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Submitted by
Gerrit
a Cross Country Rider
from Mere, Belgium
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Wéris | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | Accelleration, pedalforce all goes to the ground, comfort, weight, looks, feel, cornering,... | | Weaknesses: | Original (first) rear triangle, price, front travel. | | Bike Setup: | Bought frame and fork used. Only seatpost remains from original setup. Now has XTR with Rocket shifters, CMax SL, Hope Mono M4, Braxxo carbon bar, Tune barends, Schwalbe Big Jims, new composite triangle, new swingarm, DTswiss shoc | | Bottom Line: | I loved this bike since the first time i saw it. After testing a friend's i just had to have one. So i built up my own from a used frame with the componants i wanted. That way i found it the ideal XC and Marathonracer i wanted it to be. I also used to find it to fluffy in the rear, till i changed the parts last year to the much stiffer triangle that is still use now. The DT shoc eliminated the little pumping there was, so all there's left is a little more travel on the headshoc (tuned and works perfectly). I think everybody would love this bike, but it needs some time and experience to find the right setup, meaning that it's not really originally provided (unless you have a great bikeshop). Only 3 for value because the bike should have evolved a bit faster, or become a lot cheaper. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dai Baker
a Weekend Warrior
from DC
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | cwmcarn | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | The Acceleration when the trail flattens out is amazing, give the pedals a bit welly and it just flies, I've never experienced that on another bike. | | Weaknesses: | Didnt like the riser handelbars, felt a bit cramped, but they can be changed. | | Similar Products Used: | Marin Rift Zone, Cannondale Rush. | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2000. | | Bottom Line: | Rode the Rush and the Scalpel back to back, I expected to prefer the Rush as I allready have a full sus bike and was not that convinced buy the soft tail design. The Rush was amazing for the first mile of the trail but I started to find it hard going and very stop start. The Scalpel just flew over the trail. Confident down the tight twisty sections and just floated on the flat, it it build to go fast. I have never felt real acceleration in a bike before, untill today. You know you have found the right bike when you find your self shouting "OH YEAH BABY"
I'm 6'2" 190lbs and I'm going to get the large, XL was to big for me felt like I was sat on it, center of gravity to high. My only concern is a couple of reviews saying it's a bit fragile. I'll post an update after purchase. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Hann
a Cross Country Rider
from Knoxville, TN, USA
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Fast Single Track | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Zoo | | Strengths: | Lefty fork, light weight | | Weaknesses: | Manufacture defect of the top tube, rapid rise rear derailure | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for riser bars | | Bottom Line: | The scalpel is a nice light weight xc bike however, the top tube on the large frame goes up at a sharper angle that the small and medium. Because of this, the rear derailure cable is constantly in tension and causes missed shifts in the rear derailure. This may be a function of the quality in the rapid rise action. It seems as if the XTR components are too fragile for excess use. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from WI
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | single track | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Riverbrook Bike and Ski | | Strengths: | UST, Magura brakes provide excellent power and modulation, seat is comfortable, and most importantly it's a Cannondale!
| | Weaknesses: | Brakes make a bird chirping sound, and Shimano chains can be touchy.
| | Similar Products Used: | Specialized S Works Trek Fuel | | Bike Setup: | stock exept pc99 and EC70 bar.
| | Bottom Line: | Great distance and racing bike. This bike was not built to be a downhill or freeride bike so look elsewhere because it is relatively fragile. Stock tires flat easily, rear tire got cut in the first week of riding, so I switched to Jet/S and they go fast. Overall a very fun bike if you don't mind sacrificing strength to save weight. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a
from CT
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Arcadia, RI | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Light and responsive, great handling. Perfect transition rig for life-long hardtailers. Ideal for xc racing. Took it to Moab and loved it esp on the steeps. | | Weaknesses: | CODA crankset wore out (wouldn't stay tight on the BB)replaced w/ XT and no prob since, Ultra fork has been a source of periodic trouble, primarily because the local shop/dealer doesn't know how to work on it. It's leaked oil and air. This latest visit, the shop explained that they won't touch it - sending it to Cannondale for service. The UST's are great most of the time. Just carry a spare tube for the inevitable. | | Bike Setup: | Stock w/ Marta's, Fox shock (no problems but I'm a light 145lb rider) | | Bottom Line: | Great light weight racer for the light weight rider. The frame with its carbon/aluminum rear tri and light components seems too delicate for the heavy-set rider. Stay away from big drops for the same reason. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Racer
from Winston-Salem
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | tsali! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | this bike is awesome, i would HIGHLY recomed it to anyone who races, or just wants a really nice handeling, smooth bike. it can carve corners like its on rails, sprints amazingly well, is very comfortable, very fast and smooth, around 24.5 pounds so is pretty light as well. im kind of a cannondale fan anyway, but this bike truly has convinced me that cannondale rules the xc/fs world(thats what i think atleast) | | Weaknesses: | none! its fast as no other | | Bike Setup: | XT,XTR drivetrain, marta disc brakes, easton carbon post and bar | | Bottom Line: | this bike rules. id give it 6 of 5 if i could because it looks really cool too, but i cant, o well. for a xc racer who wants the best, go for this bike, you'll have no regrets. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Deb
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles, CA
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Strengths: | Lightweight, good component mix, no bob even when not locked out | | Weaknesses: | 2x9 crankset may be tough to get used to. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn, Trek hardtails | | Bike Setup: | Stock- except with Thompson Seatpost, wellgo pedals and Pythons. Removed remote lockout. | | Bottom Line: | When I got this bike, I promised to share it with my husband. Fortunately he didn't hold me to my promise. The Scalpel is a great bike for XC riding. It's not particularly plush but coming off of a hardtail, I was looking for a FS bike that allowed me to pedal efficiently yet took the edge off of the trail. This bike is perfect for that. My first few rides with good climbs, I made sure to use the lock out. One day I was riding up some steep stuff with loose rocks and sand and kept losing traction...my rear wheel was jumping all over the place. For some reason I activated the shock and since then haven't locked it out. Now I don't even notice the suspension when pedaling and can fly up the hills faster than before.
This bike, with the geometry, is great for climbing. It's also a smooth ride down. Having the suspension gives you more room for error than a hardtail. No complaints about the Marta's after the usual break in period. The 2x9 gearing takes some time getting used to but it also makes you a stronger rider. It requires more strength to get up hills instead of spinning away in granny. Despite the very thin sounding tubes on the frame, I ride in areas with lots of loose rocks that hit the frame and have crashed in a rock garden , yet the frame remains dent free. Luck or quality? Probably a bit of both.
