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Manuel Fumic's Cannondale Scalpel-Si. Manuel Fumic and Maxime Marotte are the national champions of Germany and France respectively. To celebrate this success, Cannondale has custom painted their Scalpel-Si frames with each rider's national colours over a black base. Maxime Marotte's Cannondale Scalpel-Si. The Cannondale team is sponsored by Shimano so, as you would expect, the drivetrain is a full Shimano affair. The shifters, cassettes, derailleurs, and cranks all coming from the XTR stable with the chain being borrowed from the Dura-Ace road catalogue. The brake set and rotors (180 mm front; 160 mm rear) are also Shimano's range-topping XTR. Maxime Marotte prefers Look pedals. The team uses One Components chainguides. The one anomaly is Fumic's unbranded 38 tooth chainring where Marotte has a standard Shimano XTR chainring. The team explained that Shimano does not currently make a compatible single chainring bigger than 36 teeth, so they've had to make a plan for Fumic's preferred 38T gearing. Fumic's blacked out 38 tooth chainring. The Shimano XTR cranks have undergone the Stages treatment with a power meter embedded in the left crank arm. This data is supplied to a Stages Dash computer mounted on the handlebar. Fumic's left Stages XTR crank and XTR pedal. And Stages Dash. In the cockpit, personal preference sees some variation. Most notably the seat posts with Marotte electing a KS LEV CI with carbon body and lever providing 65 mm of vertical travel while Fumic choosing a lighter rigid carbon post from Enve. Both riders sit on a Prologo Dimension Nack saddle with a 143 mm width. Maxime's KS Lev CI dropper seatpost and lever. Fumic's handlebar and stem configuration is slightly bigger with a 730 mm Enve bar and 90 mm stem versus Marotte's 720 Enve bar and 80 mm stem. There is also a difference in pedal preference with Fumic clipping into a pair of Shimano XTR pedals and Marotte using Look's X-Track pedals. The front suspension is uniquely Cannondale with a Lefty 2.0 Carbon. The rear travel is controlled by an unlabelled RockShox shock. The team take their suspension set up seriously, sending the forks to the specialist Lefty tuning company Eighty-Aid in Europe for servicing after each World Cup race. Enve M50 carbon rims are laced to a DT Swiss 240 rear hub with a Lefty hub doing duty in the front. The team use Schwalbe tyres, choosing the Thunder Burt 2.25" for the Stellenbosch course. Fumic uses Enve's rim strip to further protect the tyres from damaging snake bites. Specification List: FrameCannondale Scalpel-Si (Size medium) ForkLefty 2.0 carbon ShockRockShox RimsEnve M50 HubsFront: Lefty / Rear: DT Swiss 240 TyresSchwalbe Thunder Burt 2.25 HandlebarEnve carbon (Fumic: 730mm / Marotte: 720mm) GripsFumic: ESI Grips / Marotte: Prologo StemExtraLite (Fumic: 90mm / Marotte: 80mm) HeadsetLefty SeatpostFumic: Enve carbon / Marotte: KS Lev CI SaddlePrologo Dimension Nack BrakesShimano XTR Brake RotorsShimano XTR (180mm / 160mm) ShiftersShimano XTR Rear DerailleurShimano XTR CassetteShimano XTR (Fumic 11-42 / Marotte 11-40) CranksShimano XTR with Stages powermeter ChainringFumic: Unbranded / Marotte: Shimano XTR ChainShimano Dura-Ace PedalsFumic: Shimano XTR / Marotte: Look X-Track Race Carbon Bike ComputerStages Dash WeightFumic: 10.1 kg / Marotte: 10.2 kg

The Frame Cannondale have applied what they call System Integration (Si) to the Scalpel range to create a complete package that works seamlessly. They have tailored the set up across the size curve including 650b wheels on the XS and S, and women’s sizes. While still plainly a Scalpel, the Scalpel-Si has brought the design up-to-date with straighter lines and a refined look. Most obvious is the new suspension design which tucks part of the rear shock into the top tube, resulting in an elegant lining-up of the seatstay, shock and toptube. There is also now space for two bottle cages in the front triangle. It’s not just all looks either, Cannondale claim that the new Scalpel-Si carbon frame is one of the lightest dual suspension mountain bike frames in the world with a frame weight of just 2,118g including the shock, hardware, and axle on the Hi-MOD version. Which, according to Cannondale's numbers, make it 240g lighter than the 2016 Specialized S-Works Epic frame. The new internal cable routing system plays its part in keeping the Scalpel-Si looking neat. The ports on the redesigned head tube provide an easy path for the cable to enter the frame while also holding the cable neatly in position with a “lockable system”. Should you desire to run a Shimano Di2 drivetrain, Cannondale have designed a system for mounting the battery inside the top tube just above the shock mount. There is also provision for an internally routed dropper post which, thanks to the routing system, can be done while running a Di2 drivetrain. While the bike may still look much like the Scalpel of old, the geometry has seen a