It was rumors about a new Scalpel this year as the last one lacks some things. And now at Cape Epic it’s being raced on for the first time:
Space for 2 bottles:
Not the best picture but lowered in front to work with new Leftys:
A redesigned rear triangle with a new shocklink and a more tucked in rear damper. Also got internal routing
Curious on the official news and geometry. Will it be as good as the upgrade from Flash to F-Si?
Eliflap shared a picture of this from a German forum that got the picture from a Czech website.
The news I can see is that it’s made for the new Lefty 2.0, the rear damper is more tucked in to the frame (like a Specialized Epic) and the rear part is a bit different than on todays Scalpel and it got internal wiring. Will be interesting to see if they can make it as good as the transition from Flash to F-Si seems to be. Still haven’t tried an F-Si but would love to if I can sometime, seems like they got things right with that one.
You know anything more about the new Scalpel?
The first impressions mention some new parts but hopefully more fun will come. De Rosa is making a new aerobike together with a super car designer. De Rosa SK Pininfarina:
Tune is coming with a straight post with setback, think Thomson (but less weight and cooler):
And the biggest thing the first day. SRAM Red eTap:
More info: Sram
Do I need to say more? Extremely light, extremely good looking, for 31,8mm and cheaper than the Zeus stem 🙂
68g for 70mm, 79g for 120mm, ±6°. And we can get it now! So let’s go shopping: R2-Bike
Today we had Rocky Mountain on a visit in the store, talking about their brand, bikes, style and what they want. A MTB brand. And thought about that, with people. I can only say I know 3 mtbikers, 3 different people and riders but they are true mtbikers. I’m not, just a wannabe because mtbikers are the coolest. Look at Marco Aurelio Fontana, Nino Schurter or why not a women rider like Alexandra Engen. We don’t have to hope that they leave mtb for road or something else, they won’t (and no, I don’t know Schurter or Fontana). They are mtb. But is there any other brand than Rocky Mountain that is breathing mtb? Yes, Santa Cruz, more brands I don’t know, do you?
Rocky Mountain has it’s Altitude that seems like a perfect bike for All Mountain but to much travel for me. Cannondale got a Trigger that is more racing but with perfect amount of travel, but too small wheels. When I was thinking of an All Mountain bike earlier I wanted 650b (yes I tried it), around 130mm of travel, a wide flat bar, 1×11 or 1×10, not enormous discs and as usual a great weight as I’m a weightweenie after all. Ended up with build a Liteville 301 as I got one for a good price.
But if you can’t you should look at this. Santa Cruz Solo with a high-end frame, 125mm travel, 650b, some nice specs, awesome colours (Liteville is plain boring design) and did an awesome video with the DHiller Steve Peat in Scotland:
If you like it, or just curious and wants to know more, you can look at more pictures and read about it here: MTBR
Or hopefully. Cannondale Factory Racing:
And some classy pictures: Flickr
Thought of putting my Scalpel together and give you some nice pictures and weights. But it takes time gluing so you only get a wheelset on scale together picture:
Even heavier than I sad yesterday by a gram. But I love it and my second wheelset built. Or, built one wheelset, 2 front wheels and changed rim on one wheel before. So not very experienced yet.
To more experienced we have Marianne Vos, was testriding a climb some weeks ago and today she attacked in that 16% climb. Watch some highlights from todays Ronde van Drenthe here: Nos.nl
And ending this evening with a 5,9kg Cannondale SuperSIX Evo with Red, but Ultegra cassette and some other parts. Nice bike but dirty hoods wasn’t that nice:
While it is snowing a lot outside we can dream of south, or why not a cyclocrossrace that hopefully is won by Simon Zahner? Switzerlands national championship, intro here:
And Marco Aurelio Fontanas new bike for 2013:
