I'm 6'1.5" (187 cm) in height, and according to Cannondale's Topstone sizing chart right in the middle of their "L" sizing bracket (which extends from 5'10"-6'4"). Cannondale Topstone 105 Carbon Gravel Bike 2020RRP £2099 Full details and specifications on our website: https://www.scotbycycles.co.uk/Our first video! Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. 9/10 Review Price: £3,300.00. Cannondale Topstone Review. Cannondale CAADX Tiagra Cyclo cross bike Cannondale CAADX Tiagra Cyclo cross bike costing £999 is a great looking do everything bike Cycling Active September 16, 2014 3:06 pm All told, we think Cannondale nailed the off-road side of the equation. However, the two bikes differ in a few key areas. It’s a promise we stand behind: If you find a lower price on a bike elsewhere, we will sell it to you for 10% less. Securely attaching to the receiver hitch of your vehicle, they offer unmatched versatility and ease of use. Both are solid values, but the Topstone strikes us as the better buy. While we like this addition, it does add complexity and cost to the build. See the full review here… We search for prices on over 120 bike retailers to guarantee that we find the lowest prices – to save you time and money. 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. 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 spent most of the spring using and abusing the top-end Apex 1 650 model on gravel roads... A quality mountain bike shoe plays a number of important roles. If you find a lower price, email us at [email protected] with documentation of the price. The 2x12 drivetrain on the Carbon Force saw riders spoilt for a gear range. This rig is renowned for nimble, confident handling on sketchy surfaces. 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 handling, you're ready for adventure on this capable and versatile gravel rig. 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. Lucas spent a few months riding one around the endless trails and roads surrounding Berlin to find out. 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. All things considered, I couldn’t have been happier with these design choices. The Cannondale Topstone Al Tiagra 2020 Gravel Bike is named after a favourite dirt road loop near the Cannondale headquarters in Connecticut. If you plan to spend most of your time on pavement, I recommend switching them out for faster-rolling option. Cannondale Topstone AL 105 Review The Cannondale Topstone AL 105 is a gravel bike winner — it’s fast, nimble, and climbs like a beast. A long-term reviewer felt that Cannondale could have provided more greases and lubes. 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. One expert felt this bike accelerated well, compared to the competition. 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. At 5’9”, I’ve never ridden anything other than a size medium bike, but given the medium's relatively long 56.1-centimeter top tube length, I was tempted to go with a small (54.4cm). We have read all expert and user reviews on the Cannondale Topstone. 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’s whether you want the straight-line speed and the stability of the Cannondale or the lively, more nimble feel of the GT. 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. 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. 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. By continuing to browse, you agree to … 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. 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. If your mountain biking gear budget has been stretched thin and you’re tempted to skimp on the helmet, don’t. I was similarly excited that Cannondale chose to stick with 105 brakes for stopping duties. You can see the Cannondale Topstone 105 page here and support us in the process. That said, we think the Topstone 105 is well worth the additional $151. Please review our cookie policy to learn more or to change your cookie settings. 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. The Kingpin active suspension system is a breakthrough in the gravel world. 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. Among the most progressive gravel bikes to hit the market in 2019, the Topstone Carbon features Cannondale’s new Kingpin rear-triangle leaf-spring … BikeRide works hard to help you find the lowest prices and information on each bike from the widest possible range of sources. Cannondale Topstone Sora is the cheapest build you can get. The Cannondale Topstone Apex 1 promises “pure gravel goodness” at a price that won’t break the bank, but does it deliver? In the end, we think the $249-cheaper Topstone is the superior all-rounder. BikeRide finds and shows you the best prices of the bikes you want to buy. 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. Carbon models were somewhat expensive, compared to the competition. There... At $1,750, we consider the Topstone 105 one of the best values on the market. You get the best deals and we may get a commission. SRAM and Shimano hydraulic brakes were welcomed (on high-end models). Score . Full specs, price, and weights of top-end rear suspension Topstone. Price: $1,750Frame: AluminumGears: 2 x 11Tires: 700c x 37mmWhat we like: Quality components and impressive versatility at a great price.What we don’t: A bit heavy for race-oriented gravel riders.See the Cannondale Topstone 105. 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. 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. Even with more aggressive tyres than most, the Topstone makes good progress on tarmac, with some … 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. Geometry The Topstone weighs around 23lbs for the size large I reviewed, with the dropper and it rides like a 23lb bike. Frame With that said, I found the Topstone’s Shimano 105 2 x 11 drivetrain to be a perfect match for my local mountainous terrain. All in all, they are a great match for the Topstone. 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. If you like the Topstone but want improved on-road performance, the Specialized Diverge Comp E5 could be a good match. Taking the place of the unique and innovative Slate gravel bike is Cannondale's latest all-road creation: the Topstone. Cannondale’s Topstone 105 is a competitively priced and extremely versatile gravel bike. Another important component of off-road performance is gear range. However, we think the 105 model reviewed here hits the sweet spot between price and features, but all Topstones are impressive nevertheless. However the seat post seems about an inch too high in the lowest position - I can't put my heels on the pedals without rocking my hip. For example, if you find a bike for $480 that we have listed at $500, we will offer you to buy it for $432 through BikeRide. This website uses cookies for analytics, personalization, and advertising. Day one - first ride - the rear wheel went out of true by about 20mm. 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. Other than the fork, there isn’t a lick of carbon componentry on it. 