complete overhaul with a number of changes resembling what we’ve seen happening on trail bikes. The previous Scalpel was a take-no-prisoners race bike geared at covering distance and conquering climbs. While the Scalpel-Si still claims to do the same, it acknowledges the technical challenges of modern cross-country courses with a number of dramatic geometry changes to help riders negotiate the tough stuff.To improve handling and traction, Cannondale shortened the chainstay length by just under a centimeter to 43.5 cm (on the 29er models) in part thanks to the new, straight seat tube. In order to squash the wheel in a small space (and without having to implement Boost 148), Cannondale shifted the chainrings and front derailleur 6 mm outboard to create more space. At the same time, they adjusted the rear triangle to match, allowing for a more evenly dished rear wheel - resulting in more strength and stiffness. Cannondale call this Asymmetric Integration Offset Drivetrain (Ai). To complement the handling improvements of shorter stays, the head angle has been slackened to 69.5 degrees from around 71 degrees (depending on frame size) on the previous Scalpel. A slacker head angle generally puts the front wheel further in front of the bike which allows the fork to soak up more of the trail and helps to stop the rider pitching over the handlebars. To counter the sluggish handling a slacker angle might cause at slow speeds, Cannondale have custom designed the Lefty with a 55 mm fork rake through the use of an off-set front axle. Cannondale are calling this combination their OutFront steering geometry. The seat tube angle remains 73.5 degrees, keeping the weight over the pedals for power and traction. The Scalpel-Si also sees a slightly lengthened reach which allows Cannondale to fit a shorter stem for more accurate control. Cannondale have given up on their proprietary steerer standard in favour of a slightly more common 1.5” steerer, which should improve the aftermarket stem options for the Scalpel-Si. The new steerer sizing means that older Lefty forks are not compatible with the Scalpel-Si. The changes in the Lefty’s rake also means that the new Lefty hub has seen some sizing changes and, as a result, is not backward compatible, although the older hubs can be used on the Scalpel-Si with an adaptor. The rear suspension on the Scalpel-Si has also gone under the knife. The previous Scalpel had an awkward bolted together collection of parts fixing the seat stay to the rocker. The new LockR system uses an expanding thru-axle connecting both sides as a single piece without the need for special tools. To improve the performance of the flexible seat stays, flat brake mounts are moved from the seat stays to the inside of the chain stay to allow for better flex. When suspension damping isn’t what you want, Cannondale worked with RockShox to make an integrated single-push lockout control for the Lefty and shock. The rear lockout travels internally down the top tube which contains the top of the shock. Components ForkThe Scalpel-Si Carbon 3 comes fitted with the Lefty 2.0 boasting XLR Isolated Damper Technology with XC+ tune and XLoc Full Sprint remote. The XLoc Full Sprint does an excellent job of locking the fork out, as it will go from plush to just about rigid with the push of the button. The general stiffness of the Lefty 2.0 puts Rockshox's and Fox's latest XC offerings to shame which is not what one would expect from a fork that is not really a fork. The Lefty's small bump performance is good without diving through its travel at the first sight of uneven terrain. Sure, there is still only 100mm, but it handles what it has on offer very well. On my first ride, there was a slight knocking noise sitting inside the fork's first 20 mm of travel. This turned out to be the lower guard and I was able to remedy a fix trail-side. DrivetrainA mix of Shimano XTR and XT is powered by a Cannondale Si crank with a 32T Ai SpideRing. As mentioned in my review of the Silverback Sesta, I find the 11-42 Shimano cassette ratio too narrow for a 1x drivetrain on an XC bike. With the 32T chainring, I was spinning out at around 35km/h leaving me to coast it out. Fortunately, the Scalpel now comes specced with Shimano's 11-46 which will help a great deal as. This range will allow most riders to up the chainring to a 34T and for the fitter amongst us to bump that to 36T. BrakesShimano XT M8000 brakes are paired to 160mm front and rear rotors. Stopping power was good and the rotors did well at slowing the bike down. Fitting beefier tyres (and resulting higher speeds) did show that I would probably go to a 180 mm rotor in front sooner rather than later if only to be on the safe side. Tyres The only specification choice on this bike that I can fault are the tyres. Schwalbe's LiteSkin tyres are simply too flimsy and thin for South African conditions. Their paper-thin sidewalls caused the tyres to roll on their carcass. The only partial solution