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Thanks Chris - pretty keen on the Scalpel and I think it’ll serve me for the next few years perfectly 🤘

I’m a chronic bike changer but have done 1600km on the Roscoe including a Festive 500. Saddle is a really nice Fabric one (short nose with a deep cutout) and has been comfy and isn’t too old. Something isn’t quite right but the Roscoe is on its way to a new home - I was (as is usual for me 🙄🤣) trying to fit a square peg in a round hole using the Roscoe for trail, gravel and marathon MTB which it just isn’t really made for. Appreciate the time to advise and share your experiences - will def get a bike fit on the new bike.

Thank you. I’ve tried a lot of different things to get this right (three different bars, changed brake levers from the el cheapo Roscoe ones, different grips, etc etc). Funnily today my bars suddenly felt a bit wide (Burgtec Ridewide Alu 31.8mm that I’ve trimmed to 770mm). On my last Scalpel I had the standard Lyne Alu XC bar and stem and never had the issue so it must be a combo of stack, bar width and possibly roll. Appreciate the advice.

Thanks for the inputs so far guys. Agree that one can't go too short on stem as the 55mm offset on the Lefty Ocho does sharpen up the steering already. I owned a 2019 Scalpel Si in Large with the Ocho and a 60mm Stem (445mm reach, 604mm stack and 624 ETT) felt pretty good so a Large 2021 can only feel better...

FS sorry.

That’s what I thought (and what everyone thought 10 years ago), but look at reach / ETT numbers on the latest crop of XC bikes 🥴

Hi Team Hope that you're all well (nerd alert on the below 😆). Looking at a new previous generation (2021 - 2023) Cannondale Scalpel (full suspension) as my LBS can build one up for a great price. I plan on keeping this bike for a good while (3 years min) so want to get it right. Use case will be XC marathon / stage races, gravel and non competitive trails. I am 177cm tall, but with a long upper body so about a 180cm wingspan. 40 years old, reasonably fit and flexible / strong. 1) My current bike (Roscoe 7) is a Large with a Reach of 470mm, 770mm 25mm Rise Bars and 42.5mm Stem (effectively 512.5mm reach to bars yes?). Effective Top Tube is 646mm and Stack is 644mm. My saddle is probably 2/3rds forward on the rails. I am finding that I have pressure on my hands when seated to the point that some of my fingers go numb after a few hours. I have also (for the first time) ever, found that my hands want to "blow off" the tops of my bars in the rough downhill stuff. It feels like the bike is too short for me, but surely it can't be. If you look at any manufacturer's recommended sizing I should be a Large. Brake lever angle, grips etc are all similar to what I've used in the past. 2) The "2021" Scalpel in a Large has a Reach of 455mm and I would fit a 60 / 70mm stem (effectively 515 / 520mm reach to bars?). ETT is 622mm and Stack is 601mm. Lower stack should increase my seated reach which should help with hand numbness (if my lower back can keep the weight off my hands with more "waist" bend. This is a very "traditional" sizing / cockpit build (relatively long stem etc). 2021 Scalpel in XL has a Reach of 475mm and I could fit a 40 / 50mm stem (effectively 525 / 535mm reach to bars?). ETT is 644mm and Stack is 610mm. 3) The brand new 2024 Scalpel in Large has a Reach of 475mm and looks like it comes with a very short (40mm?) stem (effectively 515 mm reach to bars?). ETT is 625mm and Stack is 607mm. Comparing the 2021 XL and the 2024 L, apart from ETT on the 2021 being an inch longer, the old XL and the new L are very similar. Seat angle on the old bike is slacker than the new, so I would likely move my saddle forward of the midpoint anyway which would shorten my ETT for pedaling. If I buy the 2021 XL, it may also allow me to fit a -1 degree angleset to slacken the head angle to a very modern 67 degrees (2024 bike has gone from 68 to 66.6 degrees). Am I oversimplifying things or is there something to be said for going for the larger bike. Lachlan Morton went from a medium Scalpel at the last Leadville 100 to an XL on the new 2024 Scalpel and was very happy with being more "in the bike" and the stability it brings. Nerd rant off - any ideas?

Has someone not put up a few signs leading up to the area - “Warning - bike hijacking risk area” or something 🙄

All valid questions thanks! It’s more of a hypothetical at the moment as I’ve set myself a goal of riding my races this year on a lightly upgraded Roscoe which is my only bike at the moment. Well, it started that way but now has a Pike Select Plus, Burgtec Cockpit and Zipp Moto wheels so hardly standard anymore haha. I am a shocker - have owned hardtails, dual sus, gravel bike, trail, XC and everywhere in between. I live in Howick so there are some epic trails at Karkloof nearby but the goal for the bike is day marathon races, stage races, possibly non stop Sani and some gravel racing as a one bike to do it all well with a focus on speed and efficiency 70% / trails 30% . It will be my only bike. Realistically, an Epic Evo is probably a safe bet for R 50 k but it’s more fun to breathe new life into an old dog sometimes haha

Thanks for all the ideas - definitely some great options

Morning All Curious to hear from the home mechanics, racers and bike shop owners - what is the previous gen XC bike with the most “modernization” potential? There are some awesome deals on 2018-2022 or so XC bikes (Trance, Epic, Spark, Ninety Six, Scalpel etc). If you were to buy and modernize / build up a bike for stage racing, gravel races and non competitive trail riding what would you choose? Off the top of my head things that I’d look for would be; • Clearance for 2.35 - 2.4 tyres • 1 x drivetrain • Boost • Modern geometry (reach, stack, head and seat tube angles) OR the ability to buy a size larger and drop in a headset angle adjust headset • Proven and easily available pivot bearings • Proprietary stuff not an issue as long as the support is there • Possibly a preference for aluminium - as long as the bike weight could be down close to 12kg • Dropper compatible - min 125mm • Kinematics that allow no / removal of lockouts. I did this on a Scalpel Si and it still pedaled beautifully. I am a simple soul and can’t be bothered with fiddling with levers all the time. Thanks for any thoughts / recommendations / “stay aways” 🤘

I am 100% for the death penalty and self defense at whatever cost. Wishing death on people who have had no opportunity or chance in life is another thing completely.

And children and their mothers die? Guys, be better.

Decided to just get it done between 44km last night and 54km this AM on top of 91km yesterday AM. Legs are toast, bike can hang on the wall for a few days 🤣. Family and friends time now 🙌

80% down with a local all over ride. Stage race fitness and general fatigue setting in at the same time 🤣