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Cannondale
Scalpel Team Replica
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Submitted by
jplamere1
a Cross Country Rider
from Plymouth, MN, USA
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Poaching Skyline above Woodside, CA | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$7100.00 | | Strengths: | Light, top of the line components, the Lefty | | Weaknesses: | The Lefty makes the bike pull to the right. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Taurine, Jamis Dakar Pro 2005 | | Bike Setup: | Riser bars, XTR pedals, lots more air in the Lefty than what Cannondale recommends. | | Bottom Line: | My brand new 2010 Scalpel Team size Med weighs 21.6 actual pounds with new XTR pedals, bottle cage, real tires, rim strip wraps around the rear stays to protect them, and lots of Stans fluid in the tires. It is an epic bike that is so fun to ride, but there is only 1 thing I don't like about it, which is that going no handed on it is problematic- the bike pulls to the right big time, because of the Lefty, but I don't mind that much because the Lefty works so incredibly well and is the best front suspension system on Earth. When I get on a regular front shock now, I can't stand that differential feeling, and I've ridden all the top of the line standard shocks, they all have that differential frumpiness. You would think the Lefty would pull the bike to the Left, but no, if you pick the bike up in the air, the weight of the Lefty on just the left side makes the wheel turn to the right, so the bike pulls to the right big time. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
spartan23
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA. USA
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Skeggs, CC, Waterdog | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$7000.00 | | Purchased At: | Helens Cycles | | Strengths: | FAST, LIGHT, DURABLE, CLIMBS EXTREMELY WELL !!! did i mention its a superfast bike. sub 22lbs right out of the box. Lighter than most HT's | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | Ellsworth Truth, Ibis Mojo SL, Scalpel 3000 | | Bike Setup: | 2008 Scalpel Carbon Team Replica (stock) + KCNC seatpost, Selle Italia SLR Saddle, Schwalbe Racing Ralph | | Bottom Line: | This bike is superlight and superfast. It climbs extremely well. You can fly on this bike climbing, flats etc specially if you can master spinning the 2x9's.
I will not go with a tripple after seing the speed benefits of the 2x9. The lefty 110 is trully an amazing bike.
The Scalpel Carbon Team Replica is really something else.
Im not much of a long travel FS so this bike fits me perfectly. If you are a HT lover, check this bike out. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tavaenga
a Racer
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Tai Mo Shan | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$6100.00 | | Purchased At: | Flying Ball HK | | Strengths: | Lightweight race weapon even with stock components(sub 22lbs/10kgs). To some it may seem expensive but very good value considering spec. Slackish head angle (69.5deg) for a XC bike gives confidence downhill. Much higher bottom bracket height compared with previous Scalpel. Stock components are tried and tested and work well together. Lefty OPI model is their best yet. | | Weaknesses: | Minor cable slap when the going gets rough; can be fixed with a cable tie, but Cannondale should be able to improve in this area...Fizik Tundra saddle should have been specced with carbon braided rail, mine has a magnesium rail at a 30g penalty...Lefty OPI fork has a known seal leak issue which you should discuss with your LBS before purchase. Once fixed the fork is sweet...Juicy Ultimate brakes lose pressure when not used for a few days (known issue). | | Similar Products Used: | '05 Scalpel 2000 | | Bike Setup: | Completely stock 2009 Team model, I haven't changed a thing; XO rear der + shifters, XTR front der and pedals, Cannondale SI stem and 29/44 crank with BB30, Thomson post, Fizik Tundra saddle, FSA carbon bars, Crossmax SLR wheels with Conti Race King, Juicy Ultimate brakes. | | Bottom Line: | It was just too good an opportunity to walk in a buy a sub 22lb XC race machine off the showroom floor...The bike is amazingly light and quick, I cant believe how fast I can move on it! When pushed it can handle most technical sections with ease. It climbs very very well. The BB30 bottom bracket and 29/44T crank combination is amazingly stiff. I swear by the double ring set-up now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AlbertoJara
a Cross Country Rider