is to increase tyre pressure which leads to a loss of grip and traction, and an unnecessarily hard ride. With the overall weight of the bike already very competitive, I see no need to compromise with these tyres - especially as they only offer a 90 gram saving per tyre over the Snakeskin model. Wheels The rims are Stan's new Crest MK3 with an inner diameter of 23 mm which, according to Stan's Notubes WideRight philosophy, are good for tyre widths up to 2.25. Weighing in at just 364 grams per rim, the rims play their part in the bike's overall speed, but they do carry an 86 kg rider weight limit. They are laced to CZero straight pull hubs using Grand Forza double butted spokes with Cannondale's unique Ai offset dish. With the LiteSkin tyres fitted one cannot be sure whether any "movement" is coming only from the tyres or the wheelset. The swap to beefier tyres did however prove that the wheels and frame are suitably stiff and no cause for concern. Cockpit To round off the package, the Scalpel-Si comes with a 760mm carbon handlebar and 90mm stem. It was great to see this combination on a cross-country race bike. It suits the bike perfectly and offers great control and composure to a segment that is known for twitchy or nervous bikes. The Cannondale branded grips are comfortable and stayed secure through the roughest sections, thanks to inner lock rings. SaddlePrologo's Zero II STN has been surprisingly comfortable, after some recent abuse by other saddles following acclimatization to Specialized's Power saddle. Although the basic shape is similar to other cross-country saddles, the Prologo Zero seems to have got the mix just right. On the Trail I tested the Scalpel-Si on the following trails:Bottelary Hills (Green and Red Loop starting from Zevenwacht) Meerendal Bloemendal The main pivot located just above the chainring, along with what feels like a relatively stiff compression tune on the shock, gives decent pedaling characteristics when the trail points up. Under load the rear feels stiff, not giving away any hard-earned watts. There is no denying that the Scalpel-Si is a great climber. Whether grinding away or putting the hammer down, every pedal stroke translates into forward motion, making light work of long ascents. The bike's excellent pedaling manners meant that I could leave the suspension fully open and active at all times. This helped with extra grip and traction and no need to remember to flick a switch or push a remote when the party starts. Any concerns about the slacker head angle turning the front wheel into a wanderer can be dismissed. It stayed planted and on track over the steepest climbs and showed no signs of ill-manner over technical, uphill sections. I'm sure the 55 mm offset fork and 73.5° seat tube angle play a big part in this. What all of this means to you is the ability to focus on choosing the best line and getting to the top in the fastest possible time. While it’s still very much a race bike, this new generation Scalpel-Si is fun and capable enough to ride all the time and a great choice for today's gnarly XCO courses. Drop into single track and you will soon notice that the Scalpel-Si feels more solid and planted than you would expect from a cross-country race bike. When the trail gets steep and fast, the bike has no problem building speed. The 69.5 degree head angle, when paired with the 55 mm fork offset, long-ish front end, shorter stem, and wide handlebar, adds to high-speed stability and low-speed control in a way that has previously been reserved for trail bikes. The bike's overall handling feels neither nervous nor lazy and that goes for uphill, carving single track or navigating a section steep enough to tyre buzz your baggies. Bigger jumps, rock gardens, and drops were handled with poise. Where the Scalpel-Si did run falter was when I pushed it hard around berms or corners. This was down to the LiteSkin Schwalbe Racing Ralph tyres. Fortunately, this is an easy fix (but an annoying cost). The chances are you will be converting to tubeless anyway. After a ride or two of fighting a slow puncture and optimum tyre pressures to counter the tyres carcass roll, I moved a set of Onza Ibex tyres over from another bike. Whoa Nelly! Although they would not be my first choice for a 100 mm race bike, they certainly did prove just how capable the new Scalpel-Si is. In terms of feel and handling, I can say it easily feels closer to some 120mm trail bikes on fast flowy trails and descents. The difference is that you will feel much fresher when you get to the top, thanks to its climbing prowess. Make no mistake, this is no short travel hooligan bike, but the confidence that it has inherent in its design means it will happily tackle bigger terrain with control. Verdict We only had the bike for 10 days and in no way are we trying to sell this as a full blown review. We have however put enough dirt on the tyres in that time to get a good feel for the bike and to know that this is not