Cannondale unveil the Topstone for gravel adventures
Alloy frame with loads of tire clearance and a model with a dropper seatpost
American bike manufacturer Cannondale has released a new bike aimed at adventure riders and gravel enthusiasts. The Topstone is named after a favourite dirt road near the companies Connecticut headquarters. The new bike features a design that makes it an attractive and versatile gravel bike for adventurers.
The frame is alloy and is designed to handle the roughest gravel roads with confidence thanks to frame’s geometry, handling characterists and ability to accomodate high-volume grippy rubber. Cannondale itend the bike to be used as a weekend tourer, all-weather commuter or a comfortable all-round road bike but really the bike’s versatile design means there’s no limit to what it can handle.
Cannondale used what they call SmartForm C2 allowy for the frame and make clearance for 700c tires up to 42 mm wide which should give riders the ability to mount whatever rubber they need to ride their preferred surfaces. The tapered fork is carbon and the bike uses 12 mm thru-axles for stiffness and precise steering. Disc brakes provide sure stopping power in all conditions.
The frames geometry borrows heavily from Cannondale’s Endurance road bike, the Synapse, with similar stack and reach for a stable platform for controlling the bike on rough surfaces. Additionally the bike uses what Cannondale call OutFront Geometry which combines a slack head angle with a 55 mm fork offset so when you are going back you have stable handling then quick-handling and agility when fighting rough or slippery surfaces at lower speeds.
For increased off-road confidence, the Topstone is outfitted with internal cable routing so a dropper-post can be added. For long journeys there are mounts for top-tube storage and large frame bags plus multiple bottle mounts.
Cannondale Topstone with Shimano 105
Cannondale Topstone with Shimano Sora
Cannondale Topstone with Sram Apex 1 with a dropper post.
The Topstone line-up features three models. The highest priced model at $2,800 is equipped with SRAM Apex 1 and a dropper-post with 55 mm of travel. The Shimano 105 model is priced at $2,300 and a Shimano Sora model will be offered at $1,400. Bikes are available immedietely.
