike makes me wish I had the $5K to spare.... | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew W
a Cross Country Rider
from Sheffield, Yorkshire, UK
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Jacobs Ladder, Yorkshire | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$5000.00 | | Strengths: | I actually own the 3000 but hey...
This bike is awsome, tried loads when I was replacing my Marin but this won hands down. Light, Forgiving, Sharp, Well put together | | Weaknesses: | Seatpost - seriously thats it - and only then 'cos its not Carbon! | | Similar Products Used: | Numerous | | Bike Setup: | Standard with new seatpost (eastern) | | Bottom Line: | Fantastic climber with sharp tracking. It steers like a dream and goes wherever you point it...
Downhills are great with just enough sus to keep you on track without being OTT.
This bike really re-energised my riding.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik
a Racer
from Mahopac
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Ninham Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | CT | | Strengths: | Great top tube length. Excellent shock absorbing both front and back. Nice bike to ride in general | | Weaknesses: | This bike shifts like $hit. The top pulley hits the cassette in the 34 and 30. I even contacted Cannondale - and the product engineers blamed the Shimano deraileur design! Total BS. Fix this problem and they have a great bike - otherwise I would not buy another. Skips like crazy when pushing up the hills (Even with a new cassette & chain) | | Bike Setup: | Stock Scalpel 2000 | | Bottom Line: | Dont buy it unless you like shifting problems | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Silcock
a Cross Country Rider
from Old, Northants, UK
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Quantocks | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$5000.00 | | Purchased At: | Ricci | | Strengths: | Super sharp steering, incredibly light for full susser, silky smooth ride, takes the bumps like it has a lot more than 63mm rear travel | | Weaknesses: | I didn't like the factory spec so went for a custom build. | | Similar Products Used: | My old Rockhopper hardtail has done me proud for 7 years & I didn't think I would ever go for full suspension until I sat on a Scalpel....then picked it up & found it was lighter!! | | Bike Setup: | Scalpel, carbon Lefty, Spinergy Xyclones, Ritchey Excavaders, Hope Mini, Easton Monkeylite, SRAM XO rear mech/shifter, XTR/Proshift front shifter/mech, Middleburn RS8 & slickshift rings, eggbeaters | | Bottom Line: | Dreambike spec @ dreambike price but if it lasts like my old Rockhopper I'll be happy. Razor sharp tracking & silky smooth handling. Incredibly light and it doesn't feel as though strength has been compromised. It imspires the confidence in me to ride faster in all conditions. Uphill it's like a rat up a drainpipe provided you lock out the rear....and that new Ritchey rubber is sticky, sticky, sticky! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Europe
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Very sharp handling - light weight (with some tweaks) - for now the perfect FS XC racing bike...until something better comes along. | | Weaknesses: | Rear shock is very cumbersome to remove for service. The white Teflon bushings/washers between the shock linkage and frame require regular replacement, every four months or so with frequent use of the bike (4-5 days a week). | | Bottom Line: | It takes some experience until you get the suspension properly set-up. After that the bike handles like an XC racer's dream. It allows you to go faster than you're used to on a hard tail over rougher single track. Don't expect any plushness from the suspension. It's only there to optimize speed and the contact of the tires to the terrain. Truly race orientated.
For further comments I refer to the very first post below. Tom pretty much said it all.
(only 3 chilis for value due to the price in Europe...$7000 retail...common' that's just too high in comparison to US pricing) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jerry Daniels
a Weekend Warrior
from Fruita, Colorado, USA
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Any trail that's easy enough to make me look like I am a skilled rider! | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | Over the Edge Cycles | | Strengths: | My friends Angry Man, Hemo the Magnificent, and Lee Bridgers, who used to know Frank Zappa, strongly recommend this bike, so that's all I need to know. | | Weaknesses: | The guys above say there is nothing wrong with it, so it must be ok. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Sugar 1, Trek Fuel 100, Santa Cruz Superlight, Kona Kink Kikapu. | | Bike Setup: | I'm turning it into a single speed. | | Bottom Line: | First of all, please don't let anyone on the usenet discussion group Alt. Mountain-bike know about this. I really do like Cannondales, but I have to pretend not to like. I've never actually even swung a leg over one, but they look cool, and as I stated above, my friends think it's cool, so that's all that matters. As you can see from above, I've owned some pretty elite bikes, so I'm hoping if I continue to pretend to be a good father (when in reality biking comes before anything in my life) that maybe I can slip out of some child support. Those Cannondales are expensive you know! I'll really have to put in some long extra hours at the 911 call center, but like I said, nothing comes before biking in my life, so it's off to work I go, and when it comes to being a father, I put on a good show!
