Quiver

2022 Cannondale Scalpel Carbon vs 2024 Merida NINETY-SIX

The Merida NINETY-SIX size closest to your M is the XSHORT. Compare the XSHORT instead

What changes on the Merida NINETY-SIX

Compared with the Cannondale Scalpel Carbon in M, the Merida NINETY-SIX in SHORT places the top of the head tube 10 mm higher and 20 mm further forward, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 20 mm longer, which can contribute to stability at speed.

Frame stack
+10 mm
Higher front end
Frame reach
+20 mm
Longer frame reach
Wheelbase
+20 mm
Longer: steadier at speed
Head angle
−1.0°
Slacker: calmer steering
Chainstays
−1 mm
About the same

The two frames

2022 Cannondale Scalpel Carbon (M) and 2024 Merida NINETY-SIX (SHORT), lined up at the bottom bracketBoth frames drawn to scale. The Cannondale Scalpel Carbon is drawn in full with its measurements, and the Merida NINETY-SIX is the colored outline on top.J 1151

Cannondale Scalpel Carbon, MMerida NINETY-SIX, SHORTDrawn to scale and lined up at the bottom bracket.

Geometry side by side

MeasurementCannondale Scalpel Carbon MMerida NINETY-SIX SHORTDifference
Reach435455+20 mm
Stack591601+10 mm
Head tube angle6867−1.0°
Seat tube angle74.579.5+5.0°
Effective top tube599not listed
Actual top tube553not listed
Chainstay length436435−1 mm
Wheelbase11511171+20 mm
BB drop4047+7 mm
BB height331not listed
Standover745743−2 mm
Seat tube length440410−30 mm
Head tube length105100−5 mm
Fork lengthnot listed520

Differences are the Merida NINETY-SIX minus the Cannondale Scalpel Carbon. Full charts: 2022 Cannondale Scalpel Carbon, 2024 Merida NINETY-SIX.

Where each sits in its class

Cannondale Scalpel CarbonMerida NINETY-SIX

AggressivePositionUpright
CalmSteeringQuick
PlayfulBalancePlanted

Each bike is ranked against the other XC bikes on Quiver, on frame geometry alone. Not your hand position or ride feel.

What each ships with

The stock build of each bike's first listed trim. Parts that match are dimmed.

PartCannondale Scalpel CarbonCarbon 2Merida NINETY-SIX
FrameCannondale Scalpelnot listed
ForkLefty Ochonot listed
Rear shockFox Float DPS EVOL Performance Elitenot listed
ShifterShimano XTnot listed
DerailleurShimano XTnot listed
CassetteShimano XTnot listed
ChainShimano XTnot listed
CranksetHollowGramnot listed
Bottom bracketCannondale PressFit30not listed
PedalsNotnot listed
RimHollowGram 25not listed
BrakeShimano XTnot listed
GripsESI Chunky Siliconenot listed
SaddlePrologo Dimension NDRnot listed

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