Cannondale's Scalpel has been a longstanding sight at international cross-country races over the years, with many of the greats having slung a leg over the sharply named race-focused bike.
These days Fontana and Fumic pilot the Scalpel round the WC circuit, and at Cairns we saw the new version of the bike. Fast-forward a few days and we got to take a spin on one in Riva Del Garda, Italy.
Longer and slacker than the norm
Initially carbon models will be available, and it was the third-tier Race version that we rode. So called ‘BallisTec’ carbon is used on the 100mm travel frame, which helps keep the weight to a very competitive 10.2 kg (med). Cannondale has incorporated some fancy new pivot hardwear, and nifty cable routing to keep lines clean and servicing easy.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Scalpel-Si's BallisTec carbon frame is a little longer and slacker than XC bikes we're accustomed to
The back end does away with rear pivots; instead the rear triangle flexes to allow the suspension kinematics to work properly. Suspension is taken care of by a RockShox Monarch shock with a short 50mm stroke, which comes with a bar-mounted hydraulic lockout that also locks the 100mm Cannondale Lefty 2.0 fork.
Taut rear end
Room for some fettling
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
via BikeRadar All the latest from BikeRadar.com http://ift.tt/1W91yXK
No comments:
Post a Comment