CANNONDALE SCALPEL CARBON SE LTD LEFTY

£7,000 Does top dollar mean top performance?

This is Cannondale’s top-tier lightweight-trail/downcountry bike and it comes with some seriously high-end kit, including the latest, beefed-up Lefty Ocho fork.

The frame

The Scalpel SE shares the same full-carbon frame as the XC-focused Scalpel but has a longer-stroke shock to boost travel from 100mm to 120mm. It uses Cannondale’s FlexPivot system, which relies on flex in the frame instead of a chainstay pivot to create a virtual four-bar set-up. Look closely at the tail end of the stays and it’s easy to spot the shaping that enables this to happen.

Cannondale customise the suspension layout for each frame size, meaning everyone can expect exactly the same performance from the Scalpel SE, no matter how tall or short they may be. Their Asymmetric Integration system offsets the drivetrain to the right by 6mm, helping to sit the rear rim more centrally between the hub flanges. This helps even out spoke length (as the wheel doesn’t need to be dished) and, in theory, boosts wheel stiffness.

The Scalpel SE’s 67.1-degree head angle is the steepest of the four bikes here, while its 74.6-degree seat tube angle is the slackest (but only just). Its bottom bracket (BB) sits 344mm off the ground, the highest in this test. You can fit two water bottles inside the front triangle, along with Cannondale’s Stash kit, which houses an eight-function multi-tool and can hold a CO inflator and 2 tubeless repair kit, too. At the centre of the front wheel sits Cannondale’s Connected GPS sensor, made in collaboration with Garmin. This provides all the ride data you could possibly want (via the app) and also keeps tabs on the bike’s service history and maintenance schedule.

The kit

It’s the Lefty Ocho 120 that’s the attention grabber here. This inverted fork sports 120mm of travel and a beefed-up chassis compared to the 100mm version. The air spring is easily tunable (you can alter its volume with spacers, as well as adjust its pressure), and the fork has a full lockout, along with adjustable low-speed compression and rebound damping. It’s paired with a RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate rear shock. The rest of the SE’s kit is suitably flashy, including Cannondale’s HollowGram Superlight carbon wheels.

The ride

The Scalpel SE’s cross-country DNA is apparent in both its spec list and its handling. Its relatively low weight and fast-rolling tyres contribute to a bike that’s eager to get moving as

soon as you press on the pedals. Really put the power down, though, and it hunkers down deeper into its travel than the Epic EVO and the Spur, and can’t quite match either in terms of urgency, whether seated or out of the saddle. While the SE is no slouch on the climbs, its supple rear end and relatively relaxed seat tube angle mean that you need to get your weight further forwards to counter any front wheel lift when navigating tight uphill switchbacks.

Switch to technical singletrack and it’s apparent where this bike’s strengths lie. Its smooth, wellbalanced and supple suspension means it can slither its way beautifully over battered rocky sections and messy root spreads with masses of comfort. The forgiving ride feel lets the SE pick its way through awkward terrain without choking and makes putting in the miles a pleasure. On flowing descents, it impresses with its nimbleness and how easy it is to hop, skip and jump between features. But on technically demanding or steep trails, you’ll find its limits quicker than on the other bikes here.

The lack of bite from the tyres, especially the Ardent Race up front, adds nervousness when the trail is damp. Add the more reserved geometry, including the taller BB, and it feels quite twitchy and less accurate when you really need to hold a line. And while the SRAM Level brakes have a lovely lever feel and decent punch, they feel a bit underpowered on longer descents.