Broken Scalpel carbon 29's

[SuperSlow]

Is anyone else seeing consistent reliability issues with this frame?

[Dan Gerous]

Haven't heard of a single issue personally...

[SuperSlow]

I have broken 2 frames (in about 2 months), and I have two friends that have each broken one. Just curious if we got a bad batch or if this was being experienced elsewhere.

[Vegard]

Could be user error?
If a batch was that bad somebody somewhere would speak about it. No offense, but threads like this reminds me of the youtube clip of a guy hopping down staircases.

[SuperSlow]

Possibly, however, I am about 175lbs at most, and ride/race only xc in Texas. Bikes have never been crashed, I have raced bikes the better part of my life and like to think I am a smooth rider.

[Stumpjumpy]

I broke 4 in 4 months and my boy broke 2 in 2 days, each frame failure occurred while our grandmothers were riding the bikes to get groceries and lottery tix.

Been a good strong frame otherwise, though.

[SuperSlow]

I'm assuming that is a sorry attempt at sarcasm...

[Stumpjumpy]

I'm assuming that is a sorry attempt at sarcasm...

Awh, c'mon man - where is your holiday spirit?

I am assuming this thread is a sorry attempt at . . . well, something - not exactly sure, yet. But I'm bearing with you!

[wyatt79m]

Pics or .....

[SuperSlow]

[IMG] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]

[SuperSlow]

Seatstay

[IMG] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]

[SuperSlow]

Really not trying to be a troll, just seeing if others have similar problems.

[Dan Gerous]

And those failures didn't happen in crashes?

[SuperSlow]

No, neither frame has touched the ground. My friends haven't either. Cannondale has been good about the warranty, I am just concerned I am going to have a bike that won't last the whole race season.

[Stumpjumpy]

Really not trying to be a troll, just seeing if others have similar problems.

As we all know, ANY frame can be broken - no matter how sound the design and execution - this is especially true of a race XC frame. So simply stating that frames have failed is almost meaningless, except for trolling purposes.

Usually, folks interested in setting up a thread for product failure data collection - begin by providing pics and details of how the frame(s) failed, how c'dale handled it, etc. etc.


Do you care to tell us what happenned?

[SuperSlow]

The bike is flat out amazing, stiff, responsive, light, holds speed well etc. hence my disappointment. Cannondale is good about the warranty, it is however frustrating having to wait for parts to be in stock.

The first one (second pic) I noticed while I was cleaning my bike after a fairly casual 25 mile ride here in Texas. No drops, jumps, etc. Just what I would call typical Texas hill country technical xc.

The second one failed while I was riding, I came up a small rocky climb and almost got pitched over the bars. I got off and walked up the rest of the climb, hopped on again and the bike lurched rearward again. Upon closer inspection the wheel was contacting the frame when pressure was applied to the pedals. I found the break and got to walk about 8 miles home.

[Stumpjumpy]

Well, considering people are jumping, rock gardening, etc with these frames, I have to imagine that your failures are due to defects unique to your frames, ie isolated instances of poor QC.

[Thatshowiroll]

I broke 4 in 4 months and my boy broke 2 in 2 days, each frame failure occurred while our grandmothers were riding the bikes to get groceries and lottery tix.

Been a good strong frame otherwise, though.

I LOLed big time.

Those pics are heartbreaking, to say the least.

[eliflap]

i have no pics , however a friend here in Italy had a failure.

probably caused from cable guides in the bottom of the main tube .

they are too rigid, too much force applied from cables and hoses and it causes a break starting from the screw hole.

this is my friend theory, waiting for a reply from Cannondale.

i have no opinion about it ... i never had a Scalpel 29er

[cdalemaniac]

And those failures didn't happen in crashes?

That's why I thought as well.....the way it's frayed it sure looks like a lot of force caused this frame to fail and judging by the overall look it seems the bike didn't get a lot of love either....probably a Rental/Fleet bike?

[jwdevil]

I also notice in the first pic there is a mark on the cable housing under the break that looks like it may have been from something hitting it.

[Spinning Lizard]

I have not seen any from our LBS.

[SuperSlow]

That's why I thought as well.....the way it's frayed it sure looks like a lot of force caused this frame to fail and judging by the overall look it seems the bike didn't get a lot of love either....probably a Rental/Fleet bike?

Not really sure what you are talking about, i race marathon, xc, and a few short track races, bike is very well maintained, I have worked in shops for 15 years. The bike has maybe 750 miles/ 30 rides on it.

[Scott In MD]

OP playing right down middle of fairway... Can't understand why you guys giving him so much crap. Lighten up.

[adrenalnjunky]

One of my buddies had the rear brake mounting tab debond itself on his '12 29er Carbon 1 - 4th ride (this was back in July). Cannondale sent a new rear triangle out, no questions. No issues since then.

he's also had the rear hub come apart - the section of hub where the rotor mounts, started rotating on the hub body some. DT replaced the wheel once - it just happened again last week - I don't know if he had time to talk to them again yet.