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Bikes of the Cape Epic: Cherie Redecker’s Cannondale Scalpel

October 22, 2021
By Myles Kelsey

On the start line of today’s stage we nabbed South African professional rider Cherie Redecker’s Cannondale Scalpel to get the lowdown on her setup.

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — Cherie is 1.63m tall and rides a size Medium Scalpel Hi-MOD 1 frame with some changes to the build kit.

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — The Scalpel is a 100mm travel race bike that uses Cannondale’s buttery Lefty fork. Cherie runs 65psi in the Lefty and sets her rebound at 11 clicks from fully open.

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — Cherie recently returned to SA from the World Cup circuit and felt the time between the last XC race at SA Champs and the Cape Epic was relatively short, so she never made any changes to her setup.

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — Cherie runs a RockShox SID rear shock set to 130psi with the rebound 7 clicks from fully open and has a tube taped to the top tube.

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — The stem length is 50mm. Cherie Redecker’s inspirational messages on her number board are authored by skills coach and marathon guru Lance Stephenson.

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — SRAM AXS wireless electronic controller with foam grips and a 710mm bar width.

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — Locked and loaded.

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — RockShox Twistlock front and rear suspension lockout with SRAM Level Ultimate brakes. The insulation tape prevents the cables from rattling and also houses a Powerlink for trailside chain repairs.

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — SRAM 160mm rotors front and rear.

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — The Lefty Ocho has a neat stanchion guard the rotors are starting to show signs of a big season and some Alpine descents.

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — The Scalpel frame has no pivot on the chainstay – the chainstays taper to a flat section that is designed to flex as a pivot would.

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — It’s a full SRAM XX1 AXS drivetrain – 34T chainring with Quarq power meter, carbon cranks and a 10-52t cassette.

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — Shimano XTR pedals.

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — Looks like a newish chain but the cassette has done some climbing.

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — Super clean water bottles! Hygiene is very important for pro athletes who are busting down their immune systems on a daily basis.

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — Cannondale’s Hollowgram Superlight High Impact carbon wheelset with an inner diameter of 25mm.

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — Maxxis Rekon 2.25 front tyre with 17psi….

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — .. and an Aspen 2.25 rear with 18psi.

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — #AllOutSpeed

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — RockShox Reverb AXS dropper.

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — Prologo saddle.

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — Cherie (Rider60-2) embraces her race partner Adelheid Morath on the finish line of the third stage of the Cape Epic.

cape epic bike check cherie redecker cannondale scalpel — Cherie and Adelheid are currently placed 5th in the GC. Enjoy the last two stages Cherie!

| IMAGES: Gary Perkin and Tania Rossouw |

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