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Submitted by
Rodolfo
a Racer
from Monterrey, Mexico
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Chipinque | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Purchased At: | The bike Shop | | Strengths: | Lightest full susp. I have known , very responsive , the geometry fits great , beautiful bike, everyone looks at it and gives me compliments about it. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8000, Trek fuel 80 | | Bike Setup: | Same from cannondale, no upgrades | | Bottom Line: | Bike is great, lefty is amazingly soft and stiff at same time. You can go as fast as you can without sacrifying control. formatosreg@prodigy.net.mx in case you want more info or questions about this kind of bikes . | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Botched Experiment
a Cross Country Rider
from American Fork, Utah
Date Reviewed: October 11, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Revolution Cycles | | Strengths: | Comfortable, fast, pretty good in technical terrain. | | Weaknesses: | Rear end is laterally flexy, Hubs are junk, wheels are weak, drivetrain is virtually impossible to keep dialed in, the bike squeaks within a couple rides of having new bushings etc. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Rush (way better than Scalpel) | | Bike Setup: | Ditched hydraulic brakes/flipper shifters after having problems and replaced with sram grip shift and avid mechanical pull disc brakes. | | Bottom Line: | I've enjoyed the bike, but have had far too many problems with it to justify the expense of the bike, and am tired of replacing stuff that shouldn't be wearing out. Unless you're a sponsored racer type, get a Cannondale Rush instead. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rodolfo Peña
a Racer
from Monterrey, N.L. Mexico
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Chipinque | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Purchased At: | e-bay | | Strengths: | Very light, lefty carbon Dlr fork is incredibly stiff when is locked and incredibly smooth when is not locked, no bobbing on the rear. Cool look | | Weaknesses: | transportation: Lefty cannot be transported in a fork type rack , Lefty looses some air after a few rides | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8000 , Trek fuel 80 | | Bike Setup: | Standard | | Bottom Line: | I have been a mountain biker for the last fifteen years, and alway used hardtails , liked to race and have fun climbing and descending , in 2005 I bought a Trek fuel 80 , after making a bigh deal of testing and questioning with many experts. It all came down to one very important thing, and that´s "Knowing what you want". Many people complains about bikes they bought when the truth is, they did not know exactly what they wanted in the first place. That´s the only reason I am selling the Trek fuel 80 and that´s why I bought the Scalpel, I was looking for a stiffer , lighter, more of a race bike and I think I found it. I have nothing but compliments about the scalpel, great design, smooth on the descents , easy on de the climbing and over all a fast one. Only thnig I am missing about the Trek Fuel 80 is the softness of the suspension but I decided that´s not in my priority list, I am willing to sacrifice that for a stiffer and more efficient ride which is what´s needed to win races.
Before you buy a bike make sure you know what you want.
It will simplify everything. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JOEdaddyO
a Cross Country Rider
from BOULDER,CO
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | MONARCH CREST | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | CUTTING EDGE SPORTS | | Strengths: | LIGHT; LOCKOUT; FAST | | Weaknesses: | flat bar; numbing saddle | | Similar Products Used: | GARY FISHER CAKE, SUGAR; YETI ASR; CDALE JEKYLL | | Bike Setup: | STOCK | | Bottom Line: | I'M USING THIS BIKE AS A LOANER WHILE MY FISHER CAKE IS BEING REPLACED; I'M GOING FROM 5" TO 3" OF REAR TRAVEL AND 5" TO 4" OF FRONT; I'M SURPRISED AT HOW WELL IT HANDLES TECHNICAL TERRAIN; NO BIG DROPS BUT LOTS OF LOOSE CHUNKY STUFF DOESN'T SEEM TO BOTHER IT. IF I OWNED THE BIKE I'D CHANGE THE FLAT BAR TO A LO-RISER.THE LEFTY IS A-OK; THIS IS AFTER A MANITU MINUTE, MAVERICK WHATEVER, AND FOX RX120 (MY FAVORITE). I LOVE THE PROXIMITY OF THE LEFTY'S LOCKOUT AND FIND MYSELF USING IT (AND THE REAR L.O.) ON SMOOTH CLIMBS. LARSON LUST TIRES HOOK UP WELL AND HAVEN'T BEEN AS BAD IN MUD AS EXPECTED. IF I WAS GOING TO RACE (WHICH I'M NOT) AND WANNTED ONE BIKE, THIS COULD BE IT. I'D CERTAINLY CHOOSE IT OVER ANY SPECIALIZED PIECE OF #$%* AND THINK IT WOULD MAKE MOST XC TYPES VERY HAPPY. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don
a Cross Country Rider
from Glass City
