I've come across a Scalpel 3 at a bike shop for a good price but after doing some research I have some concerns.
I've read up on what I could find about the new Lefty and believe that people are having problems with getting full travel and just generally not feeling as good as the old Lefties although I have never ridden one so would I even notice? Has there been a remedy for the travel issue other than removing the volume reducer? Maybe an official Cdale response?
The Scalpel is supposed to be a light bike but I read from an Aussie online publication that the frame alone weighed almost 7 pounds, is this true? Does anyone know the weight of one in a medium? Any recommendations on removing weight?
I suppose those are my two biggest concerns. Is there anything else I should be concerned about? Is the lefty expensive to maintain? Thank for reading such a long post.
Hello Ace42, I was in the same boat as yourself, but I was trying to decide between the F 29 1, the F 29 2 or the Scalpel 29 alloy 3. Test rode them all. I figured that I could not go wrong with the Scalpel and so far have loved the bike. The Ctd rear shock has worked well, I mainly leave it in the center(trail) position, but when it's put in the Climb setting(basically locked out) and the Lefty is locked out, it's basically a hard tail. Then having the full suspension you get the best of both worlds. As far as the Lefty goes not sure about it getting the full 100 but it's stiff and awesome, it keeps you glued to the ground. And this new one with the Hybrid needle bearing technology is protected against the elements. Sorry for the run on never ending paragraph........anyways bikeradar gave it only 2.5 stars but then gave the carbon version 4.5 stars, as another person who left a comment said there is a few thousand dollar difference, but the Scalpel performs and deserves far better than 2.5 stars just look at the reviews for it on the Cannondale website. It's not a light bike by any means, I think without pedals it's about 27 or 28 pounds, but as another reviewer said it has a HUGE UPGRADE Potential. What's the price on the one your looking at? For the money it's one of the Most BANG FOR THE BUCK DEALS OUT THERE RIGHT NOW and So much fun to Ride. Another thing, it's nearly impossible to place a water bottle mount on the bike as they stripped the screw on mine trying to put one on. Then also it is very difficult to mount a bike puter on the Lefty.....so I opted for a GPS, loving it so far. Hope this helps you, sorry for the Novel.
Hello Ace42, I was in the same boat as yourself, but I was trying to decide between the F 29 1, the F 29 2 or the Scalpel 29 alloy 3. Test rode them all. I figured that I could not go wrong with the Scalpel and so far have loved the bike. The Ctd rear shock has worked well, I mainly leave it in the center(trail) position, but when it's put in the Climb setting(basically locked out) and the Lefty is locked out, it's basically a hard tail. Then having the full suspension you get the best of both worlds. As far as the Lefty goes not sure about it getting the full 100 but it's stiff and awesome, it keeps you glued to the ground. And this new one with the Hybrid needle bearing technology is protected against the elements. Sorry for the run on never ending paragraph........anyways bikeradar gave it only 2.5 stars but then gave the carbon version 4.5 stars, as another person who left a comment said there is a few thousand dollar difference, but the Scalpel performs and deserves far better than 2.5 stars just look at the reviews for it on the Cannondale website. It's not a light bike by any means, I think without pedals it's about 27 or 28 pounds, but as another reviewer said it has a HUGE UPGRADE Potential. What's the price on the one your looking at? For the money it's one of the Most BANG FOR THE BUCK DEALS OUT THERE RIGHT NOW and So much fun to Ride. Another thing, it's nearly impossible to place a water bottle mount on the bike as they stripped the screw on mine trying to put one on. Then also it is very difficult to mount a bike puter on the Lefty.....so I opted for a GPS, loving it so far. Hope this helps you, sorry for the Novel.
Thanks for the reply. I did not realize it came with a ctd shock, I thought it came with an rp2? The spec might be different since I'm n the US, that is if you are not.
The weight is good to hear, am happy with anything 28lbs and under.
The one I'm looking at is $2400. And as for the water bottle and computer, I don't use either so I should be good there, lol.
If I do buy the bike what should come along with it such as manuals(especially for the lefty), a shock pump maybe? This would be good to know since this is the first bike I am buying new, I usually build from the frame up.
The 2013 version does come with the Fox CTD shock, it's fairly simple to flip the lever reaching under while riding. I'm in the states as well. I saw a 2012 version that had RP2 shock in person.
Great price on the bike, $2400 is the same price that I got it for, $2500 with Tax. I heard C-dale is doing a special on the bike, it's normally $3200, saw it in one shop for $3500.
As far as what comes with the bike, it did not come with a shock pump or at least mine did not. A few manuals, I've not really read through them yet, have to get a shock pump and play around with the settings.
Mine came with the SunRingle Inferno 25 wheels/rim, (they are not Tubeless), i'm not trying to run tubeless just enjoying the bike now as it is for now. In the C-dale manual it says the bike comes with the Frequency I 19 wheel/rim. I think the Frequency I 19 wheel/rim may be a bit lighter also. I think you can run tubeless on the Frequency I 19 Rims.
Did you say that you were looking to get a Medium? How tall are you?
Too bad summer is over, just 8 wks from today it'll be balls cold out being Nov 11th, I love summer and the warm weather, so have to Vent...
The 2013 version does come with the Fox CTD shock, it's fairly simple to flip the lever reaching under while riding. I'm in the states as well. I saw a 2012 version that had RP2 shock in person.
Great price on the bike, $2400 is the same price that I got it for, $2500 with Tax. I heard C-dale is doing a special on the bike, it's normally $3200, saw it in one shop for $3500.
As far as what comes with the bike, it did not come with a shock pump or at least mine did not. A few manuals, I've not really read through them yet, have to get a shock pump and play around with the settings.
Mine came with the SunRingle Inferno 25 wheels/rim, (they are not Tubeless), i'm not trying to run tubeless just enjoying the bike now as it is for now. In the C-dale manual it says the bike comes with the Frequency I 19 wheel/rim. I think the Frequency I 19 wheel/rim may be a bit lighter also. I think you can run tubeless on the Frequency I 19 Rims.
Did you say that you were looking to get a Medium? How tall are you?
Too bad summer is over, just 8 wks from today it'll be balls cold out being Nov 11th, I love summer and the warm weather, so have to Vent...
I have seen the pics with the I 19s but even Cdale's site said it came with sunringles, or at least it used to as it seems like they finally put up the 2014 bikes today.
Yeah a medium. I am 5' 9". It should fit perfectly. Yeah sucks it's so late in the season.
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