the same cross-country bike of old. The specification selection (apart from the tyres) along with the tweaked suspension and progressive geometry, make the new Scalpel-Si a versatile short-travel weapon. It is one of the few 100 mm race bikes out there that will be happy to run with most 120 mm trail bikes through the twisties (along with the Pyga Stage we recently reviewed). Fit a dropper seat post and some grippier tyres and the Scalpel-Si Carbon 3 will have you reach for baggies come Saturday morning.That it is fast is undisputed, but more importantly is the ease with which it handles its new-found speed. ProsGeometry gives it confidence beyond XC or Marathon racing and will laugh in the face of the new breed XCO courses The new Scalpel-Si is flirting with some trail bikes for fun Routing for a dropper post Adding a dropper to the mix cranks the XC fun to 11 No longer will you have to shop for a trail bike if you like to have some fun with your racing Cons The LiteSkin tyres will need replacing Cannondale Scalpel-Si Carbon 3 Full Specification: FrameScalpel-Si, 100mm, BallisTec Carbon, Zero Pivot seatstay, PF30, 1.5 Si head tube, Ai OffsetForkLefty 2.0, 100mm, XLR Isolated Damper Technology with XC+ tune and XLoc Full Sprint remote, 55mm offsetShockRockShox Monarch XX, 100mm, Full Sprint remoteRimsStan's Notubes ZTR CREST, 32 hole, tubeless ready, 23mm IDHubsCZero Straight Pull, Lefty 60 front, 39-point engagement rear, 142x12, 28h (Ai Offset dish - Rear)SpokesGrand Forza Double Butted (Ai Offset dish - Rear)TyresSchwalbe Racing Ralph EVO Snakeskin, 29x2.25", folding, tubeless ready [Also tested with Onza Ibex]CrankCannondale HollowGram Si, hollow forged, BB30, 32t Ai SpideRingBottom BracketCannondale Alloy PressFit30ChainShimano CN-HG601, 11-speedCassetteShimano XT, 11-42, 11-speedRear DerailleurShimano XTR Shadow Plus, 11-speedShiftersShimano XT, 11-speedHandlebarCannondale CZero flat, Carbon, 760mmGripsCannondale X1 Single Lock GripsStemCannondale C1, 6061 Alloy, 1.5", 31.8, -5 deg.HeadsetCannondale HeadShok SiBrakesShimano XT, 160/160mmSaddlePrologo Zero II STNSeatpostCannondale C2 Carbon, Micro Adjust, 31.6x350mm (S,M) 400mm (L,X) [Tested with a Fox Transfer]SizesXS, S (27.5") M,L,XL (29")ColourJet Black w/ Nearly Black and Charcoal Gray, Matte or Berzerker Green w/ Jet Black and Charcoal Gray, GlossRetail PriceR 74,999

The Cannondale Scalpel-Si was first launched in early 2016 and, at the time, was considered a bold, progressive move with its slacker geometry and stubby chainstays. We’re no stranger to the Scalpel Si having spent some time on one in the launch year, but we happily took the opportunity to test out the 2018 Cannondale Scalpel Si 1 and revisit the platform. The Scalpel-Si Carbon 1 model sits towards the top end of the range with only the Scalpel-Si Team and Scalpel-Si Black Inc. topping out the lineup in the South African market. Fittingly, the Carbon 1 comes equipped with top end components for an altogether impressive and light build. All three of the models mentioned share the same frame construction using Cannondale’s BallisTec Hi-MOD carbon construction which makes an appearance across their top tier carbon bikes. This construction method uses high and ultra-high modulus carbon fiber to create an incredibly stiff frame with less material, therefore, saving weight. Specification list FrameScalpel-Si, 100mm, BallisTec Hi-MOD Carbon, Zero Pivot seatstay, Carbon Link, PF30, 1.5 Si head tube, Ai OffsetForkLefty 2.0 Carbon, 2Spring, 100mm, XLR Isolated Damper Technology with XC+ tune and XLoc Full Sprint remote, 55mm offset (29), 50mm offset (27.5)ShockRockShox Monarch XX, 100mm Travel, RemoteRimsHollowGram 23, Superlight Hi-Impact Carbon, Tubeless Ready, 28hole, 23mm innerHubs + SpokesHollowGram Lefty front, HollowGram by DT Swiss Rear, Star Ratchet, 142x12 , 28 hole (Ai Offset dish - Rear), DT Swiss Aerolite spokesTyresSchwalbe Rocket Ron EVO Snakeskin, 29x2.25", folding, Tubeless ReadyHandlebarCannondale C1 flat, Carbon, 760mmStemCannondale C1, 7075 Alloy, 31.8, -5°HeadsetCannondale HeadShok SiBrakesSRAM Level TLM, custom flat mount rear, Centerline Rotors 180/160mmShifterSRAM X01 Eagle, 12-speedRear derailleurSRAM XX1 Eagle, Type 3 RBC, 12-speedCassetteSRAM XG-1295 Eagle, 10-50, 12-speedCrank armsTruvativ Stylo Carbon Eagle, BB30, 34T, Ai CustomChainSRAM Eagle 12-speedBottom BracketCannondale Alloy PressFit30SeatpostCannondale C1 Full Carbon, 31.6x420mmSaddleFabric Scoop Shallow EliteGripsCannondale Locking GripsWeight10.77 kgPrice (Indicative market price)R 94,000.00 Suspension A pairing of the Lefty 2.0 Carbon “fork” upfront and RockShox Monarch XX 100mm rear shock keep the Scalpel sharp. Both are linked to a dual remote lockout to quickly lock out should the need arise. The XLoc remote lockout on our test model was a bit sticky and in some instances didn’t want to release back to open mode. It is a widely reported issue though, but one said to be easily solved under warranty