With World Cup and local XC race course taking a turn for the technical, XC race bikes have become more long-legged and capable. Of course they can still climb like a billy goat, but now they can increasingly handle technical drops and obstacles that would make previously required a “hang on and ride it out” strategy that didn’t always work so well. The all-new Cannondale Scalpel-Si aims to deliver the best of both climbing and descending and Cannondale engineers have employed some serious trickery to make this a reality.
Applying the learning from their F-Si hardtail racer, the new Scalpel-Si utilizes an optimized Lefty fork to allow for a relatively slack 69.5 head angle combined with a 55mm offset to maintain proper trail. Cannondale dubs this OutFront Steering Geometry and follows some of the similar patterns we’re seeing on other modern XC bikes.
In the back, there’s a party going on too as the rear triangle utilizes a proprietary Ai offset drivetrain and surprisingly still sticks with a 142×12 axle instead of going Boost 148. Still, chainstays are wicked-short (435mm) due to the 6mm drivetrain offset. In addition, top tubes are longer for a more modern, long and low geometry.
The Cannondale Scalpel-Si Race ($9060 USD).
Key highlights of the Scalpel-Si:
- OutFront Steering Geometry delivers 69.5 deg head angle with sharp handling
- BallisTec carbon for added impact resistance
- Ai offset drivetrain to allow for shorter stays
- RockShox Monarch rear shock
- Modular cable routing for mechanical and electronic drivetrains
- Dropper post capable
- 100 gram system weight reduction
- Aluminum models coming summer 2016
- Pricing: $12,790 – $3,200
More: Visit Cannondale.com