Overall, this is a great bike for people who like to go fast and don't want or need the plushness of a longer travel bikes. The list price of US$3300 is much too high though even though it is a wonderful ride. I'm giving it 5 chili's though for value because I got it a lot cheaper. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Little Bear (Flagstaff) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | from race team director | | Strengths: | suspension design, appearance, weight | | Weaknesses: | None so far but suspect tubeless tires may be more trouble than they're worth | | Similar Products Used: | Ibis hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Custom: XTR front/rear, Race Face CS/BB, XT disk brakes, Crossmax tubeless, ti seatpost/bar, upgraded rear shock | | Bottom Line: | This is my first softtail after finally succumbing to the unforgiving riding conditions in the desert Southwest. It replaced my Ibis hardtail that was stolen and all I can say is "thank you, thief" because it is a dream to ride! My bike came full custom from my team director and is probably the lightest 2000 out there - sub 23lbs. for sure due to the ti upgrades and XTR. The rear travel makes up for the minimal front and even allows decent climbing without locking out. This bike has a long wheelbase (barely fits in my tray) due to the suspension design and causes me to bottom out more often so it may not be the best technical riding bike out there. Not convinced that tubeless tires are way to go for desert riding either. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kenny
a Cross Country Rider
from Waldorf, MD USA
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Potapsco Avalon Area | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2900.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Shop | | Strengths: | Awesome cornering, handles better than any of my other bikes in the past. Tubeless tires from the factory, the weight of a hardtail with the performance of a soft tail. | | Weaknesses: | wasn't big on the headshock, added a carbon lefty, and got rid of those crap SPDS' and made room for egg beater pedals. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4900, Kona Nunu, Specialized Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | Carbon Lefty w/ electronic lockout, egg beater pedals everything else stock cuz its awesome. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the way to go if you want to compete or just have a bike that goes exactly where you tell it to. Cannondale doesn't play around, they know what they are doing and if you give it a shot, their bikes never cease to amaze. The scalpel is a winner, and I guarantee it will be around and at the top of its game for a long time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Wellington, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Whakarewarewa | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Burkes Cycles | | Strengths: | Headshok, Light, Design | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | K2 Razorback Team | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Time ATAC pedals & Rohloff chain | | Bottom Line: | This is my 4th FS bike and to date its the best. Even with "only" 70mm front and 63mm back this is adequate travel for XC riding. The back end is fully active but if it wasn't for following riders telling me they can see the suspension working I wouldn't know. The front end bobs a bit on climbs but the lockout is easy to use and very accessible. I still have the remote lockout on the rear shock but only use it on the road so I don;t intend taking it off like so many others.
Only niggle so far is the Magura Marta brakes. They seem to need bleeding quite frequently and the pad material must be quite soft as the rear pads wore out in 150km (admittedly most of that was in wet muddy conditions). But talk about powerful and very good modulation. Much better than the XT disks on my previous K2 Razorback.
The 2X9 gearing certainly gets your leg strength up but I do find that I physically can't turn the cranks on some steep climbs (standing on the pedals just results in wheelspin). Still tossing up whether to wimp out and change to a triple crankset when I renew the drivetrain.
The frame design is great. With the rear shock outside the main triangle it leaves plenty of room for water bottles and/or and bracket for a battery. And it's so light that even kitted out with my lights and a 7.5amp/hr battery it's still light enough to lift over gates/fences without giving me a hernia.
Overall I really like this bike. It's ability far exceeds my own. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andreas
a Cross Country Rider
from Newport Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | San Juan Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperGo | | Strengths: | I don't write reviews as a matter of principle. After two rides on my new Scalpel I have to throw out my principles (or at least this particular one).
I have never looked forward to my next ride (and the next, and the next...) as I do now. For a tall rider (6'6", 200 lbs) the most prominent difference I noticed is the increased control due to the suspension geometry in combination with the rear Fox racing shock: cornering on washboard trails, descending on rocky sections, this bike's ability to stay true to the line is remarkable. The suspension is more than adequate for XC, if you want to do tricks from table tops, better look elsewhere (and look at 10 more lbs too). Even the front (Cannondale Fatty Ultra) suspension surprised me (what, one shock doing the work of two??): it is smooth, responsive and the 70 mm of travel is plenty for even the gnarliest rides (if you are into 4 foot drops, you're on your own..)
The brakes are awesome, which is what I would expected from my first discs and another factor when it comes to control: rubber doesn't compare...
The 2 ring crankset in the front is sufficient if you race on courses without extremly steep and/or hour long ascends, or if you are a 150 lbs mean lean machine. I am willing to give it a few months of torture before I consider the fat-tourist-relief and get the triple setup.
On any grade that's not off the charts, climbing is a pure joy: fast and solid, both in locked out mode and with active shock.
If you can get one of the 2002 models: you can't beat the $1800 that Supergo is asking for a bike of this quality.
| | Weaknesses: | I wouldn't call it a weakness, but the obtrusiveness of all the stickers and labels distracts from the beauty of the lines. Call me a purist, call me an anal prick: after an hour of playing with my girlfriend's blow drier, all the stickers are gone: frame, shocks, rims look like the designer of the bike had envisioned this beauty and now she is most pleasing to the eye.
The 29 teeth on the small ring up front can be brutal on some very steep sections, it's like missing a gear and a half from my previous 'transmission'. But for right now I'll chalk that up to my own weakness rather than the bike's. If I find that my 200 lbs. are just too much to carry up on two rings, I'll switch them out for 3 down the road (up the hill?)
Obviously I haven't owned the bike long enough to uncover any detailed or long term use weaknesses (if any). The bulky remote rear lock-out is easily eliminated, so I wouldn't list that here. | | Similar Products Used: | Tomac 6 shooter, IronHorse Hollowpoint, GT LTS-2 | | Bike Setup: | so far all stock, incl. Magura Marta, Thomson post; getting bar-ends today | | Bottom Line: | Great XC bike for strong riders; add a 3rd ring if you are not in this category and get the bike anyway. VERY light, suspension offers great control, Marta, Marta, Marta stopping power: catch up to your eyeballs..
suggested add-ons, accessories: bar ends, high pressure pump for suspension
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marcel
a Racer
from Pretoria, Guateng, South Africa
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Bike shop I work at. | | Strengths: | I have been a racer for some time now and I fell in love with the Scalpel as soon as I saw Sauser race one on t.v.
