Mountain Biking - And the winner is...

The Cannondale Scalpel 800

http://idisk.mac.com/mightypudge/Public/scalpel.jpg

Oh baby, what a sweet ride. It feels like it was built just for me. Absolutely perfect.

So does this mean it is in your possesion? Nice choice. be sure to post pics of her maiden voyage. Congrats:beer: :beer:

Yah man! She is all mine. I plan on taking her for a spin as soon as possible, and pics to follow.

Sweet!

ohhh man thats pretty sweet.....the headshox with that lockout...how much did u pay for the rig?

Nice ride dude! What's up with the chainstay? I saw a couple of pictures like that before, but never managed to find out the design advantages (if any) behind it.

It's a pivotless design (soft tail)

The chainstays flex instead of having a pivot at the BB.

I don't really like the idea of a peice of equipment that is keeping my ass on the trail flexing like a rubberband (hence why I like the Rockhopper over the Scalpel).

Advantages? Less stuff to break (bearing wise).

Disadvantages? Confidence. I would never trust a bike with flexy chainstays. It would limit me so much to have to worry about my bike breaking every time I do anything but XC.

Congrat's on the ride. The Scalpel climbs like a monkey on crack. Can't beat the part spec. And it's not TO expensive to swap to a normal fork. I wonder if you could fit a 1.5 Breakout into that.... :)

Thanks for clearing that out for me!

Bike: $1800 (after tax and discounts)
Full-finger gloves: $30
New helmet: $80
Frame pump: $30
Quote, "The Scalpel climbs like a monkey on crack.": PRICELESS!!! :D

Originally posted by BAC5.2
I don't really like the idea of a peice of equipment that is keeping my ass on the trail flexing like a rubberband.

I understand your point, but allow me to offer a counterpoint.

During my "tire-kicking" stage in the shop, I was equally skeptical when I saw the chainstays flexing as I pressed down hard on the seat. My shop guy said once the rear shock and tires were set right for my weight they would not flex the same. And he was right!

At 5'9" and 217 lb. I'm a pretty hefty rider. My test ride was a 15-minute jaunt over some singletrack conveniently located behind my LBS. Even over some pretty serious technical stuff the chainstays do not flex all that much. Setting the rear shock to the appropriate pressure is an important step in making sure the suspension works as it's designed.

Anyways, thanks for the kind words of encouragement about my new bike. I do plan on experimenting with other forks once some money comes my way (good ol' tax return!) even though I do like the stiffness of the Headshok. Your quote about the Scalpel climbing like a monkey on crack will forver be a part of my vernacular. :)

Pudge, what gloves did you buy?

Originally posted by troie
Pudge, what gloves did you buy?

I went with these in black:

http://idisk.mac.com/mightypudge/Public/gloves.JPG

I liked the overall fit and feel. They don't have excessive grips on the palms, just a pad on the ylnar nerve to prevent numbness. They work great.

Plus they have that terry cloth thumb for wiping sweat off my bald head during breaks. :)

very, very cool bike

Mightypudge, that is a fine looking bike you got there mister. Afore I opted for my Gemini the Scalpel was the one I looked at first. Now, you take a look at the new Jekylls and the specs keep getting better. Hope you have many happy rides on it...like's been mentioned, let us know how the maiden flight goes.:beer: