Quiver

2021 Specialized Epic vs 2022 Cannondale Scalpel Carbon

The Cannondale Scalpel Carbon size closest to your M is the M. Compare the M instead

What changes on the Cannondale Scalpel Carbon

Compared with the Specialized Epic in M, the Cannondale Scalpel Carbon in S places the top of the head tube 9 mm lower and 30 mm further back, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 20 mm shorter, which can contribute to quicker direction changes.

Frame stack
−9 mm
Lower front end
Frame reach
−30 mm
Shorter frame reach
Wheelbase
−20 mm
Shorter: quicker to change direction
Head angle
+0.5°
Steeper: sharper steering
Chainstays
+3 mm
Longer: more planted

The two frames

2021 Specialized Epic (M) and 2022 Cannondale Scalpel Carbon (S), lined up at the bottom bracketBoth frames drawn to scale. The Specialized Epic is drawn in full with its measurements, and the Cannondale Scalpel Carbon is the colored outline on top.J 1148

Specialized Epic, MCannondale Scalpel Carbon, SDrawn to scale and lined up at the bottom bracket.

Geometry side by side

MeasurementSpecialized Epic MCannondale Scalpel Carbon SDifference
Reach445mm415−30 mm
Stack591mm582−9 mm
Head tube angle67.5°68+0.5°
Seat tube angle75.5°74.5−1.0°
Chainstay length433mm436+3 mm
Wheelbase1148mm1128−20 mm
BB drop48mm40−8 mm
BB height324mm331+7 mm
Standover766mm743−23 mm
Seat tube length430mm430±0 mm
Fork length505mmnot listed
Head tube length100mm95−5 mm
Effective top tubenot listed576
Actual top tubenot listed531

Differences are the Cannondale Scalpel Carbon minus the Specialized Epic. Full charts: 2021 Specialized Epic, 2022 Cannondale Scalpel Carbon.

Where each sits in its class

Specialized EpicCannondale Scalpel Carbon

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.

PartSpecialized EpicS-WorksCannondale Scalpel CarbonCarbon 2
ForkRockShox SID SL BRAINLefty Ocho
Rear shockRockShox BRAINFox Float DPS EVOL Performance Elite
ShifterSRAM AXS Eagle ControllerShimano XT
DerailleurSRAM XX1 Eagle AXSShimano XT
CassetteSRAM XX1 EagleShimano XT
ChainSRAM XX1 EagleShimano XT
CranksetQuarq XX1 Eagle Power MeterHollowGram
Bottom bracketSRAM DUBCannondale PressFit30
WheelsetRoval Control SLnot listed
TireSpecialized Fast Traknot listed
BrakeSRAM UltimateShimano XT
SaddleSpecialized S-Works PowerPrologo Dimension NDR
Framenot listedCannondale Scalpel
Pedalsnot listedNot
Rimnot listedHollowGram 25
Gripsnot listedESI Chunky Silicone

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