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FAST BIKE FRIDAY – CANNONDALE SCALPEL HT HI-MOD 1

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

 

It’s Fast Bike Friday! This week we’re slipping into our stiff-soled race shoes, donning the lycra and clipping in for a full-on cross-country hardtail mountain bike race machine. The all-new Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 was launched late last year and is billed as the ultimate racing hardtail which just happens to feature the sort of progressive geometry and increased front suspension travel you might find on a more playful trail-focused mountain bike.

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

Launched in late 2021 the all-new Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 is designed to be fast uphill AND downhill.

 

If you’re a regular reader of our Fast Bike Friday feature you may have seen me enthusing over the recent evolution of cross-country mountain bike racing, particularly at international World Cup level when it comes to just how technical cross-country races have become. Every course on the circuit has increased in technical difficulty with elements of the track influencing the race just as much as a rider’s power and fitness. With this at the front of every racer’s mind the pros now spend as much of their training time focused on their technical riding skills as they do on their fitness; staying in sync with this evolution the best bike brands are also pushing the boundaries when it comes to their bikes ability to handle this more aggressive form of riding, the all-new Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 is a great example of this evolution.

Up until the Scalpel HT’s recent launch the Scalpel model name was the reserve of Cannondale’s full-suspension cross-country race bike, however the American brand have now done away with their previous ‘F-Si’ XC hardtail in favour of this new hardtail race bike – the HT in ‘Scalpel HT’ simply stands for hardtail. So from now on, when it comes to Cannondale cross-country race machines think Scalpel for full-susser and Scalpel HT for their superlight hardtail race machine. Depending on the demands of each race course you’ll see the Cannondale XC race team switching between the two options from now on.

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

A more relaxed head angle and a longer-travel Lefty fork hints towards how Cannondale see the Scalpel HT being ridden.

 

Cannondale are all too aware though that those very focused needs of the racing elite are pretty niche and don’t necessarily apply to us the great buying public, but that’s where the Scalpel HT’s headliners come into play; a bike like this is too much fun to reserved just for race day. This lightweight, agile carbon hardtail will suit riders who prefer the stripped down climbing efficiency of a hardtail (the frame weighs just 895 grams!) but still want to go for it on the technical descents and race their mates down each Strava segment as part of an all-day epic, covering endless miles of singletrack.

There’s been so much chat in the mountain bike industry over the past couple of years regarding ‘progressive geometry’; in a nutshell this means a longer top tube, giving you more room to move around the bike and distribute your weight more effectively, a shorter stem to keep steering sharp and your weight back, as well as a more relaxed head-angle for greater stability and control on steep & technical descents. This sort of design approach has now become the norm for more playful, full-suspension trail bikes and the like; we’re now seeing this ethos filter over to more cross-country orientated bikes. On this particular model, with the inclusion of the 110mm travel Lefty Ocho fork the head angle of the Saclapel HT is in fact 66.5° which is ultra-slack for an XC bike.

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

That ultra-slack 66.5° headtube angle combined with the 110mm travel Lefty fork provides confidence-inspiring handling on steep, technical descents.

 

Cannondale have also employed their ‘Proportional Response’ design principle to the Scalpel HT which sees each frame size option featuring unique size-specific dimensions including the shortening or lengthening of the rear triangle helping to make your ride feel more agile. This Hi-Mod, ultra-light carbon frame boasts dropped seatstays and a sophisticated carbon layup which helps to increase vertical compliance and keep you more comfortable even when you’re pedaling in the saddle. These dropped stays work in unison with the Scalpel HT’s specially profiled chainstays which mimic the full-suspension Scalpel model’s ‘FlexPivot’ configuration with a small amount of flex engineered into the frame.

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

The new Scalpel HT features dropped seatstays and a clever carbon layup for increased comfort and compliance.

 

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

As the product name suggests, this particular Scalpel HT is constructed from Cannondale’s ultralight Hi-Modulus carbon fibre.

 

The have been numerous iterations of Cannondale’s iconic ‘Lefty’ fork since they first appeared on the scene way back in 2000; this single-leg suspension fork has featured on a wide range of mountain bikes from Cannondale, but more recently have found their place in the cross-country race-bike stable and rightly so. Lefty forks are informally referred to as an ‘upside down fork’ meaning that the fork has been effective flipped around so that the stanchion is at the bottom at the hub of the wheel and the fork leg that would normally slide over the stanchion is fixed into the fork crown and remains stationary.

