CANNONDALE SCALPEL HT 2022 – PRODUCT LAUNCH

Launched today! It’s the all-new Scalpel HT, Cannondale’s whole new breed of XC Hardtail designed to excel on the downs as well as the ups. Some of you may already be familiar with Cannondale’s Scalpel their ultra-light, super-agile full-suspension XC MTB which has been on the podium of multiple cross-country mountain bike World Cups and World Championships over the past few years. Previously when Cannondale pro racers such as the Brazilian Henrique Avancini opted to race a hardtail rather than their full-suss Scalpel they would have been aboard the Cannondale F-Si XC Hardtail; as of today they’ll be choosing the all-new Scalpel HT which is its agile successor. So from now when it comes to Cannondale’s top XC racing rigs think Scalpel for the full-suspension model and Scalpel HT for the hardtail model.

The all-new Cannondale Scalpel HT is whole new breed of XC Hardtail.

 

So what’s new and different with the Scalpel HT? Almost everything! Cannondale have started with a blank sheet and created a modern ‘progressive’ cross-country mountain bike of the type we’re seeing more and more of on the race scene. As we’ve already highlighted in other features this year XC racing is seeing somewhat of a resurgence around the world, thanks in no small part to the excellent Red Bull coverage of the World Cup series which showcases increasingly technical race courses that have encouraged racers to ride harder and make moves that are as much influenced by their technical bike-handling skills as their supreme fitness. With fast, frenetic racing and shoulder to shoulder action becoming the new norm it’s not unusual to see races being won and lost on the technical descents as much as on the uphill sprints these days.

Progressive geometry and a slightly longer travel fork bring the Scalpel HT to life.

 

The Scalpel HT is too much fun just to save for single race days though; this MTB suits riders who prefer the stripped down, lightweight climbing efficiency of a hardtail (the frame weighs just 895 grams!) but still want to fly down the descents with their mates on all-day epics or maybe even on multi-day stage races. The Scalpel HT features an ultra-slack 66.5° head angle for greater stability and control on steep, technical descents while Cannondale’s ‘Proportional Response’ principle sees each frame size option featuring unique size-specific dimensions so that you feel more agile, with more room to move around the bike as you negotiate the most challenging terrain.

Each frame size option features unique size-specific dimensions.

 

The Scalpel HT includes a longer reach with a shorter stem to ensure that you feel more stable and less pitched over the front of the bike, while steering still remains sharp thanks to that short stem length. There’s a steeper seat tube angle of 74.5° for greater pedaling efficiency in the saddle – perfect for when you’re in your lowest gear and are fighting gravity as you grovel up steep climbs littered with slick exposed roots. Size-specific chainstays means that climbing traction is further enhanced with the rear wheel neatly tucked under your saddle where all your weight is concentrated.

The Scalpel HT flies uphill.

 

You’ll have no-doubt noticed the distinctive dropped seat stays too; the idea here is to add more compliance into the carbon frame, helping to take the sting out of the rear of the frame. More subtle, but no less effective are the Scalpel HT’s cleverly profiled chainstays which mimic the Scalpel full-suspension model’s ‘FlexPivot’ adding more compliance and complimenting those new dropped seat stays.

Dropped seat stays add compliance and enhance comfort in the saddle.

 

Specially profiled chain stays mimic the Scalpel full-suspension model’s ‘FlexPivot’ for more compliance in the rear of the frame.

 

That more progressive approach to mountain bike geometry would pale into insignificance without a suitable suspension fork upfront; happily Cannondale have created an all-new 110mm travel Lefty Ocho to help achieve the more capable ride feel they were looking for. This new fork is also stiffer to cope with the more aggressive type of riding Cannondale see you doing and features a new front brake mount that accommodates 180mm disc brake rotors because, frankly, you’re going to need the extra stopping power when the Scalpel HT is at full-chat.

An all-new Lefty Ocho fork with 110mm of travel really helps liven up the Scalpel HT.

 

Cannondale’s distinctive Lefty fork features on the Hi-Mod 1 model.

 

The all-new Cannondale Scalpel HT with its modern, progressive geometry, a super-light chassis and enhanced amounts of suspension facilitated by a new longer-travel version of their iconic Cannondale Lefty Ocho single-sided suspension fork is a hardtail that’s going to help you dance up the climbs and steal time on the descents. We love the way that XC is on the rise again, as course designers and racers are locked in an arms race we continue to see the top brands creating more capable race bikes. That sort of development can only benefit us mere mortals too; if racing isn’t your primary concern the Scalpel HT still shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s the perfect Hardtail MTB for long days on the bike when you want to cover big distances on mixed terrain, carrying tons of speed on the less technical stretches without feeling under-biked when you do swing off the fire track onto tighter technical singletrack.

We expect first stock of the all-new Cannondale Scalpel HT to arrive with us in the next couple of weeks! Call or email us for more information.

