Cannondale Scalpel 2024: it looks like a restyling but it is a true renovation

The renewed Cannondale Scalpel 2024 is here. A few years ago, this version was introduced with original technological innovations that placed it at the forefront of XCO. Now the brand is renewing the model with important updates that may not stand out at first glance but completely update its performance.

Key features of the new Scalpel 2024

• 120mm of travel in fork and shock
• Retains Flexpivot rear suspension system
• New, more aggressive geometry
• Integrated handlebar
• Internal cable routing from the handlebar
• Dropper post on all models
• Price starting from 4,299€
• 10.4 kg weight for the top-of-the-line Cannondale Scalpel 2024

Prices and weights of the Cannondale Scalpel 2024

Cannondale renews its Scalpel to stay at the forefront of modern XCO

Cannondale has always been characterized by following its own path, differentiating itself from other brands. The best example is still its Lefty 8 single-arm fork. A component unique in the market and for many the best fork in terms of stiffness and smoothness.

In the same vein, Cannondale developed its Flexpivot rear suspension system a few years ago, a variant of the Horstlink but instead of using a rear pivot point, they devised a swinging carbon area in the chainstays to improve the independence of forces in pedaling and braking without adding moving parts or weight.

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The Flexpivot is the differentiating element of the Cannondale Scalpel and it has been maintained in its new 2024 version. This increases the feeling of being in front of a version very similar to its predecessor, but it can soon be seen that this is not the case.

New frame and more integration

If at first glance it seems the same, just look closer to see that we are facing an updated frame. It is an update where they have maintained the general lines but have made modifications to adapt it to the new geometry and kinematics while optimizing the weight-stiffness ratio.

The vertical tube now becomes more straight with the main purpose of improving the rider's power on climbs, but in its area closest to the bottom bracket, it has also streamlined its lines to make it more comfortable to place a second bottle cage, in addition, this tube now loses part of the section that protruded from its junction with the seatpost.

The diagonal tube also receives modifications by eliminating openings like the ones that were in the head tube, the internal cable routing now starts at the head tube itself, and it also dispenses with the space that was under the bottle cage for the Stash Kit, the integrated multitool that Cannondale presented in the previous version. All of this helps to lighten the weight and gain in stiffness.

The integration level rises in the Scalpel 2024 thanks to the new internal cable routing system and the debut of its integrated SystemBar XC-One handlebar.

In line with the global trend, Cannondale has updated its internal cable routing system and now starts it directly from the head tube. Something that has allowed them to save openings in the frame and that in a few years will be common in all models with the advancement of electronic components.

The SystemBar XC-One is the new integrated handlebar that Cannondale debuts with this new Scalpel. A handlebar and stem system that improves in weight compared to most separate combinations and is already a regular in competition.

More travel and new geometry: Cannondale has changed the behavior of the Scalpel 2024

As we mentioned, the major changes in this Cannondale Scalpel 2024 are not visible but they are significant modifications that improve the capabilities of the model.

The increase in rear travel to 120mm is something that was directly demanded by the members of the Cannondale Factory Racing team and responds to the needs of modern XCO, increasingly technical and fast in descents. This increase in travel makes it a much more capable mountain bike on descents, but what harmonizes this quality with traction, control, and efficiency is the combination with the FlexPivot kinematics and the Proportional Response system, which ensures that every rider, regardless of size, has the same sensations on the bike.

Obviously, this change in travel would not make sense without a modification in the geometry. The new Scalpel 2024 becomes more aggressive thanks to a more relaxed head angle of 66.6°, which provides confidence at high speeds, a longer reach, and a more vertical seat angle of 75.5°, which optimizes power and traction on climbs.

The Scalpel 2024 is incomplete without a dropper post

Along with the form and substance novelties, the Scalpel 2024 includes another external feature that seems to have been taken into account in the development of this new version. And that is none other than the dropper post.

The entire Scalpel 2024 range includes a dropper post because the brand understands that to take full advantage of its new geometry, kinematics, and travel, you need to be able to lower your saddle in the most technical sections, only then can you see the full potential of this new version.

Video with all the novelties about the new Scalpel

Cannondale Scalpel 2024 Range: models, setups, and prices

The Scalpel 2024 range for Europe consists of 6 versions ranging from 4,299€ to 12,999€ for the LAB71 version.

Cannondale Scalpel LAB71 - 12,999€

• Frame: Scalpel LAB71, Series 0 Carbon construction, 120mm travel, Proportional Response Suspension and Geometry, FlexPivot Chainstay, full internal cable routing, 73mm BSA, 1.5" headtube with 1-1/8" upper reducer/internal cable guide, 148x12mm thru axle, 55mm chainline, UDH, post-mount disc – 160mm nativ
• Fork: Lefty Ocho 120 Carbon, 120mm
• Headset: Acros ICR
• Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate
• Drivetrain: SRAM XX SL Eagle AXS, T-Type
• Brakes: SRAM Level Ultimate Stealth, 4-piston hydraulic disc, SRAM CLX 180/160mm rotors
• Wheels: DT Swiss XCR 1200 Spline, carbon, 30mm con buje  DT Swiss Lefty
• Handlebar: SystemBar XC-One Flat, carbon, integrated bar/stem, internal cable routing, 5° upsweep, 8° backsweep,
  760mm width, -6° stem, 1-1/8" clamp
• Saddle: Prologo Dimension NDR, Tirox rails
• Dropper post: RockShox Reverb AXS, 31.6, 125mm (S), 150mm (M-XL)
• Wheel sensor: Cannondale Wheel Sensor
• Sizes: SM, MD, LG, XL
• Weight: 10.4 kg
• Price:12,999€