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Maybury SRA | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light and responsive. Excellent suspension front and rear. Comfortable cockpit. I also like the Shimano Dual Controls and the stiffness of the Lefty Carbon 'fork' | | Weaknesses: | XTR rear derailluer is difficult to keep adjusted. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale F600. Never had a chance to ride one, but also considered a Specialized Epic. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for a Thompson Elite seatpost instead of the stock carbon post and ODI Ruffian lock-on grips. | | Bottom Line: | My LBS offered me a great deal on this bike. Even though the bike is way faster than me, it's perfect for the smooth SE Michigan trails I frequent. It has just enough rear travel to take the edge off small rocks and roots on the trail. It is a blast to ride on swoopy singletrack. The bike is a great handler, is light, strong, and stable under a heavier, non-racer guy like me. A great bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
karl
a Racer
from baltimore
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Doctor Arnold | | Strengths: | agility, speed and sure-footedness. lock-outs and overall feel. | | Weaknesses: | I've had trouble on a number of occasions with the shimano parts, bike currently comes with a superior package however. | | Similar Products Used: | all kinds of xc racers at this point | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I wrote a review of this bike below a year and a bit ago right after getting it and I thought I'd share an update. Since then I've trained up and am quite focused on racing. The bike has been terrific despite a number of serious issues with the shimano parts early on, blown dual shifters, bb and rear hub (cannondale). that said I ride the hell out of it with about 5000 hard rocky rooty miles logged on it so far. I'm on my 3rd drivetrain and second set of wheels. I've ridden it through snow and ice and crashed it many many times and its still can be dialed in as well as the day I got it. It is very fast and handles very well. For pure XC racing I challenge anyone to pick a better ride. I ride the mid-atlantic area and have hammered it through everything from the Michaux Monster to the regional Norba and MASS events and it holds up beautifully. It does in fact climb very well and can hold a line through fast single track as if it is on rails. In any event there it is. Consider it tested and approved for use. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Park Ave Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Looks Sharp, Handles good. Light. | | Weaknesses: | Bike turns to the left on it's own if you let go of the bars due to the cable routing. Front wheel doesn't spin freely. It's like the brakes are on all the time. The Carbon Lefty is a piece of junk. I've had it leak oil, then it was rebuilt in the first 2 months. The bearings keep migrating, numerous times. It feels like the shock has no air in it but when you check it, it’s still full. When this happens, the fork bottoms out on every bump. Also when this happens, the bike rides extra low to the ground and your pedals hits every little rock and root. You also can't use the Lefty in heavy rain and mud. After a rainy and muddy race, I’ve just been told that the lefty has to be rebuilt again for the second time in a year. At a cost of $150 and 3 week delivery or I could rush it for an additional $50. This should all be free… | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I would spend a penny on this bike if you plan to actualy use it for what it claims to be for. I had less problems with my 6 year old GT. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Esteban Cordero
a Cross Country Rider
from Heredia, Costa Rica
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | XC | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | Costa Rica (XCESSO) | | Strengths: | When you get on it, you can feel the power !! climbing and doing down hills is a magnificent experience !! | | Weaknesses: | I have been having problems with the carbon lefty, it loses air preasure after a few rides, so the clearence between the lower clamp and the tire is not the correct. | | Similar Products Used: | N/A | | Bottom Line: | The bike is good, but the carbon lefty 2005 model is really giving me problems, and Cannondale doesnt have the suport that I`ve been specting from !! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin Kell
a
from Chambersburg, pa, united states
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | In Gear Cylcling | | Strengths: | Great bike for Cross country racing. Built to ride fast and climb. | | Weaknesses: | Had some problems with the lefty Dlr. It was sent back twice but Cannondale was very helpful and replaced it completely the second time. This shock is not made for big hits and air pressure needs to be maintained. | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh m80 | | Bike Setup: | full housing on rear derailur cable | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike after my first year of racing in which I rode a Raleigh M-80, a tank. I went in to the shop looking to buy a rush which i thought would be a good bike for me because im xc but Im a bigger guy and real hard on bikes. The shop ended up not having recieved any rushs yet but then this scalpel caught my eye it was in an awesome green color and the said they would knock $900 off the price ao I rode it and loved it. It was a big step up and greatly imprved my riding all around. Besides my shock trouble at first which may have been due to me running to low of pressure for my size 6"1' 190lb, and a broken rear derailure and cassette in my first race due to a stick getting jammed in there. This bike has been awesome and cant wait for the rest of the race season. Buy this bike if you want a fast xc bike, Dont buy it for a free ride bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Freeman