 

Cannondale Scalpel HT 2022 Geometry

 

Cannondale Scalpel HT Mi-Mod 1 RRP £6,200.00

Full Specification:

• Frame: Cannondale Hi-MOD Carbon, Proportional Response Design, PF30-83, tapered head tube, Speed Release 12mm thru axle w/UDH hanger, 55mm chainline
• Fork: Lefty Ocho 120 Carbon, 110mm, Chamber Damper with remote lockout, OppO Spring System, tapered steerer, 50mm offset
• Rims: HollowGram 25, Superlight Hi-Impact Carbon, 28h, 25mm IW, tubeless ready
• Hubs: (F) HollowGram Lefty 60 / (R) HollowGram w/ DT Swiss Star Ratchet internals, 12x148mm
• Spokes: DT Swiss Competition Race, straight-pull
• Tyres: (F) Schwalbe Racing Ray EVO, 29 x 2.25″, SnakeSkin, Addix Speedgrip, tubeless ready, (R) Schwalbe Racing Ralph EVO, 29 x 2.25″, SnakeSkin, Addix Speed, tubeless ready
• Crank: HollowGram, BB30a w/ OPI SpideRing, 34T, 55mm chainline
• Bottom Bracket: Cannondale Alloy PF30-83
• Chain: Shimano XT, 12-speed
• Rear Cassette: Shimano XT, 10-51, 12-speed
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano XTR
• Shifters: Shimano XT, 12-speed
• Handlebar: Cannondale 1 Flat, Carbon, 31.8mm, 9° back, 760mm
• Grips: Cannondale XC Silicone
• Stem: Cannondale 1, 7075 Alloy, 1-1/8″, 31.8, 7°
• Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8 to 1.5″, sealed angular contact bearings
• Brakes: Shimano XT hydraulic disc, 180/160mm XT rotors
• Brake Levers: Shimano XT hydraulic disc
• Saddle: Prologo Dimension NDR, Tirox rails
• Seatpost: C1 Carbon, 27.2x400mm
• Connectivity: Cannondale Wheel Sensor
• Sizes: SM, MD, LG, XL
• Colour: 1 Carbon (CRB)

 

Cannondale Scalpel Carbon 3 RRP £3,400.00

Full Specification:

• Frame: Cannondale Carbon, Proportional Response Design, PF30-83, tapered head tube, Speed Release 12mm thru axle w/UDH hanger, 55mm chainline
• Fork: RockShox SID SL Select+ RL, 100mm, Debonair, remote lockout, 15x110mm thru-axle, tapered steerer, 44mm offset
• Rims: Stan’s NoTubes Crest MK4, 28h, tubeless ready
• Hubs: (F) Shimano MT410, 15x110mm thru-axle / (R) Shimano MT510, 12x148mm thru-axle
• Spokes: DT Swiss Competition
• Tyres: (F) Schwalbe Racing Ray EVO, 29 x 2.25″, Twinskin, tubeless ready, (R) Schwalbe Racing Ralph EVO, 29 x 2.25″, SnakeSkin, Addix compound, tubeless ready
• Crank: Cannondale 1, BB30a, OPI SpideRing, 34T
• Bottom Bracket: Cannondale Alloy PF30-83
• Chain: Shimano SLX, 12-speed
• Rear Cassette: Shimano SLX, 10-51, 12-speed
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT
• Shifters: Shimano SLX, 12-speed
• Handlebar: Cannondale 2 Flat, butted 2014 Alloy, 31.8mm, 3° rise, 8° sweep, 760mm
• Grips: Cannondale XC Silicone
• Stem: Cannondale 2, 6061 Alloy, 31.8, 7°
• Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8 to 1.5″, sealed angular contact bearings
• Brakes: Shimano M6100 hydraulic disc, 160/160mm RT64 rotors
• Brake Levers: Shimano M6100 hydraulic disc
• Saddle: Fabric Scoop Shallow Elite, hollow cro-mo rails
• Seatpost: C2 Carbon, 27.2x400mm
• Connectivity: Cannondale Wheel Sensor
• Sizes SM, MD, LG, XL
• Colour 1 Black Pearl (BLK)

 

Cannondale Scalpel HT Carbon 4 RRP £2,600.00

Full Specification:

• Frame: Cannondale Carbon, Proportional Response Design, PF30-83, tapered head tube, Speed Release 12mm thru axle w/UDH hanger, 55mm chainline
• Fork: RockShox SID SL , 100mm, Debonair, remote lockout, 15x110mm thru-axle, tapered steerer, 44mm offset
• Rims: WTB STX i23, 32h, tubeless ready
• Hubs: (F) Shimano MT410, 15x110mm thru-axle / (R) Shimano MT410, 12x148mm thru-axle
• Spokes: DT Swiss Champion 2.0
• Tyres: (F) Schwalbe Racing Ray EVO, 29 x 2.25″, Twinskin, tubeless ready, (R) Schwalbe Racing Ralph EVO, 29 x 2.25″, SnakeSkin, Addix compound, tubeless ready
• Crank: Shimano M5121, 30T, 55mm chainline
• Bottom Bracket: PF30 to 24mm sealed cartridge bearing BB, for 55mm CL Shimano cranks
• Chain: Shimano Deore, 12-speed
• Rear Cassette: Shimano Deore M6100, 10-51, 12-speed
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT
• Shifters: Shimano Deore M6100, 12-speed
• Handlebar: Cannondale 2 Flat, butted 2014 Alloy, 31.8mm, 3° rise, 8° sweep, 760mm
• Grips: Fabric Funguy
• Stem: Cannondale 2, 6061 Alloy, 31.8, 7°
• Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8 to 1.5″, sealed angular contact bearings
• Brakes: Shimano MT501 hydraulic disc, 160/160mm RT54 rotors
• Brake Levers: Shimano MT500 hydraulic disc
• Saddle: Fabric Scoop Shallow Sport, steel rails
• Seatpost: C3 Alloy, 27.2x400mm
• Sizes: SM, MD, LG, XL
• Colour: 1 Acid Red (ARD)

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

 

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