I was the biggest die-hard hardtail, V-brake person in South Africa, but my mind has changed after my first ride on my Scalpel. In South Africa it is very hard to get a top end bike, because there isn't a market for it. I set my sights on a Trek 9.8, but I had more trouble with them, so I left it. I called the importers of cannondale and asked if they had any top end bikes in the country, and said they have a Scalpel 2000. I bought it. It ate up the bumps like a hungry lion and flew up the hills. It corners great. I never felt so secure on a bike. My racing has betered ,because I feel fresh on the climbs and I murder on the downhills. And the Magura Marta discs is superb!!!! Ultra shock has enough travel ,70mm, because this is a XC bike not downhillbike. | | Weaknesses: | I have no complaints except it took a while to set the Martas up. | | Similar Products Used: | First bike: schwinn Moab 2,Trek Fuel 90, Trek 9.8 ect. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, but put on Selle Italia Flite ti. and Time A.T.A.C.pedals (Shimano sucks) | | Bottom Line: | Every cent worth it!!!! I see bikes and ride them, because I work in a bike shop and I never seen or felt a Bike as great as the Scalpel 2000. If you have the cash, buy the bike, if not, Safe some more.
If you set the bike up correctly you will not have problems like the other guys in this review. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeffrey
a Racer
from Middletown, CT
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | CT | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Bottom Line: | Had this bike for 6 months. Race XC - sport.....great oveall bike. Hated the Ultra shock it came with - no travel...replaced it with the Lefty - Titanium - and love that shock - however little bummed cause it added 1/2 pound, which makes my bike feel a tad heavier when I lift it....with the Ultra, it felt "light". Oh well. Only complaint is the play from side to side with the rear wheel.....in a static position, if you grab the top of the your rear wheel, and push from side to side - it flexs a lot, and even touches the rear triangle..... Overall though , nice bike....I wish Cannodale would come out with an Ultra shock (similar weight) with more travel, and alleviate the side to side motion of the rear swingarm. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Prestidge
a Cross Country Rider
from England
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Jeff / Larrys New York | | Strengths: | This is my second review, now that the novelty has worn off.
The bike still rides as good as ever, but it has been in for two warranty claims. | | Weaknesses: | The rear triangle has given both problms. The first a striped insert, the second the alloy tube came away from the top shock support.
To be fair to Cannondale both problems have been sorted with no issues. | | Bike Setup: | Standard with D/H carbon bars | | Bottom Line: | The scalpel it a great bike, I really enjoy riding it, but I do wonder if long term it will be tough enough for the job, only time will tell.
Should I have brought something more main stream and less complex ???
No, I'll take the chance, its only money after all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don
a Cross Country Rider
from Ogden, Utah
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Shop | | Strengths: | Excellent climbing, great overall quality and design, mostly good component choices. | | Weaknesses: | The crank sucks, had issues with the Hayes rear brake at first. I'm on my second rear shock. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel and my old Gary Fisher hardtail. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for XTR crankset. I'll probably buy a new seat too. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike! This bike is perfect for my riding style. I ride strictly XC but do quite a bit of riding in Southern Utah and Moab. It is nice having a bike that doesn't fall apart on the occasional dropoff. I was pretty disappointed with the Fox rear shock. The first one blew out and the second one leaks to the point I top it off before every ride. I expected more from Fox. The crank was a little weenie too. Maybe it's just because I'm 225lbs, but life is better now that I swapped it out. The rear Hayes brake rotor warped my first ride and never quite worked right. I replaced the rotor and it has been perfect ever since. As far as the actual bike goes, I couldn't be more pleased, climbs great and handles well. I'm a lot more confident on this bike than any other bike I've ridden. Would buy the same bike over. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
oldguy
a Cross Country Rider
from salem,oregon,usa
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | mckenzie river | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Strengths: | awesome braking and handling-efficient climber-radical design that actually works. rear suspension setup feels like
more travel than stated.
| | Weaknesses: | should have all higher end components at retail price.not the cushiest fs ride to be had. | | Similar Products Used: | jekyll 3000-gt lts and zaskar le- schwinn homegrown hardtail | | Bike Setup: | stock except for carbon riser bars-xtr front derailleur-cassette-xt triple crank. | | Bottom Line: | scalpel has to be the best handling bike i've ridden in 15
years of hardcore mountain biking. the combination of suspension and tubeless tires does a great job of getting
pedalling effort to the ground. as mentioned in previous
posts this isn't a downhill ride, but does an awesome job on
cross country and tight singletrack trails. front and rear
lockout is definately a plus on long fire road climbs. the
scalpel enables this 50 something guy to stay glued to the
butt of his 24 year old racer wanna be son and buddies. kudos to cannondale for a well thought out, efficient design
4 flamin chilis for value because of price-5 for performance | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Cross Country Rider
from Cumming,GA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Adventure Cycles | | Strengths: | Looks, Weight, Ride Characteristics | | Weaknesses: | Anything "cannondale" on this bike | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR, ELO Lefty, Tubeless | | Bottom Line: | This is my third and final review of this bike. To begin with, I could not say enough good things about this bike, but my mind has changed. The ride is still awesome, but the product it self sucks. The Fox shock has blown out twice. This is not Cannondale's fault, but they should equip thier bikes with a better product. Read some of the review for Fox shocks. Everybody has problems with them. Now the rear swing arm has come apart, and Cannondale does not have any replacement parts in inventory, and has no idea when they will. Cannondale will not do anything but make me wait until it is convenient for them to ship the parts to fix my bike. You would think, given the cost of this bike, short time I have owned it, and the insufficiency of replacement parts, that they would go ahead and replace the entire frame....but NO, they have to be prics about it. I have owned the bike for about 14 weeks, and it has been in the shop for 3 of those 14 weeks.....mmmmm.......the three or four negative postings about this product are 100% correct. When my bike is finally fixed, I will sell it and purchase another brand. Cannondale is a Rip Off. FINAL REVIEW.....2 THUMBS DOWN, AND A SWIFT KICK IN THE BUTT FOR CANNONDALE | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Ridgefield, CT USA