Now shut up and ride! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Cranwell
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Too many to list | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Duke's Cycle | | Strengths: | Light, Fast, Stiff!
This bike loves to climb and it slices through fast single track.
Left Cardon tracks amazingly well and the Marta brakes are the best I've ever used. | | Weaknesses: | Had a couple minor problems with "pops" & "squeaks" in the rear suspension when the bike was new. I've since solved the problem and now have no complaints. | | Similar Products Used: | Have tested just about everything comparable [Specialized M4, SantaCruz Superlight, Trek Fuel, Sugar 1] - this was my final choice. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for the following:
- Pedals, Speedplay Frogs
- Tires, Continental Twister Pros | | Bottom Line: | This bike loves to be raced and pushed hard. The Lefty Carbon is a very forgiving fork and has saved my butt on more than one occasion [particulary doing night laps at 24 hour events].
I don't think this bike is for everyone - due in part to the price, and the fact that most riders today seem to be looking for more travel in the rear [you don't need it!]
It's ideal if you race or if you appreciate fast single track and epic cross country rides.
Love then or hate them, you've got to appreciate Cannondale for once again pushing the technology envelope with the EPO rear and the Lefty up front. Awesome Ride! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Racer
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Oak Ridges | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Dukes Cycles | | Strengths: | Cannondale Scalpel 3000 ( review here cause there isn't one for the 3000)
-Very light weight
-front electronic lockout (ELO)
-Lefty Carbon
-great handling
-well balanced
-perfect for XC racers
-love the anodized black frame
-and the Magura Martas are INSANELY AMAZING
| | Weaknesses: | little bit of problems with the mavic X3.0, due to bad tuning from shop. other then that, the bike is a gem, and it totally kicks ass | | Similar Products Used: | Thin Blue Line Ozone Pro. | | Bike Setup: | Stock Scalpel 3000 except for Time Carbon pedals and Amoeba Downhill Riser bar. | | Bottom Line: | The absolute best bike i have ever ridden in my life. The scalpel is light as a feather, it turns on a dime. Hills are a breeze with the ELO and Fox Float RLC. Downhill descents are amazing thanks to the 4.0" travel Lefty.
For XC racers or just even riders that love fast technical single track, this is the bike for you. My placing in races has been incredible because i can attack single track and blow any one away without any trouble at all. The name says everything because it is the cutting edge of lightweight design, and it cuts up single track with precision.
A little bit on the hefty price range, but if you really love biking, then this is "cats ass of XC riding". There isn't anything it wont handle, with the exception of downhilling and freeriding.
I can only say positive stuff about this bike, because thats all there is. And for those of you out that that already have this bike, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a
from Ridgefield, CT
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light weight, perfect amount of travel for cross country use, razor (scalpel) sharp handling | | Weaknesses: | ? So far, so very, very good (knock on wood). Somewhat expensive, I guess, but everything else comparable is too. The 3000 model provides good bang for the $ | | Similar Products Used: | full zoot Raven, F2000 C'dales, Specialized FSR Enduro Pro, assorted buddy bikes | | Bike Setup: | As stock, but switched tires to UST Pythons when Mosquitoes wore out, jettisoned remote rear lockout for blue lever, added 959 clipless, and Singletrack Solutions plastic bar ends | | Bottom Line: | This is an update on an original review posted in the Scalpel 2000 section. My bike is the black ano. 3000 model, basically the same as team, but with triple crankset and XT front der. The more time I spend on this, the more I love it for the fast technical riding I do. This is not a bike for freeriders-it weighs next to nothing, and flies up hills. Consequently, it is not made for big drops, chutes, etc. but does like air time; very 'flickable' over the slightest bumps-jump mine like a a skier from trail section to trail section. Amount of travel is just enough-don't miss the extra 'monkey motion' of longer travel bikes at all. Some wheel flop and barely noticeable flex from ti Lefty through slow speed rock gardens, but bike is so well balanced, you can thread a fine line, and place your wheels wherever wanted. Where this bike really shines is through fast singletrack, it just flows. It is a racer though, and does require your attention on fast, loose downhills. Marta brakes are very powerful but easily modulated. Rarely use the Granny, the UST Python tires provide incredible traction, and hook up through just about anything save serious mud. Have I mentioned I love this bike? I would undoubtedly purchase this same model again. Now if you'll excuse me, the sun is shining once again...
