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Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty: Long-Term Review!

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"It was 1971: a year when the world was beginning to change rapidly with an exciting new spirit of digital invention, creativity and imagination along with a worldwide drive for new purpose. A new dawn. And yet, cycling was still very traditional, very conventional, conforming to some sort of rulebook: our founders believed that there had to be a better way." - Cannondale.com
You can read more about Cannondale's history at this link - www.cannondale...
Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty
"It had to happen. We paired our proven, super-light and effortlessly simple Kingpin rear suspension system with our cutting-edge, built-for-gravel Lefty Oliver 30mm gravel suspension fork - meaning better control and even more comfort."
"More Give. More Go. More Lefty. A gravel bike to beat all gravel bikes. Dual suspension makes this the most off-road capable and on-road comfortable road bike ever made."
In this video, JOM of the Gravel Cyclist crew covers the good and bad of the spicy Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty, namely the Lefty 3 variant. If you desire even more tech info about this bike, please visit the related article at GravelCyclist.com (goes live after the Premiere).
Cannondale - Cannondale.com
Links of Interest:
Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty vs Niner MCR 9 RDO: Comparing the Wildest Gravel Bikes! - wp.me/p4V4se-alh
Shimano GRX Mechanical 1x & 2x Long Term Review! - wp.me/p4V4se-aml
Shimano GRX Di2 2x/1x Long Term Review - wp.me/p4V4se-aeI
WTB Venture 650b x 47mm & 700c x 40mm/50mm Tyre Review - wp.me/p4V4se-86d
Panaracer Gravelking SS Tyre Review - wp.me/p4V4se-aaf
How to Descend on a Gravel Bike - Including Tips from Dave Zabriskie & others! - wp.me/p4V4se-89k
2020 SBT VRTL Gainesville, Florida, Black Edition: 144 Miles/230kms in 92F/31C, 90+% Humidity - wp.me/p4V4se-aHI
Apidura Racing Top Tube Pack Review - wp.me/p4V4se-agw
RideFarr.com Aero Extension Review - wp.me/p4V4se-9oa
Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty Unboxing & Features - wp.me/p4V4se-aix
Super Cool Bike Shop - supercoolbikesh...
Amazon Affiliation Link:
No cost to you, but every purchase made helps keep Gravel Cyclist up and running! - www.amazon.com...
Buy Me a Coffee - Helps support Gravel Cyclist:
www.buymeacoff...
Web: GravelCyclist.com
Facebook: / gravelcyclist
Instagram - Instagram/GravelCyclist
Twitter - / gravelcyclist

Опубликовано:

28 авг 2024

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Комментарии : 139

@industryrule-4080 3 года назад

I love how you took Cannondale to task for the wheel and cassette decisions they made. That's the kind of info I look for in a review.

@GravelCyclist 3 года назад

Thank you Terence. That was a huge disappointment, especially when you consider that was a 2020 model year bike, and very high end.

@titandominik5427 3 года назад

instaBlaster

@douglasbracken7562 3 года назад

You are by light years the best person to watch for reviews! 👍

@GravelCyclist 3 года назад

Thanks Douglas! I try to be very thorough.

@PathLessPedaledTV 4 года назад

Glad to know we're not the only ones that get internet "fit experts" commenting on our vids :)

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

And emails... and Instagram comments. I have much fun messing with them :)

@C.Medina 4 года назад

Wow Jom, what a great review. Everybody needs to take a blue print of this way of review and not those brainstorm that you see in other channels going up and down. Your mate from Ride Adaleide is doing a great job as well in his last videos. 👍👍

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

Thanks mate, appreciate the kind words! I'm tired of the shill reviews and other bollocks out there. James from Ride Adelaide, top notch all round. I'm hoping to do some further collaboration with him if Covid ever settles down? Visiting the Aussie homeland is currently untenable due to the mega quarantine requirements, not to mention the financial cost of that quarantine :(

@C.Medina 4 года назад

I hear you of course. Anyhow that's great news for the gravel community. I be looking forward for that collaboration. 👍

@JustRideAdelaide 4 года назад

Ahhhh thanks guys! Appreciate the love!

@unchewable1 4 года назад

Another great review man thanks for helping us sort through all the options you are a boon to the industry

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

Thank you!

