Radical setup of Lachlan Morton's Scalpel HT

EF rider Lachlan Morton took part last weekend in the popular Leadville 100 XCM event, a fast, non-technical race in which he chose to race a radically configured Cannondale Scalpel HT.

Handlebar couplings, 120mm stem at -40º, 42T chainring or an extreme saddle position are its presentation cards.

Lachlan Morton's Cannondale Scalpel HT for Leadville 100 2023

We could say that the Swiss Nino Schurter has been one of those who has done the most to popularize negative stems in mountain biking. This type of stem offers a very aggressive posture on the bike, perfect for improving aerodynamics on the flat and for greater control on technical or steep climbs.

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The setup chosen by Lachlan Morton is along the lines of achieving the most aerodynamic position possible on his Scalpel HT and for this he moved the saddle as far forward as possible and chose an adjustable 120mm FSA stem that he placed upside down to achieve the -40º. The result is so spectacular that the bib was placed above the handlebars.

Complete setup of Lachlan Morton's Cannondale Scalpel HT

• Frame: SCALPEL HT Hi-MOD Ultimate
• Fork: Lefty Ocho carbon 100mm
• Handlebar: FSA KFX Carbon 640mm Flat Carbon
• Stem: FSA Varius Adjustable 120mm and -40º
• Grips: Prologo
• Dropper post: FSA Flowtron XC Dropper
• Drivetrain: SRAM XX1 AXS Eagle
• Chainring: Hollowgram 42T
• Crankset: Hollowgram SiSL 175mm
• Cassette: SRAM XX1 10-50t
• Power meter: Power2MaxWheelset FSA Gradient Off-Road I29
• Tyres: Vittoria 2.35 Vittoria Mezcal w Airliner Light XC
• GPS: Wahoo Elemnt Bolt
• Saddle: Prologo Scratch M5 Space
• Weight: 21.6lbs/9.8kg