Bicycles

Focus on: Cannondale Scalpel 2011

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Parent Category: Bicycles

Category: Cannondale

Published on Thursday, 28 October 2010 07:12

Written by Luca Salvatelli

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The new Scalpel frame has been completely redesigned, while maintaining the characteristic shape of the rear suspension Zero Pivot, without the pin and bearing, but by exploiting the elasticity of carbon fiber to activate the rear triangle. The new frame is made from high modulus carbon fiber, in which each tube receives a specific rolling, to better adapt to the workload that has to bear. This realization can improve the rigidity of the chassis, reducing the weight, because it uses a larger amount of carbon fiber only where necessary. While it is possible to minimize the thickness in the less stress. The same attention was paid to the orientation of carbon fibers arranged to work according to the pressure loads to which they are subjected. Although this focus has allowed us to improve frame rigidity and reduce weight. It is also possible to achieve the particular frame Scalpel, Zero Pivot, in which the particular orientation of carbon fibers allows the rear being rigid laterally but vertically very flexible, allowing an excursion of the rear of 80 mm, without no need to make a triangle separated from the frame and joined to it by the pin and pad. The bottom bracket with standard BB30, is directly coupled into the mold frame so as to have a better union between the alloy and carbon fiber. Also new is the rod of magnesium, which makes progressive compression of the rear, one ounce lighter than its predecessor. The new frame, so, down to 350 grams in weight, reaching a value of 1580 grams, including the rear suspension. Typical, for Cannondale, the short steering column bearing 1 inch and ½. The down tube is a large cross section and well-joined the BB30 bottom bracket. Good the beautiful crankset Cannondale Is Hollogram SL, adopted only on the Ultimate, while the Scalpel 1 adopted FSA SL-K 386 BB30, with 42/27 rings. The vertical pipe functions as a hub for the new connecting rod of the shock, while the seat has a diameter of 31.6 mm. The front fork, always l in the model Scalpel 1, is the classic Lefty Speed Carbon PBR Lite, the travel of the fork is 100 mm. The lockout is on the fork crown and is fully adjustable. It has a declared weight of 1197 pounds. The shock is a Fox RP23BV. The handlebar is always FSA SL-K, while the stem is Cannondale OPI. The group has adopted the Shimano XTR 2x10, cassette sprockets 11-36. The brakes, discs, calipers and commands are Magura Marta SL Carbon. The wheels are Mavic CrossMax SLR Disc, which are completed with the Schwalbe tires Racing Ralph PaceStar. Finally, the saddle is a Fi'zi:k Tundra 2. The bike so he assembled a declared weight of 9 kg, down to 8.5 in the model Scalpel Ultimate. In this case the weight difference comes from the different wheels, group and main components. The price of a Scalpel 1 model is Euro 5999, while the Ultimate model are needed well 8499. The Scalpel over the years has repeatedly demonstrated its competitiveness and effectiveness of the project. In fact, the same assembly, compared to the Front Flash Hi-Mod, the difference in weight stood at just over 500 grams, a weight, from which the competitiveness of this model. Almost like a rigid Front, fails, in relation to this, to take advantage on the down hills and more difficult routes. Does not reach the typical performance of a real Full, due to the reduced travel of the rear suspension, but it is an enviable and effective compromise for those who do not want the weight of a full house, but he appreciates the driving characteristics. On some routes is definitely competitive. The high prices are justified by the quality of the medium and the main components. A bike designed to competition, but that will give satisfaction even to the amateur who should appreciate the excellent driving characteristics.