Quiver

2022 Merida NINETY-SIX RC vs 2024 Cannondale Scalpel

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

What changes on the Cannondale Scalpel

Compared with the Merida NINETY-SIX RC in M, the Cannondale Scalpel in S places the top of the head tube 12 mm higher and 28 mm further back, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 6 mm shorter, which can contribute to quicker direction changes.

Frame stack
+12 mm
Higher front end
Frame reach
−28 mm
Shorter frame reach
Wheelbase
−6 mm
Shorter: quicker to change direction
Head angle
−1.9°
Slacker: calmer steering
Chainstays
−1 mm
About the same

The two frames

2022 Merida NINETY-SIX RC (M) and 2024 Cannondale Scalpel (S), lined up at the bottom bracketBoth frames drawn to scale. The Merida NINETY-SIX RC is drawn in full with its measurements, and the Cannondale Scalpel is the colored outline on top.J 1146

Merida NINETY-SIX RC, MCannondale Scalpel, SDrawn to scale and lined up at the bottom bracket.

Geometry side by side

MeasurementMerida NINETY-SIX RC MCannondale Scalpel SDifference
Reach453425−28 mm
Stack585597+12 mm
Head tube angle68.566.6−1.9°
Seat tube angle76.575.5−1.0°
Effective top tube596579−17 mm
Chainstay length435434−1 mm
Wheelbase11461140−6 mm
BB drop4542−3 mm
Standover731736+5 mm
Seat tube length440380−60 mm
Fork length503not listed
Head tube length9590−5 mm
BB heightnot listed334

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

Where each sits in its class

Merida NINETY-SIX RCCannondale Scalpel

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.

PartMerida NINETY-SIX RC5000Cannondale Scalpel1
FrameMerida NINETY-SIX RC CF4 IIICannondale Scalpel
ForkRockShox Reba RLFox Float 34 SC Factory
Rear shockRock SIDluxe Select+Fox Float SL EVOL SV Factory
DerailleurShimano XT M8100 Shadow+SRAM X0 Eagle AXS
CassetteShimano Deore M6100SRAM X0 Eagle
ChainKMC X12SRAM X0
CranksetShimano Deore M6100SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission
Bottom bracketShimano SM-BB52SRAM DUB
TireMaxxis Rekon RaceMaxxis Rekon Race WT, Maxxis Aspen WT
RimMerida EXPERT CCDT Swiss XRC 1501
RotorShimano SM-RT54SRAM HS2
HandlebarMerida EXPERT CCSystemBar
StemMerida TEAM CC IISystemBar
SeatpostMerida EXPERT TR LIGHTFox Transfer SL
Shifternot listedSRAM Pod Controller
Chainringnot listedSRAM X0
Wheelsetnot listedDT Swiss XCR 1501 Spline
Hubnot listedDT Swiss 240
Brakenot listedSRAM Level Stealth Silver
Gripsnot listedCannondale Silicone
Headsetnot listedAcros ICR
Dropper postnot listedFox Transfer SL Performance Elite
Saddlenot listedPrologo Dimension NDR

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