@charlied1675 4 года назад

Good stuff. Thanks for that. So nice to see someone who is willing to give an honest review, good and bad.

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

Thanks Chuck. The rubbish posted by the RU-vid outlet with the three-letter acronym aka nothing more than Paid Promotions make me ill. I've no time for shill reviews,

@billoneill6114 4 года назад

Excellent review! And yes the comment about the keyboard bike fitter's was great! 🤣

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

Someone needs to mess with the troll keyboard heroes :)

@billoneill6114 4 года назад

@@GravelCyclist hahaha Yes!! Love it!!

@BPlus-oz7cm 4 года назад

I wouldn't write it off for my needs. Great review Jom!

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

Thank you! Someone apparently got butthurt by the review... thumbs down, ruh roh!

@captjohnclark Год назад

I had to get rid of my 19' slate fx1. Best bike I've ever had. I was hoping they would build another aluminum but I'm leaning towards the new topstone

@andrewhillman9632 3 года назад

Really enjoyed your review. I've been looking for a new bike and gravel would be well suited to the terrain in my area. Thank you for sharing the good and the bad. It's wonderful to know what to expect.

@moldmanandy 4 года назад

Love your reviews!! I think the Road 10s/MTB 11s freebody sucks for a stock gravel bike wheelset, too! However, I believe the Shimano 11-34T cassettes would fit, unlike the 11-32Ts.

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

Wishing I had checked the 11-34 right now haha, will confirm later. Thanks!

@trevekneebone369 4 года назад

Agreed. The 11-34 will fit, as officially it is an MTB cassette.

@erich8258 4 года назад

"...should be folding their mom's laundry or cleaning out her gutters" -- made me laugh out loud, and so true!

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

I'm glad my sense of humour is appreciated :)

@jg9008 4 года назад

I though that I misunderstood your accent when you said, "10 speed cassette body". Backed up the video... wow. What a strange decision. Great review as always!

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

Mind blowing... a cost saving? I really don't know.

@cliph6068 4 года назад

@@GravelCyclist You can use HG700 and HG800 11 speed cassettes which are both 11-34 and fit on a 10 speed freehub body. It's pretty much a non issue.

@involuntarysoul3867 4 года назад

12 sp microspine is on the horizon for gravel, this is a non issue

@jg9008 4 года назад

My issue is, why go with outdated spec in any build?

@Spoonmeister62 4 года назад

The flip side of this is fitting an 11 speed FHB and a spacer to make the MTB cassette work. Other people for slate them for this 'bad' spec choice. I suspect it's because it's built to take the larger cassette and so that there isn't a spacer to lose when replacing the cassette.

@GravelFilmsDivision 4 года назад

This is the type of review that's needed. Thx. Good stuff. :-)

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

Thank you. For years I have shaken my head at the paid review rubbish, which seems to get worse and worse. Thankful to be in a position to post no BS reviews.

@tacticalceo685 4 года назад

Nice video jom good explanation of everything about the bike but I just don’t like the looks of the single fork just can’t get past it even with several months of therapy I don’t think I could get over it to each his own I guess haha keep the video coming .

@giusepearturo Год назад

thanks

@ArtanisKizrath 4 года назад

Cannondale is notorious for skimping on components. Their frames are good but they use lower quality components. Their "Ultegra" versions of bikes use 105 cassettes and rotors. Some of their Dura Ace ones also use 105 or Ultegra.

@dvs70 2 года назад

Columbus Riverwalk, my stomping grounds. Great gravel roads on post & a few minutes away in Seale. I thought I recognized some of the roads.

@bebopman5 4 года назад

Good thing you pointed out their weird hub decision. That somewhat makes me weary of any gravel bike that comes stock spec'd with a MTB cassette. It could come with a MTB freehub body that isn't compatible with a standard road 11S. Wth, Cannondale! All they needed was a spacer with the regular Road 11 speed hub if they wanted that SLX cassette on there, smh.

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

Agreed, a silly cost-cutting measure?

