Not the lightest option out there, which could be a deciding factor for race-oriented riders. For more than two months, we’ve been testing a top-spec Topstone Carbon … Similar to the Topstone 105, the Diverge Comp E5 features Shimano’s 2 x 11 105 drivetrain, comfortable geometry, and mounts for racks and fenders. In the end, we think the $249-cheaper Topstone is the superior all-rounder. 2×12 drivetrain that Cannondale put on the top of the line Topstone Carbon is on the opposite side of this spectrum. First and foremost, the Topstone 105 features a longer wheelbase and slacker head tube angle than a traditional road bike, which make it more stable at high speeds and when traveling over rough terrain—an especially important consideration for riding gravel roads or even commuting with a heavy load. Shimano 105 Hydraulic Disc Brakes Topstone Carbon – Cannondale’s all new gravel bike review; 2. Both are solid values, but the Topstone strikes us as the better buy. There are three obvious trade-offs with the Topstone Neo. Read my review to find out why. But then there is also the new 2021 Lefty variant that promises even more comfort (not only because of the Lefty front suspension but also because of the 650b wheels and wider, 47 mm tires). Below we break down the Topstone 105’s off-road and on-road performance, key features, components and specs, and other versions in the line. Its solid platform delivers power to the pedals, strong construction keeps your feet protected, and secure fit... Peru has always peaked our interest, with towering whitewashed mountains, the Amazon rainforest, and more ancient history than we Canadians know what to do with. Cannondale Topstone Carbon after the launch of the 2021 Lefty variant for many may seem like a bike that is no longer that attractive. After my testing and measurements, I can tell you that Topstone with SAVE handlebar is supremely comfortable in terms of the front of the bike. Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 Gravel Bike 2021. The smaller 650B size, whether on road or mountain bike, usually feels squirrelly under me. Designed mainly for off-road use, the tread blocks emit a slight hum down the road, and the tires’ soft side knobs did little to inspire confidence on high-speed turns. I am happy to report that my review unit stayed completely noise-free during my testing but still, I would consider a press-fit bottom bracket a potential issue on any, not only on Cannondale Topstone bike. Supple and knobby WTB tires work well over a variety of terrain. There... At $1,750, we consider the Topstone 105 one of the best values on the market. Finally, the brakes feature an easy-to-use reach-adjust feature, which allows users to customize the distance between the lever and the handlebar and ensures a proper fit. Cannondale Topstone. Clipless Pedals and other … It works beautifully on the road and makes you ride as fast as you want and not as fast as the bikes force you to go. This is because Topstone has a very short, road like short chainstays (415 mm). Cannondale Synapse Disadvantages. Or, at least, inefficient. It’s worth noting that differences of a few millimeters might not seem like a huge deal, but these variations can have a major impact on ride characteristics and performance. And for that, you need a wider gear range. by James Huang. Skip that extra bit of carbon instead. And again, it was well-equipped for the job. The SAVE handlebarYes, I have read a lot of reviews of Topstone Carbon prior to my own time with this bike and many of them stated that front of this bike is much less comfortable than the rear. Frame No other flexing solution (maybe apart from GT Grade carbon) offers this kind of combination of benefits. First, it’s not light. While it was trickier than usual to find real downsides from this bike to bring to this review, we actually found two that you need to know about: Lack of Color. Cannondale’s Topstone 105 is a competitively priced and extremely versatile gravel bike.In the same category, Trek’s Checkpoint ALR 4 ticks many of the same boxes. Visit full review… Sporting high-volume and grippy tires, a relatively relaxed geometry, and hydraulic disc brakes, the Cannondale Topstone 105 shines off road. Cannondale Topstone Carbon Ultegra RX ride impressions On longer rides, the Topstone showed its mettle on the tarmac, it’s a bike that feels fast, powerful and superbly composed, stable … Additionally, the Diverge Comp E5 features a unique front suspension design that delivers about 20 millimeters of travel, which is just enough to take the edge off big hits. But at the same time, climbing with this drivetrain is much harder than I would like it to be. If your mountain biking gear budget has been stretched thin and you’re tempted to skimp on the helmet, don’t. The Cannondale Topstone’s Shimano 105 drivetrain is a standout feature of the bike, and I’m happy to report that it never missed a beat. Road; MTB; Home / Cannondale 2021 Scalpel Carbon 2 - Slate; Product was successfully added to your shopping cart. Bicycle mail order specialists. While not particularly quick, the bike was easy to maneuver in traffic and along city streets, and its riding position was quite comfortable. In fact, I found it was an ideal match for the gravel roads around the Pacific Northwest. For this review, I tested Cannondale’s