New Cannondale Scalpel is here!

ASPIRE SPORTS / Blog / News / New Cannondale Scalpel is here!

26.03.2024

Since the first one proved that dual suspension could be faster than hardtails in 2002, Scalpels have
always led the way. Moving XC forward. Defining what cross-country will be, not what it is or has been. This new beauty continues that legendary legacy.

More travel, more capable geo, more capable spec, and racy lightweight. Blurring the lines between full-tilt trail capability and full-on race speed. Because these days, they are the same. Fast may be fun. But faster is funner. Welcome to faster.

Hold on tight

The all-new Scalpel is a thrill ride. With the most advanced suspension and geometry ever to grace a lightweight race machine, plus aggressive XC spec, Scalpel finds extra speed on every part of the trail. Accelerate where others hesitate, grip where others slip, overtake where others brake. Scalpel leads the charge into a whole new era of XC. Punch your ticket, clip in, and get ready.

What does the new Cannondale Scalpel offer?

The championship-winning Cannondale Factory Racing cross-country team clarified their needs: give us more. So we did. The new Scalpel brings more travel, a more aggressive geometry, and more capable spec to dominate the XC courses of today and your favourite trails tomorrow.

Travel Advisory

Not just more travel – better travel. Thanks to the magic of our FlexPivot kinematics and Proportional Response suspension, Scalpel’s 120mm of travel delivers unreal traction, more control, and a hell of a lot more fun – with all the efficiency and responsiveness you’d expect from a World Cup race rig.

It’s OK to Stare

No other fork looks like Lefty, and no other fork does what Lefty does, landing riders on countless podiums since its introduction nearly 20 years ago. That wild design results in unmatched stiffness, smoothness, and responsiveness, so Lefty keeps you at the front of the line when it's showtime.

The Beauty of Speed

This ain’t no fashion statement. This is a pure, purposeful design. Every element of the Scalpel’s form is driven by function above all – kinematics, weight, stiffness, and capability. Features drive the shape instead of the shape constraining the features. And fast looks good.

The Devil’s in the Details

Speed starts with geometry, and Scalpel got the hole shot. It has a slack 66.6º head tube angle and a frame geometry customized by size to keep the rider more balanced between the wheels. The result? More power and traction on the climbs, more pinpoint control in the corners, and a whole new level of confidence at speed.

The collection overview

There are four different specifications and two types of front forks. You decide which one suits you best.

Cannodale Scalpel LAB71

Ultralight Series 0 Carbon frame with FlexPivot, 120mm travel, and Proportional Response-Tuned Suspension and Geometry. Lefty Ocho Carbon – the smoothest, most advanced, most precise-handling XC fork in the world. Carbon upper, 120mm travel, with a TwistLoc Ultimate remote lockout. Lab71 painted SystemBar XC-One integrated carbon handlebar and stem. RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate rear shock with TwistLoc Ultimate remote lockout. SRAM’s range-topping XX SL AXS Transmission electronic wireless 12-speed group with Level Ultimate Stealth brakes. DT Swiss’s lightest, fastest MTB wheelset, the XCR 1200 Spline carbon.

Cannondale Scalpel 1

Superlight premium Series 1 Carbon frame with FlexPivot, 120mm travel, and Proportional Response-Tuned Suspension and Geometry. Lefty Ocho Carbon – the smoothest, most advanced, most precise-handling XC fork in the world. Carbon upper, 120mm travel, with a TwistLoc Ultimate remote lockout. Sleek SystemBar XC-One integrated carbon handlebar and stem. Super-fast DT Swiss XCR 1501 Spline carbon cross-country wheelset. Light, precise, and tough SRAM XO Eagle AXS Transmission electronic wireless 12-speed group with Level Silver Stealth brakes. Fox Transfer SL dropper seatpost.

Cannondale Scalpel 2 Lefty

Superlight premium Series 1 Carbon frame with FlexPivot, 120mm travel, and Proportional Response-Tuned Suspension and Geometry. Lefty Ocho– the smoothest, most advanced, most precise-handling XC fork in the world. Alloy upper, 120mm travel, with a TwistLoc Ultimate remote lockout. RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ rear shock. Podium-ready performance with TwistLoc Ultimate remote lockout. Durable, smooth-shifting SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission electronic wireless 12-speed group with Level Silver Stealth brakes. Light and fast Cannondale HollowGram XC-S 27 carbon cross-country wheelset. Fox Transfer SL dropper seatpost.

Cannondale Scalpel 2

Superlight premium Series 1 Carbon frame with FlexPivot, 120mm travel, and Proportional Response-Tuned Suspension and Geometry. Race-ready RockShox SID Select+ 120mm fork and SIDLuxe Select+ rear shock, with a TwistLoc Ultimate remote lockout. Durable, smooth-shifting SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission electronic wireless 12-speed group with Level Silver Stealth brakes. Light and fast Cannondale HollowGram XC-S 27 carbon cross-country wheelset. Fox Transfer SL dropper seatpost.

Cannondale Scalpel 3

Superlight premium Series 1 Carbon frame with FlexPivot, 120mm travel, and Proportional Response-Tuned Suspension and Geometry. Lightweight RockShox SID Select 120mm fork and SIDLuxe Select+ rear shock, with a TwistLoc Ultimate remote lockout. Shimano’s race-ready XT/Deore M6100 12-speed group. Powerful, controllable Shimano Deore M6100 hydraulic disc brakes. Stan’s tubeless-ready Crest Mk4 rims with Maxxis Rekon Race and Aspen WT 2.4” tyres. Cannondale’s DownLow dropper seatpost.

Cannondale Scalpel 4

Superlight premium Series 1 Carbon frame with FlexPivot, 120mm travel, and Proportional Response-Tuned Suspension and Geometry. RockShox SID 120mm fork and SIDLuxe Select+ rear shock, with a TwistLoc Ultimate remote lockout. Shimano’s race-ready Deore M6100 12-speed group. Powerful, reliable, Shimano MT501 hydraulic disc brakes. Stan’s tubeless-ready Crest S2 rims with Maxxis Rekon Race and Aspen WT 2.4” tires. Cannondale’s DownLow dropper seatpost.

Please visit www.cannondale.com for a more detailed specification of each variant and the technology used in the new Cannondale Scalpel.