Brakes; Chainrings; Front Derailleur; Chain Height - Cannondale Scalpel Owner's Manual Supplement

Brakes

All Scalpels are built using the International
Standard brake mounts. Use 6" rorotrs only.

Chainrings

Cannondale designed the Scalpel around a
drivetrain that uses a 44-tooth chainring as the
outer ring. Other rings may work but are not
recommended. The use of a 42-tooth chain ring
will complicate the setup of the front derailleur.
Additionally, the use of a 46-tooth chainring may
damage the right chainstay.

Front Derailleur

The front derailleur position on the Scalpel is a
little different than what's customary. The angle
of the cage should be run with the rear slightly
inboard. The height of the front derailleur should
be such that the lower edge of the cage sits 1.5 to
2.0mm above the chainstay. This will prevent any
damage to the chainstay or the front derailleur
during suspension compression. Note that this
may position the front derailleur higher than you
normally might set it.
Scalpel frames are designed with either traditional
bottom brackets or ones fro Hollowgram.
Cranksets are not interchangable between the
two frame types and can not be adapted. See
"sdhgsjhgdjsd" blah in this manual.
See crank set instruction of manu.

Chain Height

In the work stand or on the shop floor, you will
notice that when the chain is in certain gear
ratios, the chain will sag and rest on the chainstay.
When the chain stays are preloaded (the
suspension sagged-in), this distance will change.
With proper air pressure in the rear suspension
and forward pressure on the pedals, the chain will
then run above, not on, the chainstay. As the bike
moves through its travel, the chain will continue
to rise above the chainstay. This movement is
instrumental to the EPO suspension design.
The chain height will not be a concern except
in one gear ratio. When the chain is in the
inner chain ring and small cog (cross-chained)
the chain may rub the chainstay. This is not a
recommended gear ratio due to the unnecessary
stress it puts on a chain. Because the Scalpel is
a high performance race bike, riders should not
cross-chain. To paraphrase one frame engineer:
"You wouldn't drive your Porsche around town at
20 mph in fifth gear—it's inefficient." So too, is
cross-chaining.

Tire Selection

When selecting replacement tires, be sure that
the properly installed and inflated tire does not
contact any part of the swingarm, frame, or fork
and throughout full suspension travel. The U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
requires at least 1/16" (1.6 mm) tire clearance
from any part of the bike. Allowing for lateral rim
flex and for untrue (wobbly) rims will likely mean
choosing a rear tire that provides even more
clearance than the CPSC recommends. Your choice
of a new front tire should be made only after
considering the clearance guidelines contained
in your front suspension fork owner's manual.
If your manual contains no such guidelines, or
if don't have a manual, consider that Rock Shox
requires at least 1/4" (5 mm) clearance between
the tire and the fork crown or bridge when the
fork is completely compressed. Be aware that
completely compressing the fork may involve
removing the spring stack, letting the air out of
the fork, or both.
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