Cannondale Scalpel Sizing

[Slowbee]

Currently on a 2017 Spez camber medium. If just feels slightly too small. There is something about the reach that feels to upright.

 

So, I get hunting and apparently Spez make and evo which also has 120 mm of travel suited to marathon, with a bit of trail. But the price, no not so nice.

 

In come a scalpel, nice price, but it is a large.

 

The reach on a large is 442  (scalpel), but 427 on a camber.

 

So first off, comparing scalpel to camber, is that like granny smiths and golden delicious?

 

And is comparing medium and large ... like melons and lemons?

 

Just as an off chance, does anyone have a large camber that I could test for about 15 minutes ?

 

What about a scalepl for an afternoon round the block ride ?

 

Oh yes, before you ask, height is 1.73, and most folk say stick to a medium. Or maybe I am hoping for to much.

 

 

 

 

['Dale]

M, without a doubt ✔️

[Slowbee]

M, without a doubt ✔️

Well that is not helpful - your post removes all hope.

[Prince Albert Cycles]

I am 1.78 and is very comfortable on a M Scalpel. L won't work for you sorry .

[Slowbee]

I am 1.78 and is very comfortable on a M Scalpel. L won't work for you sorry .

Ok so that is two nails into any hope of a large ..... so now to go medium shopping ....

 

Rats !

 

[Slowbee]

Is the 2018 scalpel a more "race" bike compared to the camber ?

 

A few reviews have rated the relaxed head angle of the recent scalpels to being a good thing and have taken the edge off the "race" feel.

[ryanhabib]

Ok so that is two nails into any hope of a large ..... so now to go medium shopping ....

 

Rats !

 

I am 1.79m and I ride a large (scalpel 2019). I have put a shorter stem on the bike. 

I am happy, I always had this thought that I should be on a medium, but a bike fit revealed that i could ride either. So sorry to throw a spanner in the works, but you could probably ride either. 

Edited July 5, 2020 by ryanhabib

[Enzo Dalgety]

Hi at the end of the day its whats comfortable for you ,I'm 1,78 and ride a 54cm road bike but could never feel at one with my si3 medium I went over to a large and it just works ,do your self a favor go to a shop and get a test ride on both med and large ,good luck !!!!

[BaGearA]

I am 1.78 and is very comfortable on a M Scalpel. L won't work for you sorry .

you talking exclusively for the cannondale ?

 

I'm 179 and have been ridding large bikes since i was shorter , also been on two Xl bikes i found very comfortable 

 

 

( 40/50mm stems on all the bikes ) 

[ChunkyMonkey]

I agree with Ryan and Enzo,

I'm 179, so able to ride a medium.. However I opted for a large since 2015' through all the scalpel ranges that followed, and the large frame just flows better at speed and more stable on fast tricky descents, also slightly lower standover due to the sharper kink in the " top tube" see pic

I also did a 120 travel front and rear conversion, and the bike is now super traily too... with no weight gain... I've done this on my past two Scalpels, I can recommend for anyone..

 

At 173cm you might enjoy a medium more...

 

I cannot comment on the Camber..

except that it's not a Cannondale,

and that's just wrong....

????????, I hope you get the right one...

[ChrisF]

At 1,76 I loved the fit and feel of a L Scott.

 

Giant sizing is way different, and the M is a good fit. Ever so slightly more upright, may play with the spacers and drop the stem ....

[Jorrie]

I'm 1,87m, also looking at a Scslpel, would L fit me or should I go for XL?

[DieselnDust]

Is the 2018 scalpel a more "race" bike compared to the camber ?

 

A few reviews have rated the relaxed head angle of the recent scalpels to being a good thing and have taken the edge off the "race" feel.

 

1.72 and on a medium Scalpel.

Saddle in the middle of its rails on the OE post. 80mm -5 degree rise stem.

Camber has a short top tube and a high stack hence the upright position. ETT is long so I suspect that its short because of the longer fork fitted?

at 1.73 there's no chance of fitting the Scalpel unless you convert it to the Scalpel SE model (extra cost) with 120mm travel SID or FOX 34SC.

 

Yes the Scalpel is more race focused. It is quite a playful bike and the suspension fells very compliant and ramps up gradually through the travel till you hit the last 4mm of stroke when it ramps up quickly.

Edited July 5, 2020 by DieselnDust

[ChunkyMonkey]

I'm 1,87m, also looking at a Scslpel, would L fit me or should I go for XL?

 

Hi Jorrie,

At 187, you could still easily fit into a Large frame, an XL is a massive beast...

I suppose 1,90+ riders

[PhilipV]

Slowbee, maybe speak to Heino (nicknamed Speek) at Hanger Bike Co. He used to be the shop wizard at Rockhopper Adventures and can give you an honest opinion.

For that matter you can go to Rockhopper and ask to sit on a Large scalpel as well (Corne used to have a large demo bike, but I might be mistaken.)

 

Ie en if it is a bargain, it's a lot of money to spend on something if you are unsure of size, so get that right.

[Mongoose!]

I'm 1,87m, also looking at a Scslpel, would L fit me or should I go for XL?

 

at 1.89cm I am on a XL Scalpel

1.87cm on L will be too small in my honest opinion.