@BrianRPaterson 9 месяцев назад

Nice review. I found a new-old-stock slate in a bike shop. I guess it was too radical to attract a buyer. But it looked good to an old mountain biker like me. In size L with the SRAM CX1 build it weighs 9Kg on the dot. That's a bit lighter than the Topstone Lefty - not bad for an old 'un. The 10-42 cassette covers a fair range, but the stock 44T chain ring has to go. It's just too high for the hills here. Or maybe I need to train more. A 38T or a 40T may just about do. Cheers

@GravelCyclist 9 месяцев назад

38T Chainring paired with your 10-42 cassette should be perfect. I reviewed the Campy Ekar 13-speed groupset a while ago, 38T chainring there, with an 11-44T cassette. It covered all terrain types. Good luck!

@wss327 3 года назад

Super review!

@sameernagpal2550 4 года назад

Best review. Thank you

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

Thanks!

@robertdewar1752 Год назад

Nice bike. The 1x and deep headtube limit its versatility somewhat though (for me as a bikepacker at least).

@GravelCyclist Год назад

Agreed 100%, it needs far lower gearing for bike packing. I think a nice 2x with low ratio would have been a better choice for this bike.

@davidravo6247 3 года назад

Jom, quick question? How many elite, very light cross country bikes do you see on your competitive gravel events around the United States. In other words how many flat bar bikes are out there. I have a serious propensity for light cross country bikes and I’m thinking of getting of new very very light one, to use as a crossover and gravel

@ignaciofores 3 года назад

Where did you buy these wheels? Is the rear wheel stock, or is it bike specific?

@CaptainShiny5000 4 года назад

Hopefully in next years model they'll spec it with a 2x option as well as 11speed hubs. The latter is almost unforgivable - generally even the cheapest Gravelbikes with 10Speed shifting tend to come with 11Speed hubs and just use a spacer.

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

Exactly... a spacer would have solved the issue. As alluded to in the video, I would like to make a project bike of the Topstone with GRX Di2 or SRAM Etap Force Wide.

@DemonVibez488 Год назад

So um yea they did

@DemonVibez488 Год назад

I got it with a 11 speed hubs

@jasoncabo4590 3 года назад

Hello sir. I have a same bike but i was thinking to upgrade the wheelset what kind of hub did you used the rear hub and front hub. And also are this lefty 3 can run to 700c please let me know. Thanks jason cabo. Ride safe always

@hansschotterradler3772 4 года назад

Hmmm. Is the Lefty still a fork? For something to be a fork, it needs to have 2 prongs (or more), right? I'd call it a chop stick.

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

Haha, open to interpretation.

@hansschotterradler3772 4 года назад

@@GravelCyclist I take it as an agreement of this not being a "fork". I have talked to people who had an earlier version of this chop stick. general consensus: a ittle bit of a gimmick. just put a normal gravel fork on you bike and you're good to go through the rough stuff. Either way, this setup must be great when descending on the gnarly stuff. How does this suspended gravel bike compare to a bike with 650b x 2" tires.

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

You can get the feel close, but there is no substitute for that extra plush with the suspension. Do you need it? Some riders do for sure. I have to say, the Topstone Lefty rides really sweet with 650b x 2" tyres.

@mazditzo 4 года назад

well then narrowing my choice to diverge and good ol surly

@brody5211 3 года назад

Excellent as s always - love the look of this too Have you ridden or tested the giant revolt.

@GravelCyclist 3 года назад

Hi there, no time on a Giant Revolt.

@greg7gkb 3 года назад

Would you recommend this bike to ride the Great Divide? It looks fun but the unique wheels seem like a big annoyance then. Any other bikes I should consider? I'm thinking that having front suspension is a necessity.

@user-oi1ki6xv3y 3 года назад

Cool, I plan to buy this bike next year, they're not selling here yet. Do you know how to install 700c wheels on this bike? As I discovered it has to be rebuild Lefty fork to work with 700c wheels

@Pillokun 4 года назад

Haha here is one of those saying that the Cannondale Topstone and other gravel bikes are dropbar MTB, they are old school mtb from circa 90s. The new crop of MTB are more like Motorcycles these days with super long frames, long wheelbase and slack headtube angle. :P So yes, the gravel bikes are dropbar mtb but from yesteryear :P

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

Do you feel better now?

@Pillokun 4 года назад

@@GravelCyclist so much better :D

@GlennRacing1 4 года назад

Great review, thanks. Thinking of getting one of these for my wife and I. Hers would be an XS, so assuming there’d be a fair bit of seat post left in the seat tube, would this affect the rear suspension action at all ?? Is it worth basically paying twice the price for the Topstone 1 ??