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson, Arizona
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | 50 Year Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay (used) | | Strengths: | Light, responsive climber with a comfortable suspension | | Weaknesses: | Expensive and hard to find in dealer stock | | Similar Products Used: | Road my hardtail for about a year before I could justify the cost. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except WTB Power Saddle, CrossLand wheels and some tire swapping. Finally ended up with a Hutchinson Python (tubeless) on the front and a Scorpion (tubeless) on the rear. This combination is most stable through deep sand which is my nemisis. | | Bottom Line: | I am not a great rider, but I have a good time. Admittedly, I do NOT ride the challenging downhill courses that so many people enjoy, just single track and jeep roads around Tucson. The Scalpel helps me enjoy everything I ride it on. My wife rides as well. She no longer even thinks about her old bike, now that she has a Scalpel. It was probably very useful to learn about riding on a hardtail that went through lots of changes before we were happy. The Scalpel is better out of the box than the tweaked hardtail it replaced and we better appreciate it because of our past experience. If you are not into big drops and can find one to test ride, do it. You may want to wait until you can afford to buy it, because I suspect you will want one. ;-) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg Stanis
a Cross Country Rider
from Saint Paul, MN, USA
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Erik's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Weight, Reponsivness, Lefty, Frame Design, XT Setup, lock-outs | | Weaknesses: | Cannondale Wind Hub | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Homegrown Full Suspension Factory XTR | | Bike Setup: | Full XT with CrossMax Wheelset | | Bottom Line: | This bike wins races! I won a race and placed in a few others over this past racing season with this puppy. Only weakness found has been the Wind Hub that come with the bike. Cannondale does not know how to make a proper Hub. I broke the rear hub right away, and the replacement hub within 2 weeks. Completely shattered the inside of the hub on the road! (This is the only reason I am giving a 4 instead of a 5) Luckily they replaced full rear tire with a Crossmax that works perfectly.
The lockouts turn this fantastic off-road racer into a descent road bike. Able to keep up with and pass most roadies out there.
I would recommend this bike to anyone who races XC. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a
from Bucks Cty, PA, US
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | hart's | | Strengths: | Light. Fast. Quiet. | | Weaknesses: | Too soon to say. | | Similar Products Used: | Replaced a Cannondale Full Suspension (Active 100SL) that was 8 yrs old. | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Cannondale Scalpel 2000. XT and XTR. Carbon seatpost, carbon wrapped bars, Shimano Hydraulic discs...lots of good stuff (fiz'ik seat, carbon lefty, Fox air shocks, DT spokes...) | | Bottom Line: | Pricey (but a great deal from Hart's) and light. This bike flies! I've read folks don't like the shifter/brake combo from shimano...but I am used to it. The Lefty shock (carbon) is odd to get used to. But it works well (when I can get air in it) and the bike is quiet. Composite rear end (with carbon) moves well. Doesn't have travel like some downhill models, but then, its NOT a downhill model! One thing dawned on me- you can't remove the front wheel. If you have a fork-mount bike carrier, you are SOL. Something to consider. Otherwise, It was down to a Trance 2 (Giant) or this. Since I've had 4 other Cannondales (Roadwarrior hybrid(still ride), 100SL, V700, Caad3 hardtail...) I got something for a Made in USA, Made in PA "al, you minimum!" bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jean Courcelles
a Racer
from Montreal - Canada
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Bromont | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | ABC Cycles | | Strengths: | Frame, Lefty, Carbon components, Handling, Weight, few moving parts for suspension, looks great in mat black & decent pricing | | Weaknesses: | Tires not that great in real mud situation. Keeping the rear shox lock-out wouldn't have been a bad idea | | Similar Products Used: | Raven 900SX | | Bike Setup: | Out of the box racer - nothing changed | | Bottom Line: | Amazing bike
Very fast and solid
Lefty is The fork for XC - Didn't open once my old lefty on my Raven although I did over 5000km with that bike! One of the reason I stayed with Cannondale
Scalpel can be raced out-of-the box - Would just adjust the tires to type of ground, original tires are not much use serious mud
Would have had to spend C$1000 extra to have same quality in components and still heavier weight with Specialized Epic | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
karl
