Cannondale Topstone Carbon 3 GRX

Cannondale Topstone Carbon 3 GRX - Carbon gravel bike without compromise

Cannondale has always been known for going its own way. From the very beginning, the US manufacturer has been one of the innovators in the bike scene. The developers are not interested in following trends, but in always going one step further and setting their own benchmarks. The best example of this philosophy is the Topstone series, which has been designed more consistently than any other gravel bike on the market. Cannondale has recognized that comfort plays the most important role when riding on bad roads or gravel paths. The body doesn't tire as quickly, and people and material are protected. The heart of the Topstone is its frame, which not only utilizes the damping properties of carbon, but also offers real suspension with the help of KingPin technology. And all this without a spongy ride feel. Keyword: direct power transmission! In combination with the 42 millimeter wide tyres, even a ride over rough gravel tracks is effectively defused.

Version 3 GRX of the Topstone Carbon comes with a mix of Shimano GRX 600 and 800 components, which have been specially developed for rough use on gravel paths. With a 2x crank and finely tuned cassette, the Topstone is also a hot tip for cyclists who want to use their gravel bike as a road racer from time to time. An alternative would be the Topstone Carbon 3 GRX 1X model with a 1x chainring. The hydraulic GRX disc brakes provide reliable deceleration and are extremely easy to service. Cannondale has been developing other parts such as handlebars, stem and seatpost in its own laboratories for years. The competition-ready wheelset with Formula hubs and WTB rims completes the equipment.

Rear triangle with innovative KingPin suspension

The rear triangle is flexibly mounted on the seat tube with the help of a thru axle. The main frame also has flexible zones on the top tube and seat tube. This allows the rear triangle to flex vertically by up to 30 millimetres to absorb shocks and vibrations. This means: more control, more comfort, more traction. The carbon layup and tube diameter are adjusted for each frame size to achieve the perfect level of stiffness and flex for every type of rider. Internal cable guides protect against dirt and emphasize the tidy frame design. Numerous mounting points for accessories make the Topstone an ideal base for bikepacking adventures: the frame and fork offer space for two water bottles and two lowrider front bags. A new addition is a storage compartment in the down tube.