Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty 3 (2021)

Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty 3

The future of gravel biking. The US manufacturer Cannondale is one of the pioneers in modern bicycle construction. Right from the start, the cult smithy was known for revolutionary design and innovations. The development of a full-suspension Gravelbike seems only logical. The first step was the BallisTec carbon frame with KingPin micro suspension on the rear frame, which was already introduced last year. With the current Topstone Carbon Lefty 3 Cannondale goes one step further and presents the brand new Lefty Oliver suspension fork. Typical for Cannondale a one-arm construction, which makes the Topstone unmistakable. There is nothing comparable on the market. The Lefty Oliver was developed with 30 millimeters of travel especially for gravel bikes. Because you don't need more travel in light terrain. On gravel and forest roads, damping vibrations is more in demand than swallowing big lumps. This makes the Topstone Carbon Lefty 3 the ultimate mix of race bike and CrossCountry mountain bike. The Shimano GRX components, also specially developed for gravel bikes, ensure smooth performance in all conditions. The Shimano group is complemented by high-quality Cannondale parts such as crank, handlebars and carbon seat post.

Revolutionary carbon frame with KingPin suspension

After four years of development, the US manufacturer Cannondale presents its new BallisTec Carbon frame for Gravelbikes. The rear frame is mounted on the seat tube with the help of a thru axle. There are also flexible zones on the top tube and seat tube. This allows the rear triangle to yield vertically by up to 30 millimetres to absorb shocks and vibrations. This means: more control, more comfort, more traction. Carbon layup and tube diameter are adjusted for each frame size to achieve the right level of stiffness and flex for each type of rider. The system is low maintenance and requires no setup. Internal cable guides protect against dirt and underline the tidy design. There are three bottle cage positions on the lower frame triangle, one of which is even variable to make room for a frame bag. Additional accessories can be attached to the threaded eyelets on the top tube. Ideal for bikepacking and multi-day tours.

Highlights

• BallisTec carbon frame with KingPin suspension system
• Shimano GRX 800 gears 1x11 & Shimano GRX 400 disc brakes
• Light Cannondale 1-speed crankset
• Formula/WTB wheelset with thru axles, tubeless ready
• Up to 40 mm tire width (700c) or 48 mm (650b) possible