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Doctor Arnold | | Strengths: | Set-up, components (though mixed feelings about the rear der.)Pretty amazing package all in all | | Weaknesses: | None bar a little skipping on the rear despite lots of dialing. | | Similar Products Used: | Spec. stumpjumpers (hardtail and fsr) Trek 8000/8500 and a very nice Trek 990 a very long time ago. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Ok this is a little story of sorts. Way back when 86-93 I was a pretty serious biker/sport racer in the maryland /virginia area. Then life kicked in and biking ended. I'd not set foot in a bike shop until about a month ago. Christ have things changed! When I was getting out shocks had just come in and there were lots of mixed feelings about the extra weight. Shimano had just come out with their first rapid-fire incarnation which also proved iffy at best. Most of us switched back to the xt thumb shifters. Suffice it to say I was quite skeptical looking at the new stuff, if not a bit confused. I researshed like a mad-man and it had come down to some high end hardtails, the scalpel and the epic. I really hated the weight gain with the rear sus and had reservations about its feel in climbing. I had decided on the Trek 8500. Super hardtail with a nice set-up. However I'd come across some very weak reviews of the new front fork on the Trek which prompted me to take a second look at the other bikes. Then I actually rode the Scalpel and Holy God the thing was amazing. Quick and agile with very controlable shocks and decent weight balance. I bought it. So there I am, hitting the trails for the first time in 13 years (actually riding a bike for the first time in 13 years) and quite nervous. On the first downhill I rode like a granny, all brakes and clenched teeth....just tragic. But then something started to happen. The bike just feels so dialed in. Others here have indicated that it just seems as though it wants to go fast. Well it does. By the end of the ride I was seeing a slight glimmer of my former self. Downhills were very fast and very sure, climbs were surprisingly sure footed and measured and on the road the lock-outs provided a super fast stiff ride (the tires were close to full pressure). All in all I'm amazed. Maybe I'll even do some old man racing and spank some of those kids. Turns out bikes have in fact gotten better and for my money the Scalpel is sitting on top. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dean Marshall
a Cross Country Rider
from Fordingbridge, hampshire,UK
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$5000.00 | | Purchased At: | cycle works UK | | Strengths: | Very quick, stable and nimble. Geometry. Superb build quality | | Weaknesses: | Nothing major. Light back end means you have to have good positioning. | | Similar Products Used: | None. All hardtails | | Bike Setup: | Changed to SRAM X-9 rear derailleur and rapid fire changers. Mavic cross max wheel set. Changed tires. Easton carbon seat post and Fi.zi.k Gobi saddle | | Bottom Line: | I've owned the Scalpel for about six week. It's a Very quick bike with superb cockpit position that gives you confidence but makes you ride aggressively. Excellent rear shock means little or no bob on climbs and very smooth lefty fork just cruises over the rough stuff. Changed to SRAM as I find it more positive and smoother (especially in mud). Build quality and componentry is superb meaning very little maintenance. Because the rear end is all carbon fibre it is very light and you can loose it a little if your weight isn't in the right place. My other toy is a Porsche 911 but I'd get rid of the car before the bike, that's how much I love it. So if you like fast XC...buy one now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron
a Cross Country Rider
from Mount Clemens
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Where ever there is single track | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Fraser Cycle | | Strengths: | Light, nice components, very stable and good climber | | Weaknesses: | Havn't found any yet. | | Bottom Line: | Ok, I've had this bike for a month now; the trails have finally thawed so I was able to get the bike out to see what it can do. All I can say is awesome!! This is my first full suspension bike and what a difference it makes. The bike handles great in tight single track and has virtually no bob when climbing. The lefty fork is very stable when making tight turns. I highly recommend this bike to anyone looking for a light full suspension X country bike. Besides having great components it's very cool looking. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Locust Grove, Ga USA
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Dausett | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Center USA | | Strengths: | Handles great, Climbs efficiently with no bob. Really no need to ever lock out rear. Begs to go fast and does so very well. The 2000 for the money comes nicely equipped. Warranty dept. handles issues like a made in the USA company should. I guess I am the only one who likes the gold paint. I don't notice it when I am riding. Could care less if it were not painted at all. | | Weaknesses: | Bearing migration. Limited headset and front wheel selection.