from Brasilia, DF - BRAZIL
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim - Moab | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3300.00 | | Purchased At: | Friend of friend - O | | Strengths: | Speed, on everything from short-course XC to ultra endurance. Nimble, stable, FAST, FAST!! | | Weaknesses: | None so far besides the price. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Top Fuel 9.8 | | Bike Setup: | ALL STOCK - FRAME: Scalpel Carbon System 6 w/ BB30 integrated crank; DT Swiss Carbon 190 SSD shock; 100mm travel
FORK: Lefty Speed Carbon SL w/ 110mm travel SRAM X.0 trigger shifters, rear derailleur; Shimano XTR front derailleur, rear cassette; Avid Juicy Ultimate hydraulic disc brakes; Cannondale Hollowgram BB30 carbon crankset w/ ceramic bearings; Mavic Crossmax SLR wheels; Maxxis Monorail XC UST 2.0-in. tires; FSA K-Force carbon flat bar; Thomson Elite post; Fi'zi:k Gobi saddle
| | Bottom Line: | Incredibly fast and controlable. If you can only settle for the best go for the team replica! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
santosj
a Cross Country Rider
from ocean nj usa
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | hartshorne | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$6500.00 | | Purchased At: | the peddler | | Strengths: | light weight fast | | Weaknesses: | would like to higher rise stem selection | | Similar Products Used: | sworks epic | | Bottom Line: | If you want to go fast this is the bike. If your looking for ubertravel than this four inch is not it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MAURICIO
a Cross Country Rider
from BRAZIL
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$5900.00 | | Purchased At: | biketech | | Strengths: | weight | | Weaknesses: | a rear suspension axis broken, lefty fails, crankarm wrong factory assembly | | Similar Products Used: | 2 rush aluminum, 1 rush carbon, 1 prophet | | Bike Setup: | sram, avid, cannondale | | Bottom Line: | a poor quality bike. after 6 cannondale bikes: no more... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Cross Country Rider
from Nashville, TN, USA
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Extremely responsive bike, softail takes out just enough of a trails roughness, great for long rides. Lefty works as well an any double shock made, but with less maintenance. Relatively lightweight. Perfect for racing. | | Weaknesses: | OK, here is where I rant. Over the last 3 years I have broken the "frog" suspension linkage 3 times. In August 07 I cracked it a 3rd time, but Cannondale told me they had the piece on backorder till mid November 07! That is crazy, what company doesn't stock replacement parts? So I cannot ride for 3 months - heck no - I took it to my buddies machine shop for some aluminum bracing and welding until the new linkage comes in the Fall. What good is a lifetime warranty if no parts are available? Also, while in the bike shop originally there was a Scalpel with a cracked frame at the headset and 4 weeks later it was still there. Hmmmm. | | Similar Products Used: | Bridgestone, Proflex, GT Xizang, Giant mcm, Specialized Enduro | | Bike Setup: | Sram, WTB Hub, Woodman Hub, Mavic, Raceface, etc. | | Bottom Line: | I am ashamed of Cannondale and sad, because it really is a great bike design. Even the customer service people (friendly on the phone) agree that the parts should be available and they commented that it was a problem. Luckily my aluminum braced welding is still holding up. You may think I'm a downhill huckster, but I do adventure racing, 12 hour races, and offroad centuries. Not a big fan of downhill or anything over 18". Haven't needed a truing of the original rims over a 3 year period. Would love to support the bike, but cannot because of my experience. I really just want to enjoy riding my bike, not chasing down replacement parts. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Johannesburg
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$6800.00 | | Strengths: | Solid terrain hugging performer | | Weaknesses: | None evident so far | | Similar Products Used: | GT, Specialized Epic | | Bike Setup: | Standard 2007 Team Edition, with Thompson seat post | | Bottom Line: | Have ridden 3000km on this bike in the last three months including 12 days of racing (one 8 day event) and this bike hasn't presented any issues at all. Chain has never popped off. Every time I have asked the SRAM kit to do some work it happens flawlessly. Lefty lock out is simple and effective. Don't bother locking up the rear shock as there is no perceived bob. Sure footed on the down hills and a great climber.