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian McLean
a Weekend Warrior
from Rochester, Mich. USA
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Stoney Creek Metro Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4200.00 | | Purchased At: | KLM in Rochester | | Strengths: | Light weight,cross country specific. Perfect amount of travel,but climbs well and great power to the wheels. ELO and rear lockout (blue knob) are great. KLM got the bike in 2 days and spec'ed perfectly. | | Weaknesses: | Mounting a computer is a challenge. The suspension set up takes time to perfect. This is integral with the tires and pressures. Lots of tweaking. | | Similar Products Used: | Previous bike a Gary Fisher Joshua. Other bikes considered were the Sugar 1. | | Bike Setup: | This is the scalpel 3000 with SramX-0 shifters and Rear derailleur, Easton Carbon Fiber seat post and Terry Ti race saddle. Just switched out the Michelins for Hutchinson Scorpions. Otherwise, Stock | | Bottom Line: | A fabulous bike for me. I was looking for a full suspension, cross country bike that responds like a hard tail for my 44 year old body. This is it. I love the Cannondale technology, but it is an expensive bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BRAD
a
from Dirty Jersey
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Watchung | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Weight, Lefty, ELO, Tubeless, Its just rides great!! | | Weaknesses: | Cheesey remote shimano BS lockout that falls off. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn FS, Merlin, Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR, Magura Marta, Hugi Hubs, Thompson, Flite saddle | | Bottom Line: | Rides perfect and is the first bike that takes everything I throw at it. It feels fast and rides great in rocky sections. The 2 1/2 inches travel is more than enough for those who want a quick responding full suspension bike. I have done my first two races ever on this bike and its a show stopper..further more my friends on the team have been laying the smack down all over competition on thier new Scalpels...Nuff Said | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JP
a Racer
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Cox Hill/Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Spokes & Attire, Calgary | | Strengths: | Light, quick, stiff, carbon Lefty with ELO, Martas, all XTR, USTs, visually stunning | | Weaknesses: | None yet, cannot melt snow | | Similar Products Used: | Superlight, RM Blizzard | | Bike Setup: | Stock Scalpel 3000 except XTR cranks and 959s, no remote rear lockout. | | Bottom Line: | The 3000 is the Team Scalpel in disguise for those of us who prefer not to push 18 speeds. Comes stock with 3 x 9 XT cranks. Sweet ano black finish. Great sprinter and climber, use the ELO on the Lefty and leave the rear lockout alone. Not used many other disc systems but MArtas are unreal - stopping power and modulation. Still too much snow here for a proper test ride. First race of the year in 3 weeks so will post another review. Awesome service from Spokes & Attire (www.coolbikes.com). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trail Blazer
a
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | ELO, Weight, Tubeless, hydrolic disc brakes, just damn fun to ride | | Weaknesses: | Remote Lock-What? throw it out and buy Fox's version. I dont have one for everyday of the week | | Similar Products Used: | MErlin, FSR, Scwhinn Homegrow FS, I-Drive | | Bike Setup: | XTR Full, carbon bar, 959, CrossRoc w/hutchinson Scorpions | | Bottom Line: | This is a bike meant for people who love riding hardtails and finally want a full suspension bike that works. It is super light and has every function known to man avalible on the spec sheet. Dont expect to be launching big air and having this bike feel smooth through out the stroke. The EPO stays are very springy and will allow you to gring it on the climbs without sacrificing power and traction. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Easy Rider
a
from Union County
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Strengths: | Hardtail lovers will have a new love for suspension. ELO lockout. Lefty Carbon Fiber, Ultimate componentry | | Weaknesses: | Your either love Cannondale or you hate them | | Similar Products Used: | Merlin hardtail, Stumpjumper, Schwinn Homegrow FS | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR, Crossmax Tubless, Thomson | | Bottom Line: | This bike is ment for hardtail riders who want some cushioning. The rear end is perfect for bump absorbtion at any speed and super responsive. I have noticed faster riding due to the 4 inch stroke on the Lefty. This is great considering I ride my Merlin and love the hardtail feel. At only 1 pund more the Scalpel is able to do it all. I hated cannondale and it took me forever to decide, but FSR's and Fuels were just not waht I wanted for the way I ride. I ride fast and well technically not looking for 4 foot hucking ramps, and do lots of miles. The scalpel 3000 is the same specs but different color and is probably the better buy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill Williams
a Weekend Warrior
from Chappel Hill, NJ
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bumponia by the Sea | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$4700.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | This bike just plain looks cool. People stare and it makes me feel nice. I am in decent shape but I like when people see me in my tight bike shorts. | | Weaknesses: | There is a very thin wire that comes out of the top of the post that heads down toward the front wheel. It looks like it was cut and it is distracting to me as I ride. Some times when I am tired I end up playing with it by flicking it back and forth with my index finger. | | Similar Products Used: | Similar in terms of price; 1992 Neon, My honeymoon to Paris, All of the funiture in my home. | | Bike Setup: | Yes | | Bottom Line: | First off its a true american...foremost in technology and sex appeal!