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

That flared headtube and super-wide crown fork keeps the front end stiff and the steering sharp.

 

It goes without saying that Cannondale are massive advocates of this suspension system and are very quick to list the benefits of such a suspension configuration; briefly the plus points include a big increase in stiffness, both in the fork crown and the fork leg which helps to keep steering sharp and responsive even when you’re descending at full-chat. The internal workings are different too with Cannondale employing needle bearings for a near frictionless action as the fork compresses. The Lefty Ocho boasts a superlight carbon fibre upper which not only helps keep overall weight low but is nice and stiff too with that wide crown blending seamlessly with the Scalpel HT’s headtube.

Cannondale Scalpel TH Hi-Mod 1 2022

Cannondale has taken the iconic Lefty Ocho and increased the travel to 110mm for this more ‘gravity-capable’ cross-country race bike.

 

To the uninitiated a Lefty fork can look alarming, with a distinct lack of a right fork leg it may unnerve you on first impressions; you can be assured though, that with this technology being utilised and continually refined for over more than 20 years the Lefty Ocho really is a brilliantly engineered suspension fork. Getting back to this particular Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 hardtail Cannondale have spec’d a brand new version of their fork, this time with a (generous for cross-country) 110mm of suspension travel. It’s worth noting too that as well as an increase in travel Cannondale have ensured they increased the fork’s overall stiffness too to help cope with the extra forces generated at the sort of speeds you’ll inevitably find yourself riding at. In another acknowledgement to how Cannondale see you riding the Scalpel HT there’s a 180mm disc brake rotor on this fork to help you scrub all that extra speed off when you need to.

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

The Lefty Ocho’s unique configuration is instantly recognisable; that huge gap between wheel and headtube reflect an increase in travel for this model. 

 

When it comes to real-world use the Lefty Ocho features a couple of key functions worth noting. First off the front wheel features a propriety hub which slides over a wide and stiff portion of the lower leg of the Lefty and is firmly secured by a large nut and cap. So trailside removal of the front wheel is quick and easy if you need to; that said if you’re running your wheels tubeless, can’t repair a tyre after a puncture and need to stick an inner tube in to get you home you won’t have the issue of having a fork leg in the way as you would normally with a conventional suspension fork! You would simply pinch the tyre bead off the outward facing side of the rim and stick your tube in.

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

The Lefty Ocho fork features a propriety front hub that includes a quick-release for the disc brake caliper; wheel removal is quick and simple.

 

You may also be wondering how the hell is the front wheel removed and replaced without any effect on the disc brake caliper and its potentially finickity alignment with the disc rotor?! Well, again thorough constant refinements over the years Cannondale have been able to create a simple but very secure quick-release system for the disc brake caliper which is relocated in exactly the same position every time, causing no issues with rotor alignment.

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

Cannondale are able to list a whole load of advantages to their Lefty fork and have been producing them in one form or another for over 20 years now.

 

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

Just as you’d expect on a tricked-out cross-country MTB the Lefty Ocho features a remote lockout for the climbs.

 

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

A simple cable-activated lever on the right of the handlebars means you’re able to be in complete control of the Lefty fork at all times.

 

Cannondale have spec’d a high-end, no-nonsense groupset on the Scalpel HT Hi-Mod which is race-ready straight out of the box. Instead of fitting a full set of components from one groupset option e.g. Shimano XT, Cannondale have been more selective and have mixed XT with an XTR rear derailleur and their own Hollowgram crankset and chain ring. It goes without saying that Shimano XT components are brilliantly reliable and function really well, even in the most difficult racing conditions. XTR represents the pinnacle of Shimano mountain bike groupsets, sitting at the very top of the tree and Cannondale’s inclusion of a 12-speed XTR rear derailleur reflects just how focused the Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 is on high-performance competition. Every gear selection via the Shimano XT shifter is crisp, light and precise and there’s a huge spread of gears available from the 10-51T cassette.

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

The Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 includes a mix of Shimano XTR and XT components to make up super-light, brilliantly functional groupset.

