Cannondale

Scalpel Ht Hi-Mod Bike 2022

What Our Gearhead® Experts Are Saying:

"I built this up for fast trail days and it's been everything I hoped for—nimble, stable, and brutally fast on climbs. The Lefty Ocho fork took a bit to get used to but now I swear by it. Plus, the Ai offset really improves tire clearance and cornering under power."

The Scalpel HT Hi-MOD Mountain Bike is Cannondale’s most advanced hardtail platform, engineered for speed and efficiency without compromising technical capability. At the heart of this build is the Hi-MOD carbon frame, which delivers race-level stiffness and trail-ready durability at impressively low weight. The progressive XC geometry—with a 66.5-degree head angle and longer reach—offers greater stability and control on descents, while maintaining the lightning-quick responsiveness needed for tight corners and punchy climbs.

Up front, the 110mm Lefty Ocho fork stands out not just for its single-sided design, but for its exceptional stiffness-to-weight ratio and precise trail tracking. The Ai offset drivetrain increases tire clearance and keeps the chainline optimized, allowing room for wider tires and shorter stays to create a bike that climbs aggressively and descends with confidence. Internal cable routing keeps everything quiet and tidy, while the frame is fully compatible with dropper posts and 1x drivetrains for modern race-day setup.

This is a race-oriented hardtail, but it's more than just a podium chaser. With smart geometry and capable spec, the Scalpel HT Hi-MOD is equally at home hammering through technical trail networks and chasing PRs on long mountain routes.

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.