Great looking bike and build! I’ve heard great stuff on the new Deore too. Congrats and go get that toy dirty 
1 Like
Heck yeah, I will. At $1500 shipped to USA from UK I think it’s a tremendous value.
6 Likes
I had the former incarnation of that, a 2016 model I think and it was awesome. Nice bike I hope you enjoy it.
1 Like
Also worth checking out is the Wolftooth system
I put one on my Epic Evo so I could fit 2x 1L bottles plus the Specialized SWAT box tool storage. The standard cage mounts and cages would only fit smaller sized bottles.
1 Like
Have you tried the mount that has two bottles side by side? Seems intriguing… but also like it would impede pedaling or handling (by my knees hitting). Got any experience to share there?
That pic should be in an ad for a hydration pack.
Does your bike look like this? Well my friend we have a solution!
3 Likes
Sure have! Works great. Allows me to use 2x large bottles. I have 700mL bottles and my other 1L bottles will also fit, though Wolftooth state a 1.7kg max weight. But I’m using the mount that uses all 3 bottle cage bolts so I think the 2x 1L bottles will be fine (I only need the 1L bottles in summer).
2 Likes
I’m in love. And your knees don’t hit it?? I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around that bit.
lol!! I’ll be doing both. But you’re so right.
Only time my knees have touched is when I’ve stood up to do some sprints but it’s not a problem really.
I’m using this so I don’t have to take a hydration pack on 2-2.5Hr rides. 2x smaller bottles is not enough and since I get most of my carbs from my drink, smaller bottles mean higher carb concentration which I don’t like. Longer than that and I will take hydration pack as well.
1 Like
I’m a connoisseur of all things hydration and fueling, so I’m right there with you.
1 Like
I have tried that system and fit 2 1-liter bottles on my Spark. It works well and doesn’t impede pedaling. However it’s quite unsightly and ultimately I just couldn’t get down with it. DM me if you want to buy mine.
2 Likes
Alex,
Since you guys do seriously long rides in the boonies, a frame bag with a big bladder inside is a direction to explore as well. It looks ugly but can provide a lot of volume.
Search for threads like “water carrying” or “hydration” in “long gravel races” or “bike packing” and will find all sorts of solutions from nice commercial stuff to ghetto DIY approaches that guys have thrown together.
Revelate (no personal experience) is an example of a company making frame bags which look robust and have provisions for bladder hoses.
3 Likes
This is a dangerous path for me, and especially my wife! She’s going to love it. Thank you.
2 Likes
Any 2021 Cannondale Scalpel or Scalpel SE owners on here that can share feedback? Thinking about this as a marathon / stage race / bikepacking race rig (leaning towards the SE although do love that Lefty look!). Currently have a Monster Cross bike and a 140mm Trail bike so definitely a gap I can justify filling (my wife might see it differently though:)
Thanks for the detailed write-up @stevemz - really useful and much appreciated. I am in a similar position in terms of not wanting to drop mega bucks on the HM coupled with the fact that Candy Red is by far the best colourway IMHO. But the parts spec and particularly the wheels are a big negative and would mean a lot of upgrades. The SE1 is an improvement in that respect (and new blue colourway is a step up). It would seem to suit multi-day epics well, but day to day I also ride a lot of road to trail and smooth fast trails so still not sure which way to go…do you think the extra 20mm and no lockout would make a big difference to efficiency?
Interesting on sizing as i was planning on L. I am 6ft but relatively inflexible back and hamstrings so tend to size a bit smaller than most (even on a 56cm synapse i drop down to a 90mm stem). Sounds like I might have to travel somewhere to test one.
Your upgrades make perfect sense and the P2M has been reliable for me on the synapse.
Ps. Most importantly what colour did you go for and any pics?
I can’t quite yet offer a review, but I am (hopefully) a week or so away from picking up my new Scalpel SE LTD. Keeping with my tradition, there was no test ride. Oddly enough, I have never test ridden a bike that I ended up buying.
My wife has this same bike from last summer, albeit hers is specced with the Sid Ultimate and my bike will come with the new 120mm Lefty Ocho. We had both ridden raced our hardtail Cannondales for the last 6-7 years, so these are a big change. I haven’t ridden a full suspension XC bike since I retired my S-Works Epic in 2013 for a Cannondale F29.
As we’ve raced less the last couple of years, especially so for shorter events, we felt the SE gave us a little more flexibility in use as a fun trail bike while still ready for marathon or stage races. Eagerly awaiting to see if my expectations are met…
1 Like
@Jouko nice choice on the SE Ltd, that new ocho looks good! Also never seem to manage a test ride as I’ve been an expat for 13 years and always seem to end up in countries with very few bike shops. I designed/guessed the geo for my last custom Ti build and had it welded in Russia, but worked out perfectly.
This is gorgeous.
Does anyone have a bike to add to my list of aggressive XC bikes that are easy to build from frame up (either available as frame only or a base build that can be stripped and replaced with standard parts easily)? So far it’s just Epic Evo and Blur TR.
Wish list:
- Approx 67 head angle and 460 reach in size L
- 110mm or more rear travel, designed for 120mm fork
- Boost spacing
- Two water bottles inside front triangle
- Ideally standard shock (Fox DPS preferred), threaded BB