should it arise. Drivetrain The drivetrain is SRAM Eagle 12 speed with an X01 Eagle shifter and XX1 Eagle rear derailleur. A Truvativ Stylo Carbon Eagle crankset keeps the wheels turning. There is not much to be said for Eagle that hasn’t already. It just works. Shifting is smooth and quiet and it offers a great range. Brakes The SRAM Level TLM brake set features a 180mm rotor up front and 160mm rotor in the rear. Given the class of bike, it offers ample stopping power while keeping weight down. The Scalpel-Si’s capable nature did lead me into a few situations where burlier brakes would have been useful, but not a must-have.Wheels and tyres Cannondale’s HollowGram carbon rims are laced to a Lefty front hub and DT Swiss hub in the rear, held together by DT Swiss Aerolite spokes. The HollowGram rims feature a 23mm internal diameter, very much on trend with what you’d expect in this class, but I couldn’t help feeling that an extra millimeter or two wouldn’t hurt to create a more stable tyre profile, especially if you’re opting for anything wider than the stock 2.25 Schwalbe Rocket Ron’s. On the point of tyres, the Rocket Ron’s are well matched to the bike and it was pleasing to see a manufacturer spec a tyre based on functional performance over vanity metrics (weight). Mini review: Crankbrothers Highline Dropper Post Not to steal the Scalpel-Si’s thunder, but one thing we noted in our earlier ‘First Ride’ is that a dropper post would complete the package. This time around we had the chance to fit a Crankbrothers Highline 125mm dropper post to test both the dropper itself and how it affected the feel of the bike. The Highline is an internally routed, cable actuated hydraulic dropper post available in 100mm, 125mm and 160mm drop options to fit 30.9 or 31.6 diameter seat tubes. The remote lever is smartly designed with a ball and socket type fitting to allow customisation of the placement. I did miss the one-by style remote lever I’ve become used to, but on cockpit sans remote lockout levers there would be more placement options available. Overall the Highline Dropper worked flawlessly and added to the stable, capable feel of the Scalpel-Si. At 560 grams it does add some weight, but for my needs, it’s a worthy trade-off. While perhaps not required for all riders or courses, for the majority of the market it would be a sensible investment for the sake of enjoyment and ability. On the trail The Scalpel-Si Carbon 1 is noticeably light and responsive, a result of both the Hi-MOD carbon construction and the high-end build kit. As to be expected this all adds up to great climbing capabilities and although a remote dual lockout was on offer I seldom found the need for it. Out of the saddle on climbs and flats the Lefty is quite active and on non-technical terrain full lock out may be preferred, but for any moderately technical climbs or trails leaving the suspension to do its thing felt most efficient overall.A focus point for the Cannondale team in the development of the new Scalpel platform was its handling. Their development efforts lead to shorter chainstays to improve traction and handling, and a slacker head angle with a longer fork offset to improve stability on technical terrain, all without sacrificing agility in the turns. No small feat, but from this encounter with the Scalpel-Si (and our earlier outing), we were impressed to confirm that Cannondale hit the mark on this. The relatively slack head angle at 69.5 degrees gives a definite confidence and stability boost when the trail gets bumpy. Cannondale’s “OutFront” geometry also produced a more playful feel, willing me to have fun on the trail where other bikes in this class can be all about business. Make no mistake, though, the Scalpel-Si is very much a race bike, but one built with the demands of a modern cross-country course in mind. It's still nimble and responsive through turns on both up and downhills and doesn't exhibit the sluggishness you might expect from the slackened geometry. Overall the Cannondale Scalpel-Si is something of a unicorn, if only within the cross-country / marathon to entry-level trail market. And no, that has nothing to do with its single pointy leg out front. It delivers a finely tuned balance of performance and capability that should tick boxes for a range of shoppers in the market for a short travel, do-it-all mountain bike. Verdict If you’re in the market for an ultra-capable cross-country race bike or that one and only super versatile bike, the Cannondale Scalpel-Si is a worthy consideration. While the Carbon 1 model as tested does come at a price just shy of six figures, there are a number options down the range which share the same key characteristics. ProsSuper light build Impressively stable and capable beyond what you might expect from a 100mm bike Internal routing makes for a clean, clutter-free look ConsSticky remote lockout lever Price tag on the test model could challenge some budgets