 

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

XTR is at the top of the tree when it comes to Shimano MTB groupsets so it’s great to see an XTR 12-speed rear derailleur on the Scalpel HT.

 

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

The 12-speed Shimano XT trigger shifter provides light-touch, precise gear selections even in the midst of frenetic cross-country racing.

 

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

There’s a huge spread of ratios on the Shimano XT rear cassette; from a tiny 10T cog to a whopping 51T cog across the 12 gears.

 

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

The 12-speed Shimano XT cassette features a mix of steel and alloy cogs for increased durability.

 

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

Cannondale have spec’d their very own super-light, stiff HollowGram chainset with a single 34T chainring.

 

Upfront, working in unison with that huge 10-51T cassette there’s a single compact 34T chainring fitted to a superlight, stiff Cannondale HollowGram crankset. The chainring sports a narrow/wide tooth profile that helps keep the 12-speed chain securely located while Cannondale’s own propriety chain catcher means there’s almost zero chance of you unshipping your chain mid-race. Factor in the clutch mech within the rear derailleur which adds tension to the chain and you’ll be able to race the full season without fretting about any possibility of a dropped chain.

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

It’s the details that count; that small chain-catcher is a small but welcome addition to the Scalpel HT’s drivetrain.

 

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

That 34T narrow/wide chainring features a tooth profile that helps keep your chain securely located.

Shimano’s hydraulic mountain bike brakes have a very solid reputation for being powerful, durable and consistent in all riding conditions, so it’s great to see that Cannondale have gone with a full Shimano XT setup on the Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1. In a further acknowledgement to how this bike will be raced there’s a 180mm disc brake rotor upfront matched with a slightly smaller 160mm rotor on the rear. That 180mm rotor combined with the positive one-finger braking action from powerful XT brake levers will quickly and effectively scrub speed off when you’re bombing into tight, technical singletrack and need to regain control.

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

Cannondale have spec’d a large 180mm disc rotor to help scrub off all that extra speed you’ll no-doubt pick up on the Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1.

 

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

The rear Shimano XT hydraulic brake caliper is neatly tucked into the rear triangle and is matched up to a smaller 160mm rotor.

 

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

The Shimano XT hydraulic brake levers feel great and are powerful even when you’re employing a one-finger braking technique.

 

The Cannondale HollowGram wheelset on the Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 consists of a pair of race-ready wheels sporting carbon HollowGram 25 Superlight Hi-Impact Carbon 28 hole tubeless-ready rims. Those flyweight but tough rims are laced to Hollowgram hubs; as we mentioned earlier in the feature, the front hub is a propriety Lefty 60 hub that’s specific to the Cannondale Lefty Ocho fork. The rear hub, also badged up as HollowGram is actually manufactured by top Swiss wheel brand DT Swiss and features their Star Ratchet internals.

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

The HollowGram rear hub, produced for Cannondale by world-renowned wheel brand DT Swiss is fast-rolling and includes their Swiss Star Ratchet internals.

 

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

A pair of HollowGram 25 wheel rims made from Superlight Hi-Impact Carbon mean these race-day wheels will accelerate fast and hold your speed.

 

The HollowGram 25 carbon wheels come fitted with tubeless-ready Schwalbe Racing Ralph EVO tyres featuring a minimal tyre tread pattern that is designed to roll fast with the minimum of rolling-resistance on smoother terrain but provide just the right amount of grip on loose, off-camber terrain. As the name suggest these Racing Ralphs are ready for the demands of high-speed cross-country mountain bike racing and come in a (fairly slim for these days) 2.25” width. If you prefer something a little more substantial and aren’t as focused on a season-long race campaign then the Scalpel HT should accommodate a wider 2.5” tyre. As both the rims and the tyres on the Scalpel are tubeless-ready you’ll be able to quickly and easily set up your ride to be tubeless; Cannondale have included tubeless tyre valves with the bike.

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

Race-specification Schwalbe Racing Ralph EVO tyres feature just enough tread to provide ample traction without compromising on rolling efficiency.

 

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

Those shallow central tyre knobs mean there’s little or no rolling resistance from the Schwalbe Racing Ralph EVO’s.