Over-technical. | | Similar Products Used: | 1998 Cannondale hardtail. Bikes have come a long way! | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2004. Swapped XT lever / shifter combo for Sram X.0 twisties and X.0 rear derailler. Thomson post. | | Bottom Line: | This is a weird looking setup. Front wheel limitations allow you to upgrade to just about only Mavic Crossmax. A good choice for any cross country machine though. Stuck with Cannondale forks unless you add the headtube downsizers. Lefty works flawlessly when bearings and shims stay put. I am on my second fork rebuild and migration is starting again. Fork still works great, it just should not do that on a $2500 bike. At least they try to fix it. I still honestly love this bike. It is fast, it goes where you want it to and when you want it to, and it climbs like a hardtail and better on rough climbs. This is more of a softail than full suspension really, but still has plenty of travel for its intended use. I am about 6' tall and hover around 200 lbs and this bike has not let me down. If you are not doing big hit stuff, like to climb, and might even want to go fast and race someday, this is an excellent choice. Would be an overall 5 if not for the fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith Moore
a Cross Country Rider
from Florida
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I'm on. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Higher Ground in Tallahassee | | Strengths: | Cannondale quality. No mushy rear suspension. The lefty is one hell of a fork. | | Weaknesses: | A little heavier than I thought it would be at 26.5 lb, but you can feel it on the trail. | | Similar Products Used: | I've tried many different types of full suspension bikes. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with the brake lines swapped around like a motorcycle. | | Bottom Line: | I am a long time hardtail rider. A couple of years ago I purchased one of the 01 GT idrive Team, which is a great bike, but I didn't like the mushyness of the rear suspension. So I sold it, and kept on riding my Xizang. Well, I was wanting to get into some of the 12 hour races in the Southeast so I started looking at full suspension again. This time I wanted something like a soft tail so I looked at the Litespeed Unicoi, and the Cannondale Scalpel. I just could convince myself to spend that kind of money on the Litespeed, and I already owned four other Cannondales, and I have had nothing but good things to say about them. I found the Scalpel 2000 @ Higher Ground(if you in Tallahassee check these guy, and girls, out) and I actually purchased two of them. One for me, and the other for my wife. I have never looked back, or even thought that I should have bought something else. I have a riding buddy that bought a Specialized Epic at the same time, but after riding mine he was disappointed in his. I have since rode my first solo 12 hours event, and I never had one mechanical issue with this bike. I love it. It was the best mountain bike purchase I have made to date. Anyone interesed in 98 GT Xizang? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TEH
a
from el cerrito, ca, usa
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Read the Bottom Line. | | Similar Products Used: | Epic, Blur, any other expensive bikes don't compare. | | Bottom Line: | This is long but you should read it. I have been Mt. biking for about two years, raced for one, and I have been on a Trek 4500 (less than $400). The bike doesn't make the rider, but the bike sure can ruin a rider. So I have been looking for a new bike the past year. I have ridden my friend’s bikes, shop bikes, including expensive Trek, Specialized, Santa Cruzs, Giant and then Cannondale bikes. My brother was looking for a new bike and his new team is sponsored by Cannondale, so we went to go test the Scalpel, and to tell you the truth I thought it would fall apart on the test ride. I respect Cannondales road bikes, but I was never sure about their crazy Mt. bikes. I didn't trust the Lefty or the rear triangle pivot in the frame. But then I test rode the bike and talked to a shop worker for about an hour, who rode the Scalpel while sponsored by Cannondale for a year, so he told every detail about the bike, which proved how much time Cannondale spent on this bike. This thing was put together like no other bike, it is smart. This is the only bike that felt good to me, exception to the Epic. They both have that stiffer/shorter feeling rear suspension. I don’t like Specialized XC bikes because they just feel crunchy to me, nothing like the Scalpel. The Scalpel is so amazingly smooth, and that’s the best part of this bike, not the components or the weight, because you can get that stuff from any company. But the ride is all that matters, and everyone has a different wanting for feel. Also the Epic and Scalpel are better for someone looking for a stiffer rear suspension, like if you are used to hardtails, because they won’t provide that super plush rear feeling, but they will take all the little bumps out and also the big stuff from the way they are designed. But for the Epic I would be worried about the positioning and strength of that brain on the rear shock, it just seems extremely vulnerable. The Lefty and frame are what make the ride so smooth because the way the Lefty is designed, the little bumps never reach the handle bars do to the way it oscillates, and sense all the different rear pivot points are patented, Cannondale had to come up with a new design, and being how the pivot is in the frame, there is very little pedal-bob, but Santa Cruz does have the best design for that. One last thing, back to the rear suspension, everyone knows that hardtails make climbing easier, and with me being a climber, this shortened rear suspension doesn’t sink you back while riding, and if you’re still worried, it has a sweet little lockout switch on the handlebars, now that’s just another ingenious thought of Cannondales. Check it out in the shop, it’ll be worth your time, and maybe other companies should take a little time to learn from the pros. O yea I made a few phone calls here and there, and now I'm getting the 2000 for $1600 which is about cost. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan aka: Coconut
a Racer
from San Anselmo, northern cali
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | All of Mt. Tam | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Sunshine bikes | | Strengths: | Rips on the downhill, super plush in front and back, Why do you think the C-Dale Siemens team does so well in the sport of pro mountain biking. | | Weaknesses: | a little heavy on the uphill, might be in my mind though, The tires which come with the bike could be the problem, and going no handed is weird, transportation | | Bike Setup: | Stock, but with Serfas AL-Stablizer bar ends, I'm probably gonna get eggbeaters soon, Conti Vertical Tire in the front (2.3) and a Hutchinson Python in the back(2.0). | | Bottom Line: | I wrote the first review for the bike, I've changed my mind on things ...
On one ride, my friend wanted to switch bikes for just a climb (half way up eldridge) His bike can climb any hill like a billy goat. He didn't want to touch mine on anymore climbs, just the downhill. I share the same opinion, It's heavy on the uphills, but you compensate for time on the downhill. I think he's a natural born climber and his bike is so good for climbing, that he doesn't like any full susser for climbing.
