Cannondale Topstone Carbon 3 (2023)

Cannondale Topstone Carbon 3 - The Topstone gravel bike with upgrades

Cannondale is also one of the pioneers in the bike industry in the processing of carbon. Since the emergence of the carbon fiber material in the nineties, the U.S. manufacturer has been able to build up extensive know-how. 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: the Topstone Carbon models can be equipped in no time with the intelligent SmartSense system, a new type of light and sensor technology. It consists of front and rear lights as well as a rear-facing radar that informs you of approaching vehicles and activates the warning light. Or you can activate the brake light function. SmartSense is controlled via the Cannondale app. The Topstone Carbon is also well equipped 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. Compared to the Topstone 4, the Topstone 3 comes with some upgrades in terms of equipment: the mix of Shimano GRX 600 and 800 components offers a slightly wider range with 2 x 11 gears. In addition, the group has a slightly higher-quality finish. The hydraulic disc brakes are shimanotypically extremely service-friendly. Other parts such as handlebars, stem and seatpost Cannondale has been developing for years in its own laboratories. The competition-ready wheelset with Formula hubs and WTB rims is prepared for tubeless operation.