Cannondale Scalpel Carbon 3 26" or Pyga Dual 29"

[CJVDM]

So I was thinking....what about taking the dale and then fitting a 650b wheel set to it? Incidentally the Xl dale comes with a 29er fork so probably won't need to get a diff lefty fork..

 

I've seen a company called spoke works who can perhaps build a lefty wheel set. Then just to find tires..

 

In the end it will prop cost me the same but I will have much lighter setup. Anyone think this could work?? Or, being of a non practical nature, I've forgotten of something crucial?

[The_Break]

Why even spend so much? For R17000 you can have a Silverback Vida 1 which weighs about 11.5kg and has the best wheels and components for it's class. In my opinion if you tip the scale at 90kg plus then 500g or even 1kg is not worth the money. Did the 70km at Cullinan on my Vida 1 in just a bit over 4 hours and with a little more fitness I'm sure I can get close to 3.5 hours. I weigh 95kg coming from 110kg in the last year or so.

Your weight should only be taken into consideration if the bikes has a recommended max rider limit. Weight can always be lost so thats why I say. Check each of the components individually yourself as bike shops want to make sales and imports sometimes dont use website specs. Otherwise as suggested here you need to judge betweent the 26" and 29" based on what type of terrain and riding you want to do. In terms of price if you got it spent it so don't worry about what guys say. A bike is not a bike is not a bike. There is a bit difference to performance between a well engineered bike and a poorly engineered bike and rule of thumb "truly so" is that the more expensive the bike the more develoment work, quality materials and testing have gone into the bike so the better the bike will be. Again, if you can afford it go for it. The bike will probably be better than the cheaper one suggested and irrespective of how good you are, it will make you ride better and that is what it is all about. Not only the pros should be riding good bike, cause if it was based on ability most of the guys here would be riding R3500 MTB (no offense to anyone but you know what I mean).

[BergForce]

I`m not sure if a 650b will have enough space at the back wheel on the Dale, and then it will lift your bb just a bit. Why limit yourself to these 2 bikes. I think you should go 29er, they are fast, the entire front pack of the Cape Epic was on 29er. I thought the Pyga was good till I saw that you can get a Santa Cruise 29er frame for 11-12k, so the Pyga is overpriced at 16k. I think you should consider a racy 29er, like the Scalpel 29er.

Edited July 21, 2012 by Berg Bok

[kosmonooit]

the mtbr forum has a lot of info on 650b Conversions, found this:

 

 

didnt see it anywhere...will a 2008 cannondale scalpel carbon team 2 lefty convert to 650?

 

The 2008 will not fit 650b in the rear. I think only 2011 and up will fit 650b in the rear. Of course the Lefty will work.

 

http://forums.mtbr.com/650b/my-list-650b-compatible-26ers-376656-36.html#post4013606

[Hairy]

 

 

So....???? Any reviews yet????

 

Just a little ride around the neighbourhood to set up the bike and off to tokai in 1h11 min.

 

In the short time I have been on her all I can say for now is that she had a nice playfull nature.

 

Proper review in this week with a pic our two to follow.

 

H

[CJVDM]

ok, so someone needs to explain the impact to me if the BB raises if i fit 650b wheels.

 

re the dale scalpel 29, that would be a dream bike but i dont want to fork out R58k + , therefor spending R32k on the 26er and then fitting 650b wheels for +- R8kmight give me an awesome bike.

 

there are very few bikes which make my head turn, the dale and spez sworks are in that list but was just to pricy prev.

[Hawk]

I've tested the Pyga coming from a 26er and hated it!!! I found the Pyga too big and not in my style of riding. Yes, on the nice big open climbing jeep tracks it was faster but not enough for me to warrant buying one. I found the Pyga to be very heavy and couldnt throw it around the corners.

Personally I would buy the cannondale and wouldnt even consider the Pyga.

Some guys will love the Pyga but it just wasnt for me.

I ride with other guys on 29ers all the same fitness and I havent seen any advantages with them on 29ers #justsaying.

Also depends what u like riding? PM me if you want more Pyga ride details

[Hairy]

I've tested the Pyga coming from a 26er and hated it!!! I found the Pyga too big and not in my style of riding. Yes, on the nice big open climbing jeep tracks it was faster but not enough for me to warrant buying one. I found the Pyga to be very heavy and couldnt throw it around the corners.

