Cannondale: 2018 Range Highlights


We strolled through the 2018 range showing, here are our highlights.

What bikes would you like to see us review? Leave a comment in the Facebook comments below, and we’ll do our best.


Scalpel SE 2, lightweight takes a chill pill.

There are a few more ‘SE’ models in the 2018 Cannondale lineup, SE just means that they’ve taken a regular model and added some extra grunt in the way of spec and suspension travel.

The Scalpel SE shares the same frame as the ultra high-end cross-country race machine, but with a longer travel 120mm fork, an extra 15mm of travel out the back, a dropper post, wider rims, bigger tyres and a wide bar/short stem combo rounds it out.

This Scalpel SE 2 will set you back $5999.

A Scalpel with no Lefty? The 120mm FOX 34 looks way less intimidating and is a great performer on rougher trails.
The Scalpel’s frame is a real masterpiece; its offset tubes look like crazy when you cast an eye over its shape.

So, a more relaxed and trail friendly version of one of the lightest frames around? Sounds pretty sweet, we’re gunning to review this one, for sure.

Check out our review of the amazing Scalpel SI Hi-Mod Team, the 10.5kg, $12000 dream XC race bike here: Scalpel review.


Cannondale Trigger, the mini Jekyll, two travel modes.

In our review of the Jekyll we talked a lot about the Trigger being more suitable for a rider that’s not always hitting aggressive trails flat out, the 145mm travel Trigger uses 27.5″ wheels and is aimed at the trail rider.

The distinct shape of the new Cannondale Trigger.
The large composite linkage drives the FOX Gemini rear shock.
If the Trigger is anywhere as robust as the Jekyll we tested, it’s off to a good start.

The Trigger, like the Jekyll uses the FOX Gemini shock with two ‘Hustle and Flow’ travel modes, toggled with a remote lever on the bars between 145mm and 115mm of travel. A nifty feature for letting you choose how the bike feels depending on the terrain ahead.

Two versions of the Trigger will make it to our shores, the Trigger 2 pictured here for $7999, and the Trigger 3 with a lower spec and Shimano XT drivetrain for $5899.

For our recent video review of the Trigger’s bigger brother, the Jekyll 2, click through here: Cannondale Jekyll Review.


The Moterra, Cannondale’s first E-MTB.

No mixed messages are going on here; the Moterra screams E-BIKE with its bold appearance and wild frame structure. The $7999 Moterra 2 is the first pedal assist mountain bike from Cannondale to make to Australian bike shops, and we’re curious to throw a leg over it, also.

There’s 130mm of travel at both ends, the Monarch rear shock is driven by a nice composite linkage like the Scalpel, Trigger and Jekyll frames and there’s also plenty of space for a water bottle on the frame.

Raaargh! The Moterra is a monster.
130mm of travel front and rear, fairly short travel despite its size.
Bosch’s large display.

The Moterra is said to have a low centre of gravity compared to many other comparable e-bikes with batteries placed higher in the frame, the Moterra’s battery appears to be quite low and central.

Bosch handles the e-bits, and the 27.5″ wheels use wide 40mm rims for the 2.8″ Schwalbe tyres.


Cujo, a great new direction for entry level hardtails.

Plus bikes may have passed their peak, but in the entry level hardtail category they make sense to us. The new Cujo looks brilliant on paper; laid back geometry, plus tyres, dropper post, short stem/wide bars and a beaut frame with nice details throughout.

Cannondale’s new Cujo is a hardtail built for blasting trails, not the race track.
Big rubber for control, comfort and confidence. What most people seek in a Sub $2K hardtail, right?

The Cujo will come in three flavours, starting at $1399 and topping out at the one pictured above, for $1999.

Keep an eye out for a review soon!


Super X SE, gravel roads are the new tarmac.

Maybe we’re just too into mountain biking, but at Flow, we’ve never really been that great at being roadies, though the growing segment of gravel/adventure bikes has us keen to hit the lesser travelled roads for some long days exploring the countryside.

Cross country bike meets road bike on some back country road; the Super X SE is born.
Thru-axles, flat mount disc brakes, tall and laid back cockpit.
No bridge at the rear stays for compliance and tyre clearance.
Cannondale’s Si cranks with the Spidering X-Sync chainring is super hot.

The Super X SE is Cannondale’s cyclocross bike with bigger tyres and a wider gear range. The frame is super minimal, and its disc brakes and single-ring drivetrain makes it blend towards a mountain bike than a road bike in our books, and you can bet we’ve earmarked one for a review!


Habit, no change for 2018, but we still dig it.

In between the Scalpel and Trigger is the Habit, a bike we reviewed last year and loved its engaging and fast trail manners. 27.5″ wheels, 130/120mm travel and a no-fuss simple suspension design will appeal to the all-rounder.

Simplicity rules with the Habit.
Bold colours, cool shapes, the Habit is a rad machine.

Have a look at our review of the Habit from last year here: Tested, Cannondale Habit.

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