The new Cannondale Scalpel-Si was launched with much fanfare about its slacker angles resulting in greater ability on technical cross-country courses. This had me wondering about how well it will work for South African's favourite format: endurance racing. And, judging by the team's excellent performances at this year's Cape Epic, I'd say it appears to do pretty damn well. Slack doesn't mean slow. At the Cape Epic, the eagle has very much landed. Maybe it was just the eye-catching gold colours but it seemed that SRAM's Eagle 12 speed single chainring drivetrain was everywhere. In Fumic's case, he has gone with the more understated black variation of the cassette and chain with a 38 tooth chainring and a Quarq power meter crankset. Manuel elected to go with a bit more reassurance on the front chainring with a minimalist chain guide from Leonardi Racing. The front suspension is handled by Cannodale's Lefty fork with a RockShox Monarch XX shock partly tucked into the top tube controlling the rear. Enve supply the rims with a DT Swiss rear hub and Cannondale's Lefty friendly hub up front. The carbon handlebar and seatpost are also supplied by Enve. Manuel rides with a Prologo Zero C3 saddle and Shimano XTR pedals. Specification FrameScalpel-SiRear ShockRockShox Monarch XXForkLefty XLR 100RimsEnveHubsFront: Lefty / Rear: DT Swiss 240TyresRacing RalphHandlebarEnveSeatpostEnveStemCannondaleBrakesSRAM Level UltimateRotorsSRAM Centreline 160ShifterSRAM XX1 EagleRear DerailleurSRAM XX1 EagleCassetteSRAM XX1 EagleChainSRAM XX1 EagleCrankSRAM XX1 Eagle QuarqChainringSRAM XX1 Eagle 38 toothChain guideLeonardi FactoryPedalsShimano XTRSaddlePrologo Zero C3Bike ComputerGarmin 1000

“Over the last few years, cross-country courses have been changing. The climbs are getting steeper and the descents are getting nastier. There's no room for error and to win at this game, you need more than just light and stiff, you need capable and stable handling. Cannondale’s engineers and designers took this challenge head on by pairing visionary geometry with our System Integration design approach to deliver the performance needed to tackle new course paradigm. Scalpel-Si is literally built for the world stage,” said Scott Rittschof, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing and Product Development for Cannondale. Cannondale has long-standing history of using the latest innovation and technology to develop world- class high-performance XC race bikes for its athletes. And it’s that commitment to cutting-edge performance that has made the Scalpel the single winningest bike on the UCI World Cup stage since its introduction in 2002. The Scalpel-Si is developed by utilizing the brand’s System Integration approach to design, where key components like cranks, fork, and frame are all developed together. The Scalpel-Si’s proprietary Ai offset drivetrain delivers the shortest chainstays in mountain biking for unmatched rear wheel traction and agile handling, without sacrificing tire clearance, or limiting the rider to single ring set-ups. With the combination of these super short chainstays, an evenly dished Ai-offset rear wheel, LockR locking axles and the brand’s legendary BallisTec Carbon construction, Cannondale has delivered the lightest, stiffest and most durable full suspension cross-country bike on the market. Cannondale is introducing OutFront Steering Geometry, which pairs Scalpel-Si’s 69.5 slack head angle with a custom 55mm fork offset found only on Lefty. This proprietary technology gives the rider the best of both worlds: a slack head angle for the stability to attack the new generation of technical courses, as well as a tight "trail" measurement to keep the handling quick and XC-nimble everywhere else. Utilizing the lightest, smoothest and most torsionally stiff suspension fork in the world, Lefty’s unbelievable rigidity and confident steering precision out-corners, out-handles and runs circles around its XC competition. The two women’s Scalpel-Si models are built around 27.5 wheels and bring the same crush-the- racecourse attitude in sizes all the way down to XS. With the same proprietary system integration and Ai drivetrain, the two models feature Lefty forks and a carefully selected parts package to optimize the experience for female riders. The Scalpel-Si will be available in ten models, with a price range of $3,000 - $12,000 USD. For more information on the Cannondale Scalpel Si, visit BuiltforXXC.com. Be sure to also follow Cannondale on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Check out our First Look article for a more in depth take on the new Cannondal Scalpel-Si. Scalpel-Si Models Scalpel-Si Black Inc. FrameScalpel-Si, 100mm, BallisTec Hi-MOD Carbon, Ai OffsetForkLefty 2.0 Carbon XLRFS with XC+ tune, 100mm, 55mm offsetRear ShockRockShox Monarch XX, Custom tuneWheelsetENVE M50 Carbon / Lefty 60 F /Chris King RCrankCannondale HollowGram SiSL2, BB30, 36/26DrivetrainShimano XTR Di2, 2x11BrakeShimano XTR Race, 160/160mm, Ice-Tech