Bicycles

On test: Cannondale Scalpel 2

Details

Parent Category: Bicycles

Category: Cannondale

Published on Monday, 20 December 2010 06:00

Written by Luca Salvatelli

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Light, stiff and incredibly effective on every route

The 2011 Scalpel frame is made of high modulus carbon fiber. As it has done in the Flash Hi Mod and SuperSix Hi Mod, each tube received a specific rolling, to better adapt to the workload that has to bear, so as to optimize frame rigidity while reducing weight, since it uses a greater amount of carbon fiber only in the most stressed points of the frame, reducing the thickness in the less stress. Even the orientation of carbon fibers has been the subject of intensive study, so as to steer the best and this has enabled then to make the unusual Scalpel frame, the Zero Pivot, where the orientation of the fibers carbon allows the rear being rigid laterally but vertically very flexible, allowing for travel of 80 mm, without any 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. The series has the steering bearings 1 inch and 1/2; it is equipped with integrated stem One Piece. The derailleur support is built into the frame and compatible with Shimano and Sram. The head tube is short, but over the diameter size, even the large tube and the oversized bottom bracket area. The sloping top tube has a pronounced and sustained by the rear shock. The vertical tube holding the rod to make progressive suspension and is home to the seat by 31.6 mm in diameter. The connecting rod is forged and lighter than its predecessor. The rear section has some pipes from the generous, SAVE profile, which improves the absorption and vertical vibration, as mentioned, the peculiarity to flex vertically. The frame has a declared weight of 1580 grams, including the rear suspension. Four sizes available (S, M, L, XL), while many are the different assemblies: Scalpel Ultimate, Scalpel 1, Scalpel 2 and Scalpel 3. The model Scalpel 2 is assembled with the fork Lefty Speed XLR, with 100 mm of travel, fully adjustable and equipped with a lockout. The shock is a Rock Shox Monarch RT3. The wheels are DT Swiss XCR 1.5 supplemented with tires Schwalbe Racing Ralph 26x2.1 PaceStar. The pedals and bottle cage not included. The seatpost is Fi'zi:k Cyrano, while the saddle is always Fi'zi:k Tundra 2. The stem Cannondale OPI, while handlebar ic C2. The controls are Sram X0, as well as the rear and front derailleur. The brakes are Avid Elixir CR Carbon, while the sprocket is Shimano XT 11-36. The KMC chain. The crank is FSA Afterburner BB30 386 42/27. Standard hard case with operating and maintenance, the bell, the kit tubeless ready, the rim tape, protection chain and a series of protections to avoid contact between cables and frame. So assembled, the size M, the bike has a weight of 9.9 kg, as we noted, that as stated by Cannondale.

