The new Cannondale Scalpel-Si was launched with much fanfare about its slacker angles resulting in greater ability on technical cross-country courses. This had me wondering about how well it will work for South African's favourite format: endurance racing. And, judging by the team's excellent performances at this year's Cape Epic, I'd say it appears to do pretty damn well. Slack doesn't mean slow.

At the Cape Epic, the eagle has very much landed. Maybe it was just the eye-catching gold colours but it seemed that SRAM's Eagle 12 speed single chainring drivetrain was everywhere. In Fumic's case, he has gone with the more understated black variation of the cassette and chain with a 38 tooth chainring and a Quarq power meter crankset. Manuel elected to go with a bit more reassurance on the front chainring with a minimalist chain guide from Leonardi Racing.

The front suspension is handled by Cannodale's Lefty fork with a RockShox Monarch XX shock partly tucked into the top tube controlling the rear. Enve supply the rims with a DT Swiss rear hub and Cannondale's Lefty friendly hub up front. The carbon handlebar and seatpost are also supplied by Enve. Manuel rides with a Prologo Zero C3 saddle and Shimano XTR pedals.
Specification
- FrameScalpel-Si
- Rear ShockRockShox Monarch XX
- ForkLefty XLR 100
- RimsEnve
- HubsFront: Lefty / Rear: DT Swiss 240
- TyresRacing Ralph
- HandlebarEnve
- SeatpostEnve
- StemCannondale
- BrakesSRAM Level Ultimate
- RotorsSRAM Centreline 160
- ShifterSRAM XX1 Eagle
- Rear DerailleurSRAM XX1 Eagle
- CassetteSRAM XX1 Eagle
- ChainSRAM XX1 Eagle
- CrankSRAM XX1 Eagle Quarq
- ChainringSRAM XX1 Eagle 38 tooth
- Chain guideLeonardi Factory
- PedalsShimano XTR
- SaddlePrologo Zero C3
- Bike ComputerGarmin 1000
'Dale, Mar 30 2017 01:18
Wonder what the weight of that sick puppy is 💕❤️💕❤️💕rock, Mar 30 2017 01:19
3 cheers for discrete Enve rim stickers!
Lighthouse, Mar 30 2017 02:43
Beast of Beauty
spy, Mar 30 2017 03:29
Those ENVE Rims can possibly be a new prototype....die Beading is different to the current M50
Nick, Mar 30 2017 03:51
Agree with you. But unfortunately we only spotted this after speaking to the team and didn't get another chance to ask them about it.
BaGearA, Mar 30 2017 04:05
Very very sexy bikes ! ( I love the more subtle gold details rather than the whole drive train screaming "gold !!! " )
But can we all please stop saying the eagle has landed.....
Baracuda, Mar 30 2017 04:54
And no more jokes about bald eagles either......
xcd, Mar 31 2017 10:58
Cant you show us some pics of the pivot system. Its hidden by the crank
Stefan Cremer, Apr 04 2017 07:04
Fantastic machine that!!!