EB14: Break the Bank w/ 2015 Cannondale Black Inc Scalpel, FSi & Trigger Mountain Bikes

Written by Tyler Benedict Sep 05, 2014 4:27 p.m. ET

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By now, we’ve covered the Cannondale Scalpel, FSi and Trigger in great detail. Hit those links for the technical details. What we’re showing here are the flagship models for their 2015 lineup. You know, the kind that top $10,000. Each. I’m thinking of a joke, something like “You’re Broke Black Mountain (Bikes)”…working on it…had something…bah, here’s the pics and prices…

The suspension uses the Rockshox Full Sprint dual hydraulic lockout to control the Monarch rear shock and Lefty fork. It’s just using the lockout on the front, it’s still Cannondale’s own internals for the Lefty.

XTR Di2 mates with SiSL cranks, ENVE 50Fifty wheels on DT Swiss hubs and Schwalbe tires.

A carbon fiber bodied Fabric saddle comes from CSG’s sister brand. The shell’s pretty rigid, but there’s padding. Retail pricing? Oh you’ll have to wait until the bottom of the post for that.

The Scalpel’s cockpit looks very much like the FSi’s:

…except for the dual lockout. Here’s the complete bike:

The Trigger is the dual travel bike that went to 650B wheels for 2014. There’s still a 29er version, but not in a Black Inc model (that we know of).

The ENVE handlebar remains, but the post goes to a Reverb dropper. This one switches from Di2 to mechanical XTR 1×11 with Magura brakes.

It also switches to a WTB saddle, but it’s still very much carbon fiber. OK, are you sitting down? Here’s the prices:

Trigger – $10,830
FSi – $11,370
Scalpel – $11,900

Cannondale.com

Tyler Benedict

11,186 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 family adventure travel and is always on the lookout for the next shiny new part to make his bikes faster and lighter.

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41 Comments

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9 years ago

It’s like everyone is racing to have the highest priced bike. Everyone was floored when Specialized announced a $10,000 Epic. It’s great when companies put zero limitation on components, but I swear the numbers are sometimes superficial. (Try building up an S-Works with the same components and you might actually shave a few hundred).

kenai

9 years ago

Actually, more like spend a couple extra grand….Epic S-Works XTR Di2 = $12,000 🙂
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/epic/sworks-epic-29

steve

9 years ago

so stupid, build up a chinese carbon hard tail w/ high end components for 1/2 the price and have exactly what you want

Jon

9 years ago

What ever happened to the days when a top of the line XTR mountain bike retailed for about $3,000?

CeeJay

9 years ago

@Jon – Were there ever such days?

9 years ago

I believe the Trigger Black is XX1 with Magura stoppers, not XTR.

Lian

9 years ago

So it’s called reference pricing and there’s psychological strategy behind it. From now on, when you see an Fsi or any subsequent super high end bike, you have a figure in your mind about what its worth and how much you pay for it.

It comes down to willingness to pay and relative cost. From now on, if you see an Fsi at 6k, it will feel like a deal and you might pull the trigger.

This same approach works wonders for luxury brands as well, like Gucci, where they have 1 item in the store that’s about 150k. They give that item out to celebrities and it creates this false market in your mind that someone is that opulent. It gives a context to reach for. In actuality, those celebrities (in this case: pros) often don’t pay for those items, but it creates an illusion.

Think back now to the bikes in your LBS that are markdowns from last season. That 2013 tarmac at $2100 dollars doesn’t seem so bad… in reality, it probably cost manufacturers about 1500 to make in 2012, when they “sold” it or gave the illusion that people were “buying” it for upwards of 5k.

Don’t hate the player, hate the game.

Greg

9 years ago

Don’t hate, cuz you can’t afford.

pile-on

9 years ago

It would be much lighter in white.

Limba

9 years ago

Jon – uh, ultra light carbon fiber frames didn’t exist, neither did Enve wheels or the Lefty fork, disc brakes … you’re talking 20 years ago. Those wheels alone cost over 2 grand.

tinsloth

9 years ago

@ steve… yup. build up a chinese carbon hard tail and get exactly what you want…a broken collar bone and carbon shards in your ass when it breaks.

Pancakes

9 years ago

I could totally build up this bike for 5k, and I have a really hot girlfriend, but you haven’t met her, she lives in Canada.

Gillis

9 years ago

The point that the people negatively commenting on the price are missing, is that you can spend a heck of a lot less, still get a decent bike, and have just as much fun with it.

greeng

9 years ago

So I just built up a 2008 fisher superfly that belonged to JHK (still with the subaru decals) that I bought for $240. All parts later (including ghetto 1X10 Wolftooth front and back) I have a 18lbs hardtail for about $850. Is the Cannondale hardtail $9000 faster?

