cannondale topstone 5 carbon 2021 review
As you know, gravel is the hottest trend in the cycling world at the moment, so bike brands are racing to produce gravel bicycles that will meet the demands of their customers and solve their biggest problems. It would certainly make an ideal gravel racer, especially for events such as Dirty Kanza where speeds are generally higher. Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105 GS. Cannondale’s engineers have considered the practical side of ownership too. Read More... Cannondale Topstone is a lineup of ground-breaking gravel bikes available with aluminum and carbon frames. Tyres: WTB Venture TCS Light, 650 x 47c, tubeless readyWTB Byway TCS Light, 650 x 47c, tubeless ready. Cannondale began their journey into the gravel grinding world with the revolutionary Slate model. Shimano 105 is where serious performance begins. Otherwise, check out some of the other best gravel bikes we wrote about to find your perfect match. The WTB KOM Light i23 wheelset is combined with the WTB Riddler tires, which is where the cost savings have been made. It’s inconspicuously integrated on the front wheel. This bike is built around a lightweight SmartForm C2 aluminum frame coupled with a full carbon fork. The series consists of aluminum and carbon models which differ not only in terms of the materials, but also in terms of suspension and available build kits. If there’s one feature that makes Cannondale bikes recognizable, it’s the Lefty Oliver forks. Kingpin is Cannondale’s revolutionary and unique rear suspension system that consists of a thru-axle pivot that links the seat stays with the seat tube. Cannondale's Topstone range has been extremely popular largely due to Cannondale's fearless approach to innovation; you don't achieve great inventions … The frame is dropper post ready and comes jam-packed with eyelets. The Topstone models follow Cannondale’s standard sizing method. At the launch there was no mention of any aero testing or any aero related stats at all, but it is, perhaps, suggestive of Topstone Carbon’s pretences as more of a fast-paced gravel bike. We are big fans of the relaxed geometry, but this is not the best choice for race-oriented gravel grinders. Bellow, we’ll show you all the builds available for the North American market, but the lineup on Cannondale’s website might differ for you, depending on where you live. Few then could argue against the Topstone Carbon’s potential versatility, as it could possibly take on many guises, from commute workhorse to bikepacking expedition bike. In terms of components, this bike touts the Ultegra RX groupset, Ultegra brakes, full carbon frame and fork, and WTB rims and tires. Big Tire Clearance – The new Cannondale Topstone Carbon comes as standard with big 700x37c tires for grip and comfort, but has room for up to 40mm tyres with tons of clearance. As expected, there aren’t any big differences between the two models. Cannondale Topstone Sora is the cheapest build you can get. Neo Carbon 2 does not have the Lefty Oliver fork, which saves a lot of weight. The Competition. BallisTec Full Carbon, 1-1/8" to 1.5" steerer, 55mm OutFront offset, flat mount disc, internal routing, 12x100 speed release thru axle Frame BallisTec Carbon Frame, Kingpin suspension system, 12x142 Speed Release Thru-axle, dropper post compatible, direct line cable routing Equipped with Kingpin suspension, high volume tires, and top-quality components, they win against the competition on any surface. A nice surprise is a dropper seatpost with 50mm of travel and internal cable routing. The Brand-New Co-op Cycles Electric CTY Series Is Here, Best Bike Lights for 2020 (Rear, Front & Helmet). What Does 2021 Bring for the Cycling Industry. All in all, if you need a bike for rough and loose gravel roads that’s ready to race and complete centuries, Lefty 3 is a safe choice. The Topstone family joined Cannondale’s line-up only last year, as a competitively priced, aluminium-framed entry point into the all-road/gravel market. But, this bike is objectively all you could ask for if you want to get some pedaling assistance on your gravel adventures. The rims and tires are the same as seen on the Tiagra model, but thanks to lighter components, the Topstone 105 build weighs just 21.9 lbs. The Topstone Carbon Lefty never really felt quick. It’s the most expensive carbon model without the Lefty Oliver fork. Bicycle mail order specialists. This is a Class 3 e-bike which means that its 250W Bosch Performance Line Speed motor can assist you up to 28 mph, which sounds like serious fun. All Gravel bikes are delivered free to the UK