Many of you know that bikers are naturally born for either climbing or sprinting (Lance Armstrong is incredible with both, that's why he's so untouchable). I'm more of a sprinter than a climber. I feel like this bike can push me farther on sprinting (but especially downhill) and does pretty good on climbing.
Basically, It's a bit slower than most XC-Racing bikes on the uphill, but faster on the downhill and flats (which is where you can make up time and leave the others in the dust). I highly reccomend it to those who don't use a roofrack, are better at sprinting, and want to rip on the downhill. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
geoff
a
from moab
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Strengths: | it functional and works great for the most part. the shimano componentry is awsome. same with the fox rear shock and i like the design. The tires stick nicely to most terrain around here. | | Weaknesses: | The lefty is unpredictable at times and makes the bike off balence, for instance its hard to ride with no hands so as to streach after a rough section or a long downhill. I have had probablems with the bearings in my fork migrating in ways they were not supposed to, have other people had this problem? | | Similar Products Used: | trek bikes, | | Bike Setup: | compleatly stock | | Bottom Line: | Its a good bike but its expensive for what you get, a lot of the components are cannondales own devices which aren't as great, like the seat post, stem, handlebar, grips, fork, ect. If you don't mind this the get the bike cause its awsome in all other respects and i have enjoyed and still enjoy riding it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jamie Sutherland
a Cross Country Rider
from London Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3299.00 | | Purchased At: | All Season Sport & Cycle | | Strengths: | Weight
Lefty fork
Fox rear shock
Carbon fiber rear end
Carbon handle bar
Component mix is excellent for the money
Mavic rims
XT Cranks-very nice!
Looks - this bike is sexy | | Weaknesses: | Seat is good but uncomfortable
Brake pads
| | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert Disc
| | Bike Setup: | Stock setup | | Bottom Line: | For the money this bike is far superior to anything in its class. It comes decked out with a full XT drivetrain (xtr derailer), crankset and brake set. I looked at many different bikes and in this price range and could not find anything that was close.
The bottom line on this bike is that it will make you a better cross country or trail rider. The lefty tracks like a laser guided missile and the rear suspension soaks up all the little bumps with ease. This makes for faster, longer rides. The frame itself is pretty light and lends itself well to uphill climbs and long days of rolling fire roads.
I have to tell you I am a larger person weighing 220lbs. I was very worried that the rear suspendion would not hold me and would not work well with my clydesdale body. Was I ever wrong! This bike is just right and has handled me quite well to this point.
I would not reccomend this bike for downhill or big hit riders. It is intended for use as an XC racing machine and really truely is an all out XC weapon.
The only things I would change would be the seat and the brake pads. The seat is nice enough but fairly uncomforatble on epic rides and the brake pads failed me the frist time I got them wet.
Other than that I love this bike and I am very very happy with it so far.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Oliver
a Racer
from Christchurch, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine rim | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Strengths: | Lightweight, Remote lockout-able, Lefty, Tubeless tires, Snazzy paintjob/finish, Aggressive geometry, Plush travel, Efficiency | | Weaknesses: | Cost | | Similar Products Used: | Specialised Epic marathon, KHS alite 4000 hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Stock except eggbeaters | | Bottom Line: | It came down to the Scalpel or the Epic, and after test riding both, the Scalpel was a sure winner. The geometry is perfect for pushing hard into corners and the rear end sucks up bumps like it has 4 rather than 2.5 inches of travel. All our hardtail riding brothers should see the light, full suspension is faster full stop. And when it's packaged like Cannondale has done with the Scalpel you have one mean race weapon. Can't wait to race, you hop on this bike and it just wants to go! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Riffle
a Cross Country Rider
from Altus, OK
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2599.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikesport, Inc. Dearborn, MI | | Strengths: | Weight- or lack of it!, handling is superb, top-notch components, and I love the new integrated shifters. And, of course, the Lefty.
Climbing, Descending, Tracking/Cornering, Comfort... | | Weaknesses: | Ho-hum paint job. (Although mine did come "Silver and Black" -instead of the yucky Gold/BLK that was listed in the catalog.)
Bar-mount rear suspension lock-out was cheesy/bulky --but was easily removed. (I can't really see where locking out the back end would really be necessary when the suspension is tuned properly for the rider. Besides, the local flip-lever on the shock is easy enough to get to.)
Minor inconvenience: Can't put on fork mount roof rack without an adapter, and removal of front caliper.
Overall: no real weakness I've found yet!
| | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Jeckyl 600-Disc, Fisher Sugar, Kona Dawg Dee-Lux | | Bike Setup: | Bone stock. (except for rear remote-lockout removed) | | Bottom Line: | I keep going back to my old horse, a 10 yr old custom Waterford Reynolds 753 steel bike with a modified Judy SL and a pair of Mavic CrossMax XL UST's... I swore I would never need another bike. (Besides- I was "sentimentally" attached, you could say!)
