It now looks like the bike will be sporting around
100mm of rear travel using flex chain stays and a
swing link suspension. Rumours are that the bike
will be tested this season and once all the angles
and tweaks are confirmed they will be producing a
carbon version. The rear suspension has
been changed with the rear shock moving to the
more common position inside the triangle and no
longer at the back above the seat stays. It is
also now using the swing link configuration to
connect it to the top tube. The prototype bikes
are using the DT carbon 190 rear shock, however
the commercial model may well use the Fox
RP23.
The flex chain
stays are still there, eliminating the need for
additional pivot points, thereby saving weight and
maintaining lateral rigidity. The older scalpels
only had a small amount of travel that worked well
with the flexible carbon chain stays. With the
possibility of more travel now it will be
interesting to see how this whole setup works.
The
Cannondale Rush
full carbon was the last big thing from Cannondale.
Maybe this Scalpel will also get the full carbon
make over.
More info on the
Cannondale Scalpel 2008 Prototypes
Cannondale Vredestein team
New Scalpel 08 pics
German forum post on Scalpel
The
new Cannondale Scalpel for 2008 has been spotted at
a few of the world cup races in June.