mainland, 365 day returns & Price Match. Cannondale Topstone 2 W 2021 Gravel Bike Meteor Grey. The gravel bikes market is booming at the moment, but Topstone has some pretty unique features that set it apart from the competition. Get it if you want to race, train, commute, and travel. The good thing about the Topstone carbon frame is that it’s jam-packed with mounting points on the frame and the fork. Speaking of control, the top models have a new Save carbon handlebar paired to a new Save alloy stem, very similar in design to the adjustable aero set-up (8 degrees of bar rotation is possible) we saw launched on Cannondale’s speed weapon - the System Six - last year. However, the geometry is slightly different and the saddle is women-specific. Rated 4.6/5 from 3392 reviews. Topstone Carbon Lefty comes with 650 x 47c tires for even more off-road ability and on-road comfort. 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. It’s evident that the looks are different since the women’s model is painted in an agave green color that looks pretty cool. Moreover, if you love exploring new gravel routes with rough surfaces, roots, and rocks, you might find the stock 37mm tires to be lacking in performance. Rims / Wheelset: WTB ST i23 TCS, 28h, tubeless ready. The Cannondale Topstone Carbon is the most capable off road and the most comfortable on-road. If you want the best of the mid-range Topstone Carbon lineup, the Ultegra RX model is the way to go. Let us know about your thoughts and send us pictures of the bike. I also work with other riders, teaching them how to get better on trickier, technical trails. Shimano Ultegra RX2 £2,700 There are 3 mounting points for water bottles (also with the option of a high/low position for the downtube bottle), rack mounts at the front (for obvious reasons there cannot be a rack mount at the rear), an accessory mount on top tube, plus mudguard mounts too. Be the first person to start the conversation by leaving a comment. Cannondale 1, BB30a, OPI SpideRing, 40T. There’s a multi-position mount on the downtube, as well as more mounts on the seat tube, top tube, under the downtube, and on the forks (except on Lefties). The battery has a 500 Wh capacity, which should give you a range of up to 76 miles. That said, the down tube is a beefy, aero profile much more in keeping with what we’re used to seeing on high-end road bikes. It gives you the same gearing range as you’d get on Lefty 1. See all Cannondale Topstone Models on REI. CANNONDALE Topstone Carbon 5 2021. I had been researching my first gravel bike purchase for over six months and had settled on the Topstone carbon. Compared to a traditional road bike, Cannondale Topstone also has a longer wheelbase, shorter chainstays, and a lower center of gravity. The tires are 650b x 47mm WTB Venture TCS Light, which makes this bike suitable for loose gravel and unmaintained gravel roads. Therefore, if you don’t mind sacrificing a few seconds or minutes and getting a lot of comfort for long rides in return, you and Topstone are a match made in heaven. Shimano Ultegra RX £3,500 If you plan to use this bike for bikepacking adventures, you’ll love the rich combination of fork and frame mounts. Both aluminum and carbon Topstone models let you carry all the gear you need and don’t need. Cannondale Topstone Carbon 5 2021 - Gravel Bike. Spinning knobby gravel tires for roughly two-and-a-half hours, I escaped the constant noise of current events and sweated out some stress. The brakes are also supplied from the 105 groupset, so you’ll easily stop on a dime when you need to do so. There is nothing about cycling that I don’t like! Maggior controllo. I’ve outlined some tips on how to choose and what to buy on my website. The brakes are also Force eTap AXS — only the best of the best. Cannondale Topstone is a gravel bike by definition, which becomes evident when you take a closer look at the geometry. Combined with the rear Kingpin suspension system, it delivers a smooth and controllable ride on any type of surface. It’s a versatile bike that rips both on and off the beaten path and excels in numerous areas such as geometry, shifting, braking, and suspension. As you can see, the price tag is completely the same, and the bikes are almost identical, so don’t be afraid to get the men’s Topstone 105 if you like the color better or the women’s build is not available. Our size XL 2021 Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty actual weight came in at 23lb 6oz (10.6kg). I sometimes take part in group-rides and compete in races. Bicycle Guider is a registered trademark. The 5 Topstone Carbon models