Cannondal Scalpel SI3 VS Scott Spark RC 900 Pro

[Larry King]

Hi all,

 

I would like to rekindle this debate again now that you have all had your bikes for a while. Any issues with BBs or frames creaking yet?????  Listen some pros and cons below, any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

 

Scott pro's

 

Frame 300g lighter than the scalpel

Don't need to buy a lefty hub for my second wheelset

Easier to remove the front wheel when i put the bike in the car (through axle vs lefty)

Twin lock (if thats a pro)

 

Scott con's

 

Only 1 bottle

Full xt (Some xtr on Dale)

alu bar and seatpost

Fox Stanchions are as soft as cheese

 

Cannondale pro's

 

Carbon seat post and handle bar

Lefty is apparently fantastic

Looks fantastic in black

Xtr rear derail

 

Cannondales con's

 

Frames a bit heavier

Lefty bit more expensive to service than the Fox

not as easy to remove front wheel

have to buy a lefty hug for my spare wheelset

Scalpel 3 just over 11kg so the scott lighter at 10.9kg

 

 

 

 

 

[Prince Albert Cycles]

Buy the 1 that talks to you .

['Dale]

Both excellent fietse

 

The new Si is stunning

[Fitbull]

I had the Scalpel and loved it in the beginning but the more I rode it the

more I grew to hate it. If you use it strictly as an XC bike it is ok but I

found that it does not handle rocky trails very well.

 

I managed to get the Scott for a week on trial and I ended up prefering the

Scott over the Cannondale. However I still did not like the Scott because the

RC doesnt suit my riding style. I wanted something with more travel on the

front.

 

Your "Cons" on the Scott are not really cons IMHO, I like the feel of Fox

forks personally and perhaps yours just isnt set up properly? I just dont like

the 100 travel on the RC.

 

The "Cons" on the Scalpel are real however, not having quick release on the

front wheel becomes a pain, for me I transport the bike in the back of my car and take the front wheel off so it became an "issue". The services for the

fork are expensive and normally have to be sent away so you have down time.

Bearing issues on the Scalpel, mine were changed multiple times thankfully

under warranty.

 

I am not a weight weenie so weight doesnt come into my decision much. Any

dualie arounf 11kg's is pretty decent. For 100g I knkow where to start looking

and it isnt at the bike!

 

Go ride them both and buy the one that you feel best suits your riding style.

[ChUkKy]

If you have a proper poo, you not gonna notice the weight difference unless Larry Montana is just your alias and your real name is Jaroslav

[billygoat0523]

The Cannondale's suspension is fantastic.  It probably is a more capable climber than the Scott, although from the reviews the Scott doesn't seem like a slouch.  If descending is your thing (which most vociferous hubbers seem to be about) then the Scott might do it faster.  That being said, there was a fella who bought a RC 900 Pro on the same day I got my Scalpel and our descending times are pretty similar (Some strava stalking)  It could also be down to skill levels etc.  

 

The front wheel removal isn't so much of an issue as putting it back.  You have to remove the brake calipers and it's bolts are very finicky to put back on.  I'm not mechanically inclined or patient, so I just asked my LBS to put it back on for me.  There aren't many situations where you would actually need to remove it, as there's no other half of the fork in your way.

 

The fork servicing seems to be done by OMNICO only and it takes about a week.

 

in an ideal world, i'd buy both, but for now i have the scalpel and i love it.

[JeremyCPT]

Both great bikes.

I have had my Scalpel Si3 since Feb. Love it.

 

Pros - super fast. very comfy. very capable on the technical stuff. Lefty is the best "fork" Ive ever ridden.

 

Cons - the matt finish on the frame scratches very easily. Lefty does require special tools or bits.

 

Buy whichever one excites you.

 

If you can cough an extra R10k go for the Si2. Carbon wheels and Sram. With hindsight I should have done that.

[Wil6]

What a problem to have

 

Both excellent bikes. 

[jcza]

Got Scalpel 3 last year and its fantastic. Added XT pedals, 2 x Token cages, 34T ring & Stages. It comes in at 11.1kg with sealant. Trimmed bars to 720mm and added Fabric grips. 

 

I've done around 3500km including mud at Sabie and Sani. No creaking. 

 

Maintenance to date. New chain and brake pads. 

 

Damage to date. Scratches on Lefty, rear rim dinged and Stages stopped working due to water damage. 

 

Upgrades due. Wheelset, Crests are too soft and maybe Eagle but not sure its worth it with chainring size limited to 34T. 

 

You don't need to remove the calipers to take the front wheel off, have another look. Remove the bolts where calipers bolt onto Lefty. 

[Fitbull]

Upgrades due. Wheelset, Crests are too soft and maybe Eagle but not sure its worth it with chainring size limited to 34T. 

 

You don't need to remove the calipers to take the front wheel off, have another look. Remove the bolts where calipers bolt onto Lefty.

This reminded me. The Crests are way too soft and I started getting cracks around my spoke holes! Luckily covered under warranty, also appears to be a common problem but once again, I am not a weight weenie being 97kgs myself!

Its still a ball ache having to undo those bolts to remove the front wheel!

[Larry King]

I had the Scalpel and loved it in the beginning but the more I rode it the

more I grew to hate it. If you use it strictly as an XC bike it is ok but I

found that it does not handle rocky trails very well.

 

I managed to get the Scott for a week on trial and I ended up prefering the

Scott over the Cannondale. However I still did not like the Scott because the

RC doesnt suit my riding style. I wanted something with more travel on the

front.

 

Your "Cons" on the Scott are not really cons IMHO, I like the feel of Fox

forks personally and perhaps yours just isnt set up properly? I just dont like

the 100 travel on the RC.

 

The "Cons" on the Scalpel are real however, not having quick release on the

front wheel becomes a pain, for me I transport the bike in the back of my car and take the front wheel off so it became an "issue". The services for the

fork are expensive and normally have to be sent away so you have down time.

Bearing issues on the Scalpel, mine were changed multiple times thankfully

under warranty.

 

I am not a weight weenie so weight doesnt come into my decision much. Any

dualie arounf 11kg's is pretty decent. For 100g I knkow where to start looking

and it isnt at the bike!

 

Go ride them both and buy the one that you feel best suits your riding style.

Thanks for that, big help in making my decision!! I agree with the front wheel, i think it may drive me mad.

[Larry King]

Thanks okes, some good info there. Its always the little things that make you love your bike or not and its unfortunately those finer details that you never know until you have made the purchase.

[Just B]

Hi,

 

What is everyone's thoughts on a Cannondale scalpel si3 2019 vs the Scott spark RC 900 Pro 2019?

[Williepotch]

Connondale all the way bud!????

[DieselnDust]

In full travel modes they both actually feel very similar except the cannondale steers a little more direct /quicker.

 

As race bikes either will be a blast but that Lefty Ocho is next level. Superb piece of kit. Cliches the deal for me

[jiggs]

My scalpel si3 2018 back to Omnico for the 3rd time and in and out of bike shops(Cannodale agents) 12 times. 

Never a Cannondale again.