Cannondale reveals all-new Scalpel-Si

Cannondale’s full-suspension cross-country mountain bike, the Scalpel-SI has been updated for 2017 and the tweaks made are substantial. Cannondale have not only changed the bikes geometry but have made adjustments to the bike to accommodate new technologies.

Related: Raphaël Gagné’s Cannondale F-SI Black Inc.

The new innovations that are introduced in the Scalpel are a result of changes that have been slowly introduced to World Cup cross country courses. Senior vice president of global marketing and product development for Cannondale, Scott Rittschof said that the new Scalpel-SI is Cannondale’s response to courses with steeper climbs and more technical descents.

Cannondale’s approached redesigning the Scalpel with what the company calls System Integration, taking into consideration the cranks, fork and frame as a whole.

The first new feature is the rear wheel has offset that allows even dishing making the wheel stronger and allowing for more clearance. The Scalpel uses LockR locking axles to keep the wheel secure. Cannondale’s proprietary Ai drivetrain gives 6-mm offset on the drive side, allowing clearance for a double chainset and bigger tires. Additionally, the Scalpel-Si now has shorter chainstays.

The Scalpel-SI frame is made from Cannondale’s BallisTec Carbon. The company boasts that they have designed one of the lightest, stiffest and most durable full suspension XC bikes on the market.

The new geometry gives the rider a slack head angle for stability to handle technical courses and a tight trail measurement so that the bike is quick and nimble. Cannondale does this with the OutFront Steering Geometry that uses a 69.5 slack head angle and a 55-mm fork offset made possible by the Lefty. The Lefty suspension is designed to be rigid and give the rider confident steering.

Another new feature is that the bike can simultaneously run a dropper seat post and Di2. A battery holder sits inside the top-tube. Cable routing is internal.

The two women’s Scalpel-Si models are built around 27.5″ wheels while smaller sizes of the men’s bike are on 27.5″ and bigger ones on 29″ wheels.

Canadian Cycling Magazine was at the Riva Bike Festival in Lake Garda, Italy riding the new Scalpel-SI. Make sure to check in for our thoughts. The Scalpel-Si will be available in ten models, with a price range of  USD$3,000 to $12,000.