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Cannondale Scalpel 1

MSRP $
# of Reviews 7
Average Rating 4.43/5
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Submitted by JaySC a Cross Country Rider from East TN
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2009
Favorite Trail:Depends on the day
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $3500.00
Purchased At:LBS
Strengths:This bike is everything the xc rider wants. It climbs like a banshee (whatever that means), provides maximum control on the descent, and climbs up, over, around, etc. with precision.
Weaknesses:At 21ish lbs, it is a little light weight for my 160lb body. I have found myself having to be very careful, and taking falls on slick rock. I definitely wouldn't do anything to lighten it up. All that said, I love the light weight and the capabilities that it enables.

Some would say it is overpriced, but if you can find a great deal then the value will be second to none. Try to find this kind of performance and componentry level in a bike that costs less than $6000 or so.
Similar Products Used:2005 Cannondale Scalpel 1000
2005 Mongoose Zero G2
Bike Setup:2008 1, stock
Bottom Line:For the ultimate in xc performance, but a bit of price savings over the Team, go for this bike. I didn't need to added benefits of the Team edition, so I went with this bike because and found a great deal. It is all the hype and then some. This thing is light, but not too light, climbs faster and descends better than any xc bike I've ever ridden. I will admit that its abilities are far enough from an AM bike that I'll be buying a heavier duty machine, but it does what it was built to do better than anything else I've ridden. Don't know about this bike in Moab, but for the East side of country, go for it!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by chillmolly a Racer from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2009
Favorite Trail:White Ranch
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $4500.00
Purchased At:Big Ring Cycles
Strengths:Light, fast, great performance from lefty front fork. Also appreciate the slightly slack 69.5 degree head tube angle on technical terrain.
Weaknesses:Had a minor issue with the lefty, but shop resolved it quickly. No opportunity to make excuses for my poor performance......
Similar Products Used:Used a Santa Cruz Blur for trails and Trek 9900 for racing. Tested Dean Duke and Yeti.
Bike Setup:Stock with Eggbeater Ti pedals.
Bottom Line:This is a great bike for XC riding and racing. Don't let the looks and stupid questions about missing half the fork fool you. This is one of the best XC rides money can buy.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:5

Submitted by mtn_bkr2 a Racer from Bend, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2008
Favorite Trail:Metolius
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Strengths:Super light, great climber, no bobbing yet active suspension. Great workmanship on a high-quality, fast bike
Weaknesses:Fork boot needs a few holes in it so H2O can drain out. Sizes run a little on the large side.
Similar Products Used:Orbea OIZ
Bike Setup:Stock - why change anything on such a sweet parts mix
Bottom Line:This is a fantastic bike for racing and everyday XC riding. Great on the uphills, active and fast on the downhills. Cannondale has put together a really nice bike/gruppo on this one. Can't wait to see the '09
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Dave Jarm a from Christchurch NZ
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2007
Duration Product Used:3 months
Strengths:Lightweight, very quick and a great climber
Weaknesses:None , as I expected .
Similar Products Used:Lots of other Cannondales.
Bike Setup:Set up with Lefty Speed Carbon DLR2, SRAM XO triggers + XO RD , SRAM X-Gen FD , Avid BB7s , Truvativ crank with XT cassette , Maxxis Larsen TTs on Mavic XM819s , Fizi:k saddle on Thompson Elite and Ti Eggbeaters .
Bottom Line:Bottom line, I love this bike.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Oscar Fors a Cross Country Rider from Los Altos, CA, 94022
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2007
Favorite Trail:Corte de Madera
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Price Paid: $3000.00
Purchased At:Used
Strengths:Full suspension sub 24 lbs. This bike is the best climber ever. The ELO Lefty is super plush and the lockout is a dream! Ultimate bike for XC racing and marathons.
Weaknesses:Short (2.3") rear travel makes bike less suitable for down hill and really rough terain. Cannondales SI cranks require frequent changes of bearings.
Similar Products Used:Cannondale Rush, Cannondale V900
Bike Setup:Lefty ELO, full XTR, SI integrated cranks, Easton post and handlebar.
Bottom Line:This got to be the best fast mtb ever. Lighter then my new Rush Carbon Team. Not ultimate for the freerider, but a XC racer's dream!
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Bob a Racer from dolyestown, Pa
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2007
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $4500.00
Strengths:This Bike is awesome!!!!!! every thing is great!!! I bought this bike for my kid. He's 5'1' and the small fits him great. It's a great bike. Great components.
Weaknesses:None, yet.I hope there never will be any.
Similar Products Used:His old bike was A Scott RC 24. Is was junk! I wish I had gotten him the better Scott RC JR.
Bike Setup:Completely Stock
Bottom Line:As I said earlier, I bought this bike for my 5'1' son. it's a small and it fits him perfect. He's a serious racer, so I got him the best. It worth every cent. HE'S SO FAST ON IT!! I have a rush 2000, and he blew by me on our first ride with that bike. I was so embarrassed that I got beat by my 12 year old son because I'm in the sport class,and he just won his first beginner class. I wish I had one now. This bike is perfect. If you want your kid to be super competitive and fast get he/she this bike. Or if you want get it for your self. I'm a bike geek, and truly obsessed over bike weights. This bike scores a 5 out of 5 with me. If you or your kid needs a good, light, fast, reliable race bike buy this bike!!!!!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by rish bert katawa a Cross Country Rider from US
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:Tinagaan and Bunal
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $3000.00
Purchased At:jenson
Strengths:frame & fork
Weaknesses:hub,chain ring & cogs
Similar Products Used:scalpel 2
Bike Setup:XC
Bottom Line:do not buy this product, it sucks!
Value Rating:2Overall Rating:1






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