Greeng

9 years ago

Hi Greg – I’m not really “pissed off” at all. Just making an observation. For what it’s worth, I’ve been very fortunate in life – I guess I could buy a $10,000 if I wanted to. I did treat myself to a custom Waterford R33 a few years ago so I appreciate nice bikes, but 10K? Not sure the ROI is there…

9 years ago

The people complaining on here about bike prices are the same ones complaining someone else got the promotion or the job they didn’t get so they now cant and probably never will be able to afford high end anything. Or another option is to get sponsored by a shop and pay half price for these bikes…

Large D

9 years ago

All the complainers-If you can’t afford it don’t buy it. I don’t see a Cannondale Goon Squad forcing people to max out their credit card.

satisFACTORYrider

9 years ago

Only 2 ways at these rigs…you’re rich enough to afford it OR you’re fast enough to be given one by cdale. Neither? Accept your position in the food chain.

jeffle

9 years ago

Picked up my 2015 Scalpel team today. It cost more than six times what my car cost, but is 1000 times more fun! It took me six years of riding sub $2000 bikes to realize what a difference a quality full-suspension makes. You can have plenty of fun on a freebie clunker, but it’s all about performance, it’s the name of the game.

Pete

9 years ago

Weights?

Pabs

9 years ago

Ooohh shut up.
I had the chance to ride a Scalpel Black Inc. last week and yes, it’s as good as it looks.

Sanchez

9 years ago

I suppose there is plenty of people wondering who buys this bikes and how hard they are ridden.
I sell and work on this things every so often. I make sure that the costumer’s demands are met, like installing iphone holders and two front lights on Enve bars, installing rear lights and gel “comfy” saddles on dropper posts, educating them on how to use a valve adapter, replacing TUBES on Roval carbon wheels and reminding them to NOT POWERWASH the bike after a 16 mile ride.
Most of this 9,000+ bikes spend more time being bragged about than being ridden fast, the engineers and designers who try to improve efficiency get mocked by positive degree unslammed stems and top tube bags while us mortals get to look at them online and benefit from “trickle down technology”, improved manufacturing methods and mid range models with XT/ULTEGRA. (We actually win the most)
Sadly (or hilariously) most of the bikes are being bought by fat cats who have the money and the interest, but aren’t fit nor skilled cyclist (and thats OK too), people who truly believe that by riding an S-Whack Epic their Strava time will improve by minutes but have no idea how to set their sag.
Like satisFACTORY said, you either have the wallet or the skills to get them free, either way, companies are going to keep making the overpriced plastic bikes because its good marketing, provides a solid base for future technologies and a few people actually buy them.
Just remember, speed comes from fitness and strong legs, not brand names or aerodynamics.

The point is, have fun on your bike.

ScalpelRider

9 years ago

Built up a Scalpel Carbon recently from a stock Scalpel Carbon Race 2 by swapping all the parts for top of the line carbon parts, brakes and drive train to XTR. Came in at 8.5kg and spent less than 4000€ in total.

Black Inc comes in at 10k and weights around 10kg.

Never understood how manufactures like Spesh or C’dale calculate the prices for their top of the line products.

In my opinion those bikes are only targeting to people who need to ride the most expensive bike for their ego…

Mortimer

9 years ago

@tinsloth

Replaced my cracked carbon Cannondale (Crackandfailed) with a frame from Shenzen China. It weighs 200grams more but ridden the same places and in the same style of ridding it has proven to be more reliable. Yeah Cannondale honored the warranty but the second frame had drop outs out of whack. The Cannondale would have been a keeper had it not been such a hassle (as was the Lefty which had bearing problems). My Chinese carbon frame is at least a reliable stop gap until I decide where to lay down a big wad of cash. I want to like the Scapel but am a bit burnt.

Cugnana

9 years ago

Beautiful bikes. Not the best choice to buy one if like me you change bike every year,but still some d*mn fine machines !!

steve

9 years ago

tinsloth ru serious? where do you think these frames come from? give you hint somewhere in asia. Do you want to pay 6x the amount of money for virtually the same thing to support some companies huge marketing etc expense? I have an sworks stumpy that was 8k a few years ago, sure it’s nice but my 19 carbon hard tail i built myself for 5 0r 6 k blows it away. No there is no way i would give cannondale or spec 12k bucks when i can do it myself for half, (deleted)

Winfield Gibson

9 years ago

I hate to break it to you folks but most of these high end bikes rarely sale for the MSRP. It has been my experience that industry folks eat up most of these rides and do so with substantial discount.

muddy

9 years ago

The scalpel doesn’t look like it has changed much with the exception of Di2, unless I’m missing something? When they bring some of the FSi tech to the Scalpel then I’ll bite. @wgibson, your right, I got my scalpel ultimate for a lot less than msrp and its worth every penny!