Personally I would buy the cannondale and wouldnt even consider the Pyga.

Some guys will love the Pyga but it just wasnt for me.

I ride with other guys on 29ers all the same fitness and I havent seen any advantages with them on 29ers #justsaying.

Also depends what u like riding? PM me if you want more Pyga ride details

 

Sorry to hear to did not enjoy the PYGA.

 

Some thoughts after my ride this weekend, with a more detailed report when the work pressure lets off a little:

• As per Hawk said the PYGA is a little on the heavy side, but given that the bike had a dropper post, X9 kit and nice 2.25" volume tyres I recon the weight is fair.
  
• I have a 26'er Shova and a 29'er On-One HT in SS guise as reference if anybody wants to know.
  
• The suspension action on the PYGA is really lovely. Good trail feel and it smooths out the trail really well. Lots more to be said about this later
  
• The PYGA is in my mind more of a trail bike come marathon ride than a XC racers rig, although with a lighter build you sure will not be lagging behind other duallies
  
• I am sorry Hawk, I found the PYGA to still be rather agile and tight switchbacks on both technical climbs and descents was rather good. One needs to learn to ride a 29'er in the corners if you have only ridden a 29'er there is a little bit of a "lean in" that really gets you around tight ST.
  
• The PYGA was really composed on drops and had a good / snappy feel to it when hitting jumps. Landings were exceptionally composed and that rear suspension action comes strongly into play here again
  
• The frame is nice and stiff with a good kick when you hammer away. I also found that when riding up tech ST and approaching high rooty steps it was easy to get the front wheel lofted and with a quick pedal stroke combined with "bunny hop" action the rear wheel followed up on the step cleanly. In fact it did better than many of the boys on their 5" 26'er trail bikes.
  
• The demo bike is shorter in the top tube than the production bikes will be and frankly I was feeling a little skittish on the bike on long fast rocky descents. I even slammed the saddle all the way back on the rails to get a bit more room in the front. The production models would have this problem aced I believe.
  

Lots more to come, but I have a deadline to meet.

[CJVDM]

Sorry to hear to did not enjoy the PYGA. Some thoughts after my ride this weekend, with a more detailed report when the work pressure lets off a little:

• As per Hawk said the PYGA is a little on the heavy side, but given that the bike had a dropper post, X9 kit and nice 2.25" volume tyres I recon the weight is fair.
• I have a 26'er Shova and a 29'er On-One HT in SS guise as reference if anybody wants to know.
• The suspension action on the PYGA is really lovely. Good trail feel and it smooths out the trail really well. Lots more to be said about this later
• The PYGA is in my mind more of a trail bike come marathon ride than a XC racers rig, although with a lighter build you sure will not be lagging behind other duallies
• I am sorry Hawk, I found the PYGA to still be rather agile and tight switchbacks on both technical climbs and descents was rather good. One needs to learn to ride a 29'er in the corners if you have only ridden a 29'er there is a little bit of a "lean in" that really gets you around tight ST.
• The PYGA was really composed on drops and had a good / snappy feel to it when hitting jumps. Landings were exceptionally composed and that rear suspension action comes strongly into play here again
• The frame is nice and stiff with a good kick when you hammer away. I also found that when riding up tech ST and approaching high rooty steps it was easy to get the front wheel lofted and with a quick pedal stroke combined with "bunny hop" action the rear wheel followed up on the step cleanly. In fact it did better than many of the boys on their 5" 26'er trail bikes.
• The demo bike is shorter in the top tube than the production bikes will be and frankly I was feeling a little skittish on the bike on long fast rocky descents. I even slammed the saddle all the way back on the rails to get a bit more room in the front. The production models would have this problem aced I believe.

Lots more to come, but I have a deadline to meet.

 

Thanks for the update!

 

Would also like to hear how it does on non technical long accents.. As it seems to be my bain, and also the reason i might prefer the scalpel, this will be a big deciding factor.

Edited July 23, 2012 by CJVDM

[Hairy]

Make no mistake the PYGA climbs very well ... even in the fully open travel option.

 

Spoke to PYGA guy now and the frame will have a little stiffer rear triangle vs the prototype and be about 100-200 odd grams lighter pending your frame size.... there are also a couple of other tweeks to cabel routing etc that make good sense.

 

But damned that suspension action is great!