If you are on the fence about getting this bike maybe you shouldnt. This is an intense machine.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Buzzardman
a Cross Country Rider
from New York, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Newsgroup post - used | | Strengths: | Very Light; Responsive quick steering with accuracy, Stiff cranks; sprints quickly,Climbs great,; 2x9 works for me... - Dual Suspension bikes climb short loose steep dirt hills better than hardtails (rear wheel stays to the ground, thank god for the lock out on long hills. Lefty fork has nice travel, feels smooth, locks out great; nice adjustability and comfort from Fox Float RC;XTR | | Weaknesses: | None that I see for it's design - Cross Country/ Cross Country Racer - I'm not a freerider and I know it...
Expensive at retail prices; at that price it should have an internal combustible engine and 4 wheels, XTR shift indicators a bit fragile...but that a rating of XTR (broke one already) not this bike! Tires could be knobier, but these weren't stock and it is a racer (I think this is a preference not a weakness - that doesn't stop others on these ratings though) | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar1,Specialized M2 hardtail (light and nimble)Giant HardTails | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much stock - When I got it from guy online there was Bontrager seatpost and handlebar, Lousie Disc Brakes and Hutchinson Mosquito Tubeless. Can't tell if I'm missing the gram reduction from Thompson stuff on handlebar and seatpost - if I ever upgrade I'll repost. Nothing overtly negative; Louise breaks are squeaky and seem like they could be high maintenance but they aren't stock | | Bottom Line: | Feels like it has all the handling of my hardtail and then some (and I felt that bike handled well) but less squirrly in the rear. Stays locked up on hills and absorbs bumps well,especially as you go faster. I ride better,faster and more confidently and most importantly with MORE FUN than before. I'm sure there are similar bikes with a less of price tag (street)that are just as good, but I'm having a blast with this. In regards to being on "top of your game" and it's "unforgiving", well, I'd rate myself an intermediate rider and the bike just made me better and I don't feel I have to be on top of it at all times - I ride the same way as always - maybe I always rode with attention to detail. If you can afford it (or better yet get it slightly used like I did) I highly recommend it, and that would be to riders of all levels,though the better you are the more you'll appreciate it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shawn Ricci
a
from Lambertville, NJ USA
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | wisahickon, philadelphia | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4500.00 | | Purchased At: | Harts cyclery | | Strengths: | The bike is an agile climber when locked out. It is a very good descending bike. Handles with the greatest of ease, even a beginner could ride this bike well. The marta brakes work super. And, I recommend this bike to anyone. | | Weaknesses: | The bike does not shift worth a damn. The chain pops off the front chain rings while climbing under pressure. That is the only weakness that I found in this bike. Hopefully, if there is a fix for this problem...I would like to know! | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 9.9 | | Bike Setup: | Completely stock except with the time carbon pedals | | Bottom Line: | If it weren't for the shifting problem, this bike would rip! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Blume
a Racer
from St. Louis, MO, living in Switzerland
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4200.00 | | Purchased At: | Tempo Thalwil Switzerland | | Strengths: | Stiff, very very light, responsive. The Lefty is an amazing upgrade from the Fatty Ultra. Scalpel is spec'd with amazing attention to detail, and accordingly, the bike handles very well. The bike climbs as well as a stiff hard tail, and sucks up bumps, roots, and logs well under power, although I recommend to lock out the rear, on tough singletrack climbs. The Magura Marta disc brakes are smooth and powerful. | | Weaknesses: | The bike does bob under power on steep technical climbs without the lockout, however it is still possible to climb well without the lock-out engaged. | | Similar Products Used: | CAAD 3, CAAD 4 hardtails | | Bike Setup: | Stock, other than the cheap rear-lock out adjuster was removed. WTB 250 Stealth pedals | | Bottom Line: | This bike is an XC racer's dream, as the Scalpel wants to go fast, and rewards those who push it. If you are buying this bike to huck of big drops or to have a cushy FS bike, this bike is not for you. For those who are looking to enter the world of XC full suspension race bikes, this is a strong but expensive entry. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeffrey Spahn