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

Seatpost plays into the suspension concept, so... you need to decide what is value to you, sorry! Perhaps visit a stocking dealer for a look.

@0905ash 3 года назад

I have one of these bikes. It is awesome but I do need more climbing gears for sure... but I love the simplicity of a 1x system. What is my most affordable option for more gears at the rear? Is there a bigger cassette I could purchase and use a goat link? Any advise would be appreciated! Great video 📹 👍

@rgarcia2421 3 года назад

Just buy the lefty 1 instead of the Lefty 3 and problem solved.

@minethegap 4 года назад

I reckon if I put all the odd parts lying around my garage onto a frame I have something like this to ride. How can you tell if someone rides a Cannondale lefty, they know what a needle bearing is

@NickNiemiec 4 года назад

Yep, and also, "don't worry, they'll tell you"

@dergore8954 2 года назад

Great review, thank you. Maybe you would be so kind and tell me the weight of the stock wheelset. Thank you very much.

@GravelCyclist 2 года назад

Unfortunately, I don't have the wheels / bike any longer, but from memory, the stock wheels were close to 2kg for the pair!

@dergore8954 2 года назад

@@GravelCyclist Thank you very much.

@ericpmoss 4 года назад

The 10 speed thing is annoying, not because I need 11 or 12 in back, but because it limits my brifter and derailleur choices. I'm not bothered by the 6mm offset to the right, though. I have never swapped wheels as much as I may talk about it. IMO rear wheels have for some time had far too much dish, and as an... um... not lightweight rider... I appreciate the symmetry.

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

Plenty of dish these days!

@jimthebikeguy 4 года назад

I would have it 2x and with 700c wheels.

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

For sure, 2x at a miminum for me.

@mortenreippuertknudsen3576 4 года назад

The Ultegra level 11-34 shimano cassette fits on 10 speed HG bodies

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

Several people have mentioned this, an error on my part, thank you. I'll try an 11-34 on the original wheelset soon... 11-32 is a definite no go.

@charliegage1871 3 года назад

JOM, I enjoyed your review and decided to pick one of these up. I want to pick up another wheel set but I can't find anything detailing the Ai offset that Cannondale uses. Even on Atomik's website there was nothing that let me specify that I needed an Ai offset compatible wheel set. Is there something specific I need to look at when looking for an Ai offset wheel?

@GravelCyclist 3 года назад

Hi Charlie, you will specifically have to ask in a lot of cases. If it helps, I reviewed a Lefty specific wheelset by Knight Composites. Drop by their website or send them a message. Good luck!

@charliegage1871 3 года назад

@@GravelCyclist Thanks for the quick response and insight JOM.

@chrisdowling1585 4 года назад

Good review, did you throw any 700c wheelset on or won’t they fit? I don’t mind the 650B but prefer the larger circumference of the 700c with a 45mm tire.

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

No 700c wheels for this review, none available to me for a Lefty.

@chrisdowling1585 4 года назад

@@GravelCyclist bummer. That's the reason I moved my Slate on, 700c wasn't a good option. I then got a Checkpoint which was fantastic...but I'm now rock'n a Surly Pacer set up for gravel and long back road ride around Syd. I really enjoy your vids, especially the ones showing us around the towns....not many people make an effort to do that so thanks.

@mk03082010 2 года назад

what are the specs of the spokes you used on the front wheel set?

@Incaensio 4 года назад

Cannondale is owned by a big company and therefore budget cuts have to be made. The freehub is one of them. That's corporations for you.

@erich8258 4 года назад

But these decisions can be made sensibly or not. This is clearly dumb.

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

I'd like to know how much money was saved?

@yellowfinendurance 3 года назад

what cycling shoes are they?

@richardharker2775 3 года назад

A good bike that can soften those micro jack hammering bumps without adding full suspension would be perfect. A bike with quirks like the cassette body is too iffy. When I was looking to purchase I inquired about the lefty servicing here in Oz and it had to be shipped to Brisbane where the only single (approved) service centre is located. Not good. In principal and design, I like it. But I don't want to buy an expensive bike only to have to throw more money at it for my liking.