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light weight, responsiveness, predictability, component selection is top notch, ability to bypass suspension in a heartbeat for extended climbs, etc. | | Weaknesses: | Aside from the limited rear travel (ut you'd be buying something else if you wanted big hit/freerider capability), I've yet to find any. Hm. The little rubber seals that cap the carbon stays to the bb slide forward sometimes. I swapped the remote rear lockout for the simple lever at the rear shock; it works much better. | | Similar Products Used: | Ridden just about everything out there. Last bike was full zoot Raven. | | Bike Setup: | As stock, but added bar ends (Used to them.) which narrows the handlebar width for quicker steering, and changed saddle over to Selle Italia. | | Bottom Line: | Mine is the black anodized 3000 model. First reaction was that this bike feels like it was honed out a piece of solid stock. It has that 'all of one piece' feel that all finely crafted bikes instill. Raced road and mountain for many years; if you want fast, look no further. The Lefty fork is plush, deflects minimally even in its carbon/titanium incarnation, and the ELO is sheer brilliance. The rear runs out of travel fairly quickly, but the travel is enough that it takes the sting out of things in and out of the saddle, unlike a susp. post alone. The tubeless Hutchinsons aid in the comfort area, while hooking up amazingly on all varieties of selections from the terrain menu. The Maguras are easily modulated, with full on OTB capability with one finger. It's very balanced, I don't miss the extra travel of my Raven at all, and slow speed technical is quite precise. Best of all is when you put the hammer down. The bike flows, and reactions to tight technical singletrack are neuron quick. The light weight allows you to bunnyhop over just about anything, and it flies straight and true; a flick of body English is all that's needed to adjust your line in the air, allowing you to carve it down the trail like a skier from gate to gate. Climbing? Slide forward on the saddle, and let those carbon stays and tubeless tires do their thing. I make it up just about anything in the middle ring, and on the descents it's easy to slip back off the saddle, hang out there in space, and let the Lefty soak it all up. My wife sorely regrets bestowing upon me this gift. I'm picturing it right now in the garage, and the sun is shining... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Peterson
a Racer
from Lexington, KY, USA
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Beech Fork, WV | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | SoBe team bike | | Strengths: | I have never submitted a review prior to this. The reason I am is because I am so impressed with the Scalpel. I have owned many bikes over the years and this is my favorite to date. It is the first full suspension bike I have ever owned- I was very skeptical at first about the weight and how it would ride. My bike weighs less than 23 pounds and is very stiff laterally. I feel that if anything I am faster on the climbs due to the added traction. If properly set, the rear suspension soaks up most small to medium hits with zero pedal induced bobbing. I thought originally that I would spend much of the time with the suspension locked out for efficiency. I find the only time I really use the lock out is on long fire road type climbing. For a great cross country bike look no further! I think it would also be an excellent ultra-endurance / epic ride bike due to the light weight, great handling, and comfort. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | no other quite like it (have raced IF, S-Works, Trek OCLV, KHS, etc.) | | Bike Setup: | XTR, Thomson post, Continental tires, Mavic wheels, CarbonLord carbon cranks (get some) | | Bottom Line: | Best bike I've ever ridden. Also the most fun. I am a semi-pro XC racer and take efficiency and durability VERY seriously (need all the help I can get)! No worries about either with the Scalpel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Yellow River | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | Marta's kick azz for XC racing. So, so, so light. 23lbs. fully loaded. Very stable and predictable. | | Weaknesses: | Bought used and it didn't shift right but once I routed the cabling back to factory specs it's shifted like butter. | | Similar Products Used: | Old school Schwinn hardtail, 97 Cannondale SuperV 1000 | | Bike Setup: | Monkey lite riser bars, full XTR drivetrain except xt cassette and front derailleur, panaracer fire xc pro 2.1 tubeless,crank bros grips | | Bottom Line: | By far the best full suspension XC bike I have ever ridden. There is no comparison to others because this bike weighs 23lbs. fully loaded. Perfect for those long hills. I've been reading the previous reviews and have found that as there are loyal Cannondale buyers there are also Cannondale haters which is no reason to post a uninformed review that is totally untrue about the bike. Sure it is not made for Downhill or Dual Slolom but as for XC it cannot be beat. Just for info, this bike actually performed great in the Downhill and Dual Slolom races I was in this past weekend in Johnson City, TN. My times with this bike would have gotten me in the top 5 of the sport riders with their big full suspensions, too bad I was racing collegiate. Overall this bike is well worth the money unless you need more travel. Go for the Trek Fuel 100, or and ellsworth truth if you want a sweet xc ride with enough travel to handle the big drop offs. Not that the scalpel can't handle them, but it tends to land 4 foot drops kinda hard unless you got mad skill.(from experience) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john prestidge
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The Look Out | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Jeff + Larrys New York | | Strengths: | The whole package is very good.Having been converted from a hard tail the bike weights the same, climbs the same but does everything else much much better.
Once the remote rear Lock out is set correctly( it is a bit tricky)It works very well, but I'm not sure how reliable it will be,time will tell.
| | Weaknesses: | The only thing I will change is the tyres, not because there tubeless, there not good on anything wet or loose.(Maybe its me)
| | Similar Products Used: | Whyte, Extralite, Orange Sub3 | | Bike Setup: | Standard with carbon high rise bars | | Bottom Line: | Best all round bike I have ridden. It does need to be set up correctly to get the best out of it, once set its great!!!
Not to sure about polishing the frame, I think I'll just ride and enjoy.
If I lost it today, I would buy the same Bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Cross Country Rider
from Cumming, GA USA
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bear Creek -- Ellijay | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Adventure Cycles | | Strengths: | Everything | | Weaknesses: | Ultra Fatty Headshok, Fox rear shock | | Bike Setup: | ELO Lefty, UST Tubeless, Protaper Riser Bar, XTR shifters, derailers and bb, XT hollowtech crankset | | Bottom Line: | This is an update to my first posting. Since the original posting I have upgraded the OEM Ultra Fatty to an ELO Lefty and I have replaced the 2X9 crankset with a Shimano XT Hollowtech crankset. The Ultra Headshock is ok, but the addition of the Lefty has made all of the difference in the world. The bike will take drop offs much better and sticks to the ground much better. The Lefty is much more responsive than the Ultra. The OEM 2x9 was ok, but ran out of gears on flatter, faster area (unless you use the big ring). I was also have problems with the big ring hanging on trail obstacles. The bottom bracket is a little lower on the Scalpel. To remedy the hanging problem, and the gearing problem, I put on the XT crankset, and removed the big ring. So, I'm running a 22/32 crankset and it is perfect. If I want to do a road ride, I can just slap the big ring on. I wish Cannondale would read this posting, and make some adjustments to the spec's of the Scalpel. Still a great bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
possum
a Racer
from Austria
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | where there is an up there is a down | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | janger's | | Strengths: | Stiff front end. I do not understand how other front ends can be sold (rock shocks et al. take a bow). Would you buy a car with steering that changed your line when using brakes in a corner, flexed around corners without brakes, flexed under hard acceleration or changed your line after glancing rocks or potholes? The 70 or so mm is fine up to about 50km/h on rutted, stone strewn single track when the pounding starts to become serious. But at this speed the brain has already been removed and salted in a bucket. The light front end is useful to lift over rocks and roots on long rides. Welds on my brake mount are a bit agricultural and should be better for the price.