 

Rounding out the finishing kit of the Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 is another smattering of superlight carbon fibre componentry. As you might expect there’s a flat full-carbon handlebar with a sensibly proportioned 760mm width which is well suited to the demands of cross-country racing – wide enough to be able to lever plenty of control from without the potential of getting caught up in tight singletrack or getting tangled with fellow competitors in those frenetic race starts. There’s been a real trend in the last few seasons for pro mountain bike racers to run light, foam grips rather than rubberised lock-on grips; the benefits of this setup are many – they’re ridiculously light, they’re very soft and comfortable and they are slimmer in the hand giving you a greater feeling of control.

The spec of the Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 includes a conventional 27.2mm wide carbon fibre seatpost. This slim carbon seatpost helps to add even more comfort and compliance to the bike; riding in the saddle the combination of that cleverly engineered rear triangle and the seatpost will definitely help take the sting out of rough terrain. With everything we’ve highlighted in this feature and our observations that cross-country racing is getting more and more technically demanding you may be surprised not to see a dropper seatpost here. We are seeing pro racers increasingly running droppers so that they can get the saddle out of the way on steep drops and technical downhills. While the Scalpel HT hi-Mod is not spec’d with a dropper it is possible to fit and run an internally-routed dropper seatpost should you want to.

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

Just as you’d expect on a specialist cross-country race bike Cannondale have spec’d a Cannondale 1 Flat carbon bar; the 760mm width provides plenty of control.

 

The Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 marks a significant shift towards cross-country race bikes becoming more capable on the downhills, matching their already excellent performance when they’re pointed uphill. Within mountain bike racing, whether it’s downhill, cross-country or enduro, there’s always been a tradition of race-focused performance values informing the development of the production bikes available to the public. As the technical demands of World Cup cross-county racing have increased the best brands have responded to the challenge of producing superlight race-bikes that can handle whatever is thrown at them. As a consumer this means that a bike like the Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 is all the more versatile and user-friendly; while you could dedicate a bike like this to race-day duties there’s now more scope than ever to head out on longer all-day epic rides on a fun and agile bike like this. Dare we say it, but this bike could almost be regarded as a legit alternative to a modern gravel bike; if you’re heading out on the sort of ride that sees you transitioning from singletrack to gravel track and even stretches of road the superlight, fast Scalpel HT could more than hold its own while offering even more control off-road thanks to that wide flat carbon handle bar.

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

The Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 is built to excel on modern World Cup cross-country mountain bike courses.

 

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 2022

The Scalpel HT Hi-Mod 1 boasts progressive geometry for a more confident ride.

 

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

Full Specification:

  • Frame: Scalpel HT Hi-MOD Carbon, Proportional Response Design, PF30-83, tapered head tube, 55mm chainline, Speed Release 12mm thru axle w/UDH hanger
  • Fork: Lefty Ocho 120 Carbon, 110mm, Chamber Damper with remote lockout, OppO Spring System, tapered steerer, 50mm offset
  • Crank: HollowGram, BB30 83MTB, OPI SpideRing, 34T, 55mm chainline
  • Rear Cassette: Shimano XT, 10-51T, 12-Speed
  • Rear Derailleur: Shimano XTR, 12-Speed
  • Shifters: Shimano XT, 12-Speed
  • Handlebar: Cannondale 1 Flat, Carbon, 31.8mm, 9° back, 760mm
  • Stem: Cannondale 1, 7075 Alloy, 1-1/8″, 31.8, 7°
  • Grips: Cannondale XC Silicone
  • Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8 to 1.5″, sealed angular contact bearings
  • Brakes: Shimano XT
  • Brake Rotors: Shimano XT (F) 180 / (R) 160mm
  • Hubs: (F) HollowGram Lefty 60 / (R) HollowGram w/DT Swiss Star Ratchet internals, 12x148mm
  • Rims: HollowGram 25, Superlight Hi-Impact Carbon, 28h, 25mm IW, tubeless ready
  • Tyres: Schwalbe Racing Ralph EVO, 29 x 2.25″, SnakeSkin, Addix Speed, tubeless ready
  • Saddle: Prologo Dimension NDR, Tirox rails
  • Seatpost: Cannondale C1 Carbon, 27.2x400mm
  • Wheel Sensor: Cannondale Wheel Sensor

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

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