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). Shimano 105 Drivetrain On-road, the Topstone rode well but wasn’t a. 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. While gravel bikes might look quite similar to standard road models, they differ significantly in terms of geometry. BikeRide is reader-supported, and sometimes we receive commissions for links you click on. 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. The new carbon Topstones have some innovative features that offer a smoother ride over rough surfaces without sacrificing pedalling efficiency. The Force eTap AXS shifters were sometimes too bulky for smaller hands. Thankfully, I’m more torso than legs and had no major issues, but the bike still felt relatively large. Cannondale Topstone Carbon Force eTap AXS [German] Level 2 expert It scores highly with a balanced seating position and high comfort, especially on very rough ground, where the superior damping properties of the Kingpin suspension become noticeable. $3,299.00. I’ve spent a good amount of time on Shimano’s higher-end Ultegra offering, and while it does shave a few grams of weight and shift slightly better, most riders should be more than satisfied with the 105 groupset. 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. Sporting high-volume and grippy tires, a relatively relaxed geometry, and hydraulic disc brakes, the Cannondale Topstone 105 shines off road. You could easily shave even more weight off it with carbon wheels and a carbon cockpit or cranks. If you’re searching for the best way to transport bikes, hitch-mounted bike racks are the way to go. Otherwise, we’d stick with the less expensive Cannondale. Mounts are provided for three bottle cages, frame bags, spares, a rear rack, full mudguards and a top tube storage pouch. Cannondale Topstone. To be sure, the Checkpoint ALR 4 is no slouch, but we think Cannondale’s Topstone is the better gravel bike overall. Cannondale Topstone Apex review GT Grade Carbon Pro review As two of the hottest gravel bikes of 2019, Cannondale’s Topstone Carbon Ultegra RX … The Topstone Carbon is a completely revamped version of the aluminum Topstone Apex1 that was introduced last summer—and this one has rear suspension. We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. 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. While not particularly quick, the bike was easy to maneuver in traffic and along city streets, and its riding position was quite comfortable. Commuter and city bikes with the highest BikeRide Scores. High-quality aluminum frame and carbon fork deliver a surprisingly smooth ride. It’s fitted with a full 2×9 Shimano Sora groupset which is cheap but extremely capable and durable. At the other end of the spectrum is Cannondale's newly released carbon lineup, which ranges from their entry-level Topstone Carbon 105 model priced at $2,750 and tops out at $6,750 for the electronic-shifting SRAM AXS version. Please review our cookie policy to learn more or to change your cookie settings. In terms of fit, I found the Topstone's alpha sizing to be a bit challenging to nail down. It’s ideal for beginners and first-timers on the gravel. 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 good: ... Id have happily paid more to have a 105 crank or even a tiagra would be better. Experts bemoaned the Topstone’s less-than-stellar climbing abilities. ... Old bike was an XL and the topstone is an L, 5'11.5 33.5" inseam. Gear ratios and ranges were great off-road but not so fast on-road. To see how it stacks up, see our article on the best gravel bikes. 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 … Attaching a dropper post reportedly limited minimum seat heights. Thus, I'm happy to see the generously sized 37-millimeter WTB Riddlers on the 2020 Topstone. One expert felt that internal cable routing was noisy. And again, it was well-equipped for the job. 2020 Cannondale Topstone Tiagra // £1200 One of the new models in the Topstone range is this bike with a Shimano Tiagra 2×10 drivetrain. Switching lines to avoid holes, hopping obstacles, nailing cambers and precise line choice become second nature. Further, the Revolt Advanced 2 features a rubber chain stay and down tube protectors to ward off rocks and debris. With a change of tyres the Topstone Carbon is capable of becoming as close to a one bike ‘quiver killer’ as I thought possible. The Cannondale Topstone Carbon is a superb all-around carbon gravel bike, but it’s not without a few compromises. 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). 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. 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. Compared to $1799.00. Read more about us. One expert really would have preferred a threaded bottom bracket. Some reviewers described Apex models as ‘relatively inexpensive’. Shimano’s 105 drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes perform well and offer great bang for your buck. Considering its $1,750 price tag, this is truly an impressive accomplishment. The Topstone 105 ($1,650) may represent the best bargain of the entire lineup because it has the added gear range of a Shimano 105 2x11 speed … 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. Capable off-road and comfortable on-road, the Cannondale Topstone Carbon 105 is a unique gravel bike with true suspension—but no heavy shock—offering 30mm of rear travel to smooth out bumps. Although they perform well off-road, the Topstone’s aggressive tires aren’t ideal for on-road use. 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. A final model to have on your radar is Norco’s Search XR A2. What surprised me, however, was how smooth it was over rough sections of gravel (relatively speaking, of course). 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. We’re committed to making sure that the cost of a bike does not keep you from cycling! I personally find the IsoSpeed system … 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. After the eye-catching finish, it’s the nicely tapered 56.1cm top tube that you should focus on next, followed quickly by the array of Allen bolts that dot the frame providing a home for three water bottles and a top tube accessory bag. Marrakesh Sora Bike (0) 0 reviews. Shimano 105 Hydraulic Disc Brakes 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. Shifting is functionally excellent, with positive actions and good feedback. This bike is built around a lightweight SmartForm C2 aluminum frame coupled with a full carbon fork. 2020 Cannondale Topstone 105 AL review? It scores highly with a balanced seating position and high comfort, especially on very rough ground, where the superior damping properties of the Kingpin suspension become noticeable. The hydraulic disc brakes offered ample one-fingered braking power even on the steepest descents, and I never had any issues with fading. 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. 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