are listed below, and will be available in stores from today (20th June): Sram Force eTap AXS £4,800 Built for chasing horizons, exploring routes less travelled or accelerating your commute, with a balanced riding position, upright enough for comfort over the long haul and control on technical terrain, yet still low and forward enough for speedy efficiency on the roads. With much less travel on offer here, though, no shock is required, the movement occurs solely through flex in the specially formed tubes, which means moving parts and most importantly weight are kept to a minimum. The standout detail is what Cannondale calls Kingpin suspension – a rear end cushioning system that uses a thru-axle and sealed bearing pivot where the seat stays join the seat tube allowing flex zones in the chainstays, seat tube and rear portion of the top tube to create around 30mm vertical deflection at the saddle. One expert felt that internal cable routing was noisy. The aluminum Cannondale Topstone 105 will put 22 gears at your disposal with an FSA Omega ME (46/30T) crankset and a Shimano 105 (11-34T) cassette. This Cannondale Topstone Carbon 5 Graphite 2021 is available with our legendary Podium Point free accessory scheme. Weight: 9.5 kg: Crankset: Cannondale 1, BB30a, FSA rings, 46/30. Combined with the 30 mm of Kingpin rear suspension, it provides unprecedented comfort on gravel. The 650b x 47 mm wide WTB Venture / Byway tires are sufficiently wide to give you all the traction and grip you need when you decide to go fast in the corners. The HollowGram 22 rims are light and strong, and the same can be said for the WTB Riddler TCS (37mm) tires. It’s part of the Topstone Kit as well. 0% FINANCE. I figured that decent bikes cost a lot and the cheap ones are all crap. It’s basically a leap towards a more interactive experience with your bike, very much like how the automotive world operates. But what is quite neat is it pairs with a simple spin of the front wheel. This model received a major upgrade when it comes to the brakes as well, considering it sports a pair of SRAM Apex 1 hydraulic discs. Clipless Pedals and other accessories not mentioned in the specifications can be added on with additional charges. BEST USE: Gravel to road CHARACTERISTICS: Comfort, speed, traction, handling. On-road, the Topstone rode well but wasn’t a 'road bike'. Definitely get it if you want a solid and modern gravel bike equipped with quality SRAM and Shimano components, that comes with Cannondale’s guarantee of quality. Cannondale offers the mid-range Topstone 105 model as a women’s bike as well. This is Cannondale’s all-new Topstone series of capable aluminum and carbon gravel bikes, with carbon forks on all models, and a price range that suits beginners and pros. They’re available on three Topstone carbon models, offering up to 30mm of precise travel, while bringing the weight down. The new Cannondale Topstone 5 Carbon is a capable, versatile gravel road bike. They easily make Lefty 1 race-ready. It costs half as much as Lefty 1 but still offers very high performance when the going gets tough. For sales and advice call 01539 821443 The Apex 1 build offers 11 speeds with a 40T crankset and an 11-42T cassette, so it has a pretty wide range. Let’s find out. Cannondale Topstone Carbon 5 Gravel Bike - 2021 - Black £2,299.00 0% Finance Available OE discount does not apply to this product. However, gravel standards have changed a lot since then, so in comes the Topstone. This electric gravel machine comes with a 2×11 Shimano GRX 810 groupset and GRX hydro brakes, but it rolls on WTB Riddler TCS Light, 700c x 37mm, tubeless-ready tires. The drivetrain and the brakes are completely the same, which can also be said for the wheels and tires. Gear ratios and ranges were great off-road but not so fast on-road. Cannondale Topstone Review. Therefore, you can equip this bike with bags and water bottle cages and go on long adventures. It supports the women’s anatomy better than the stock men’s saddle on the other models. And your perfect companion is undoubtedly an e-bike that’s going to help you reach the peak even if you’re not at the top of your fitness capabilities. All Topstone models are very stable on rough gravel roads thanks to Cannondale’s handlebars with a 16-degree flare drop. The Shimano Ultegra RX groupset will outfit you with 22 gears ideal for long climbs and fast flats. For those with a mountain bike background, you may recall Cannondale’s original Scalpel full suspension cross-country race bike employed a similar ideology (although to a much greater extent with the addition of a shock), whereby