Cannondale Scalpel Lab71 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. The ultimate form of Cannondale’s XC racing prowess, the LAB71 Scalpel is a cross-country dream machine. First, Series 0 carbon construction creates most advanced Scalpel frame ever. It’s then built up with DT-Swiss’s lightest, fastest wheelset – the XRC 1200 Spline, a SRAM XX SL T-Type wireless electronic 1x12-speed drivetrain, one-piece SystemBar XC-One carbon cockpit, and the incomparable Lefty Ocho 120 Carbon fork.

Zero Compromise
The most advanced XC race bike could only be made with most advanced carbon construction. Series 0 is the highest tier of carbon tech, delivering the ultimate blend of toughness, stiffness, and low weight.

Built to Win
Serving the LAB71 ethos, that most advanced frameset gets the most advanced components: SRAM’s wireless electronic XX-SL AXS drivetrain and Reverb AXS dropper post, Lefty Ocho Carbon 120 fork, one-piece carbon SystemBar XC-One cockpit, and DT Swiss’s XRC 1200 Spline carbon wheelset.

Travel Advisory 
Not just more travel – better travel. Thanks to the magic of 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.

The Devil’s in the Details
Speed starts with the geometry, and Scalpel’s got the hole shot. The slack 66.6º head tube angle and frame geo that is 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.

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

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 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, 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

• 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 XRC 1200 Spline carbon

Tech spec

• Frame: Scalpel LAB71, Series 0 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 Ultimate, 2-Pos mode adjust, adjustable rebound, 190x45, TwistLoc Ultimate remote dual lockout
• Rear Derailleur: SRAM XX SL Eagle AXS, T-Type
• Shifters: SRAM AXS T-Type Ultimate Pod Controller
• Chain: SRAM XX SL, T-Type, 12-speed
• Crank: SRAM XX SL T-Type, 34T
• Rear Cogs: SRAM XX SL Eagle, 10-52, T-Type, 12-speed
• Bottom Bracket: SRAM DUB BSA 73mm MTB, Ceramic
• Brakes: SRAM Level Ultimate Stealth, 4-piston hydraulic disc, SRAM CLX rotors, 180mm 6-bolt (F) /160mm centerlock (R)
• Brake Levers: SRAM Level Ultimate Stealth
• Rims: DT Swiss XRC 1200 SPLINE, carbon, 30mm inner width, hookless, TSS tubeless ready
• Spokes: DT Swiss Aerolite straight pull (F) / Aerolite & Competition straight pull (R)
• Tire Size: 2.4+
• Wheel Size: 29
• Hubs: DT Swiss Lefty, 6-bolt (F) / DT Swiss 180 Ratchet EXP 36, centerlock, 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
• 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: RockShox Reverb AXS, 31.6, 125mm (S), 150mm (M-XL)
• Wheel Sensor: Cannondale Wheel Sensor

Producer's notes: depending on component availability, specifications are subject to change without notice. Images are for illustrative purposes only.