2014 Cannondale Scapel 3 “Lefty”

[chewbacca88]

Looking for suggestions on how I can modify the bike to make it more comfortable and allow me to sit more upright
I suspect that the LBS that sold this to me, actually sold me a bike larger than recommended
I am now unable to buy a new Stem because Cannondale uses its proprietary 39.8mm and no one has one in stock that will allow me to shorten the stem.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I feel that if I can shorten the stem and fit a 80 or 90mm stem, that will stop me leaning too far forward and reduce aggravation to my shoulders
Thanks

[trailgumby]

Looking for suggestions on how I can modify the bike to make it more comfortable and allow me to sit more upright
I suspect that the LBS that sold this to me, actually sold me a bike larger than recommended
I am now unable to buy a new Stem because Cannondale uses its proprietary 39.8mm and no one has one in stock that will allow me to shorten the stem.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I feel that if I can shorten the stem and fit a 80 or 90mm stem, that will stop me leaning too far forward and reduce aggravation to my shoulders
Thanks

I had the 2013 edition. Loved the bike and was devastated when I broke the seat stay thanks to a stick that flew up into the back wheel. I now have the 2021 edition.

I'd suggest having a chat to Aido at Cyclinic, as they sell Cannondale Lefty parts and accessories. Not sure if you're aware, but the OPI stem was subject to a recall, requiring a wedge to be fitted to stop the internal threading from coming loose. I pulled it out of mine before sending it back to the insurer - you can have it if you like.

There are also other stem and steerer tube options that might be feasible, but I think you will be limited to either 90 or 100mm so that you don't hit the top of the "fork" with your bars. Aido will be able to advise.

Other options to consider:
Move the saddle closer to the bars. This improves your pedalling power over the stock position in any case. You can do this by:
* zero-setback seatpost
* move the saddle forward
* both

I did this on mine in consultation with a fitter to improve my bike fit, and it worked brilliantly - the most comfortable the bike had ever been. And then 3 weeks later I broke it.

At the other end, you could perhaps leave your stem as-is and consider bars with more sweep, and if your hands are getting sore, more rise. With the head of the fork being close to the stem, depending on how much room you have, it may pay you to leave the existing stem and go this option instead anyway, as it will potentially move your physical contact point (your hands) to the rear more than a stem change.

Overall, though, I think you would be better seeing a fitter. You can't see yourself on the bike, which makes it really hard to get right if you are having pain issues. Bike fit is like a spiderweb - pull on one thread and it affects everything else.

Does that all make sense? PM me if you want the wedge.

[chewbacca88]

Thanks for your very informative response. No I wasn’t aware of the recall. Is it too late to contact a dealer to get this sorted?

[trailgumby]

Thanks for your very informative response. No I wasn’t aware of the recall. Is it too late to contact a dealer to get this sorted?

You could ask, nothing to lose from doing that. The fix just involved fitting the part I now have spare (the wedge) to expand the steerer tube from the inside and lock the threads. What may complicate matters is the distributor changed a few years ago and I'm not sure of the timing of that vs the recall, so you may not be able to get the part from the current distributor.

Details here with pix: https://bikerumor.com/cannondale-issues ... opi-stems/

Official details about 2/3rds of the way down the page here: https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/safety-and-recalls

Let me know how you go.

[chewbacca88]

UPDATE Dec 2021

No one makes a 1 9/16 stem anymore and havent done so for a long time now. Cant even buy one overseas so I guess Im stuck with what I have - short of selling the bike

[MichaelB]

UPDATE Dec 2021

No one makes a 1 9/16 stem anymore and havent done so for a long time now. Cant even buy one overseas so I guess Im stuck with what I have - short of selling the bike

Have you tried eBay or even Cyclinic in QLD ?

Plenty on eBay

[trailgumby]

UPDATE Dec 2021

No one makes a 1 9/16 stem anymore and havent done so for a long time now. Cant even buy one overseas so I guess Im stuck with what I have - short of selling the bike

Have you tried eBay or even Cyclinic in QLD ?

Plenty on eBay

Indeed. Here you go: https://cyclinic.com.au/collections/stems