RotorsColourJet Black w/ Chrome and Cashmere - Satin / Gloss - BLEEstimated retail priceR 195,000.00 Scalpel-Si Team FrameScalpel-Si, 100mm, BallisTec Hi-MOD Carbon, Ai OffsetForkLefty 2.0 Carbon XLRFS with XC+ tune, 100mm, 55mm offsetRear ShockRockShox Monarch XX, Custom tuneWheelsetENVE M50 Carbon / Lefty 60 F /DT C36 RCrankSRAM XX1 Eagle, BB30, 34T Ai CustomDrivetrainSRAM XX1 Eagle 1x12BrakeSRAM Level Ultimate, 180/160mmColourBerzerker Green w/ Jet Black and Chrome, Gloss - GRNEstimated retail priceR 150,000.00 Scalpel-Si Race FrameScalpel-Si, 100mm, BallisTec Hi-MOD Carbon, Ai OffsetForkLefty 2.0 Carbon XLRFS with XC+ tune, 100mm, 55mm offsetRear ShockRockShox Monarch XX, Custom tuneWheelsetENVE M50 Carbon / Lefty 60 F /DT C36 RCrankCannondale HollowGram Si,BB30, 32t Ai SpideRingDrivetrainShimano XTR 1x11BrakeShimano XTR Race, 160/160mm, Ice-Tech RotorsColourExposed Carbon w/ Berzerker Green, Chrome, Matte Nearly Black, Gloss - REPEstimated retail priceR 135,000.00 Scalpel-Si Carbon 1 FrameScalpel-Si, 100mm, BallisTec Hi-MOD Carbon, Ai OffsetForkLefty 2.0 Carbon XLRFS with XC+ tune, 100mm, 55mm offsetRear ShockRockShox Monarch XX, Custom tuneWheelsetCannondale Czero SL CarbonCrankCannondale HollowGram Si, BB30, 32t Ai SpideRingDrivetrainShimano XTR 1x11BrakeShimano XTR Race, 160/160mm, Ice-Tech RotorsColourAcid Red w/ Jet Black and Charcoal Gray, Gloss - ARDEstimated retail priceR 110,000.00 Scalpel-Si Carbon 2 FrameScalpel-Si, 100mm, BallisTec Carbon, Ai OffsetForkLefty 2.0 Carbon XLRFS with XC+ tune, 100mm, 55mm offsetRear ShockRockShox Monarch XX, Custom tuneWheelsetCannondale CZero CarbonCrankCannondale HollowGram Si, BB30, 32t Ai SpideRingDrivetrainSRAM XX1 / X01BrakeShimano XT, 160/160mmColourJet Black w/ Neon Spring and Berzerker Green, Gloss - GRNEstimated retail priceR 100,000.00 Scalpel-Si Carbon 3 FrameScalpel-Si, 100mm, BallisTec Carbon, Ai OffsetForkLefty 2.0 XLRFS 100mm, with XC+ tune, 55mm offsetRear ShockRockShox Monarch XX, Custom tuneWheelsetStan’s Notubes ZTR CREST / CZero HubsCrankCannondale Si, BB30, 32t Ai SpideRingDrivetrainShimano XT / XTR 1x11BrakeShimano XT, 160/160mmColour 1Jet Black w/ Nearly Black and Charcoal Gray, Matte - BBQColour 2Berzerker Green w/ Jet Black and Charcoal Gray, Gloss - GRNEstimated retail priceR 80,000.00 Scalpel-Si Carbon 4 FrameScalpel-Si, 100mm, BallisTec Carbon, Ai OffsetForkLefty 2.0 XLR with XC+ tune 100mm, 55mm offsetRear ShockRockShox Monarch RL, Custom tuneWheelsetStan’s ZTR Rapid 25CrankCannondale Si, BB30, 36/26DrivetrainShimano XT 2x11BrakeShimano XT, 160/160mmColour 1Acid Green w/ Anthracite and Jet Black, Gloss - AGRColour 2Jet Black w/ Fine Silver and Charcoal Gray, Gloss - SLVEstimated retail priceR 70,000.00 Scalpel-Si 5 FrameScalpel-Si, 100mm, SmarFormed Alloy, Ai OffsetForkLefty 2.0 PBR with XC+ tune, 100mm, 55mm offsetRear ShockRockShox Monarch RL, Custom tuneWheelsetStan’s ZTR Rapid 25CrankCannondale Si, BB30, 36/26DrivetrainSRAM GX 2x11BrakeShimano Deore, 180/160mmColourMatte Jet Black w/ Matte Ultra Blue and Gloss Black - BLKEstimated retail priceR 55,000.00 Scalpel-Si Carbon Women's 1 FrameScalpel-Si, 100mm, BallisTec Carbon, Ai OffsetForkLefty 2.0 XLRFS with XC+ tune 100mm, 50mm offsetRear ShockRockShox Monarch XX, Custom tuneWheelsetCannondale CZero CarbonCrankCannondale HollowGram Si, BB30, 32t Ai SpideRingDrivetrainSRAM XX1 / X01BrakeShimano XT, 160/160mmColourJet Black with Cashmere and Fine Silver, Satin - BLKEstimated retail priceR 100,000.00 Scalpel-Si Carbon Women's 2 FrameScalpel-Si, 100mm, BallisTec Carbon, Ai OffsetForkLefty 2.0 XLR with XC+ tune 100mm, 50mm offsetRear ShockRockShox Monarch XX, Custom tuneWheelsetStan’s ZTR Rapid 25CrankCannondale Si, BB30, 36/26DrivetrainShimano XT 2x11BrakeShimano XT, 160/160mmColourAnthracite w/ Acid Green and Nearly Black, Gloss - ANTEstimated retail priceR 70,000.00 Geometry

An all-round nip and tuck with super slick cable routing Cannondale have applied what they call System Integration (Si) to the Scalpel range to create a complete package that works seamlessly. This means that each bike is now race ready out of the box, no need to change out things like flimsy tyres. They’ve also tailored the set up across the size curve including 650b wheels on the XS and S and women’s sizes. While plainly a Scalpel, the Scalpel-Si has brought the design up-to-date with straighter lines and a refined look. Most obvious is the new suspension design which tucks part of the rear shock into the top tube resulting in an elegant lining-up of the seatstay, shock and toptube. There is also now space for two bottle cages in the front triangle. It’s not just all looks either, Cannondale claim the new Scalpel-Si carbon frame is one of the lightest dual suspension mountain bike frames in the world.The new internal cable routing system plays its part in keeping the Scalpel-Si looking neat. The ports on the redesigned head tube provide an easy way for the cable to enter the frame while also holding