I like a fairly firm ride so the rear is set up not to bob appreciably when climbing or mashing. 63mm of travel feel tighter than longer suspension set ups but it is difficult to feel bottom and there is no mush in the ride. The lack of negative travel does make the rear skitter more than designs with more travel. The rear shock leaks about half a bar a day.
Full lock out suspension is a revelation on smooth dirt climbs and road sections. As an earlier review said, it does feel like you climb with after burners. In my case tiny afterburners, more like a fondue stove…
In the catalogue 2 rings are list for the front sprockets, but my bike came with three rings, which might weigh a bit, but 3 hours into a 2000m ride (the important numbers are the climbed heights) I was very grateful.
The seat is ok, not as comfortable as some gell offerings.
A burnished aluminium finish means that cable rub is not as ugly as most other bikes. The bike is easy to carry and places a water bottle well within reach. Neither the frame nor the swingarm have flexed with my weight. Only one cable under the down tube means there is less to maintain or get crudded up.
The Magura Marta brakes have wonderful modulation and bite in rain and snow, but do pump up during hard 800m descents.
Weight with tools, water bottle, pump and general stuff for long rides is less than my old hard-tail did when stripped. It is easy to balance clipped in or on technical stuff at low speeds.
No comments to the wheels, spokes or hubs.
The Scalpel is faster up, down and along a flat section than anything I have yet ridden. For any individual section there are faster bikes, but not as a combination.
Ground welds are generally yummy and the frame seems to survive knocks better than say Giant.
| | Weaknesses: | Downsides are the desire to give up work to ride the bike to its limits. If you ride it slowly the bike scratches itself and wonders what you are doing on it.
The remote rear lock out is a gimmick that does not work when dirty and needs cleaning after each muddy ride. It will disappear from mine before the first marathon.
Price is a killer. Europe has a list price far inxs of the states, but a friendly dealer gave me a competitive price and damn fine service. Friends have scratched their heads at what was spent though.
| | Similar Products Used: | Fuel 98, various jekylls, g zeroes and fsr's, my very sad and old GT Hard tail | | Bike Setup: | Current bike set up for 80kg rider
Front suspension 11 bar
Rear suspension 9 bar
Rebound 12 clicks out
Non standard bits:
Neoprene shock boot
Neoprene cover on the swing arm
Ritchey bar ends
Waterbottle holder
A 30km test ride on a brand spankers show room demo with standard Hutchinsons started to destroy the knobs so I bought the bike with other tyres. The shop fitted Schwalbe 2,1 inch black jacks which skitter about at 2,8 bar on dry gravel and in snow. Wear is good and there is not much rolling resistance. The front is not very confidence inspiring in the dirt. At 2,4 bar they were better, but still need fettling.
| | Bottom Line: | The bike is not about big hits but speed, Big Speed. It does not fall apart after an all day ride. When describing the bike to buds after the test ride and before purchase the name 748 Ducati popped up as did the comparison to a babe that would disrespect you if you didn’t. Hard and often. Ownership has not changed my mind. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from F'burg
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Hollywood Farms | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Olde Towne Bicycles | | Strengths: | Great handeling, soaks up roots and bumps, rides fast, climbs great, tubeless, headshock. Wildgripper Comp S tires rule. | | Weaknesses: | Flimsy derailure hanger, broke after about 50 miles | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized hardrock slinglespeed | | Bike Setup: | Stock as of now, going to upgrade. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. buy it if you want a fast cross county race bike. Its not made to be taken off any drop offs, so don't freeride it. I can't complain with anything, even the hanger, its just one of those things that happens, I guess. Magura Marta brakes rule. Only took about 1 mile to brake in. Lockout is cool but I never use it unless I have to ride on the road to get to some trails.
I had a hard time trying to decide between this and a Giant NRS Air. I stand firm with may choice. The NRS has a much thinner frame which dents easy, so I hear. Also Ive heard the SID is flexy. Im sure it is a great bike but it's not a Cannondale. SCALPELS RULE!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Hokanson
a Racer
from Missoula, Montana
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Open Road | | Strengths: | plush suspension
marta brakes are great
light weight
tubeless tires | | Weaknesses: | price: (I got mine on a team sponsorship deal.) | | Similar Products Used: | none, really | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for time pedals, my own seat and some bar ends | | Bottom Line: | After riding and racing on my fully rigid Trek 830, this bike is a dream. I had many reservations about going to full suspension, but I'm certainly glad I did. Even though it's still too snowy to ride here in montana, I just rode it about 200 miles in Moab. For reference, I weigh 200lbs and don't take big drops but regularly decend 2-3 foot drops at high speed.
As for this bike, it's amazing. I immediately scrapped the cheezy bar mounted rear lockout for the little lever. I never once felt the need to lock the rear out while riding off road. Going downhill, the benefits are obvious, and while riding uphill, it felt like the suspension helped keep the back wheel on the ground way better than my hardtail. I only locked out the rear on the road. As for the front lockout, I used it more often, and it definetly feels good to ascend with it locked. On the downhills, I could mostly keep up with all my friends who ride 35lb. freeride monster bikes, with the exception of some big gnarly sections that I chose to walk, but I didn't feel like the scalpel was holding me back. I'm definetly more of an xc/hill climber than a downhiller and I have a lot to learn still.
anyway, the 2x9 seems ok, but will take getting used to. I have to shift more, because I used to ride most everything in the middle ring and now I have to switch back and forth more often. It's kinda annoying, but I think I just need more time to learn to use it efficently. Otherwise, I'll probably get a triple some day.
The best part of this bike is the climbing. It's amazing how much faster I can accelerate away from everyone else with just a short uphill...sweet.
I made the people at the shop weigh it before I took it home and it was 24.4lbs for the XL frame.
What can I say, after hammering it for 200 miles in moab, the wheels are still true and everything still works great. The shocks seem to loose a few psi of air from day to day, but it's easy enough to top them off before riding.
The tires are nice, fast, and the don't seem to be wearing more than normal as some previous reviews have said. I would buy them again if they wear out.