The road test

The new 2011 Scalpel bike remains a highly personal aesthetic and fascinating from a technical standpoint, with its rear suspension without the need for pins and bearings for its operation. The Lefty fork contributes to the unique bike and characterizes its appearance so indisputable. Overall a very personal bike that is completely detached from the rest of the competition, may like it or not, but does not go unnoticed and this, in an industry where everyone is standardized, it is undoubtedly a quality frame is made perfectly, like the painting. Excellent complete set of guards to protect the chassis from shocks in the chain or cable from the stones (at least the smaller ones), perfectly designed assembly. This sees some of the highest quality components, such as forks, wheels, shock absorber components and Sram X0. Certainly for the price have not taken the brakes and crankset X0, replaced by the FSA and Avid components, superb but the weight slightly higher than the same components X0 (have lost about 100 grams). Pity, then, that the bottle cage is not present in the standard. Whatever the final weight of the bike is very competitive and overcome in the field of XC Full of very few other competitors, all much more expensive. In absolute terms it is still a very light bike, not much more than many Front apart in price. This testifies to the goodness of the Pivot Project Zero and a general assembly quality. In the riding position is comfortable and natural. The controls are easy to reach and maneuver with ease. The group has confirmed its value X0, with a limited range of levers and change quickly and accurately between the various reports. Even with the heavy mud functionality and accuracy has never failed. Ultimately, it will feel a greater noise than a Shimano and a lower fluidity in the action of the levers. However, these aspects and little or no significant differences with very minimal. Avid Elixir brakes have proved adaptable and powerful. They need, however, a greater force to be applied to the levers to get strong deceleration, and their strength is the scalability, always perfect in all conditions, and the consistency of performance, rather than the absolute stopping power which is, however, the level of the best competitors. Excellent DT Swiss wheels, stiff, reliable and sliding. Also good tires Schwalbe Racing Ralph PaceStar from perfect smoothness and good grip on deep compact or slightly wavy. They go into crisis with the mud and soil is very loose, but as always, in the mountain bike tires should be selected from time to time according to weather conditions and the location. In general, however, Schwalbe's proved to be a good product. As effective and valid Tundra saddle 2, and comfortable, though no hole decompression of the perineum, allowing many hours in the saddle without giving bother. Very good profile that does not hinder his movements. The Lefty fork has demonstrated its validity. Not only is competitive in weight and rigidity, but above all us stupid in its sensitivity settings and copy the best in all types of rough terrain, with a first part of travel and a soft tail more sustained and able to absorb even the blows stronger. The only major upside down, then you guessed it demonstrates a technical choice and not just a matter of pure image. Excellent lockout on the handlebar. Even the shock is sensitive to control and very good. In movement will immediately feel the high rigidity of the chassis, and really good at the top of the class associated with a very stiff bottom bracket area like the steering area. A general stiffness that allows a high power transmission, well seconded by the excellent smoothness and rigidity of the crank FSA Afterburner BB30 386, in this case than the original Sram X0. Excellent also the stiffness of the rear, much better than with traditional solutions through pins and bearings. With this background it is easy to get to the top of the class performance on fast tracks, but also, often, more than many fronts, while taking advantage that the lack of rear suspension can not rely on a frame so rigid. Over small bumps show a greater rigidity of the rear suspension compared to traditional competitors, this does not affect performance, indeed the opposite is true, but slightly worse ride comfort, though not significantly. Uphill, even the most difficult, one advantage to the light weight and excellent rear wheel traction, while the direction of the front wheel is excellent and always safe. So you can manage well the bike and we focus solely on cycling. An optimal behavior and reassuring, which helped a lot too inexperienced to be little more than psychologically strenuous races in long-lasting. Excellent stability on fast, as in the downhill, where well-tuned suspension, it is possible to have a very high pace, but still safe, thanks to the excellent overall stability of the bike and the steering direction and security. In locations closer to the bike is competitive, but it should be guided more decisively, by way of precise entry of the corners, but not so fast. In general, it is preferred geometry stable and secure, not missing the handiness over the strait, but did not come up to speed in the entry of the corners of its competitors, however, that the end is more unstable and difficult to wear at high speeds. Excellent balance of the bike on jumps, with a control that, once again, it is easy and intuitive. In general, the behavior of the bike tomorrow is very intuitive and secure, perhaps lacking the extreme reaction of other competitors, but because this is a bike that is good and strong on every route and every athlete. The neophyte is now at ease, while the athlete is able to exploit fully experienced in maximum security. On a very hard, just driving safety and predictability of reactions allow a rate better than many competitors, the more difficult and less predictable in driving. The overall performance is excellent and put this bike at the summit between the models XC Full, going even further. Weight for weight, in fact, is largely competitive with Front and on many routes even better, regardless of weight. A perfect bike for agoniosta engaged in the long run, even in stages, but also perfect in some shorter routes, where the rigidity of the chassis Zero Pivot, do not lose much ground in height than a front, and allows a much greater speed in the more technical downhills. The simple fan can enjoy instead of driving characteristics based on the maximum security and a very high overall quality, as well as a unique personality. Among the more positive aspects, light weight, rigidity of the chassis and riding skills. It has no real flaws or weaknesses, but we point out the lack of bottle cage (common to the whole range Cannondale) and the need to operate the brakes with the index and middle for powerful deceleration. Those aspects that do not affect in any way the quality and performance of a bike for 2011 is at the very top of the class XC Full.

Price

The bike test has a cost of about Euro 4299, a high price in absolute terms but aligned with the competition. The excellent performance of the fully justify, as well as the quality of the frame and many components adopted.

Positive aspects

Build quality of the frame

Aesthetic character

Rigid frame

Overall Performance

Driving Skills

High speed stability

Modulation of the braking

Light weight

Quality and functionality of the fork

Negative aspects

Force applied on the levers for powerful braking

Lack bottle cage

The report card

Quality 9 (you could avoid the mix of components, the frame is 10)

Stiffness 10 (at the top of the Full and not only)

Comfort 9.5 (not at the top but almost)

Stability 10 (an incredible safety)

Manageability 9 (fast and precise to be part of the curve)

Braking 8.5 (very adaptable, also known to be powerful)

Weight 9 (a very low weight, better than many Front)

Price 9 (a good price in relation to benefits)

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Cannondale

Website: http://www.cannondale.com