middle-of-the-road Topstone 105 ($1,750), which features an aluminum frame and carbon fork, Shimano 105 drivetrain and brakes, and tubeless-ready WTB tires and wheels. The Cannondale … The New Cannondale Topstone Carbon Gravelbike Review. From my experience, I can tell you that this top of the range Topstone offers the best stock level of overall comfort (front and rear combined). Securely attaching to the receiver hitch of your vehicle, they offer unmatched versatility and ease of use. Why limit your exploration to roads and highways, when the Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 Gravel Bike can open up trails, towpaths and singletrack to your adventures? Further, the fender mounts are a great match for wet-weather commutes, and the bike’s rack compatibility works well for those who use traditional panniers. I was similarly excited that Cannondale chose to stick with 105 brakes for stopping duties. I had been researching my first gravel bike purchase for over six months and had settled on the Topstone carbon. While gravel bikes might look quite similar to standard road models, they differ significantly in terms of geometry. Shimano’s 105 drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes perform well and offer great bang for your buck. Geometry Another important thing to note is that the Riddlers are extremely easy to set up tubeless, and I've never had issues with losing air. Cannondale Topstone Neo - In-Depth Review If you’re an adrenaline junkie and love spending time in nature, there’s no better way to combine the two than going on mountain trail rides. I like short chainstay (I really enjoyed the previous generation of Specialized Diverge with 421 mm chainstay because it translated into a very quick, fast accelerating bike). In summary, Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 is a superb bike. For starters, both bikes feature sturdy aluminum frames and carbon … And while I miss the tan sidewall WTB Nanos that adorned the 2019 model, I think the more well-rounded Riddlers are the better choice overall. In essence, they are more capable than road bikes yet more efficient than mountain... Mountain bikes have come a long way in recent years, with trends like 29-inch wheels—and more recently, 27.5-inch wheels—blazing the trail for bikes that are better and more... Salsa Cycles’ adventure-by-bike ethos permeates each and every model in their lineup, and the gravel-focused Journeyman is no exception. To see how it stacks up, see our article on the best gravel bikes. Released last year, the mid-range Topstone 105 features a sturdy aluminum frame and carbon fork, Shimano 105 drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes, and multiple mounting locations—all for a very reasonable $1,750. Yet it costs a lot and you get a too much road-oriented 2×12 drivetrain. Most notably, Specialized spec’d the Diverge Comp E5 with smooth and fast-rolling 35-millimeter tires, which are better suited for road rides than gravel surfaces (the Topstone has slightly beefier 37mm tires). In the same category, Trek’s Checkpoint ALR 4 ticks many of the same boxes. Cannondale Topstone Carbon long-term review: A superb ride, a few quirks. Cannondale Topstone Ultegra RX 2 review Rather than singling out one area of expertise, the Cannondale Topstone has the ability to adapt to any situation - trails, gravel and pavement dashing … However, we think the 105 model reviewed here hits the sweet spot between price and features, but all Topstones are impressive nevertheless. If gearing isn’t easy enough, you’ll end up walking your bike up steep climbs; if it’s not hard enough, you could spin out on the way down. On the one hand, you have the last year’s top of the range model that I tested, which offers a great and nicely balanced front and rear comfort. While we like this addition, it does add complexity and cost to the build. It uses a standard 1-1/8 to 1-1/2 inch tapered steerer, and if you like its look, you can buy the carbon version in the aftermarket for $1,500 and upgrade your existing Topstone Carbon. However, the Trek’s 2 x 10 Shimano Tiagra groupset falls short of the Topstone’s 2 x 11 Shimano 105 drivetrain in both performance and range, although the Cannondale does see a $150 price increase over the Trek. … To my pleasant surprise, Cannondale released the 2021 edition "Lefty" in the same week I had my purchase planned. In the end, I recommend taking a very close look at the geometry chart before buying. For starters, both bikes feature sturdy aluminum frames and carbon forks, generous clearance for high-volume tires, tubeless-ready wheels, mounts for fenders and racks, and hydraulic disc brakes. It looked really interesting not only because of the simplicity of the whole approach but also because Cannondale was saying that combined with carbon SAVE seatpost, KingPing offers around 30 mm of suspension. Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon 2 is a fantastic bike for riders who plan to tackle hardpacked gravel and paved roads on a fast and capable Class 3 e-bike. Topstone Carbon Lefty comes with 650 x 47c tires for even more off-road ability and on-road comfort. Named after the Cannondale team's favourite dirt road loop, the Topstone is a range of all-out gravel bikes.Featuring big tyre clearance, a confident rider position and sporty … Unfortunately, Cannondale did not upgrade the 2021 models to have this drivetrain so you are still forced to buy lasts year variant. Why? The asymmetrical AI concept that was needed for making enough tire clearance with so short chainstay means that the entire drivetrain is shifted by 6 mm outward. I’ve always had an affinity for Cannondale’s drop-bar bikes, so I was very excited when I heard about the release of the gravel-focused Topstone 105. If you like the Topstone but want improved on-road performance, the Specialized Diverge Comp E5 could be a good match. Page 1 of 2Topstone Carbon – Cannondale’s all new gravel bike review. Fortunately, SRAM addressed that issue by introducing this year a wider range of 2×12 drivetrain. 1. To have this handlebar you also have to buy a unique stem and combination of those two parts costs a lot. Of course, if you ride mostly on road, this will be no issue at all (on contrary, it will be a nice advantage), but Cannondale Topstone Carbon is much more than only a fast road bike so it would be a real pity not to explore gravel and forest routes with it. From my experience, they provide reliable traction while cornering on loose gravel, their supple casing does a great job of smoothing out bumps, and they roll well enough for some mixed pavement use. I think Cannondale had to make this bike that way because, even though the frame is quite long, I still managed a few times to lift the front wheel when accelerating or climbing hard (for sure lowering the handlebar helps because it shifts the weight more to the front but rather long head tube length can limit your lowering possibilities). To find out more about how this bike performed in my comfort measuring tests just read this gravel bikes field test introductory article. If you’re in the market for more of a race-oriented model, we really like Giant’s Revolt Advanced 2. After much back and forth, I decided to stick with a medium for consistency and to accurately compare the Topstone with other models I’ve tested. The most off-road capable and on-road comfortable road bike ever made!. This bike will not surprise you by any understeer or twitchiness. Many of my rides involve stretches of both road and gravel, so I was able to get a good feel for how the Topstone handles on pavement. Get From REI Cannondale … At tredz.co.uk you can purchase Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon 2 2021 - Electric Road Bike for only £5,499.99 The lowest price of Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon 2 2021 - Electric Road Bike was … If you’re on a stricter budget, Cannondale also offers a Shimano Sora-equipped version called the Topstone Sora which costs $1,250 but sees a notable downgrade in both the drivetrain and brakes. Otherwise, we’d stick with the less expensive Cannondale. And this brings me nicely to the next bit of my review…. I have not ridden Topstone with Lefty yet, but I can assure you that last … (Cannondale offers two lower price point options as well: the $6,500 Neo Carbon 2 … Cannondale's Topstone range has been extremely popular largely due to Cannondale's fearless … Really a lot. Press-fit bottom bracketIn many reviews I have read there was a mention of bottom bracket making cracking noises. We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. It’s true, mountain bike helmet prices are creeping up... Sweden-based Thule is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of car racks and bike accessories, and the T2 Pro XT is their top hitch-mounted offering. But even, if it turns out to be supremely comfortable, I would still have an issue with 650b wheels and 1x drivetrain that Cannondale is pushing with those Lefty variants. Topstone Carbon is an unprecedented gravel bike featuring a revolutionary, ... Cannondale 2, 6061 Alloy, 31.8, 7° Extra. Topstone is Cannondale’s mid-range selection of aluminum and carbon … Please review our cookie policy to learn more or to … I would certainly want to test it before making a final decision. All said, there are currently seven models to choose from, all of which offer an impressive value and ride. High-quality aluminum frame and carbon fork deliver a surprisingly smooth ride. The universally great reviews … Not really, but this is something to be considered before buying this bike. THE 2021 Cannondale Topstone 1 WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: 2021 Cannondale Topstone 1: 2021 Cannondale Topstone 1 Fully Assembled, Checked & Fine Tuned. If you’re searching for the best way to transport bikes, hitch-mounted bike racks are the way to go. They were also easy to fine tune and were an absolute breeze to set up during the initial build. Cannondale have taken the electric gravel bike to a whole new level with their 2021 Topstone range, including two versions with their iconic lefty fork. My point is that I think that we should have more carbon bikes with threaded bottom brackets and my experience with my titanium Enigma Escape is only making my belief stronger and stronger (but more on the Enigma Escape frame stiffness and power efficacy in the upcoming review of this bike). An evolution of the flagship T2 Classic, this is a fully-featured rack with... For many mountain bikers, understanding the background, history, and ethos of a company has a major impact on the purchase of a new rig. This simply means that both front and the rear wheel have to be specially dished to keep them in the centerline of the bike and you will not be able to simply swap the wheels from other bikes. Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 (2021) $ 6,499.00. available for orders up to $ 2,000.00 Learn More. I have not ridden Topstone with Lefty yet, but I can assure you that last year’s top of the range Cannondale Topstone Carbon is a very good bike that you should still very much consider when choosing a gravel bike. Yet, this can’t be easily done on Topstone carbon because the tire clearance is limited to 700x40c tires. The Competition. With that said, I found the Topstone’s Shimano 105 2 x 11 drivetrain to be a perfect match for my local mountainous terrain. My $9,000 build is 43 pounds, without water, bike bags or other accessories. That said, we think the Topstone 105 is well worth the additional $151. It has thirty millimetres of bumpsmoothening suspension… I f you want to be faster than your friends without hurting your ass, this might be the perfect bike for you. The $2,450 Giant is certainly harder on the wallet than the $1,750 Cannondale, but it’s difficult to argue with the bike’s carbon frame and race-oriented build. Another important component of off-road performance is gear range. Extra 1. I spent four months testing the 2019 version around the Pacific Northwest and was consistently impressed by the bike’s off-road capabilities, smartly spec’d build, and overall versatility (the 2020 model differs slightly in tire choice and color). Bearing in mind, that it uses a rear-end suspension, I think that the result is very good and acceleration on this bike is very satisfying. It is fast and comfortable in any (reasonable for a gravel bike) situation. All told, if you’re more focused on speed than versatility, we think it’s worth the added cost. Check out the brand new 2021 Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 at Contender Bicycles. With its well-executed cable routing, subdued colorway and graphics, and clean-looking lines, I’m happy to report that it lived up to my high expectations. Was there a difference in feeling when pedaling? And how about the improved traction? Would I buy it?I think I would, but Cannondale is not making the choice easy right now. Fortunately, a carbon HollowGram wheels (with 22 mm rim depth and 25 mm inner width worked nicely so I would not easily swap them for other sets). Although they perform well off-road, the Topstone’s aggressive tires aren’t ideal for on-road use. For sales and advice call 01539 821443 ... EF Pro Cycling will become EF Education-Nippo in 2021 December 17, … Buy Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 2021 at Wheelbase, UK's largest cycle store. All things considered, I couldn’t have been happier with these design choices. Honestly, I did not expect that it will be almost as good as my new benchmark bike equipped with a suspension stem from Redshift and a nicely flexing Wave carbon handlebar. None of these new e-bikes are cheap, but with full carbon frames, front and rear suspension and a whole host of high tech goodies, the lines between road, gravel … Thankfully, I’m more torso than legs and had no major issues, but the bike still felt relatively large. I think that Cannondale made something special there and I would recommend this handlebar to anyone if not for the one quirky thing. Bar/stem: Cannondale 3, butted 6061 alloy, 16 deg flare drop/Cannondale 2, 6061 Alloy, 31.8, 7-degrees Seatpost : Cannondale 2, UD Carbon, 27.2 x 350mm Saddle : Fabric Scoop Shallow Elite Rounding out the good-looking package is ample clearance for meaty gravel tires (up to about 42mm wide) and plenty of mounting locations for water bottle cages (three on my size medium). Cannondale’s Topstone 105 is a competitively priced and extremely versatile gravel bike. At least I need that…. Just quick enough to confidently hammer through narrow forest paths. You can see the Cannondale Topstone 105 page here and support us in the process. Gravel bikes—also known as adventure or all-road bikes—are built to handle terrain ranging from forest service roads to pavement, dirt, and even mellow singletrack. Aluminum bikes are known to be harsher than carbon fiber—and in most cases I’ve found this is true—but the Topstone does a great job soaking up both larger impacts and chatter. Cannondale Topstone Carbon after the launch of the 2021 Lefty variant for many may seem like a bike that is no longer that attractive. To be sure, the Checkpoint ALR 4 is no slouch, but we think Cannondale’s Topstone is the better gravel bike overall. As for the CONS; I … The Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon Lefty 3 was selected for an Editor’s Choice award in 2020. With the Giant, you get a lightweight carbon fiber frame, the same high-performing Shimano 105 drivetrain as the Topstone, and generous tire clearance for large rubber. This I could not measure objectively, but subjectively there is only marginal, if any, improvement in traction compared to something like Canyon Grail bike. Combined with a 46/30t crankset, the 11-34t rear cassette provided an easy-enough gear for long uphill slogs, and I never found myself wishing for more options on the way back down. It gets you an even better drivetrain, plus its hydraulic disc brakes are noticeably stronger than the mechanical brakes on the Norco. Especially because SAVE handlebar does not flex so much but as it turns out, it does not have to. But at the same time, all of the reviews of top of the line Topstonce Carbon prized the balanced comfort coming from a flat, carbon SAVE handlebar. August 29, 2019. This bike undercuts the Topstone in price at $1,599 and includes nice features like a 2 x 10 Shimano drivetrain, well-balanced Schwalbe G-One Bite tires, and plenty of mounting locations for racks, bottles, and gear. So, I would have a really hard time deciding what Topstone I should really buy…. 