Serious Cross Country riders (serious money) will love this bike. Looking to soften up and dump your hardtail for a full sus bike - this is a great machine as you get the full benefits of the suspended ride without feeling like you are pumping your energy into the bob. Price is an issue however. Don't sell your house if you still use it. If not it would be a great swap! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
karl
a Racer
from baltimore md
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3200.00 | | Purchased At: | web | | Strengths: | sound package, sram, singular function-to go fast. Form and Function baby! | | Weaknesses: | none yet thankfully. Except retail...its a bike people! | | Similar Products Used: | almost everything out there | | Bike Setup: | stock except for Tompson Masterpiece post, Stans rotors, Maxxis ignitor 1.95 ust | | Bottom Line: | Very good bike. I've been riding/racing a Scalpel 2000 very hard for the past 2 years (reviewed on this site)and love just how quick and responsive it is so I elected to get the Top-end bike to save some weight and to use just for racing. The now quite beaten up Scalpel 2000 has become my main training bike. These really are fantastic xc race bikes. Compared to the 2000 the team bike is better but not in a night and day sense, At 23.8lbs for the medium it is 2.2lbs lighter than the scalpel 2000, a bit more spirited and I can certainly hold a slightly quicker pace with it. The components are terrific and aestheticly beautiful. The Sram XO shifting is crisp and sure unlike the xt dual stuff I've been accostomed to. The magura marta sl brakes are nice and the crossmax sl wheels are a thing of beauty and sheer speed. However for me the best feature has been the Lefty speed carbon terralogic fork. This thing is excellent. On climbs and pop-ups I can stand and crank as if its a rigid singlespeed with no bobbing what-so-ever and when it gets rooty or rocky the thing responds at once to take the edge off. Just perfect. So in all a great light semi-full sus rig which is just all about speed. I really do think that these bikes are they best xc racers out there. Also FYI, as a rider I'm 145lbs and I like my wheels on the ground and I like to go as fast as I can, big jumps, huge logs and super steep drops give me the heeby-jeebies so if you moonlight as a freerider look elsewhere but if you want to win on Sunday a Scalpel (any of them really) may be for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Freeze
a Racer
from Houston, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Comfort | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$6200.00 | | Purchased At: | Webster Bicycles | | Strengths: | My review is not for the Team Scalpel but the new 2006 Rush. This bike Rocks!!!! I have not found any weakness in it. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Scalpel | | Bike Setup: | FSA carbon bars and seatpost, Juicy carbon brakes, OX rear derailleur and OX triggers, XTR front derailleur, Cross Max SL wheels with an XTR rear cassette, SI Hollwgram crank, Triple Ti Egg Beaters | | Bottom Line: | I just finished my first ride on my custom 2006 Cannondale Rush and what comes to mind is, “WOW”. This is by far the best bike I have ever ridden (I have been racing since 1992). It is so plush and complaint. Fox’s new Pro Pedal mated with the new Terra Logic is the perfect combination. The extra bob you would think you would have with a long travel bike does not exist. I have been a Scalpel rider for years and even though the Rush is a little over a pound heavier it well worth the trade off for the stiffer rear triangle and the added travel. If you are in the market for a race or trail bike you are crazy if you do not give this machine a test ride. This is also my first bike with Sram. I chose the XO with the OX triggers and I must say Shimano better look out. The shifting is flawless and super smooth. I another great component is Cannnondale’s SI integrated BB and Hollowgram cranks they are super light and equal stiff.