Well, I wasn't getting any younger, and figured I had the dough to buy some fancy new bike if I really wanted to. And, my butt did not share my fondness for my old hard-tail any more!
I called a few buddies who's opinions I trusted, test rode a few bikes, and made the leap.
I doubt I'll ever regret it!!!!
I got my Scalpel home and tweaked out just hours before a little trip out to Santa Fe, NM, for a conference we were to attend.
While there, and loving Santa Fe as usual, we hit the "Dale Ball" trail system just outside of town. The mostly single-track trail, is a bit scrubby, but overall "Excellent" (one of the best marked I've ever seen).
Most importantly, the Scalpel "chewed it up and spit it out"! I really doubt that I can take this bike to it's limits.
It wants to go fast, it takes a line like it's on rails, it climbs like a mountain goat, and does everything without beating the tar out of it's rider. I've never been "less fatigued" after riding a bike for 3 hrs.
I can't wait to test it on more trails!
My Bottom Line:
If you have the coin to buy this bike, and a desire to take your cross-country riding to a new level- you won't be disappointed. Cannondale has delivered.
Two thumbs up, no question about it!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Reke
a Cross Country Rider
from Lexington, Sc, USA
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Harbison State Forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Center | | Strengths: | The Lefty is fantastic! Weight (around 26 lbs). This bike just fits! I am 5'9" and 165lbs. Climbs like a mountain goat and decends like the shuttle during re-entry! | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Epic Comp Disc, Giant NRS | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | I have been riding for only 4 years. I came from a Giant Iguana hard tail. I took that bike way past the manufacturers intended design. (Great first bike!) I was looking for a bike to take to the next level. For 2500.00, I feel like the Scalpel was the best bang for the buck. I did a test ride on my old bike in 1 hr and 10 min. First ride on my new bike was 51 min! Now I am riding further, faster, and am having more fun. Isn't that what it is all about? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dennis Meyers
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbia,SC,USA
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Harbison State Forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Center | | Strengths: | Fast!!! This bike begs to go fast! The lefty DLR eats up the big holes. Pick a line and go. XT integrated shifters are sweet! | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Super V, F700 | | Bike Setup: | Check full specs at www.cannondale.com. Bikes with comparable componets and weight cost $1000 to $1500 more. | | Bottom Line: | Don't let the rear travel#'s keep you from buying this bike. If your desire is like mine to go fast with confidence while eating up the terrain and still be able to climb w/o a penalty, this bike is for you. I shopped Giant and Specialized but they can't match the all around performance of this bike. 26lbs out of the box with ease to drop additional weight providing your budget allows. If you're looking for a $2500 bike with a sweet groupo look no further. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc
a Cross Country Rider
from Cedar Rapids, IA - USA
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Northtowne Cyclery | | Strengths: | Weight, Handling, Lefty, Made in USA | | Weaknesses: | None Yet | | Similar Products Used: | Stumpjumper Pro hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Carbon Fork, XTR front derailure, Conti Explorer Tires | | Bottom Line: | I've been out about 8 times on this bike and each time I find something else to crow about. The handling is superb, predictable in every situation. I think this is mainly due to the Lefty. What a shock! If they regulated mountain biking like they do golf, the Lefty would be outlawed for giving to much of an advantage. Coming off a hardtail, I still try to stand on occassion when the going gets tough. The Scalpel allows you to do this with very little bobbing. When I convince myself to stay seated, it climbs great. I'm really amazed at how such a short travel bike can handle some of the bigger obstacles (roots, log bridges, rocks)and still leave me in control.
I had a little problem with the shifting in the rear, but my mech at Northtowne replaced the rear cable with one of higher guage and it hasn't missed since.
Enough said. If your looking for a fast,light, well handling X-country bike, don't purchase anything until you give the Scalpel a try. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim B
a Racer
from CApe Town
Date Reviewed: February 29, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | betws-y-coed at night | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | alf jones | | Strengths: | lack of weight
drop dead unusual looks,..........beautiful actually | | Weaknesses: | rear end locks up under braking | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Epic, Trek Fuel | | Bike Setup: | Scalpel 2000 frame, carbon Lefty DLR, M965XTR throughout | | Bottom Line: | This is the first FulSusser I have bought. I tried the Fuel and Epic and wither had vices I couldnt live with ie Their RS forks, and it would have cost too much to change them to something decent like the FOX F80X.
The Scalpel has been a joy to ride since the first time i through my legs over it. It tracks straight and the Lefty fork is by far the best XC fork Ihave used.
