Cannondale Scalpel Carbon 1

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. Built for winning races and scorching trails, the Scalpel 1 is one of the fastest, lightest, and most capable mountain bikes on the planet. The frame is crafted with our advanced, super-light Series 1 carbon construction. Our one-piece SystemBar XC-One carbon cockpit controls the unmatched steering precision of the Lefty Ocho Carbon 120 fork. SRAM’s potent XO AXS wireless electronic group handles the shifting, and it all rolls on the speedy DT-Swiss XCR 1501 Spline carbon cross-country wheelset. The thrill of speed, winning World Cup 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.

It’s OK to Stare
No other fork looks like Lefty, and no other fork does what Lefty does. Its unique design and friction-reducing needle bearing internals deliver smoothness, responsiveness, and steering precision no other fork can match. There’s a reason it’s been topping podiums for over 20 years.

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.

System Overhaul
The SystemBar XC-One is a one-piece carbon cockpit that’s both lighter and stiffer than most two-piece cockpits. Ergonomically shaped, internally cabled, and packing a full 760mm of width, it gives you ultimate control over the trail.

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 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

Tech Specs

Frameset

• Frame: Scalpel, Series 1 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: Lefty Ocho 120 Carbon, 120mm, Chamber Damper, OppO Spring System, tapered steerer, 50mm offset, TwistLoc Ultimate remote dual lockout
• Headset: Acros ICR
• Rear Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Select+, 2-Pos mode adjust, adjustable rebound, 190x45, TwistLoc Ultimate remote dual lockout

Drivetrain

• Rear Derailleur: SRAM XO Eagle AXS, T-Type
• Shifters: SRAM AXS T-Type Pod Controller
• Chain: SRAM XO, T-Type, 12-speed
• Crank: SRAM XO, T-Type, 34T
• Rear Cogs: SRAM XO Eagle, 10-52, T-Type, 12-speed
• Bottom Bracket: SRAM DUB BSA 73mm MTB Wide

Brakes

• Brakes: SRAM Level Silver Stealth, 4-piston hydraulic disc, SRAM HS2 180/160mm rotors
• Brake Levers: SRAM Level Silver Stealth

Wheels

• Rims: DT Swiss XRC 1501 SPLINE ONE, carbon, 30mm inner width, hookless, TSS tubeless ready
• Spokes: DT Competition Race, straight pull
• Tire Size: 2.4
• Wheel Size: 29
• Hubs: DT Swiss Lefty, 6-bolt (F) / 240 Ratchet EXP 36, 6-bolt, XD driver (R)
• Tires: (F) Maxxis Rekon Race WT, 29x2.4", EXO Protection, tubeless ready / (R) Maxxis Aspen WT, 29x2.4", EXO Protection, tubeless ready

Components

• Handlebar: SystemBar XC-One Flat, carbon, integrated bar/stem, internal cable routing, 5° upsweep, 8° backsweep, 760mm width, -6° stem, 1-1/8" clamp
• Stem: SystemBar XC-One Flat, carbon integrated bar/stem
• Grips: RockShox Smooth Silicone
• Saddle: Prologo Dimension NDR, Tirox rails
• Seatpost: Fox Transfer SL Performance Elite, 31.6, 125mm (S), 150mm (M-XL)

Connectivity

• Wheel Sensor: Cannondale Wheel Sensor

Producer's note: Please note that, based on component availability and other factors, specifications are subject to change without notice.