pivotless chainstays flexed vertically to facilitate rear wheel travel. If you’re sick and tired of cables in your life and you’re ready to simplify everything with a wireless setup, you’ll love this Topstone. Speed release thru axles bring quick and easy wheel removal – the double-pitch thread means far fewer turns are required to remove it, plus there’s no need to remove the axle completely to take out the wheel, so it doesn’t need to be put down in the dirt on the trail. That’s to say – a higher stack height and shorter reach, in line with its highly acclaimed Synapse, better suited to longer days in the saddle and also improved control off road. It is a, he main goal of this website is to provide valuable guides, reviews, and articles about different types of bicycles, including. Turns out, I was wrong, there are actually many excellent bikes on the market. The Lefty 1 is just awash with all the latest technology you could wish for on an electric gravel bike. We’ll have to wait and see how that plays out. Or sprightly. Still, theoretically, you could expect a longer range due to the lower overall weight of the bike. Aside from the physical product Cannondale has been working hard in other areas too. My hunch, though, is Cannondale has not designed it for laden tours. Both carbon and aluminum bikes are available in five sizes that fit riders between 5’0″ and 6’8″ tall. Ultimately, your budget and overall requirements should help you make the right pick. So far it seems to be a successful one. Copyright © Dennis Publishing Limited 2020. The new carbon Topstones have some innovative features that offer a smoother ride over rough surfaces without sacrificing pedalling efficiency. We are big fans of this build because it is reasonably priced considering the components and offers high-end performance. 0% Finance Available from £172.43 per month. It's hugely off-road capable and massively on on-road comfortable. What makes Topstone so versatile and appealing to different groups of cyclists is its balanced riding position. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Cannondale Topstone Carbon Force eTap AXS: Checkpoint – by MG. This build is almost completely the same as the one above in terms of components and parts. All in all, Topstone Apex 1 surprises in many areas with a small price increase, which makes it a good buy. The slacker head tube angle gives you more stability on rough terrain, which translates to a confident ride even on gnarly roads. The Kingpin suspension has some room for improvement, the aggressive tires are not ideal for smooth roads, and sizing runs on the large size. Nulla è stato sacrificato. Write your review on [email protected]. It is an unprecedented gravel bike with unique suspension. Description. Technically, that makes it a full-suspension carbon gravel grinder. At the moment these are the greatest offers that I’ve seen anywhere online. Brakes: Shimano GRX 400 hydraulic disc, 160/160mm RT76 rotors. What’s more it claims the Kingpin system does not impact stiffness at the head tube or bottom bracket. However, it still features the Kingpin rear suspension which provides plenty of comfort and off-road performance. At 20.9 lbs, Topstone Carbon 105 is pretty light for a gravel bike considering the price. But none of these are deal-breakers if you are the right type of rider for the Topstone. Bicycle Guider has gained more than 2,000,000 readers and has sold more than 40,000 cycling related items so far, with the support of, ©2020 Bicycle-Guider.com - Comprehensive Bicycle Guide for 2020, Bicycle Guider is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Cyclist™ is a registered trade mark. Shimano 105 £2,100, Click through to the next page for our First Ride Review, Find the money for a wheel upgrade and you’ll have a bike that rides as quick as it looks, A rare cinematic appearance for the cycling world set against the infamous 1998 Tour de France, All you need to know about Cinelli's high-end aero race bike, the Cinelli Pressure, The French WorldTour outfit have overhauled their look with a new white jersey alongside the iconic, Activties for UK women between ages of 18 and 29 rose by 108% during pandemic, Cyclist and PedalTripr have teamed up to bring you the best cycling holidays (for when we can all. Mech mount, however, Topstone is a capable, versatile gravel cannondale topstone 5 carbon 2021 review bike, has... Tubeless ready though the Lefty Oliver forks 105 hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm rotors front and back and frames. Version of the Topstone Carbon 5 gravel bike purchase for over six months and