Scalpel Carbon 1 - 9,499€

• Frame: Scalpel, Series 1 Carbon construction, 120mm travel, Proportional Response Suspension and Geometry, FlexPivot Chainstay, full internal cable routing, 73mm BSA, 1.5" headtube with 1-1/8" upper reducer/internal cable guide, 148x12mm thru axle, 55mm chainline, UDH, post-mount disc – 160mm native
• Fork: Lefty Ocho 120 Carbon, 120mm
• Headset: Acros ICR
• Shock: RockShox SidLuxe Select+
• Drivetrain: SRAM XO Eagle AXS, T-Type
• Brakes: Brakes SRAM Level Silver Stealth
• Wheels: DT Swiss XCR 1501 Spline One con buje  DT Swiss Lefty
• Handlebar: SystemBar XC-One Flat, carbon, integrated bar/stem, internal cable routing, 5° upsweep, 8° backsweep,760mm width, -6° stem, 1-1/8" clamp
• Saddle: Prologo Dimension NDR, Tirox rails
• Dropper post: Fox Transfer SL Performance Elite,
• Wheel sensor: Cannondale Wheel Sensor
• Sizes: SM, MD, LG, XL
• Weight: 11 kg
• Price:9,499€

Scalpel Carbon 2 Lefty - 7,499€

• Frame: Scalpel, Series 1 Carbon construction, 120mm travel, Proportional Response Suspension and Geometry, FlexPivot Chainstay, full internal cable routing, 73mm BSA, 1.5" headtube with 1-1/8" upper reducer/internal cable guide, 148x12mm thru axle, 55mm chainline, UDH, post-mount disc – 160mm native
• Fork: Lefty Ocho 120 Alloy, 120mm
• Headset: Acros ICR
• Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Select+
• Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle AXS, T-Type
• Brakes: SRAM Level Silver Stealth
• Wheels: HollowGram XC-S 27
• Handlebar: Cannondale 1 Flat, Carbon, 31.8mm, 9° back, 760mm
• Saddle: Prologo Dimension NDR, STN rails
• Dropper post: Fox Transfer SL Performance Elite, 31.6, 125mm (S), 150mm (M-XL)
• Wheel sensor: Cannondale Wheel Sensor
• Sizes: SM, MD, LG, XL
• Weight: 12.13 kg
• Price: 7,499€

Scalpel Carbon 2 - 6,799€

• Frame: Scalpel, Series 1 Carbon construction, 120mm travel, Proportional Response Suspension and Geometry, FlexPivot Chainstay, full internal cable routing, 73mm BSA, 1.5" headtube with 1-1/8" upper reducer/internal cable guide, 148x12mm thru axle, 55mm chainline, UDH, post-mount disc – 160mm native
• Fork: RockShox SID Select+ RL, 120mm,
  DebonAir
• Headset: Acros ICR
• Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Select+
• Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle AXS, T-Type
• Brakes: SRAM Level Silver Stealth
• Wheels: HollowGram XC-S 27
• Handlebar: Cannondale 1 Flat, Carbon, 31.8mm, 9° back, 760mm
• Saddle: Prologo Dimension NDR, STN rails
• Dropper post: Fox Transfer SL Performance Elite, 31.6, 125mm (S), 150mm (M-XL)
• Wheel sensor: Cannondale Wheel Sensor
• Sizes: SM, MD, LG, XL
• Weight: 11.83 kg
• Price: 6,799€

Scalpel Carbon 3 - 4,999€

• Frame: Scalpel, Series 1 Carbon construction, 120mm travel, Proportional Response Suspension and Geometry, FlexPivot Chainstay, full internal cable routing, 73mm BSA, 1.5" headtube with 1-1/8" upper reducer/internal cable guide, 148x12mm thru axle, 55mm chainline, UDH, post-mount disc – 160mm native
• Fork: RockShox SID Select, 120mm,
• Headset: Acros ICR
• Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Select+
• Drivetrain: Shimano Deore M610
• Brakes: Shimano Deore M6100
• Wheels: Stan's NoTubes Crest MK4
• Handlebar: Cannondale 2 Flat, butted 2014 Alloy
• Saddle: Prologo Dimension NDR, STN rails
• Dropper post: Cannondale DownLow Dropper
• Wheel sensor: Cannondale Wheel Sensor
• Sizes: SM, MD, LG, XL
• Weight: 12.64 kg
• Price: 4,999€

Scalpel Carbon 4 - 4,299€

• Frame: Scalpel, Series 1 Carbon construction, 120mm travel, Proportional Response Suspension and Geometry, FlexPivot Chainstay, full internal cable routing, 73mm BSA, 1.5" headtube with 1-1/8" upper reducer/internal cable guide, 148x12mm thru axle, 55mm chainline, UDH, post-mount disc – 160mm native
• Fork: RockShox SID, 120mm, DebonAir, 15x110mm
• Headset: Acros ICR
• Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Select+
• Drivetrain: Shimano XT
• Brakes: Brakes Shimano MT501
• Wheels: Stan's NoTubes Crest S2
• Handlebar: Cannondale 2 Flat, butted 2014 Alloy
• Saddle: Prologo Dimension NDR, STN rails
• Dropper post: Cannondale DownLow Dropper
• Wheel sensor: Cannondale Wheel Sensor
• Sizes: SM, MD, LG, XL
• Weight: 13.3 kg
• Price: 4,299€

Further information is available on the Cannondale website.