The XTR drivetrain and brkaing system has performed flawlessly
I would buy another Scalpel, anytime buti hear Cannondale has something new in the pipeline which is evenmore radical than Scalpel so maybe I'll keep the Scalpel for now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robby
a Racer
from Gardners, PA
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Michax Maximus | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Busheys bike shop | | Strengths: | Lefty, Weight, Handling, ETC. just about everything | | Weaknesses: | Nothing I've found so far, except for of course the color, the magazine says it only comes in black and gold...but when I went back the bike shop I got it from a month later, They had one exactly the same only it was Metallic and Black I liked that a lot better | | Similar Products Used: | Raliegh M600 hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except my trusty egg beaters | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike, I am a junior rider and avid racer (a very spoiled one at that) and I have raced a hardtail all my life, when I got this bike it was amazing...and it still is. I would definatly reccomend this bike to anybody willing to spend the money...I belong to a rapidly expanding cycling team...YBR....and It has some phenomenal people I asked around and they said this was the best bike for the money they've ever seen. I enjoy my descison and I would definatly make it again | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ken boucher
a Cross Country Rider
from gilchrist or
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | maiden peak | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2599.00 | | Purchased At: | Hutch's bikes | | Strengths: | Weight, handling, components, handling "Like Butter" | | Weaknesses: | Front tire goes flat after three days. I traded out the dual pod for rapidfire xtr shifters and xt brake levers. The catalog and Mountain bike action magazine stated it came with a carbon lefty this was a typo. no biggie though. I am a paint snob and would of liked to have had a plainer paint job like Flat black. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale jekyll, specialized s-works, Gary fisher cake. | | Bike Setup: | I traded out the dual pod for rapidfire xtr shifters and xt brake levers. everything else stock | | Bottom Line: | this bike is incredible I am sold on Canondales. Sorry Trek. I am a 210 pound trail rider in southcentral oregon this bike takes me up and down the cascdes all day long. Even though my wife says its not important what others think its pretty cool to take it on trails and get oohs and ahhs from all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John W.
a Cross Country Rider
from Red Lodge, MT
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | ??? | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Incredible handling, weight, lefty, parts spec, efficient, pretty much everything. | | Weaknesses: | uuummmm... seatpost? | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 98 and Liquid 55, Klein Palomino XX,'03 Scalpel 1000, '02 Jekyll 1000, GT XCR 1000, Marin Mt Vision | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock, with Thomson post and eggbeater ti pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Each year C-dale is improving the parts spec and lowering the price. This bike is priced the same as last years 1000 and is spec'ed much better. A couple of nice suprises on this bike was the Hugi 240 rear hub and Easton EC70 bars. While this bike is marketed at xc racers, it's also the best all around trail/epic bike I've ridden. If your thing is shuttles and big drops then obviously look elsewhere, but if you enjoy riding up as well as down, do yourself a favor and test ride a Scalpel. Awesome bike, ya gotta ride it to believe it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from San Anselmo, California, USA
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Rock Springs, Rocky Ridge, China Camp and Tamarancho | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Sunshine Bicycles | | Strengths: | Full Suspension, weight, durability, looks, brakes, Full XT components w/ the exception of an XTR rear Derailleur, Handling, Control, New Shimano XT Dual Control, The feeling when someone who knows what they're talking about says "nice bike" then you say "yeah ... it get's me from A to B", you don't have to take the front wheel off to replace tire/tube since it's on a lefty fork. | | Weaknesses: | pointless rear lockout (not enough travel to make a difference), but it can easily be taken off, flat tire problem (but that had nothing to do with the bike, just pure bad luck), and I was supposed to get M520 pedals, but I got M515's. but M515's are still good pedals | | Similar Products Used: | There's nothing that matches up with the Scalpels | | Bike Setup: | Scalpel Frame, Lefty Fork (w/ really nice lockout, that's very useful), Fox Float Rear Shock, XT Hydraulic Disk Brakes, Full XT, XTR rear Derailleur, Hutchinson Tubless Light Tires, Sram PC-69 chain, Shimano M515 Pedals, and about 23.5 lbs. | | Bottom Line: | Pretty much, I love this bike no matter what people say to me. You might here people saying Cannondales suck they might even call them "crack n' fails" but that's only an opinion of an idiot. Honestly, I don't like cannondale bikes beacause of their setup. But These Scalpels are what Cannondale works their Ass off for, just go down to your local bike shop and ask them, ride the bike around if they let you, and make your decision from their. I'm very satisfied with my Scalpel, my freinds are jealous and so are the idiots calling them "crack n' fails".
These are high quality bikes, I highly recomend them to Cross Country Riders and Racers. This bike is obviously not meant for downhillers, freeriders, and ameatures. They're Light, Strong, Awesome Looking and you might even get a few jealous looks on the trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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