Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 L (2023)

Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 L - The Topstone Gravelbike with excellent equipment.

Cannondale is also one of the pioneers in the processing of carbon in the bike industry. Since the emergence of the carbon fiber material in the nineties, the U.S. manufacturer has been able to build up extensive expertise. This is also reflected in the exceptional frame of the Topstone Carbon series, which is packed with innovations. Here, the developers have exploited all the possibilities for improving comfort that the material offers. The KingPin Suspension System stands out, a sophisticated interaction of the sloping geometry of the frame with various flex zones. The suspension is low maintenance and requires no setup. In combination with 45 millimeter wide tires, this effectively defuses even a ride over desolate gravel roads. Another innovation is the new Smart Sense system, an intelligent light and sensor technology. Or you can activate the brake light function. SmartSense is controlled via the Cannondale app. Best of all, the Topstone Carbon 2 L is already equipped with SmartSense at the factory. This makes this gravel bike an optimal base for your bikepacking adventures. The frame offers mounting points for three water bottles as well as for a top tube bag. But that's not all: The newly developed carbon fork is equipped with threaded eyelets for lowrider front bags.

Innovative carbon frame with KingPin suspension

The rear triangle is flexibly mounted on the seat tube with the help of a thru axle. In addition, there are flexible zones on the top tube and seat tube. This allows the rear triangle to yield vertically up to 30 millimeters to absorb shocks and vibrations. That means more control, more comfort, more traction. Carbon layup and tube diameter are adjusted for each frame size to provide the right amount of stiffness and flex for each rider type. Internal cable guides protect against contamination and emphasize the clean design. As usual with Cannondale: the smaller the model number, the higher the quality of the equipment of the bike. And here the Topstone 2 L definitely leaves nothing to be desired. In addition to the complete SmartSense system, it is equipped with noble GRX 800/810 components. Shimano's top Gravel group offers 2 x 11 gears and extremely service-friendly disc brakes. Another extra is a carbon seatpost, as well as a lightweight wheelset with WTB rims and Formula hubs, of course prepared for tubeless operation. Tip: If you need maximum off-road capability, you should take a look at our Topstone Carbon 2 with Lefty suspension fork and telescopic seatpost.