As I get more time riding and racing this bike over the spring and summer, maybe I'll post again, otherwise feel free to email me with any questions.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jose
a Weekend Warrior
from venezuela
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | nebularis | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | wheel center | | Strengths: | Good weight, looks, climbs awesome, lookout, very very stiff, no flex. | | Weaknesses: | The tires are a little narrow and wear too fast, little expensive, and designed just for XC use no freeriding. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Superlight, Marin Nail Trail | | Bike Setup: | Shimano 959, Lefty ELO. | | Bottom Line: | I like this bike because is more stiff to descend than my last bike (santa cruz superlight), and climb like it.
I changed the front shock to ride with more travel because the ultra fatty doesn't have enough to go more freeriding...
Although this bike is not the best bike I ever tried (I'm still waiting for) is really complete bike to all purpose... descends well, climbs better, and the best part
- stiff, stiff, stiff - bike...
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Weekend Warrior
from Cumming, GA USA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bear Creek in Ellijay | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Adventure Cycles, Oakwood | | Strengths: | Weight, looks, ride characteristics, just about everthing | | Weaknesses: | Does not have a vagina and no Lefty model unless you want to bust $4,200 on a Scalpel 3000. | | Similar Products Used: | Moots softail, Trek Fuel and Fisher Sugar | | Bike Setup: | Stock except scrapped the flat bar for a riser bar and XTR shifters rather than the XT's, and trashed the Shimano pedals for Egg Beaters. | | Bottom Line: | If this bike had a vagina, I would have sex with it!!! This bike is awesome. Hardtail climbing and speed with the benefit of some cushion to keep the chiropractor away. The 2x9 crankset is perfect. The Ultra Fatty fork is good, but I will eventually swap it out for a Lefty. The Magura's are great. Not quite the stopping power of the Hayes, but they have better modulation than the Hayes. The Egg Beater pedals are the superior to any other pedal I have ever tried. Overall, the perfect XC racing machine. If you are test riding different models, ride the competition first, and save the best for last. 5 flamin' chilis, 2 thumbs up, and an ear to ear grin on every ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Gross
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Chicopee Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | 24 lbs., Magura Marta, full lockout, no pivot points, nothing corners and climbs like a scalpel. | | Weaknesses: | I'm told Coda Hubs are pretty crappy, but I've no complaints. Plus, I'm a little sketchy about maintenance (headshoc and disc brakes).
Only real complaint: Everything I buy from now on has to be the best and lightest (any seat post & hub recommendations?). | | Similar Products Used: | Tested Fuels + Sugars but loved the Scalpel. Only real contender would be a Gary Fisher 29er. | | Bike Setup: | Stock parts, removed bulky remote lockout and with a little practice, switching the little knob on the shock is second nature. | | Bottom Line: | Go and read the other reviews, they're not lying. I'm making turns and getting over obstacles like nothing. Never had a problem with climbs before and even with full suspension on and 2x9 gears, I'm still flying. Can't wait for new race season, three weeks away!!!
If you like cross country racing and just all-out schooling your buddies, buy it.
If you like big hits, go elsewhere. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond, B.C Canada
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Sports Pacific | | Strengths: | Light, fast, good parts spec. Bike was delivered with an upgraded HUGI 240 rear hub, which was nice of Cannondale. | | Weaknesses: | The 2 x 9 transmission is not a great idea for recreational riders. Try and get a 3 ring set if you plan to buy this bike. The Marta brakes fade and squeel in wet and muddy conditions. I think the Hayes brakes are still the ones to get. The 1.85 tire are a little narrow and they wear fast. Wider tires with a little more control, would have been nice. | | Similar Products Used: | Various Canadian made hardtails, Norco, Rocky Mountain, etc. | | Bike Setup: | As per factory setup, but with an XT crank. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. I just hope I can resolve the brake issue with my dealer. With the 2 x 9 transmission and skinny tires, its not the best general purpose MTB, but if you realy want one, these two issues are easy to fix. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeffrey S.
a Racer
from Middletown, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: December 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | CT trails - been everwhere (most | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | coolness, capable of XC racing, but smooths out the bumps better than any hardtail. Magura Martas are phenomenal - "brutal" according to my brother. better modulation than Hayes. | | Weaknesses: | Cheap Hutchinson tubeless MOSQUITOS - the first ride after about 1/2 hour - flat! sharp rock.....patched it - 1/2 later - another flat -sharp rock - different spot | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale hardtail, Sugar. | | Bike Setup: | raplaced with Carbon seatpost and handbar. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a machine. Light, fast, techy and sexy. I had a hartail, and its a similar feel, however when hammering through rocky/rooty stuff like here in the Northeast....it smooths things out....run the tubeless down to like 30 pis - or even 25 on tech sections, and its another level of cushy ness. Overall, just a fun bike. I would highly recommend it to intermediate to advanced riders who will appreciate it.
PS> I wish those mt bike magazines would check out the great riding in Connecticut. - dang! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daryn Reid
a Weekend Warrior
from La Maddalena, Sardegna, Italy
Date Reviewed: December 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | pioneer bridal, MT. Hood, Oregon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Silverdale Cyclery | | Strengths: | ALMOST EVERYTHING; THE SUSPENSION, THE BRAKES, THE HANDLING,THE ENTIRE PACKAGE. | | Weaknesses: | GRIPS, TIRES (KINDA, THEY WORK GREAT BUT WEAR TO QUICKLY), PEDALS, AND REMOTE LOCK OUT LEVER. | | Similar Products Used: | SPECIALIZED ENDURO, SPECIALIZED S-WORKS GROUND CONTROL (MY CLASSIC FAVORITE), CANNODALE JEKYLL, GIANT NRS AIR (DEMO) | | Bike Setup: | STOCK EXCEPT FOR; SHIMANO 858 PEDALS, RENTHAL JET SKI GRIPS, AND A LACK OF REMOTE LOCKOUT SHIFTER. | | Bottom Line: | CURRENTLY I AM IN THE US MILITARY STATIONED OVER SEAS AND AM AN AVID MOUNTAIN BIKER.
1ST OFF I WANT TO THANK THE GUYS A SILVERDALE CYCLERY IN WASHINGTON STATE FOR HELPING ME WITH ANY THING I NEED. I WAITED FOR 63 DAYS TO GET THIS BIKE, IT IS WORTH EVERY MINUTE OF WAITING, IT IS SIMPLY THE BEST RIDING BIKE (FOR ME) ON THE PLANET. IT RIDES LIKE THE GREAT SPECIALIZED GROUND CONTROL (AND LOOKS A LOT LIKE IT AS WELL) BUT SOOOOOOO MUCH BETTER, IT ACCELERATES SO FAST THAT ITS HARD TO KEEP THE FRONT TIRE PLANTED ON THE GROUND. THE BRAKES TOOK ABOUT 30 SECOND TO BRAKE IN, NOW I'VE USED AND LOVED THE HAYES, BUT THESE MAGURA MARTAS HAVE'EM WHOOPED. THE HAVE JUST AS MUCH POWER BUT ABOUT 300% MORE MODULATION, AND SO MUCH BETTER LOOKING. TUBELESS ALL THE WAY, I'VE BEEN A FAN OF TUBELESS SINCE I RODE TRIALS MOTORCYCLES.
