The mountain bike industry has exploded in the last decade. Millions are realizing what cyclists have always known: that there is no better outdoor sport than mountain biking. It may leave you wondering which bike is best for you. If you are faced with choosing between two good brands like Scott or Cannondale, you will need a full comparison to make the best choice.
Scott mountain bikes are high-performance bikes built to last, and are known to be:
- stiff
- light
- aerodynamic
Cannondale bikes are innovative, and are best known for:
- creative
- unique
- proprietary designs
- their design of the ‘Lefty’ single-sided fork
When you choose between a Scott bike or a Cannondale, there are several factors to consider. Knowing which factors will give you the best ride possible is the difference between a great ride and a mediocre one.
Give serious thought and research to this decision as a Scott bike and Cannondale bike will give a very different ride experience for bikes at the same price point. Read this Scott bike vs. Cannondale comparison before making your decision!
Scott Bike Vs. Cannondale: Which Is Best?
Don’t believe the commentators who say choosing a bike is a matter of preference. How a bike is manufactured and its design and build influence how it rides. When these factors are put together, you can make an objective decision.
Overall, Scott bikes do well on more technical trail rides. Scott bikes are slacker and usually designed with a shorter back end, making them more agile. Many riders appreciate its ability to handle a trail well.
Usually, a Cannondale bike is steeper and longer and will gain more speed on a single-track ride. This gives a more familiar feel when switching between road riding and mountain biking and gives a rider more confidence.
However, one thing to note with a Cannondale is that proprietary front hub and rear wheel spacing will restrict you to using only Cannondale-specific wheels on the bike. This can be expensive, especially if you already have wheels from other brands or would prefer the freedom of choosing your wheel.
Use this table for a comparison overview when deciding which bike is best for you:
| Feature | Scott | Cannondale |
|---|---|---|
| Frame material | All-aluminum, and all-carbon-fiber | Aluminum-carbon, all-aluminum, and all-carbon-fiber |
| Frame Stiffness | EvoLap Technology | SAVE micro-suspension |
| Frame shape | Shorter back end, slacker | Steeper and longer, less slack |
| Forks | Twin RockShox | ‘Lefty’ fork |
| Wheel Size | 29” | 29” & 27.5” |
| Component parts | Model specific | Model specific |
Frame Design And Build
Scott bikes are commonly built with carbon frames. Scott uses a method they call EvoLap technology which they claim makes the frame more compliant in some areas where extra give is needed, and other parts of the frame stiffer. This is intended to make for a more comfortable ride.
Scott bikes claim a very lightweight build, and have been quoted saying at least one of their frames is:
“Lightweight, stiff… fast”
“One of the world’s lightest carbon frames.”
As noted, the shorter tail end will also give Scott bikes a more responsive feel and give the extra agility needed on technical tracks or technical sections of a trail ride.
By comparison, Cannondale produces bikes that are:
- aluminum-carbon
- all-aluminum
- all-carbon-fiber
Cannondale uses what they call SAVE micro-suspension in the seat tube and rear triangle to create ‘flex zones’ for a smooth ride.
Lefty Fork On A Cannondale Vs. Twin Forks On A Scott
The ‘Lefty’ fork was introduced on Cannondale bikes in 2000. It is a fork that is:
- single-sided
- double-crown
- front-suspension
The single stanchion and slider are on the left, where it holds the wheel and disk brakes. This unique piece of engineering makes a Cannondale bike immediately identifiable.
The weight reduction because of the fork system is significant. Many riders agree that the feel and responsiveness of the single shock absorber are preferable to a double shock absorber.
Scott uses premium and reliable RockShox double shock absorbers. RockShox is reliable and gives a more responsive and comfortable ride.
If it is unique design and weight saving you are after, a Cannondale bike with a ‘Lefty’ fork will be a good bike for you. If you prefer a reliable and tough front suspension in the form of RockShox, then the Scott range of bikes is better for you.
This is the only time preference may influence your decision, as many riders are impressed with the design and look of a one-sided shock absorber.
History Of Scott And Cannondale
Cannondale was founded in 1971 and has brought many innovations and trends to mountain bike engineering over the years. Known for their distinctive ‘Lefty’ fork system and were one of the first manufacturers to introduce a full suspension bike.
Cannondale sponsors racing teams and athletes. Some of their design ideas come from the teams and riders themselves, helping the company to be innovative and inspire riders.
Scott Sports has been around since 1958 and started manufacturing bicycles later in its history. Their mountain bikes range from:
- lower budget
- full cross-country
- enduro
- downhill race bikes
Currently, Scott mountain bikes come standard with 29″ wheels, but many models are also designed to fit 27.5″ wheels.
Conclusion
Deciding between a Scott bike and a Cannondale is not a matter of preference but a calculated and informed decision based on what works best for you and your riding style.
Consider a Scott bike if your riding style prefers a bike that is:
- high-performance
- agile
- stiff
- light
If your riding style prefers a bike that will gain more speed on the open areas of the trail or you would like an easy transition from a road bike to a mountain bike, then you should consider a Cannondale bike.
The only time preference may influence your decision is if you prefer the look of a single-sided ‘Lefty’ shock absorber on the Cannondale bike.
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