If you live in the Houston area you can checkout all the latest Cannondale’s at Webster Bicycles in Clear Lake but unless you are a Roadie save yourself the time a buy the Rush. You can reach them at 281-332-2419.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
abraham
a Racer
from tamarac, fl
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Strengths: | Light and fast, only 24lb for a large. customer service | | Weaknesses: | the orange leather of the seat(saddle) start pelling off af6er the second right. talk to cannondale and they gave me a new :) right away. but for a top of the line 2006 team replice i think that shouldn't happen. Great customer service for cannondale. | | Similar Products Used: | epic s work carbon fiber frame | | Bike Setup: | it comes with all the goodies, there is nothing else to buy | | Bottom Line: | Excelent bike, I'm in love. sram works great. alll you need for racing. It is like a soft tail but ever thought off that it feels way better than the epic. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kevin
a Racer
from lovelton, pa
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | mountain springs | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3200.00 | | Purchased At: | sicklers bike shop | | Strengths: | light and efficient | | Weaknesses: | this bike is not a true "full suspension". it is more of a softail. | | Similar Products Used: | kona king kikapu, gary fisher, trek, bontrager, c-dale jeckle, titus, blur | | Bike Setup: | stock set up minus the tires. i run the ust python | | Bottom Line: | for racing the bike is fine. in fact, it seems to be the bike of choice. however in the woods the bike is not fun. the short travel makes you feel like you were just violated. many people swear by the lefty fork, personally i'm not a big fan of it. it seems to have too steep of an angle and i find myself going over the handlebars in situations when i'm in full control of the bike. i'm not sure about the specs on this web page. the team replica does not come with any shimano products. it is equipped with sram x.o and magura discs. all of which are sufficient. while racing i usually use the scalpel. while in the forest it stays at home | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Concord, CA
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Climbs like a goat and Im able to carve downhill faster than any other bike i've ridden. Rode a friends airborne titanium hardtail this weekend - the Scalpel is faster on the climbs, tons more comfortable, and down hill isnt even close | | Weaknesses: | I broke the xtr titanium cogset a couple of weeks into - shop replaced for free and no trouble since. If it breaks again, will probably go to xt or new SRAM cogset | | Similar Products Used: | Looked seriously at blur, epic, truth - test rode after racing at Sea Otter this year and fell in love | | Bike Setup: | SRAM XO drive train, Magura discs, carbon lefty w/ fox inertia, dt swiss shock w/ lockout - awesome spec by Cannondale...Lefty rocks! | | Bottom Line: | I don't bomb downhills with lots of air, do mainly xc on single track and some fire roads - this bike has made me so much faster, its hard to believe. Acceleration is instantaneous.
Don't buy if you are looking for an all purpose trail bike unless you ride only XC like myself. Too light and not built to take the abuse of lots of air or jumps.
The bottom line is that I enjoy my rides much more(very comfortable bike and geometry), Ive seen tremendous gains in speed and these two put together have enabled me to ride faster and longer.
Absolutely no regrets on this bike - the price is a bit steep but then again, the team replica is spec'd out exactly as I would have spec'd if I had built a custom bike.(only thing I will change is going to eggbeaters). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Jones
a Weekend Warrior
from Laguna Beach, California
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | woods/forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4700.00 | | Strengths: | Basically...none. | | Weaknesses: | EVERYTHING, I rode this piece for about 2 weeks and it fell apart. After about 3 jumps the crank broke, brakes just sucked, popped BOTH tires, frame seemed extremely weak and brittle, and the shocks were not very good. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona products | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I would NOT get this. May sound odd, but it is a piece. A piece of s***. Wayyy too expensive for the quality of this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Racer
from Philadelphia, PA
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Strengths: | 1. Light and simple. After 1 full race season, I'm looking forward to my second year on this bike.
2. It's a time-proven design (about 4 years old now, I think), and there really aren't many shortcomings in the frame.
3. The plastic rear triangle is surprisingly durable, and the lefty fork is great; relatively light and long travel.
4. Nice spec on the parts. | | Weaknesses: | 1. The remote lock-out for the rear DT shock was terrible (the clamp mechanism couldn't hold the bar without slipping, and it would activate suddenly when I wanted it locked out). Spent an overpriced $30 for the DT manual lock-out lever mounted directly to the shock, and no issues since.
