Mountain Biking - Anyone riding a Cannondale Scalpel 2000

Hi, I just ordered a 2005 C/D Scalpel 2000. Anyone out there have one?
I've never had rear suspension,disc brakes much less a lefty. My last rig was a 2003 Specialized M4 Pro a great X/C hardtail bike with Vees. Back problems last season and the need to get a new bike made the decision easier but you really don't get a feel for bike test riding on the street. What do you all think?
I have owned Cannondales roadbikes in the past and liked them,so please save me the crackanfail stuff
I'm only interested in constructive critismism.

Thanks, 'Rasher

I have a friend that has one and he loves it. I was thinking about it but I'm unhappy with the lbs that sells them here. I also wish it had a little more rear travel. Those two things are leading me toward a Giant Trance or Santa Cruz Blur. Still, the scalpel is sweet!

I really dig the bike. I like the way the back is setup so that it doesn't have some gigantic amount of travel.

what'd you pay for it? got pix?

Thanks PWRD,
I don't have the bike yet it should be in by the last week of Feb, I ordered the matte black it should be sweet... I'll post some pics when it gets here
I was lucky enough to get some race sponsorship from the LBS I ended up paying CDN $2850. which is a wicked good deal I think retail was close to $4000. I managed to get $1200 for the Specialized so all in all I think I did OK!!!

It was a choice between the 2000 and a Specialized Epic I hope I made the right call.

Is your's a 2005? and how do you like the STI levers and rapid rise mech? I have the option of changing these out for rapid fire and a regular mech
decisions decisions.....

Thanks again,
Rasher

I know someone with an Epic, she does not like it. It just never fit right.

Funny, I had the same feeling when I tested the Epic, it surpised me as I was riding a M4 at the time but as I said it's hard to get a true feel for a MTB on the pavement. At least kind of looked like a regular bike
The C/D is a big tech jump for an oldie like me...

I wish there were better opportunities between the bike shops to test ride. The one in town I really like keeps trying to get me to take a Blur out to the local trails for a day and then try the Trance for a day. They want to make a sale and a happy cyclist. I currently have a Gary Fisher Hardtail and was concidering a Cake but the LBS that carries it will only let me ride one in the parking lot. Screw them! I just hope I don't make a bad choice just because one of the lbs sucks. I should see if I can reach their GF rep. Maybe I will when I'm closer to being serious.

Sorry, just realized that turned into a rant.

No worries, but you have a good point. I imagine it's a tough call for a LBS to let a guy take a new bike for an offroad test unless he's willing to pay for any damages and I know myself I'd be reluctant to take a bike I may or may not want in case I happen to pile it, catch 22 I guess. I do have an excellent relationship with my local LBS but never even considered asking to take a bike out to the trails.

Like you I wish I knew a rep. At least if the 2000 is a real dog I should very easily be able to recoup my investment.

Thanks for the input.

'Rasher

I rode both the skapel and the jekyll in the process of choosing the lefty jekyll. I thought the travel on the scapel was also not enough with my weight and the mild free riding that I do.

Now the lefty... you like it or you do not. The major problem is that the lefty requires a special hub which limits the wheelsets that you can use. It is very smooth and a good system. It also makes the bike longer wheelbase wise which changes the handling characteristics. If I was to buy again I would probably take a more traditional geometry 2 forked bike.

Cannondale makes a nice bike, just be aware of the lefty and frame priorities on each model...