Topmounter

9 years ago

@Lian is correct.

These bikes are more about the eye-candy cum aspirational cum trickle-down want aspects than selling $10k+ models in any sort of volume.

That being said, for this kind of money I recommend finding a good local shop that specializes in custom builds and get -exactly- what you need / want.

Chris

9 years ago

Bikes don’t matter, it’s the rider.

Dan

9 years ago

Buy a Ducati monster for 10 grand!

halfwheel

9 years ago

My solution for $10k bikes that I have done on the last 3 bikes:

– Purchase bottom of the line alum frame Scalpel model. Around $1600 complete on sale.
– Then purchase XTR group, carbon wheels (or lightly used). Around $800 for group, $1k for wheels, both on ebay. Maybe upgrade fork? $400-ish
– Strip new bike down to frame, install XTR group and wheels.
– Sell off groupo (+$400-500-ish)

Now you are roughly $3.5k into the bike which is a saving of around $7k. You are missing out on carbon, and less weight, but gain about 80-90% of the performance of a uber priced model.

Trade off is with the savings, you can upgrade your frame several times over the course of the next 10 years for the price of one $10k bike. Upgrading frames has proven to give me nice upgrades over time like tapered HS, thru axle, better cable routing, better geometry, nicer paint jobs, etc.

So in conclusion, if you know your bike, you wont miss out on $10k bikes and view it more of a trade off. Don’t get pissed, get educated about bikes!

Now go ride.

satisFACTORYrider

9 years ago

Legs>bike$

dead

9 years ago

@sanchez

Sometimes Fast people are poor and some time fast people are rich. Sometimes people with money like their hobby as much as someone with less money. Go outside and ride.

Psi Squared

9 years ago

Jeffle said that he bought a bike that cost 6x what his car cost but is 1000x more fun. That sounds exactly like the ROI Jeffle wanted. ROI is a an subjective parameter when it comes to bicycles, so if someone is having fun on what someone else considers to be an overly expensive bike, what’s wrong with that?

To those complaining about bike prices, maybe you need to get off the couch when you buy bike kit, because there are bikes out there priced to fit virtually any budget. Be happier by whining less.

Arvivaz

9 years ago

These are halo bikes. If you have the means and want one, get one. If you can wait, it’ll be less costly next year. Further, the trickle down thing happens and much of the same features will be found on less expensive but relatively heavier models. Or you can build up. I built a full XTR CDale CAAD3 hard tail back in ’96 for 2300. It’s still getting looks and questions, especially from younger riders. I just refreshed it with carbon handlebars and 250 gram platform pedals. It’s less than 22 pounds. Sometimes the value of a bike is in knowing you built a really good ride for the amount of good money you were willing to spend. And that ultimately is priceless.

Generalcuz

9 years ago

Who buys these bikes? Plenty of people. I have owned 4 flash 29ers through the years, a couple scalpels, and a rush. Never this pricey but there is definitely a market. I got tired of upgrading, bought a hand built 22 lb steel hardtail, and never looked back. That’s just me though and it isn’t for everyone.

Props for Cannondale slinging these bikes. In the high priced, pro level arms race, I give them credit.

ASH

9 years ago

Scalpel is old frame and Lefty. I be disappointed.

Mike

9 years ago

I just bought one, and it’s on order, hopefully it will be here around January. Paid cash, no credit card, no debt waited a couple of years too. I waited because Chris King hubs are now standard on front( CC say’s should be available oct 31st) & Rear, also I have 10 other bikes, downhill, XC, hard tail etc, enjoy all my bikes, oh and I ride every weekend and after my rides I get ready for the next day and perform maintenance on my bikes in rotation. I work full time 60-70 hours a week but I’m blessed enough to make stupid $ so I spend it on bikes and enjoy my time off. Sorry if you can’t, it’s just a bike… it’s just something to enjoy, everyone in life has something. See YA out there on the trail… Maybe (-:

Vinnie

8 years ago

i just got mine, had to wait about 2 months but well worth the wait. By far the fastest mountain bike I’ve ever owned and i’ve owned a lot of bikes over the past 1 Try building one with all the specked out parts and it will cost you a lot more. If you can afford it go for it, you will not be disappointed.

dennis b

8 years ago

Everything is relative. just ordered a ’16 FSi-1 Alloy – list price is $2300. I paid just about that for my 1st MTB – a ’92 Giant CFM-1 with XTR. They are both swell rides, and I’ll bet the Cannondale gives me just as much fun. Here’s budget build I raced this year, started with a ’13 Cannondale Trail SL3 SS, swapped in X-7 and a pair of Velocity Blunt SS with 2.35 Ralphs, great fun to ride full rigid, not so much fun to race it The FSi-1 will be a beter race bike for this 71 year old. C-ya