2. The SI crankset creaked at first; removed, relubed, reinstalled, and no problems since.
3. If you have to pay full retail for the bike it's overpriced; it's not worth $5k.
4. Idiosyncracy of mine, but if I'm paying for a top end bike, I don't want to advertise for Siemans, Hutchinson, etc.... in other words, too many logos and stickers... | | Similar Products Used: | Came from a top end Specialized hard-tail; also briefly demo'd Sugar, Blur, Giant NRS, Epic, Intense Spyder. (side note: I actually liked the Spyder better, but purchased the Scalpel because of price; a friend who purchased the Spyder couldn't race it for half the season because of issues with the bushings) | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2004 model (all XTR, not SRAM/Marta set-up like on the '05), with egg beater pedals. | | Bottom Line: | The relatively short rear travel and overall light weight definitely means the Scalpel is for XC racing. That said, I really think the bike helped me to improve as a racer last year; it smooths out the descents, but not so much that you get lazy and sloppy. The XTR disc brakes are awesome (except for the fast pad wear), so you can control the extra speed. It climbs well, and I really never felt that the suspension hurt my overall efficiency.
This bike would be a great choice for someone moving from a high-end hardtail for racing purposes (still want to race, but the old back has other ideas...), or for someone with a general full-sus bike that wants a bike with more of an XC racing focus.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JUSTIN
a Cross Country Rider
from CALIFORNIA
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$5000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | VERY STRONG CLIMBER, GREAT ON THE DECENTS. THIS BIKE IS VERY LIGHT AND WITH EVERY PEDAL STROKE IT JUST TAKES OFF FROM UNDER YOU. FOX LEFTY IS AWESOME SO IS THE DT SHOCK. | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | ALL MAJOR BIKES INTENSE, TURNER, SPECIALIZED, TREK, ETC,ETC. | | Bike Setup: | STOCK | | Bottom Line: | THIS BIKE IS AWESOME IT IS LIGHT AND NIMBLE, IT CLIMBS UP ANYTHING AND FAST. IT FEELS VERY SOLID UNDERNEATH YOU WHEN YOU ARE POINTED DOWN HILL. I HAVE RIDDEN EVERY TYPE OF XC RACER AND I CAN HONESTLY SAY THE CANNONDALE TAKES THE CAKE, THE PARTS SPEC IS AWESOME. I LOVE THIS BIKE IT IS SO FUN TO RIDE, I CAN'T WAIT TO GET IT ON THE XC COURSE. IF YOU CAN AFFORD THIS BIKE AND YOU PRIMARILY RIDE AND RACE XC THIS IS YOUR BIKE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim XCRider
a Racer
from Chester
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | betws-y-coed at night | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | Alf Jones Cycles | | Strengths: | Light weight
simplicity of design
great components
Very stiff, stable fork | | Weaknesses: | remote lockout is a pain | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Epic, Scott Genius RC20, Intense Spider | | Bike Setup: | Xtr Groupset, Woodman stem, easton Bars and Thompson seat pin, Time ATAC CArbon Ti pedals Fi'zi:k Aliante saddle | | Bottom Line: | This bie does everything it says on the can.
It's fast, repsonsive, reliable, suspension action is perfect when set up properly giving the bike extremely great handling adnd tracking ability over any terrain.
I've experience non of the weird characteristics that Sam relates below. In fact I think he's just bitter he bought somelses Lemon and can;t get Cannondale to to make it right for him.
Won;t need to buy another since I'm the original owner and if anything goes wrong I know Cannondale will stnad by their warranty as they have had to do only once with my hardtail.
Scalpel; A well thought out design for XC racing and MArathon's. Light stiff, responsive and the bike goes where you point it, quickly.
Especially love the fact that theres no stupid amrketing blurb around this bike. It just does what it's suposed to and does it very very well.
GET ONE! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam
a Racer
from Thousand Oaks, CA, 91362
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Chesebro Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | private party | | Strengths: | Weight | | Weaknesses: | Many. First, the lockout lever mounted on the handlebars is defectively designed. The suspension will not stay active when hitting rough terrain; the lever just locks out the shock without being touched. Two different Cannondale dealers attempted to correct this problem for me with zero success. In the uphill, the rear shock absolutely must be locked out or your experience will be similar to riding a pogo stick. As a result, the bike performs extremely poorly on technically challenging uphill climbs. The Lefty fork is an example of a bike company listening to its marketing department instead of riders/racers. It is certainly an eye-catching, unusual design, but listen to the obvious doubts in your head. Having a single side to a fork results in a lack of balance. The fork shakes and feels unstable in left turns, especially in downhill sections.
