Cannondale says XC is dead, teases new XXC mountain bike

Written by Tyler Benedict April 20, 2016

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Cannondale says XC is dead, long live XXC. With cross country courses getting gnarlier and gnarlier, they seem to be planning something capable of tackling the aggressive climbs and rough descents that are pushing. Check their website and you’ll get the chance to sign up for their email list and a date of April 29, 2016. Stay tuned, and check a still after the break…

This is from a short video posted on Cannondale’s Instagram. Stay tuned, we’ll be at the launch of the new bike next week and have the full story here on Bikerumor!

Check out the new bike below!

https://bikerumor.com/2016/04/29/new-cannondale-scalpel-puts-another-x-xc-w-lighter-faster-capable-frame/

Tyler Benedict

10,915 articles

Tyler Benedict is the Founder of Bikerumor.com. He has been writing about the latest bikes, components, and cycling technology for almost two decades. Prior to that, Tyler launched and built multiple sports nutrition brands and consumer goods companies, mostly as an excuse to travel to killer riding locations throughout North America.

Based in North Carolina, Tyler loves finding new travel adventures to share with his family and is always on the lookout for the next shiny new part to make his bikes faster and lighter. And, he’s totally gone down the NFT rabbit hole.

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Gabe

6 years ago

Is this how the plan to introduce a heavier Scalpel frame that won’t crack after 1 season of regular XC use?………….

Klaster_1

6 years ago

Sounds like a trail bike.

Michael

6 years ago

Sounds like Cannondale is just as wrong as the rest. Bring back 80mm front and rear xc bikes.

Fred Vitale

6 years ago

Reply to Michael

Salsa Spearfish?

OneLegDuck

6 years ago

I would say that XC racing is at an all time low… but there is this new category called “Mountain Biking.” It’s a hard tail or low travel fun bike w/ relax geometry 66~68º HT angle… maybe we’ll just call it “Trail.”

Graeme

6 years ago

Finally a successor to the Scalpel…?

anonymous

6 years ago

The real problem is XC racers want front derailers, but front derailers are dead, so they killed of XC and made XXC which is 1x.

Necromancer

6 years ago

Reply to anonymous

Actually most xc racers are using 1x these days, I would think it would be the average joe that wants more gear range because they are less fit.

Dirty Sanchez

6 years ago

Reply to Necromancer

I think you missed anonymous joke there..

Eminem

6 years ago

If I can’t XC and my old Giant XTC with Suntour XCE is X-ing me then I want to XXC.

Antipodean_eleven

6 years ago

(deleted)

Tomi

6 years ago

29plus ?

Manufacturers keep making bike more and more “all mountain” / “trail” capable yet appart from specific enduro races the courses are duller every year and local officials are always trying to ban MTBs from singletracks put them on boring 4×4 gravel roads to separate them from hikes.

In a few years we will have fantastic off roads bikes that we will only be able to use in urban environments or artificial bike parks.

zoschi

6 years ago

Here it is:
http://www.vitalmtb.com/interstitial?page=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vitalmtb.com%2Fforums%2FThe-Hub%2C2%2FThe-Patent-Thread-New-and-Wild-MTB-Inventions%2C8250%3Fpage%3D2

adps

6 years ago

Reply to zoschi

thx!

David

6 years ago

I had to check the date! I guess it’s still April, so that counts.

the_contrarian

6 years ago

Reply to David

Ha! My first thought as well. XXC. Really? This has to be a joke right? Or has S#!T really got this out of control? Then again, maybe it is meant for really angry people (like those of us who fall for click-bait C&@P like this) so that we can go ‘cross’ cross-country riding?

Antoine Martin

6 years ago

Lol and while XXC is developing (according to dale) gravel bike is developing too. One day gravel biker will see the drop-bar thing is just dangerous and useless, and put a simple flat bar on their gravel bike. Then the XC bike will be the new thing (again). You know, light and responsive while being able to tackle the mountain.

Duster13

6 years ago

Reply to Antoine Martin

Nope. Drop bars are about hand positioning that you just can not get with a flat bar. And if you consider them “dangerous” you might as well consider crossing the street dangerous. LOL

Tracy

6 years ago

Reply to Duster13

Crossing the street is dangerous …have you seen who can get a drivers license?

Morgan

6 years ago

Pics here: http://www.mtb-mag.com/en/fontana-riding-the-new-cannondale-scalpel/

Tersicore

6 years ago

(deleted)

don

6 years ago

relaunch of the habit which landed with a big thud

Rapha

6 years ago

Real question… Why is everything dying recently. First FD’s and Now XC bikes. Does anyone share my concerns about this?

kilowatt

6 years ago

Reply to Rapha

It’s the only way the industry can continue to grow. Yay, capitalism!!

Double ZZ

6 years ago

Reply to kilowatt

I just pictured a beard and pom poms. What is wrong with me!!!!!!

Rich Lather

6 years ago

you mean this bike? http://www.mtb-mag.com/en/fontana-riding-the-new-cannondale-scalpel/

Longbeard

6 years ago

This will probably be as successful as that 650b gravel bike they released. I still have yet to see the first one…

Colin M

6 years ago

Well Cannondale isn’t wrong. XC as we knew it is pretty much dead. The new breed of XC incorporate trials, tricks, whips, and skids into their racing. They look at DH, BMX and Enduro as the coolest. I’m enjoying the change. Thank you Nino Schuter for being a huge part of this.

6 years ago

I don’t need to be told how or what to ride. I just built a 3×10 29er, light as hell and I smile big time when I ride it. Call it xc, xxc doesn’t matter, it ain’t dead it is awesome! and the more people are infront of their computers argueing about 1x and xxc the less crowded the trails will be when I’m out there.

spike

6 years ago

Reply to ed

Nevermind, it was probably just a scalpel I saw.

spike

6 years ago

There were photos of this new bike on IG, from the Sea Otter Classic. I can’t find them right now, but I think it was from one of their Australian Pro team riders??