Cannondale Scalpel 4 bike 2025

Hold on Tight

Thrill ride. With the most advanced XC suspension and geometry, and rowdy-ready spec, the new Scalpel redefines cross-country speed – again. Taking aim at XC race podiums and technical trails alike, the Scalpel 4 is always down for fast. It’s built on our advanced lightweight carbon construction frameset, then set up with a Shimano Deore/XT 12-speed drivetrain, remote-actuated RockShox SID suspension both front and rear, and Stan’s NoTubes Crest S2 rims for reliable speed and control. The thrill of speed. Winning XC and Marathon races. High-speed trail slaying.

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.

Devilishly Fast
Speed starts with the geometry, and Scalpel’s got the hole shot. It has a slack 66.6º head tube angle, a steeper 75.5º seat tube angle, and chainstays that get longer as the frames get bigger 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 Beauty of Speed
This ain’t no fashion statement. This is 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.

FlexPivot
FlexPivot stays are key to Scalpel’s incredible suspension performance and low weight. These patented carbon sections act as virtual Horst link pivots, creating a true four-bar link suspension that allows our engineers to precisely tailor how the suspension responds to pedaling, braking, and bump forces, without the weight or maintenance of bearings.

Proportional Response Suspension
How a suspension system responds to inputs is heavily influenced by the rider’s center of gravity, yet most designs on the market use the exact same suspension layout across all the sizes. With Proportional Response, we customize the kinematics by size to deliver the absolute best traction, braking, and pedaling performance.

Geometric Advantage
Full size-specific customization keeps you balanced in the sweet spot. A wicked slack 66.6º head tube angle delivers confidence at speed. Steeper 75.5º seat tube angle and longer reach keeps you in the perfect position for power and traction on the climbs.

Fly Low
The cat’s out of the bag: A dropper post’s ability to instantly raise or lower a bike’s saddle for technical sections or steep descents is a secret to speed that XC riders can’t ignore anymore. It’s why you’ll find them on any Scalpel – so you can command any terrain, and fast.

Connected
An integrated wheel sensor delivers precise speed, route, and distance info, registers your bike, keeps you on top of maintenance, and much more, all through the free Cannondale App.

Re-Tiring Convention
More travel and more capable geometry meant re-thinking tires, too. The 2.4-inch tires on the new Scalpel are higher in volume than conventionally narrower XC tires, meaning more traction and more control, even in the rough stuff.

Features

• Superlight 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 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

Tech spec

• Frame: Scalpel, lightweight carbon construction, 120mm travel, Proportional Response Suspension and Geometry, FlexPivot Chainstay, full internal cable routing, 73mm BSA, 1.5" headtube with 1-1/8" upper reducer/internal cable guide, 148x12mm thru axle, 55mm chainline, UDH, post-mount disc – 160mm native
• Fork: RockShox SID, 120mm, DebonAir, 15x110mm thru-axle, tapered steerer, 44mm offset, TwistLoc remote dual lockout
• Rear Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Select+, 2-Pos mode adjust, adjustable rebound, 190x45, TwistLoc remote dual lockout
• Rims: Stan's NoTubes Crest S2, 32h, tubeless ready
• Hubs: (F) Shimano TC-500, 15x110mm thru-axle / (R) Shimano MT410B, 12x148mm thru-axle
• Spokes: DT Swiss Champion
• Tires: (F) Maxxis Rekon Race WT, 29x2.4", EXO Protection, tubeless ready / (R) Maxxis Aspen WT, 29x2.4", EXO Protection, tubeless ready
• Crank: Shimano M5121, 32T
• Bottom Bracket: Shimano BSA 73mm
• Chain: Shimano Deore, 12-speed
• Rear Cogs: Shimano Deore, 10-51, 12-speed
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore 6100
• Shifters: Shimano Deore 6100, 12-speed
• Handlebar: Cannondale 2 Flat, butted 2014 Alloy, 31.8mm, 3° rise, 8° sweep, 760mm
• Grips: RockShox Smooth Silicone
• Stem: Cannondale C1 Conceal, Alloy, 31.8, -6°
• Headset: Acros ICR
• Brakes: Shimano MT501, hydraulic disc, 180/160mm RT10 rotors
• Brake Levers: Shimano MT501 hydraulic disc
• Saddle: Prologo Dimension NDR, STN rails
• Seatpost: Cannondale DownLow Dropper, internal routing, 31.6, 125mm (S), 150mm (M-XL)
• Speeds: 12
• Connectivity: Cannondale Wheel Sensor