After about 10 months of riding this bike, I noticed that in downhill sections the rear rim would suddenly and for no discernible reason begin rubbing the frame. The Cannondale dealer believed the cause to be a defective frame. Since I wasn't an original purchaser, customer service advised that there was no warranty coverage for it. Furthermore, no effort was made to assist me in any way, not even a small price break on a new frame, etc. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Super Vs, Specialized S Works Epic | | Bike Setup: | Everything stock except the brakes, which were swapped for Formula B4 magnesium discs. | | Bottom Line: | If you're looking for a cross-country bike and leaning toward the Scalpel, I would suggest a hardtail instead, as the suspension performance of the Scalpel is comparable to a hardtail, and you may as well save a couple pounds by going to a hardtail.
Cannondale limits its warranty protection to original purchasers, and their customer service representative seemed more like an insurance adjuster looking to avoid paying claims. I've purchased two other Cannondales and been happy, but will never buy another one. Cannondale's bankruptcy was more than just financial; their quality went bankrupt as well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Racer
from Ypsilanti, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim, Moab, UT | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$4700.00 | | Strengths: | Absolutely responsive on turns. Downhills and drops feel WAY BETTER than with my hardtail. I come from a hardtail racing background so it was scary to go FS to race at first. I have to say I am totally happy with the bike now and can't think of any that I would rather have. | | Weaknesses: | Remote lock-out for the DT Rear shock sucks.... Replace it with a Fox lock-out lever mounted upside down and use it like a thumb shifter.... BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO MY BIKE. | | Similar Products Used: | Jamis Dakar XLT 3.0, Giant NRS, Nuke Proof Titanium(!!!) | | Bike Setup: | Stock + Stans + Maxxis Larsen TT 1.95s + Fox Remote Lock-out | | Bottom Line: | Get this bike if you can afford it! You will be happy with the "nothing unnecessary" feel to the bike and it will not slow you down at all. It will help your fatigue and endurance without robbing expended energy.
You'll be happy.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Siemens Mobile
a Cross Country Rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Everywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | USA | | Strengths: | Fast, agile, responsive. Strong frame & unique design, best bike I have ridden for X-C riding. | | Weaknesses: | Lefty carbon shock....MUST.."I REPEAT" MUST keep up with maintenance or you will have trouble. If equiped with SI HOLLOWGRAM crank...although light weight and stiff it will start to make noise.. send back for replacement. Replace the XTR 961 FD/BS with a XTR 960 Top Swing will shift better. | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar, Fuel, VPP(virtual PIG performance)Blur, Jekyll, Epic, VPP Spider, NRS, HT's. | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR, X-MAX SL'S, Full carbon parts when possible. Only 25lbs! | | Bottom Line: | I have ridden many bikes, The Scalpel is by far the best bike for X-C riding, unlike the "PIG's" with more the 4" of suspension... you can actualy feel the trail and control your ride at high speeds where as the "PIG's" have a dead feel which can hide your in efficiencies and reduce riding skill. Most HT riders know exactly what I'm talking about. If you want to go fast.... up & down and DON'T want to fly off 4ft+ rocks, drops & jumps, this is your bike YES even you HT riders. Value/Overall rating is based on a competitive bike comparison. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, CA USA
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Soquel Demonstration | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3999.00 | | Strengths: | Crisp handling, light weight, component package, shock lock-outs, good looks | | Weaknesses: | puny tires (1.75 Hutchinson) | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Super V, Raven 4000, Jeckyll 3000, Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bike Setup: | Swapped out XTR derailleur and shifters for SRAM X.O and Grip shift, changed ELO front lefty lock out for manual. Frog speedplay pedals, IRC Serrac 2.1 UST tires, all else stock | | Bottom Line: | The absolute best XC bike I've ever ridden. It is light, responsive, climbs like a mt. goat, has just enough plushness to take the harshness out of a rocky decent, and very little 'bob' in the rear on climbs (almost don't even need the lock-out). The carbon fiber LEFTY perfect. I LOVE this bike! I think Cannondale finally hit the jackpot on this design, it has all the right elements of the perfect XC racer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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