a Racer
from Dubuque, IA
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | the farm | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4400.00 | | Purchased At: | Free Flight | | Strengths: | Smooth suspension, ELO front fork, crank is stiff and light. Magura Marta brakes are unbelievable. Frame is super stiff. Front fork is only bested in stiffness by the regular headshok. | | Weaknesses: | Chainline problems at first. Rear lockout mechanism needs to be better developed | | Bike Setup: | changed out Cannondale competition seatpost for Easton CT2. Everything else is stock | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for XC racing. Climbs like a goat, suspension works well. Get rid of the lockout lever on the handlebars and use the little blue lever that comes with the shock. Find the setting on the rear you like and forget it. This is not a Freeride bike. Cost a bit but if you want to shave the lbs you have to pay. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom O'Sullivan
a Cross Country Rider
from Falls Church, VA
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The Furnace | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4500.00 | | Purchased At: | Princeton Sports | | Strengths: | Light, yet rigid. Tracks exceptionally well. "Hollowgram" bb/crank assembly is perfect. Front end feels very light compared to other bikes. Rear end gets very good traction and remains supple under hard braking. | | Weaknesses: | Fox rear shock reliability. Rear lock-out is not very useful. Runs out of travel real fast. | | Similar Products Used: | FS: Cannondale Jekyll 3000SL, Maverick American ML-7 (Krypton).
HT: IF Deluxe. | | Bike Setup: | Difference from product spec: Magura Louise twin-piston calipers, Kenda Kharisma UST tires, LP Composites low-rise. Also, I run the Lefty in 100mm travel configuration.
Run the rear at about 5mm sag. Run the lefty at my psi equal to my weight minus 20% to 30%, depending on terrain. | | Bottom Line: | Acquired on 1 August 2001.
Over rolling cross-country terrain, including tight singletrack, I think this is among the best. However, to get the most out of the Scalpel, you must be a technically proficient rider. If you learned how to ride on a full-suspension bike, then you may be in over your head. Scalpel will not forgive laziness or lapses in concentration. It may punish you.
To go fast, you must be able to keep the front and rear wheels in contact with the ground. On paper, that's the job of a bike's suspension. In practice, it's up to the rider. Ride the HT lines, only faster. At higher speeds, where your HT will buck, the Scalpel's "EPO" suspension will really start to work for you. Remember, though, that it will not do a thing to smooth out big hits.
Some reliablity problems with the Scalpel. My rear shock blew out (rather, it developed an air leak) after a few very hard rides at Patapsco Avalon near Baltimore, MD and Elizabeth Furnace near Front Royal, VA. We don't know when it happened, but I suspect when I mislanded a roguhly 4 foot drop onto a flat (Avalon's creek-drop). Other problems included loosening of front chainring bolts and loosening of the Lefty's top-cap. Aside from the Fox problem, nothing that I couldn't fix in 5 minutes with the proper tools.
This is the bike that I ride when there's alot of climbing or tight and relatively smooth singletrack in store. On those rides, it will kick ass for you, and you will be pleased.
I'd like to emphasize that if you can't ride a hardtail fast, don't enjoy riding a hardtail, or in any way don't know exactly what you're getting into, then this is not a good choice for you.
I get a bunch of email asking about this bike (from other reviews I have written). I try to tell people that it's a rough ride, and that it requires a great deal of concentration. I think that most don't listen to me, being charmed by the Scalpel's good looks and technological sophistocation. Buyer beware. You may be more satisfied with a more forgiving design.
I have a Maverick ML-7, too, that I bought around the same time as the Scalpel 4000. I would say that I've been splitting my rides 60/40 in favor of the Maverick. Bear in mind that the Maverick is in a superclass, and that 40% on the Scalpel is a pretty telling figure - it too is an awesome machine.
Tom | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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