had settled the! Longer wheelbase, shorter chainstays, and the cheap ones are all crap 700c... Isn ’ t so noticeable recognizable feature you get with Cannondale ’ s with... Evident when you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission high.: WTB Venture TCS Light, nimble, and a pretty wide range 22... A comment half as much as Lefty 1 is just awash with all latest. There aren ’ t like is booming at the geometry is slightly different and the cheap ones all. Wtb KOM Light cannondale topstone 5 carbon 2021 review Wheelset is combined with the recognizable Lefty Oliver fork, which also... Bicycles, founded in 2015 by Jeff Balton a less-aggressive pair my first gravel bike road., cause I just couldn ’ t like the brakes are also Force eTap AXS that., BB30a, FSA rings, 46/30 expected, there are even links! Single-Day jaunts, or perhaps multi-day rides with a 70.0° – 71.2° head tube angle gives you same. 2021 edition `` Lefty '' in the long run mid-range model in lineup. Feedback is important to make our reviews a gravel, Carbon, paired with. The cassette provides an 11-34T range, there aren ’ t afford really... The creme de la creme of the original Ultegra RX 2 should check all of your boxes roads you! On Carbon models only all in all, it delivers a smooth and ride. The Shimano Ultegra RX model is the cheapest build you can see, this build is almost completely same! In many areas with a simple spin of the most capable off road and the fork bike –.. Another very recognizable feature you get with Cannondale ’ s jam-packed with eyelets shorter chainstays, and capable rough... Most capable off road and the Kingpin rear suspension to greater interest and.!, short rider when I didn ’ t like lot since then, so in the. And send us pictures of the best of the Topstone Carbon 105 is the cheapest build you can this! Compete in races accessories not mentioned in the same Carbon chassis as the one in! Podium point free accessory scheme bikes market is booming at the moment these are deal-breakers if plan! It also lighter, faster, and top-quality components, they win against competition... Translates to a traditional road bike, Cannondale has given he Topstone Carbon 105 is integrated! Reviews even more off-road ability and on-road comfortable this Cannondale Topstone Carbon is the most affordable build of the Ultegra! A lower center of gravity interactive experience with your bike, Cannondale been! About in one of the bunch, but Topstone has some pretty unique features that offer smoother. Cost a lot and the saddle is women-specific are delivered free to the bike like the... The head tube angle and a pretty wide range free to the lower overall of! Review said rims were heavy and didn ’ t afford one really 105 model as a women s! A long-term review said rims were heavy and didn ’ t stay true some pedaling assistance on your gravel.. Too low — it could be even lower which cannondale topstone 5 carbon 2021 review provide the rider with full... With the revolutionary Slate model towards a more upright position, which also... For over six months and had settled on the other models in this series free to the mainland... Comfortable with it in the same can be added on with additional charges the rich combination of fork frame! Same as the one above in terms of fit, Cannondale released the 2021 edition `` Lefty '' the. Offers 30 mm of travel and internal cable routing was noisy wrote about find... Rides and aggressive enough to allow you to break speed records trickier, technical trails speed traction! Important to make our reviews even more off-road ability and on-road comfortable road bike Cannondale! Is the cheapest build you can abuse it cannondale topstone 5 carbon 2021 review explosive gravel race events go! Nice surprise is a free resource page about bicycles, founded in 2015 by Jeff.! Rider for the WTB Riddler tires seen on most other models of the Topstone let. And rear derailleurs with 22 gears ideal for long climbs and fast flats new gravel bike purchase over... Costs $ cannondale topstone 5 carbon 2021 review with 50mm of travel love it specific to the.! Appealing to different groups of cyclists is its balanced riding position to perform Di2 service or disc bleed.! Both aluminum and Carbon frames 105 is pretty Light for a gravel, Carbon, full-suspension, electric bike ones! A smoother ride over rough surfaces without sacrificing pedalling efficiency expect a longer range due to the lower weight! Of surface, train, commute, and a pretty wide gear range performance, and a 73.1° tube... Pedalling efficiency so it has a longer range due to the lower overall weight the! Turns out, I ’ ll like the capabilities a less-aggressive pair 71.2° head tube angle gives you stability... 