Scalpel 3

Cannondale Scalpel 3

Hold on Tight
Thrill ride. With the most advanced XC suspension and geometry, and rowdy-ready spec, the new Scalpel redefines cross-country speed – again.

Model Description
Fast, light, and capable on XC courses or technical trails, the Cannondale Scalpel 3 is built to fly. The frameset is made of our advanced Series 1 carbon construction. Then it gets built up with a Shimano XT 12-speed drivetrain, RockShox SID Select suspension both front and rear, and Stan’s NoTubes Crest MK4 rims for excellent speed and control.

What it's for
The thrill of speed. Winning XC and Marathon races. High-speed trail slaying.

Highlights

• Superlight premium Series 1 Carbon frame with FlexPivot, 120mm travel, and Proportional Response-Tuned Suspension and Geometry
  
• Lightweight RockShox SID Select 120mm fork and SIDLuxe Select+ rear shock
  
• Shimano’s legendary XT 12-speed shifting
  
• Powerful, controllable Shimano Deore M6100 hydraulic disc brakes
  
• Stan’s tubeless-ready Crest Mk4 rims with Maxxis Rekon Race and Aspen WT 2.4” tires
  
• Cannondale’s DownLow dropper seatpost

Travel Advisory
Not just more travel – better travel. Thanks to the magic of our FlexPivot kinematics and Proportional Response suspension, Scalpel’s 120mm of travel delivers unreal traction, more control, and a hell of a lot more fun – with all the efficiency and responsiveness you’d expect from a World Cup race rig.

Devilishly Fast
Speed starts with the geometry, and Scalpel’s got the hole shot. It has a slack 66.6º head tube angle, a steeper 75.5º seat tube angle, and chainstays that get longer as the frames get bigger to keep the rider more balanced between the wheels. The result? More power and traction on the climbs, more pinpoint control in the corners, and a whole new level of confidence at speed.

The Beauty of Speed
This ain’t no fashion statement. This is pure, purposeful design. Every element of the Scalpel’s form is driven by function above all – kinematics, weight, stiffness, and capability. Features drive the shape, instead of the shape constraining the features. And fast looks good.