the cable neatly in position with a “lockable system” to keep your cockpit neat while riding. Should you desire to run a Shimano Di2 drivetrain, Cannondale have designed a system for mounting the battery inside the top tube just above the shock mount. There is also provision for an internally routed dropper post. Geometry updates to improve handling and performance While the bike may still look much like the Scalpel of old, the geometry has seen a complete overhaul with a number of changes resembling what we’ve seen happening on trail bikes. The previous Scalpel is a take-no-prisoners race bike geared at covering distance and conquering climbs. While the Scalpel-Si still claims to do the same, it acknowledges the technical challenges of modern cross-country courses with a number of dramatic geometry changes to help riders negotiate the tough stuff.The Scalpel-Si Carbon 4. To improve handling and traction, Cannondale shortened the chainstay length by just under a centimeter to 43.5 cm (on the 29er models) in part thanks to the new, straight seat tube. In order to squash the wheel in a small space (and without having to implement Boost 148), Cannondale shifted the chainrings and front derailleur 6 mm outboard to create more space. At the same time they adjusted the rear triangle to match, allowing for a more evenly dished rear wheel - resulting in more strength and stiffness. Cannondale call this Asymmetric Integration Offset Drivetrain (Ai). The 6 mm offset drivetrain and straight seat tube create space for shorter stays and wider tyres.To complement the handling improvements of shorter stays, the head angle has been slackened to 69.5 degrees from around 71 degrees (depending on frame size) on the previous Scalpel. A slacker head angle generally puts the front wheel further in front of the bike which allows the fork to soak up more of the trail and helps to stop the rider pitching over the handlebars. To counter the sluggish handling a slacker angle might cause at slow speeds, the Cannondale have custom designed the Lefty with a 55 mm fork rake through the use of an off set front axle. Cannondale are calling this combination their OutFront steering geometry. The seat tube angle remains 73.5 degrees, keeping the weight over the pedals for power and traction. The Scalpel-Si also sees a slightly lengthened reach which allows Cannondale to fit a shorter stem for more accurate control. Cannondale developed a custom off set front axle with a 55 mm rake to avoid sluggish steering at low speeds. No more OPI stem and a sleeker rear triangle configuration Good news for tinkerers, Cannondale have given up on the proprietary steerer standard in favour of a slightly more standard 1.5” which should improve the aftermarket stem options for the Scalpel-Si. The new steerer sizing means that older Lefty forks are not compatible with the Scalpel-Si. The changes in the Lefty’s rake mean the new Lefty hub has also seen some sizing changes and as a result is not backward compatible, although the older hubs can be used on the Scalpel-Si with an adaptor. Cannondale have abandoned the OPI stem with the latest Scalpel-Si.The rear suspension on the Scalpel-Si has also gone under the knife. The previous Scalpel had an awkward bolted together collection of parts fixing the seat stay to the rocker. The new LockR system uses an expanding thru-axle connecting both sides like a single piece without the need for special tools. To improve the performance of the flexible seat stays, flat brake mounts are moved from the seat stays to the inside of the chain stay to allow for better flex. When suspension isn’t what you want, Cannondale worked with RockShox to make an integrated single-push lockout control for the Lefty and shock. The rear lockout travels internally down the top tube which contains the top of the shock.Cannondale have been brave with the Scalpel-Si. While many manufactures remain committed to the traditional cross-country/ marathon bike formula, Cannondale have clearly taken a page from the progressive geometry and packaged it into a serious racing bike. We can only hope that this means fewer queues and more smiles on the single track at our local marathon events. The Scalpel-Si Carbon 3. Local availability The local distributor expects the first full shipment of the new Cannondale Scalpel-Si to land in September. Details about each model in the lineup are available in the official press release. The Scalpel-Si Alloy 6 is a model unique to South Africa which will feature Shimano SLX kit with a RockShox fork.For an early look at the Scalpel-Si, the bikes will be showcased at Sani2c this year for those attending. Estimated pricing Scalpel-Si Black IncR 195,000.00Scalpel-Si TeamR 150,000.00 Scalpel-Si RaceR 135,000.00Scalpel-Si 1R 110,000.00Scalpel-Si 2R 100,000.00Scalpel-Si 3R 80,000.00Scalpel-Si 4R 70,000.00Scalpel-Si Alloy 5R 55,000.00Scalpel-Si Alloy 6R 40,000.00Scalpel-Si Ladies 1R 100,000.00Scalpel-Si Ladies 2R 70,000.00