Shimano 105 Drivetrain On-road, the Topstone rode well but wasn’t a. Cannondale’s Topstone 105 is a competitively priced and extremely versatile gravel bike. All told, if you’re more focused on speed than versatility, we think it’s worth the added cost. We’re committed to making sure that the cost of a bike does not keep you from cycling! 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). It’s fitted with a full 2×9 Shimano Sora groupset which is cheap but extremely capable and durable. It’s whether you want the straight-line speed and the stability of the Cannondale or the lively, more nimble feel of the GT. One expert really would have preferred a threaded bottom bracket. There... At $1,750, we consider the Topstone 105 one of the best values on the market. What surprised me, however, was how smooth it was over rough sections of gravel (relatively speaking, of course). 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. One expert felt this bike accelerated well, compared to the competition. 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. Additionally, both the carbon fork and aluminum frame feature 12-millimeter thru-axles which increase overall stiffness and improve power transfer, and Cannondale smartly added fender and rack mounts for commuting. Cannondale even included mounts on the frame near the stem, which are ideal for a top-tube bag and items you want easily accessible during rides, like snacks. If you find a lower price, email us at [email protected] with documentation of the price. Topstone Carbon Lefty comes with 650 x 47c tires for even more off-road ability and on-road comfort. Cannondale Topstone Review. Topstone is Cannondale’s mid-range selection of aluminum and carbon gravel bikes, including two electric versions.The bikes are all of relatively high quality and have the prices to match, starting at $999 all … Switching lines to avoid holes, hopping obstacles, nailing cambers and precise line choice become second nature. Shimano 105 Hydraulic Disc Brakes Not the lightest option out there, which could be a deciding factor for race-oriented riders. New Cannondale Topstone - not covered by warranty My son bought a new Cannondale Topstone Tiagra using the cycle 2 work scheme from a local dealer - £1250, early in May 2020. We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. If you plan to spend most of your time on pavement, I recommend switching them out for faster-rolling option. Commuter and city bikes with the highest BikeRide Scores. The Cannondale Topstone Al Tiagra 2020 Gravel Bike is named after a favourite dirt road loop near the Cannondale headquarters in Connecticut. The bike must be the same color and size, sold in the US and not include the use of a coupon. However, the two bikes differ in a few key areas. 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. Experts bemoaned the Topstone’s less-than-stellar climbing abilities. A long-term review said rims were heavy and didn’t stay true. In the same category, Trek’s Checkpoint ALR 4 ticks many of the same boxes. In summary, this is what cyclists think. I personally find the IsoSpeed system … I was similarly excited that Cannondale chose to stick with 105 brakes for stopping duties. The Topstone Carbon is a completely revamped version of the aluminum Topstone Apex1 that was introduced last summer—and this one has rear suspension. 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. That said, we think the Topstone 105 is well worth the additional $151. Whether it was building bicycles from welded, heat treated aluminum alloy in the 1980s, when the ‘standard’ was lugged steel, or its unique strut-style “Lefty” front suspension today, the company has rarely been content settling for the industry’s status quo. Every model of Topstone is equipped with a full carbon fork. If you’re in the market for more of a race-oriented model, we really like Giant’s Revolt Advanced 2. Please review our cookie policy to learn more or to change your cookie settings. Securely attaching to the receiver hitch of your vehicle, they offer unmatched versatility and ease of use. $3,299.00. Thanks! 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. With that said, I found the Topstone’s Shimano 105 2 x 11 drivetrain to be a perfect match for my local mountainous terrain. You could easily shave even more weight off it with carbon wheels and a carbon cockpit or cranks. The Cannondale Topstone is the gravel bike to end all gravel bikes, thanks to its high-volume tires and sporty handling it's a road bike with a rugged soul. Cannondale Topstone 105: Getting Rolling – By MG. Cannondale is well known for forging its own path in the cycling world. I’ve been spending time on the 40-millimeter Donnelly Strada USH tubeless tires lately and have thoroughly enjoyed their off-road grip and on-road capability. Subtle color schemes and discreet welds made for an appealing package. The biggest detractor from the Topstone’s on-road performance is its knobby WTB tires. However, we think the 105 model reviewed here hits the sweet spot between price and features, but all Topstones are impressive nevertheless. The Kingpin active suspension system is a breakthrough in the gravel world. I tested the Topstone AL 105 on both smooth and rough gravel roads, as well as trails, pavement, and granite rock, sand, and dirt. We have read all expert and user reviews on the Cannondale Topstone. All in all, they are a great match for the Topstone. Considering its $1,750 price tag, this is truly an impressive accomplishment. You get the best deals and we may get a commission. 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. Topstone is pure gravel goodness with high-volume tyres, confident rider position and sporty handling, it is ready to smash out big miles on the backroads, explore routes less travelled, or smooth out the chop on your morning commute. All things considered, I couldn’t have been happier with these design choices. Otherwise, we’d stick with the less expensive Cannondale. 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. It’s ideal for beginners and first-timers on the gravel. Score . 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. Connected An integrated wheel sensor delivers hyper accurate speed, route and distance info, registers your bike, reminds you of needed service and more, all through the free Cannondale App. Even with more aggressive tyres than most, the Topstone makes good progress on tarmac, with some … In the end, I recommend taking a very close look at the geometry chart before buying. While we like this addition, it does add complexity and cost to the build. The hydraulic disc brakes offered ample one-fingered braking power even on the steepest descents, and I never had any issues with fading. Among the most progressive gravel bikes to hit the market in 2019, the Topstone Carbon features Cannondale’s new Kingpin rear-triangle leaf-spring … Mounts are provided for three bottle cages, frame bags, spares, a rear rack, full mudguards and a top tube storage pouch. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. 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. , the Cannondale headquarters in Connecticut eTap AXS shifters were sometimes too bulky for smaller.... Gravel bikes to nail down with an average rating of 4.0 out of true by about.... Me, however, the two bikes differ in a few months riding one the! 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