THE TRAILS HERE IN ITALY ARE GREAT, A LITTLE TOO TECHNICAL FOR SOME, BUT A DREAM COME TRUE FOR MYSELF. GNARLY UPHILLS, BIG ROCKS AND ROLLER COASTER DOWNS. AND NO THIS BIKE IS NOT MADE TO RIDE OFF 4 FOOT DROPS, BUT I CAN RIDE UP'EM, WHICH OF THESE TALENTS IS BEST IS UP TO YOU, BUT ANYONE CAN HOP OFF A CURB. BEING ABLE TO RIDE THE NASTY STUFF ISN'T SO MUCH THE BIKE BUT THE RIDER, AND THIS BIKE IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THAT, IT REACTS VERY WELL TO BEING RIDEN PROPERLY AND IT PUNISHES YOU IF YOU GET LAZY. THIS BIKE IS A RACING MACHINE, VERY MUCH A PERCISION INSTRUMENT OF THE ADRENALIN JUNKIES. THE SCALPEL IS MAKE FOR A FINESSFUL RIDER, ONE THAT CAN MAKE THE ROUGHEST TRAIL LOOK FLAT, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. DON'T BUY THIS BIKE IF YOU THINK ITS THE COOLEST (EVEN THOUGH IT IS) AND YOUR A RIDER THAT HAS PROBLEMS COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP ON YOUR BIKE WHILE STILL CLIPPED IN (THE KEY TO RIDING IS YOU MUST LEARN TO RIDE SLOW, REALLY SLOW, BEFORE YOU CAN LEARN TO RIDE FAST!).
THATS ABOUT ALL I GOT, THE CANNONDALE SCALPEL IS A WORK OF ART, YES ITS A TAD SPENDY BUT THINK OF THE EMENSE QUALITY THAT YOU GET. YOU CAN BUY THE GIANT NRS AIR FOR THE SAME PRICE, AND YOU'LL SOME BETTER COMPONENTS, BUT I THINK THAT ITS MAKING UP FOR A LACK OF SOMETHING. THANK YOU FOR READING MY RAMBLINGS. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Cross Country Rider
from Chesterfield, MO
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Chubb Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Big Shark | | Strengths: | Innovative, light, great components (see below), perfect amount of suspension for single track, little bob, nothing to change or upgrade. | | Weaknesses: | Flexy cranks, 2x9 not for everyone, rear shock lockout nice touch but not yet ready for daily use, tires wear very quickly, but are awesome | | Similar Products Used: | Treck 9800, Klein Mantra | | Bike Setup: | Stock with ATAC pedals, Onza grips | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. I had been riding a Klein Mantra, which I liked (I did not know any better) but on my last trip to the hospital to get my chin stitched up I decided to try a different bike. The Klein stinkbugged like crazy, and on slow rocky descents tended to buck me off. Of course, rider skill is 90% of the problem, but what’s wrong with buying technology to help compensate for that. That’s why we have suspension and gears after all. This bike solved that problem and every other one I had. I have my confidence back again.
The bike rocks, it climbs like a dream and has that hardtail/road bike feel when you mash down on the pedals. I love full suspension, but missed that raw feel of pedal surge. The Scalpel solved my problem and truly gave me the best of both worlds. The components are very, very good. I did have problems with the cranks, which I will cover below, but that is probably because of my size. I am 6’5” and 235lb, so I am not exactly the lightweight cross country racer that the bike was designed for. If anyone questions the durability of the bike or the composite chainstays, don’t worry about it. I would have thrashed the bike in the first ten minutes if there was any weaknesses whatsoever.
While I was waiting for the bike to come in, the bike shop let me borrow a Jekyll with the lefty fork. I loved the fork and liked the bike, and to be honest was wondering if I would be better served with a longer travel bike. I was wrong. The Scalpel actually feels smoother than both my Klein Mantra and the Cannondale Jekyll. It does not make sense, but it is.
The brakes are flawless. My bike was one of the first, so it came with the Hayes hydraulic disk brakes. First class! At my size the disk brakes are really needed and do the job without exception.
I love the ball burnished frame, but I am one of those guys that love to polish and tweak my bike when it rains so I started to miss a perfect paintjob like my Klein. TIP, buy some aluminum wheel polish and polish the bike. It only takes about five minutes and it makes the bike into a mirror. It is truly beautiful when polished, and the mud flakes off much easier on a polished frame. I know it’s strictly cosmetic, but everyone should do it once to admire their new steed.
I love the bike, and cannot think of anything I would change that I have not already done. I will keep this bike until my mystical dream bike comes out (lighter, with infinitely adjustable rear travel on the fly up to 4” and electronic lockouts both ends ), which may be a long time. Nothing comes close.
If you are in the St. Louis area, Big Shark Bicycle Shop is the place to go. Those guys took care of me, and all problems without a whimper. First class all the way, I will never go elsewhere. Also, they ride and race these things, so they have a first hand knowledge of the ride.
Now for the bad points, and I have to search for these but it’s a review and I hate only reading the good stuff.
The rear shock leaked like crazy. Big Shark bike shop swapped it out for me right away. Problem solved.
The rear remote lockout is clunky, but appreciated. Because they included the cable stays, a better model will be easy to install. To be honest, you don’t need it. I put it on for one ride, then it came back off.
The cranks and rings flexed so bad that I would actually pull my chain past the derailleur. Keep in mind this bike is built for those little racy guys who insist on light weight over all else. The rest of the bike seems bombproof, but I tweaked the cranks bad. Unfortunately, Cannondale did not swap them for me which I thought was bad form. The bike shop made me a great deal on some XT cranks, which solved all problems and work flawlessly. Since I had to get new cranks and rings anyway, I went ahead and got 180mm cranks and a triple ring set. Overkill on the gearing, but at my size what is a few extra grams for the granny ring…I need it sometimes!
