I bought a 2018 Epic Comp carbon and over the last 2 years upgraded all components to S-Works level. It is insane on the climbs and super fun on singletrack. Even without the upgrades, it was the best bike I've ever had for steep climbs. The Brain system allows for much more grip over the bumps. As a side note, I am a bit of a Specialized fan.
I am not a racer, I have owned both Cannondale and Specialized bikes although not the epic. I am currently in a 2021 Scalpel 2 with the lefty, and I do prefer the lefty. With that said no matter what I ride most people are passing me.
Excellent review, Bobby! I’m cross shopping a Scalpel SE 2 against an Epic Evo Comp, which brought me to this great video. In this case, I’d take the Scalpel. It gives up a hair of aggressiveness in exchange for comfort, which is a physical performance enhancer in the sense that it’s less fatiguing. Call it a wash. Overall, Cannondale does a phenomenal job of making ‘complete’ bikes that function well holistically (ahem, ‘SI’). Though impossible to objectify, ride quality is the single most-important characteristic to consider-yes, more important than price.
Epic is a great ride. The little clunk never bothered me. I’ve never owned a C-dale but would love to have a go on one. I’m thinking the Epic is probably a bit more efficient to pedal?
From my 2001 Cannondale F2000 ELO (Electronic Lock Out) Lefty, 2010 Cannondale Scalpel Carbon Team Replica, to my current 2015 Cannondale Trigger Carbon 2; All the Lefty's pulled to one side or another severly. Could never ride hands free for even 2 seconds!! Cannondale claimed it should ride just straight but that never happened...so for that reason alone I want to switch to a non-lefty bike! If anyone has a solution, please comment...
Glad I got out of mountain biking about ten years ago. My first mountain bike was a Cannondale F700 I got new for $1500. Then I got the Scalpel and I believe that was $2500. I could not imagine paying $12000 for a bike today.
its a lot more than just your height, a lot more! You have to take into account your arms length and your legs length separate from each other. If the upper body length is challenged then you should go with a smaller frame until your upper body is comfortable. smaller frame is better for nimble handling and lower center of gravity anyway. Then if your legs are longer and an lareger frame would've been better suited, just get a longer seat post for the smaller frame. Its a win, win. This way you will save yourself from unnecessary agony and would want to keep the bike for life...
Maxxis tires on the Specialized?????? Specialized makes a better tires, that doesn't seem like a fair comparison without the original equipment on the Specialized bike,
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![[UNCUT]"ทนายตั้ม" แฉยับ! ความลับสวรรค์ ใครคือ "บิ๊กเทวดา" ของบอสพอล l คนดังนั่งเคลียร์ l 15 ต.ค. 67](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ru9fpSaUwdA/mqdefault.jpg)
I bought a 2018 Epic Comp carbon and over the last 2 years upgraded all components to S-Works level. It is insane on the climbs and super fun on singletrack. Even without the upgrades, it was the best bike I've ever had for steep climbs. The Brain system allows for much more grip over the bumps. As a side note, I am a bit of a Specialized fan.
I just got a brand new 2017 S Works epic frame. Cant wait to build it up.
I am not a racer, I have owned both Cannondale and Specialized bikes although not the epic. I am currently in a 2021 Scalpel 2 with the lefty, and I do prefer the lefty. With that said no matter what I ride most people are passing me.
You mean you are slow that scalpel cant help?
Excellent review, Bobby! I’m cross shopping a Scalpel SE 2 against an Epic Evo Comp, which brought me to this great video.
In this case, I’d take the Scalpel. It gives up a hair of aggressiveness in exchange for comfort, which is a physical performance enhancer in the sense that it’s less fatiguing. Call it a wash.
Overall, Cannondale does a phenomenal job of making ‘complete’ bikes that function well holistically (ahem, ‘SI’). Though impossible to objectify, ride quality is the single most-important characteristic to consider-yes, more important than price.
Fun to watch Bobby. I remember sprinting for points next to you in a collegiate crit at Grant’s Tomb!
I have a '19 Scalpel HiMod. What would be the biggest takeaway I would notice going to a '21 or '22
Epic is a great ride. The little clunk never bothered me. I’ve never owned a C-dale but would love to have a go on one. I’m thinking the Epic is probably a bit more efficient to pedal?
From my 2001 Cannondale F2000 ELO (Electronic Lock Out) Lefty, 2010 Cannondale Scalpel Carbon Team Replica, to my current 2015 Cannondale Trigger Carbon 2; All the Lefty's pulled to one side or another severly. Could never ride hands free for even 2 seconds!! Cannondale claimed it should ride just straight but that never happened...so for that reason alone I want to switch to a non-lefty bike! If anyone has a solution, please comment...
Wren
I have a 2019 ultralight epic and I love it
which is the colour of this scalpel?
How long it takes to assemble?
Glad I got out of mountain biking about ten years ago. My first mountain bike was a Cannondale F700 I got new for $1500. Then I got the Scalpel and I believe that was $2500. I could not imagine paying $12000 for a bike today.
I need to hear about the
Orbea Oiz it definitely in the conversation of best xc weapon
Scalpel
How tall are you? I am 186cm, and I am confused if I should go for Epic in XL or L size.
its a lot more than just your height, a lot more! You have to take into account your arms length and your legs length separate from each other. If the upper body length is challenged then you should go with a smaller frame until your upper body is comfortable. smaller frame is better for nimble handling and lower center of gravity anyway. Then if your legs are longer and an lareger frame would've been better suited, just get a longer seat post for the smaller frame. Its a win, win.
This way you will save yourself from unnecessary agony and would want to keep the bike for life...
Please tell me music in intro 0:15min ?
Gotta love a $14,000 bike…
Maxxis tires on the Specialized?????? Specialized makes a better tires, that doesn't seem like a fair comparison without the original equipment on the Specialized bike,
Does the brain shock work flawlessly all the time? Any situations where it locks up when it should open??
@Cape rider. Yes works great and no it doesn’t lock up.
I prefer the manual lockout. I like making my own decisions. Let’s see how ‘the brain’ does in a few years.
@Lt Co. Mines 6 years old and still working like a champ!
What about santa cruz blur? Better then epic or not?
Sworks epic never again i had too much tec problems !! Cannondale scalpel carbon is the best xc bike i have right now
Which Epic did you have? I don't disagree that the Scalpel is an amazing machine, but I'm curious which version of the Epic gave you so much trouble.
26 sworks and 2012 sworks 29
@@30jrpg João, use a garantia. Problemas foram resolvidos. EPIC é muito melhor que Scalpel hj em dia
Lux
How has brain reliability been thus far?
Are there enough of the 2021 Epics out there to know?
I'm only a few hundred hours in, but so far the Brain on my test bike has been flawless -Bobby
Mine actually had an oil leak after first ride but they fixed it with a new shock unit
Handsome
Soft, this guys.
Scalpel