Cannondale

Scalpel Carbon 3 Bike

What Our Gearhead® Experts Are Saying:

"I race XC and love the Scalpel Carbon 3 because it's incredibly light but still descends confidently. The Lefty Ocho is one of the smoothest forks I’ve used, and the FlexPivot suspension just works—it keeps the rear planted without feeling squishy. It’s efficient, aggressive, and super fun."

Built for speed, the Cannondale Scalpel Carbon 3 Bike blends cutting-edge design with cross-country precision. The SmartFormed carbon frame is paired with Cannondale’s proprietary FlexPivot suspension system, which eliminates traditional pivots in favor of engineered flex zones, delivering a lightweight yet active rear suspension feel that doesn’t compromise pedaling efficiency.

Its 100mm Lefty Ocho fork is a standout feature—stiff, lightweight, and incredibly precise in steering, ideal for threading through tight technical terrain. The geometry is optimized for aggressive XC riding with a longer reach and slacker head angle for enhanced control at high speeds and during descents. Shimano’s XT drivetrain ensures crisp shifting performance, while tubeless-ready wheels provide better traction and fewer flats over rocky singletrack.

This build is tailor-made for serious XC racers and fast-paced trail riders who want a no-compromise machine that’s ready to go full gas from the start line to the finish.

Heads up - We do our best to keep bike specs and images current, but occasional component changes can happen without warning-and sometimes the photos might not show the exact build you'll receive. If you want to double-check the details, our Gearheads are always here to help.