Great job Cannondale!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Seaside CA
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3200.00 | | Purchased At: | The Spokesman - Santa Cruz CA | | Strengths: | This is a great cross country / racing bike. Don't try to bomb downhill or go over 4ft drops, you need a different bike for that. The bike is durable and so are the components, it is just not designed for that. Responsive (once you get all the shock sags set right) light, tons of control. The components are a race setup (29/42 front cranks, 2 ea only) which makes shifting a lot easier on the fly. The tubeless tires are easy to maintain and I keep them at the recommended 1 Bar (32 psi) for most of the trails I ride. Fox Shox is easy to maintain (I have it set for 4-5 mm sag) and keep the rebound ring (red) set at center but an trying some slower rebound settings (It does make a difference, I've been bucked like I was on a bronco) | | Weaknesses: | Only weaknesses so far are just initial tune up issues such as:
Front derailluer adjustment, can be tricky in the first couple weeks.
Fizik Nisene Saddle stiching seems to be splitting ever so slowly (mechanic says this is normal?!)
- Don't forget to pick up a high precision / high pressure pump for the front and rear shock setup (Fox sells one for a meager $25)
| | Similar Products Used: | Cannodale M800 ('94)(gave to my dad to play with) Cannondale F900 ('99)(crushed by a drunk driver) | | Bike Setup: | Differences from above listed setup:
XT/XTR Components
Time ATAC Pedals
Fi'zi:k Nisene
Weighs a little more than 22lbs
Came without Shimano Rear Shock Handlebar Shifter (offered but I turned it down for the standard little blue bar)
I spoke with one of the Fox Shox reps out here in CA. He stated that they are about to release there own version of a steering handle thumb toggle for the rear shox, I'm waiting to see one and possibly use it.
Hayes Disc Brake system instead of the Magura set | | Bottom Line: | After MTBing for about 7 years I've determined that I am an cross country rider who enjoys strenuous hill climbs and long downhills (read: shallow). Cannondale develops this bike just in time for me to make a right decision to buy (Plus a drunk driver who ruined my F900, I love insurance settlements). I did not want a full suspension bike or any extra weight. I've notice many different bikes are going to this design but Cannodale was bold enough to do the carbon chainstays (and as always, bold enough to use the Headshok). I could never convince myself to buy a bike with the dual front shocks. TWO much weight, TWO much maintenance and HALF the control is how I view those systems. This will be the frame for life unless, of course, Cannondale, or I dare say, anyone else, develops something more innovative. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from London, Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Hardwood Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | all Seasons Sports London | | Strengths: | Crisp handling, light weight, just enough rear travel/tuneable suspention, great component mix | | Weaknesses: | None except initall setting up of 2x9 and hayes brakes | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale 1999 Jekell 900sl,2001 f2000sl,2001 raven 800sl,2000 fisher suger2 | | Bike Setup: | As delivered with thompson post,wtb podium seat,michelin comp s tubeless tires,coda shorty barends,747 pedals, and I tosed the remote lockout and relaced it with the normal shock lever | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike,especially for some one that likes hardtail handling/geometry with some rear cush. I bought it because handles just like my F2000 which I think is an awesome bike and the scalpel delivers. Both of my bike have the 2x9, it works flawless on the f2000 and nearly as good on the scalpel, but it may take some time to set up properly. The tubleless Mavic Crossrock wheels have been great so far(no flats or truings) and the hayes have great stopping power(almost too much in loose conditions). I have the rear shock air set to my body weight less 5% with good results(I like a firm ride). The 2nd day I had it I did and o-cup race and 2 weeks later did a 24hr with no problems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Ab, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Kananaskis | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Spokes & Attire | | Strengths: | Light, Handling, Versatile, Brakes, UST | | Weaknesses: | Remote lockout is difficult to setup, and does not work as well as it should. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale F3000, Specialized FSR | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded to full XTR including cranks, Upgraded wheels to Mavic Crossmax UST Disc, Thinking about a carbon lefty? | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awesome. I just don't want to put it away.
The bike handles twisty singletrack as well as my hardtail, but when the going gets tough, all I have to do is flip the little blue lever and I have a full suspension xc bike. I did not install the remote lock out for the rear, and so far I have not missed it.
The bike was built to climb. On rough, wet and slipperly climbs, I cannot believe the traction I get. The suspension along with the UST tires are incredible.
The Magura Marta brakes seem to work very well, I have not used disc brakes before, so I can only compare them to my old Avid center pull brakes I had on the F3000.
Mavic Crossmax UST Disc wheels--Very Very Cool.
Cannondale has hit the target with this bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeroen
a Racer
from Ulft, Holland
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | De Pedaleur | | Strengths: | Light, fast, does not scratch because there is no paint :-)
front and rear lock out, ride's like the name. | | Weaknesses: | on a Scalpel???????? | | Bike Setup: | Stock ecept for : Full XTR, DT 240 hubs, Shimano 959 pedals, Easton CT-2 bars+ seatpost, flight deck. | | Bottom Line: | If you wan't a bike that just rides aS a hardtale AND DOESN'T BOBBBBB. buy a scalel, i could chose from anything i wanted( trek Fuel 100 2002, Giant XTC carbon, Sugar....)
Bud i choose this one beacause iof the amzing geometry, because of the bar mounted lock out i climb even better than on my Cannondale Caad 4 Hartale, don't know why, this thing rides like it has rocket engines on it , that fast, i couldn't beleive it, no words can describe it, just make a testride and you now what i mean. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard Loeb
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, Costa Rica
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Norm's trail ,Lake Arenal | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3300.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Tech,Miami | | Strengths: | rear lockout, handling, lefty front suspension | | Weaknesses: | Had problems w/ hayes disk brakes. The 2 cassette Cannondale crankset (29-44) that comes w/ the bike is no good for places w/ steep hills (unless u are Lance A...) | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 100 mm lefty fork w/manual lockout, shimano XT hollowtech crankset | | Bottom Line: | After going on a 3 day trip w/ friends on a hard tail I decided to buy a full suspension bike. Decided for the Scalpel cause of innovation and lefty fork which I think is the best front suspension. (bike comes w/out it but the shop where I bought it installed it when purshased).
Trained for 5 months for La Ruta de Conquistadores in all kinds of tough terrain and finished well. The bike handled excellent during all this time.
The rear lockout needs maintenance cause water, mud..etc tends to damage it, but if one is careful enough it works very well. I use it all the time to climb very steep hills, but on easier ones I just go w/full susp.When climbing long asfalted roads I also use the front lockout.
Costa Rica is a country w/ lots of mountains and very bad roads. I needed a bike which could handle tough terrain but would climb well. If this are your needs, then this is the bike for u.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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