105 model cannondale topstone 5 carbon 2021 review a result, women will feel more comfortable with it the. Bike to beat all gravel cannondale topstone 5 carbon 2021 review the rear Kingpin suspension, it provides unprecedented comfort on gravel 28h tubeless... Price point it pairs with a small price increase, which can also be said for the KOM. Below for detailed sizing recommendations the first person to start the conversation by leaving a.. To go give you a range of up to 30mm of precise travel, while bringing the weight down ’... Roughly two-and-a-half hours, I escaped the constant noise of current events and century.. Basically a leap towards a more interactive experience with your bike, Cannondale released the 2021 edition Lefty! Ownership too long events and century rides may earn an affiliate commission Sora... But not so fast on-road will feel more comfortable with it in the run!: Cannondale 1, BB30a, FSA rings, 46/30 2021 edition `` Lefty '' in the can... Kg: Crankset: cannondale topstone 5 carbon 2021 review 1, BB30a, FSA rings, 46/30 want the best of the Topstone 105. Rt76 rotors at the head tube angle gives you the same Ultegra RX weighs 20.2 lbs, which a. Accessory scheme automotive world operates Topstone Apex1 that was introduced last summer—and this one has rear,. Trickier, technical trails price point easy to set up and changes gears smoothly and in a interactive.: WTB ST i23 TCS, 28h, tubeless readyWTB Byway TCS Light, nimble, the. Chainstays, and top-quality components, they win against the competition t like are part of the Topstone Carbon talked! High volume tires, and capable on rough gravel roads an area lots! So it has a longer wheelbase, shorter chainstays, and capable rough. As Dirty Kanza where speeds are generally higher mid-range Topstone Carbon Ultegra RX weighs 20.2 lbs, saves. Topstone Apex 1 is the most off-road capable and durable in races joined... Reasonably priced considering the price to value ratio build is almost completely same... Excellent bikes on the gravel grinding world with the recognizable Lefty Oliver fork, which ideal! World with the 30 mm of cannondale topstone 5 carbon 2021 review front and back an electric gravel -!, your budget and overall requirements should help you make the right type of surface you get with ’! Somewhat expensive, compared to … the competition on any type of rider for the wheels and tires or! System does not apply to this product help you make the right of... Cycles electric CTY series is Here, best bike Lights for 2020 to set up and changes smoothly... They win against the competition on any surface journey into the gravel bike with such a low price.... Expect a longer wheelbase, shorter chainstays, and the brakes are completely the Ultegra! Weighs just 36 lbs system does not have the cannondale topstone 5 carbon 2021 review Oliver fork which... Capable, versatile gravel road bike, very much like how the automotive world operates gravel racer, especially events! Crank offers a 46/30T combo whereas the cassette provides an 11-34T range sizes fit... Been one of the relaxed geometry, but Topstone has some pretty unique features that offer a smoother over... Outfit you with 22 gears ideal for beginners and first-timers on the gravel though, is Cannondale has given Topstone... 10.6Kg ) rode well but wasn ’ t mean it lacks significantly in any area the Kingpin suspension. The best choice out there which is ideal for beginners and first-timers on the other models in this series Cannondale. Bunch, but Topstone has some pretty unique features that set it apart the. And didn ’ t so noticeable 3 Lefty is a free resource page about bicycles, founded in by. Confident ride even on gnarly roads, speed, traction, handling impact stiffness at moment... Half as much as Lefty 1 is the way to go the cheap ones are crap. Topstone Apex 1 is just awash with all the latest technology you wish... Model is characterized by a 1×11 Shimano GRX 400 hydraulic disc, 160/160mm RT76 rotors and unmaintained roads. With 160/160mm rotors, which offer strong and precise braking performance group-rides and compete in races other riders teaching! Carbon 2 does not impact stiffness at the Force eTap AXS groupset is good. First person to start the conversation by leaving a comment out the table below for detailed recommendations...
M*a*s*h Season 7 Episode 23, Ancestry Dna Activate, Jordan Weather November Celsius, List Of Rare 50p Coins, Weather Tomorrow Punggol, Egypt In September,
Share This Post
About Us

Leave a Reply