@GravelCyclist 3 года назад

Hi Rick, that's a real bugger about Brissy having the only service centre. The bike has so much potential but is lacking in some areas as you've pointed out. With that said, I had a ton of fun riding it, and sincerely hope Cannondale will take my feedback in a constructive manner.

@federicoamadeo4606 3 года назад

The Topstone Lefty comes with 47 tyres off the box. This is off-off road! My question to you is this: can this bike behave in the realm of decent control with 40? How about 38? I'd love to get your views on this.

@GravelCyclist 3 года назад

Hello there, 42mm was the narrowest I ran on 650b, 38mm would be no worries whatsoever. I cannot speak for 700c, I only rode 650b on the bike.

@jdgang70 4 года назад

The cassette is a MTB cassette. so a 10 speed body works with a MTB cassette. The money managers where thinking nobody would try to put on a road cassette

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

Indeed, and that's where I step in. I like to tinker and go beyond the normal realms of reviews. No other reviews bothered to swap wheels... you saw it here, thanks for chiming in!

@jdgang70 4 года назад

@@GravelCyclist 100% that's why i subscribe. Keep it up. And i agree I want a 2x option

@blakeboggs2275 3 года назад

would you consider this an xc bike replacement?

@GravelCyclist 3 года назад

No I would not, unless you really like to work on your skills :)

@gdepasqua 4 года назад

hi, the rear hub is dt swiss 240? mtb or road? front dt swiss 240 50 mm?

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

The non-stock wheels (Knight and Atomik) featured in this review used DT Swiss 240 hubs, same for the front hub.

@gdepasqua 4 года назад

Gravel Cyclist I understand, but the front hub is lefty 50 or 60mm? did you have to change rear axle?

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

Front hub is 50mm I think, it is not Boost. Rear axle is 142mm x 12mm.

@joshdicuangco4463 3 года назад

What is your top tube bag?

@GravelCyclist 3 года назад

Apidura Racing Bolt-On Top Tube Pack, check out my review here - wp.me/p4V4se-agw

@cliph6068 4 года назад

Your comment about the cassettes isn't entirely correct. Shimano makes cassettes like the HG700 and HG800 11 speed road cassettes that also need the spacer on an 11 speed freehub body which means they fit the 10 speed freehub body. Both are 11-34.

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

Several people have made the comment about the 11-34, which I admittedly goofed on. The 11-32 and lower, those are definitely no go. Thanks for chiming in!

@jasonbannan4024 2 года назад

Strip it out and refit it? At that price, it should be perfect.

@wichersham 4 года назад

What chainguide are you using on this bike?

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

No idea, no branding is on the chainguide, stock item with the bike.

@wichersham 4 года назад

@@GravelCyclist Ouch, thanks anyway.

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

My reply wasn't meant as an insult if that's what your Ouch was about? I honestly don't know, no markings on it. Sorry!

@gdepasqua 4 года назад

Hi,can you send a link of new wheels? Grazie

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

KnightComposites.com or AtomikCarbon.com

@gdepasqua 4 года назад

Gravel Cyclist weight wtb wheels? Grazie👋

@kevindavis3671 4 года назад

I have this bike and whats the parts list to make the Atomik Carbon Wheels and BERD Spokes work?

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

The parts list = a wheelset from Atomik Carbon... and the review JUST POSTED :) ! Check it out here - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5Q2HXUt2w6g.html

@unrealshots 4 года назад

Nice review mate, love the keyboard warrior comments!!! Folding their Mum's laundry.... 🤣🤣🤣

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

Haha thanks mate. It had to be said. I'm tired of these know-it-alls writing in saying my fit sucks, or pushing their keyboard warrior fitting views onto others. Somehow, I finished 144 miles last Sunday on the Topstone with my shoddy fit. Woah!

@unchewable1 4 года назад

Fix it sticks woo

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

Love the Fixit Sticks!

@stevewalther2293 4 года назад

I'm a little concerned about the word....left!!!

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

Perhaps someone will manufacture a Righty?

@armanddurandt7918 4 года назад

Mtb cassettes and road cassettes differ in spacing. Not disagreeing with they could have done better, but if they speced it with a 11speed road freehub, the SLX/XT cassette wouldnt have worked

@GravelCyclist 4 года назад

I have used an XT and XTR 11-Speed cassette on a road 11-Speed freehub, it works fine with a spacer behind the cassette.