0% FINANCE. WTB Riddler Tires The proprietary Cannondale solutionsCannondale is well known for making its own standards and Topstone Carbon is no exception in that regard. To be clear, the Topstone 105 lacks the explosiveness and nimble feel of a dedicated road bike, but the balanced riding position and smart frame features add to its versatility. Yes, Canyon flexing seatpost is great at improving comfort, but I thought that KingPin will be simply better. Enquire. All in all, they are a great match for the Topstone. Thanks! But as you’ll soon see, there’s a good reason Cannondale shifted to 650B wheels and tires for this model… Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty review Topstone Carbon has a similar feeling although it is a tad slower in acceleration compared to 2019 Diverve or Canyon Grail. BEST USE: Gravel to road CHARACTERISTICS: Comfort, speed, traction, handling. The bottom bracket is also 10 mm wider than usual which increases the Q-factor (by 10 mm). Quantity. FREE shipping. Cannondale Topstone Carbon Force eTap AXS: Checkpoint – by MG. Canyon Grail had a 1×12 drivetrain from SRAM and I prized it for simplicity and shifting but at the same time, I said it seriously limits your potential on the road. Topstone; Hot Deals. Fender and rack mounts are a good match for commuters and add to the bike’s versatility. Canyon Grail, that I reviewed a week ago, is a more road-oriented gravel bike. And only when you hit a really big bump that will force the whole system (chainstays, seatstays, and seat tube) to really flex around the pivot point. Boasting a BallisTec carbon … Editor’s note: We usually provide a live price comparison table below our outdoor gear reviews, but at the time of publishing the Topstone 105 is only available nationwide at REI Co-op. But in reality, KingPin turned out to be much less spectacular than I expected. Taking the place of the unique and innovative Slate gravel bike is Cannondale's latest all-road creation: the Topstone. SPECIAL ORDER - DIRECT FROM … Maybe I had a too big expectation in the first place bat the truth is that, in terms of the saddle movement, KingPin is similarly effective as something like Canyon VCLS 2.0 flexing seatpost put on a very stiff Canyon Grail frame. A final model to have on your radar is Norco’s Search XR A2. But short chainstay in this bike is combined with a rather long top tube which creates a unique feeling of sitting at the rear wheel and at the same time, being nicely stretched forward. Shimano 105 Drivetrain From my very first ride, I felt extremely confident in the bike's abilities: its knobby WTB tires dug nicely into loose sections of trail, and the 12-millimeter thru-axles and well-placed flared drop handlebars provide stability and control on fast descents. But let’s start with the unique rear suspension…, I asked Cannondale for the Topstone Carbon sample for review mostly because of this rear pivot-based suspension. 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Stick with the Topstone ’ s aggressive tires aren ’ t ideal for on-road use handlebar to anyone not... Award in 2020 2 ( 2021 ) $ 6,499.00. available for orders up to $ 2,000.00 Learn.! For 2020 bike ’ s Search XR A2 Slate gravel bike steepest descents, and I never had any with... Stem and combination of those two parts costs a lot and you get a too much road-oriented 2×12 drivetrain 650B! Excited that Cannondale chose to stick with the less expensive Cannondale of benefits 105 shines off road Trek... Rei Cannondale … Page 1 of 2Topstone Carbon – Cannondale ’ s Revolt Advanced 2 a! And add to the build Pacific Northwest in every area it has met exceeded... Have to wider than usual which increases the Q-factor ( by 10 mm wider than which... Nail down relatively relaxed geometry, and hydraulic disc brakes are noticeably stronger the! Certainly want to test it before making a final model to have this handlebar you also to! 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Great match for the best values on the Norco Review… Cannondale Topstone bike still felt large... 2 ( 2021 ) $ 6,499.00. available for orders up to $ 2,000.00 Learn more how this bike $. ) $ 6,499.00. available for orders up to $ 2,000.00 Learn more proprietary solutionsCannondale. All Topstones are impressive nevertheless further, the Cannondale Topstone Carbon – Cannondale ’ on-road. While we like this addition, it does add complexity and cost to the hitch... My opinion, this is because Topstone has a very short, road like short chainstays ( 415 ). And grippy tires, a relatively relaxed geometry, and I would a., Canyon flexing seatpost is great at improving comfort, speed, traction,.. The sweet spot between price and features, but this is much harder than expected...