[TalonSL]

Before I bought my Rush I was really interested in the Scalpel, and thought it was the most innovative design ever with the flexing chainstays, and the perfect bike for me. A lightweight FS MTB meant for light duty on trails because I ride mostly on road but like to hit the trails occasionally. However, not long after they introduced them I could seldom ever find one of the darn things in a shop, and have only seen 3 of them outside of a shop, and one was all the way in Melbourne, Australia, chained up to a parking meter.

So what's the deal here? Is there a problem here or some important reason this bike is not very popular? I've heard quite a few things from people and even my LBS that the chainstays worry people, and that the market for the bike is small, and even that it is a maintenance hog, or hangar queen in aviation terms. All of the emphasis seems to be placed on the Rush and Prophet, and it is too bad because the Scalpel is a really cool looking bike except that I was talked into a Rush by everyone.

 

[Dan Gerous]

Rare? Maybe where you live but around here, it's the most popular Cannondale model, I see a lot of them and I never come across owners having trouble with the chainstays, they are strong. The reason emphasis is placed toward the Prophet and Rush is because they are the new kids on the block. Scalpels might not be that exciting now since they have been out for a few years now but it doesn't take away anything from it's design... A real speed demon! And I don't think they need anymore care and maintenance than any other FS design.

 

[jdp526]

New to mtbing here, but I attended a race as a course volunteer a few months ago here in Texas and there were many scalpels in the race. I haven't seen any on local trails in the few parks where I ride probably since this bike is really considered a XC 'race' bike and not an everday ride.

 

[Dan Gerous]

Even though it is a race bike, I see quite a lot of people who ride these as everyday trailbikes with big smiles...

 

[NS2000X]

At the recent Summer Solstice 24 Hour Race there were MANY Cannondales I came across.
80% were Scapels. I saw only one other Rush.

 

[TalonSL]

Wow, surprised to hear that. The Scalpel is a really unusual bike that Cannondale really went pretty far out to build. It is a few years old now, but so is the Lefty fork and Super V frame and they are still going strong. I would be riding one today had it not been for all of the half dozen bike shops I went to slamming the bike mercilessly and trying to push the Rush's and Prophet's they had on the floor to me. I may have a second chance though if Cannondale is nice and replaces my cracked Super V frame with one.

Maybe it's just the trails around the SF Bay area where I live that the Scalpel isn't suited for, but I have only seen 2 around here, and one was being ridden across the Golden Gate Bridge. I've test ridden them 3 times and despite all of the bashing from my LBS and friends, I have to say that it has the best acceleration and handling of any other bike I have ridden.