Cannondale Scalpel: suspension setup & specs
The Cannondale Scalpel is a cross-country full-suspension bike with 120 mm of fork travel and 120 mm at the rear. Below you will find all 6 current builds with fork, shock and shock size, plus SAG values in millimetres and a tyre pressure table.
Calculate the setup for your Cannondale Scalpel →
All builds
Fork, shock, shock size (eye-to-eye length × stroke) and rear travel, weight and price according to the manufacturer. Wheel size: 29.
| Build | Fork | Shock | Shock size | Rear travel | Weight | RRP | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lefty Ocho 120 Carbon (120 mm) | RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ | – | 120 mm | – | – | Setup → |
| 2 Lefty | Lefty Ocho Alloy 120 (120 mm) | RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ | – | 120 mm | – | – | Setup → |
| 3 | RockShox SID Select (120 mm) | RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ | – | 120 mm | – | – | Setup → |
| 4 | RockShox SID (120 mm) | RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ | – | 120 mm | – | – | Setup → |
| Carbon 2 Lefty | Lefty Ocho Alloy 120 (120 mm) | RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ | 190x45 | 120 mm | – | – | Setup → |
| LAB71 SMU | Lefty Ocho 120 Carbon (120 mm) | Fox Float SL Factory EVOL SV | 190x45 | 120 mm | – | – | Setup → |
How it compares
On travel, the Cannondale Scalpel is right where the “cross-country full-suspension bike” category usually is: 120 mm up front against a median of 120 mm from 23 bikes. Travel is the same front and rear at 120 mm each. Within Cannondale’s mountain bikes, it sits between the Cannondale Scalpel HT and the Cannondale Habit HT on travel. The frame is made of carbon.
For suspension, Cannondale combines components from Cannondale Lefty, FOX and RockShox. The fork line-up ranges from the Lefty Ocho 120 Carbon to the RockShox SID.
Setup notes for this spec
- Fork (RockShox SID Select): air goes in through the valve on top of the left leg. After every change, compress the fork firmly a few times before measuring SAG.
- Rebound: turn the red FOX and RockShox adjuster fully closed first and count clicks from there – that way you can note settings and restore them later.
- Shock (RockShox SIDLuxe Select+): get on the bike in your normal riding position, step off carefully and read the O-ring. Always cycle the shock a few times after pumping.
Target SAG for the Cannondale Scalpel
Instead of percentages, this table gives SAG directly in millimetres, measurable with the O-ring on the stanchion and on the shock shaft. Change the pressure step by step until you reach the value; if Cannondale gives its own target SAG, use that.
120 mm fork (1, 2 Lefty, 3, 4)
| Riding style | Fork SAG |
|---|---|
| XC / touring | 17 % = 20 mm |
| Trail | 20 % = 24 mm |
| Enduro / rough | 22 % = 26 mm |
| Bike park | 20 % = 24 mm |
120 mm fork, 45.0 mm shock stroke (Carbon 2 Lefty, LAB71 SMU)
| Riding style | Fork SAG | Shock SAG |
|---|---|---|
| XC / touring | 17 % = 20 mm | 24 % = 10.8 mm on the shock shaft |
| Trail | 20 % = 24 mm | 28 % = 12.6 mm on the shock shaft |
| Enduro / rough | 22 % = 26 mm | 30 % = 13.5 mm on the shock shaft |
| Bike park | 20 % = 24 mm | 27 % = 12.2 mm on the shock shaft |
How to measure SAG is explained in our guide SAG setup.
Tyre pressure starting values
Basis: 2.40″ tyre width, tubeless, trail casing. If you run tubes, add about 0.2 bar (2.9 psi); with an insert, about 0.1 bar (1.5 psi) less is enough. Stock tyres: (F) Maxxis Rekon Race WT, 29x2.4", EXO Protection, tubeless ready / (R) Maxxis Aspen WT, 29x2.4", EXO Protection, tubeless ready; Schwalbe Rick XC Pro, 29x2.4", Speed Compound, tubeless ready.
| Ready-to-ride weight | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 1.43 bar (21 psi) | 1.63 bar (24 psi) |
| 70 kg | 1.55 bar (22 psi) | 1.75 bar (25 psi) |
| 80 kg | 1.67 bar (24 psi) | 1.87 bar (27 psi) |
| 90 kg | 1.79 bar (26 psi) | 1.99 bar (29 psi) |
| 100 kg | 1.91 bar (28 psi) | 2.11 bar (31 psi) |
| 110 kg | 2.03 bar (29 psi) | 2.23 bar (32 psi) |
| 120 kg | 2.15 bar (31 psi) | 2.35 bar (34 psi) |
Air pressure in the fork and shock
The sticker on the fork (or on the shock) and the manufacturers’ setup charts give you a first pressure. Our calculator is more precise and suggests rebound too – always check the result via SAG.