Cannondale Scalpel HT

[fac83ajc]

Hi all,

Got my paws on a new Cannondale Scalpel HT 3, probably one of the first in the UK. Full spec here: https://www.cannondale.com/en-gb/bikes/ ... t-carbon-3

Pretty happy with it, but it is my first mtb in years so anything new would probably feel nice to me. So far only mod is changing the stock Alu bars for a Carbon MT Zoom flat bar (115g), which took about 180g off the weight. Current weight of the full bike with bottle cage, wahoo mount and hefty shimano spd pedals is 10.8 kg.

Would like to get this down to 10kg without doing anything too crazy, so pretty high on the list is lighter pedals, a Garbaruk cassette and longer term changing the brakes. May also look at the wheels, which are stans crest 4 rims on basic Shimano hubs, so might just go for lighter hubs and spokes once winter is out the way. Any suggestions welcome.

Lastly, looking at putting a Sigeyi Axo spider power meter on there. Can see they have a version for the Cannondale One Crankset, but it’s marked as the AI version. This new Scalpel doesn’t have the actual Cannondale AI thing but does have a similar 55mm chainline. So unsure of this will fit okay, anyone know? Cheers

[bikewithnoname]

Nice bike! I wouldn't bother replacing anything until after the winter tbh, you may as well wear out the cassette before replacing it.

Wheels, saddle and maybe the seat post (not sure what you have there) are the only places you'll save meaningful weight without spending a fortune

[req110]

I am glad cannondale ditched the AI... That makes me put this bike to my eventual future bike, because my DUB crankset will fit, and i won't need to move the rear wheel 6mm.

[Spinnekop]

I'd go for the crank arms
Seat
Stem / bars
Seat post

[fac83ajc]

Cheers folks. Yeah mods likely to be happening after our lovely Scottish winter. Also may wait a while on the power meter as could just change the entire crankset at the same time.

Seatpost I nearly went for a Mt Zoom one as well, while it is a carbon seat post on it already, the Mt Zoom would be over 100g lighter. However, might go for a dropper

Thanks

[SpeedyChix]

How are you liking the Scalpel HT after nearly a year? Contemplating getting one and really curious is the rear stay design helps with the harsh feeling of a more conventional stay design of something like a Scott Scale. Thanks.

[DrimeOser]

To pick up on the crankset discussion: Did anybody successfully install an XT or SLX crank on the Scalpel HT? If so, which model?

[stoney]

How are you liking the Scalpel HT after nearly a year? Contemplating getting one and really curious is the rear stay design helps with the harsh feeling of a more conventional stay design of something like a Scott Scale. Thanks.

According to BikeRadar review, the Scalpel HT is more comfortable than the Epic HT.

[SpeedyChix]

According to BikeRadar review, the Scalpel HT is more comfortable than the Epic HT.

Thanks for spotting that.

[fac83ajc]

Hi there. I am loving the Scalpel after a year of ownership. Really capable for pretty tech trails and a really good rig for xc racing. The rear does feel quite compliant and takes a bit of the harshness and some of the hits away from the rider.

Have recently changed the wheels, rotors and cassette but short of that left it pretty stock. Will update here with some pics and the new weight soon.

Cheers

[SpeedyChix]

Hi there. I am loving the Scalpel after a year of ownership. Really capable for pretty tech trails and a really good rig for xc racing. The rear does feel quite compliant and takes a bit of the harshness and some of the hits away from the rider.

Have recently changed the wheels, rotors and cassette but short of that left it pretty stock. Will update here with some pics and the new weight soon.

Cheers

Excellent.

[DrimeOser]

Just another update on the crankset on the Scalpel HT: on the XT 8120 Crank, the protuding screws on the Shiman chain ring come awefully close to the frame. Switched that to a flat Burgtec direct mount and played a little with some BBB spindle spacers in different sizes. Result is the cranset sits perfectly.

[witk]

Amazing bike! You can save a lot of gr if you change the saddle. There are very cheap-light options in aliexpress.