2021 Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty with gravel 30mm suspension fork launched - First Look

Cannondale's new Topstone Carbon Lefty gravel fork adds a 30mm suspension fork for extra gravel crushing capability

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[sakthik]

Really beautiful bike, they nailed both front and rear suspension 👍

[Purepresa]

Stunning combination, perfect set up! But there will still be the negative
Comments no matter what anyone builds, non-standard, heavy, slate was a failure blah blah blah...who cares? Let’s enjoy what we are offered...this is a luxury item! Let’s get out and open up the world!!

[accolade]

I have a Cannodale Slate and its the best bike I have ever owned. I can go anywhere and do almost anything I want (other than DH MTB terrain with lift access). It makes cycling so much fun. On single track it is faster and easier to climb with. I can also bike to MTB parks without having to drive all the time. Mine isn't full suspension like this one, but my next bike will be this bike anyways and it will have it. I won't be buying another MTB unless they are made with AWD because these types of bikes just perform so much better. It could just be because they are lighter and faster. I climb a lot better on this bike than my XC MTB, not sure why yet. But one reason is because I can come into hills faster and then stand in the saddle to get up the last part. I can't seem to do this on my XC bike. I also find my XC bike just a it too limiting. First of all, biking on any type of road (gravel or paved) is just too boring. I came into XC MTBng with a background in road biking which is probably why. Then on single track, unless it is black or double black it isn't challenging or fun enough with the XC bike. DH MTBng is different though, it is almost a different sport altogether, everything is fun except pedalling to the lift. Unlike what some people believe this is not a mountain bike, it is a road bike which has been adapted to ride rough terrain. It rides nothing like a XC mountain bike. This is based on my experience of owing a bike for every type of riding except BMX. It is like riding a super stable road bike that can do almost everything. I do take it on an easy green DH trail but there are no rocks on it, and I was a bit worried about my brakes, but I only do that because one of the MTB parks I take it to is at the top of an Alpine Ski centre and to get to it I have to bike up and then come down the same DH track. It can do it so I am happy. Thank you for making this bike! I was almost ready to give up this sport and just focus on DH until I bought this bike!

[callumd]

Got a lefty 3 coming this week as a second bike to supplement my Cervelo Aspero GRX 2x. Feels like the perfect gravel bike combo (IMHO)

[harrylook]

Gonna need a comparison b/w this and the non-lefty carbon Topstone

[Dave-hwvy]

Ride or buy one, I have. Alongside 2x MTB, Tarmac S-Works and a DH. Ride, live and be happy, I will ride anything that gives a grin, get out there and try it.

[BikeLife]

I must be the only one who thinks it looks terrible and the e version is horrendous!

[jimthebikeguy]

Tricky one. On one hand i want to be open to new ideas and variations, and always quite loved the slate. On the other hand... Just buy a 29er. This is a niche within a niche. Also a maintenance nightmare with the fork, the bb30, the offset dishing etc. Its like some kind of fantasy bike sketched out by a teenager with no real world consideration. And its sodding expensive.

[thierrylerinckx]

absolutely lovely bike! I ride a Slate and had and still have a ton of fun on it, that's a keeper!. Interesting addition of pseudo rear suspension, the Slate has something alike built in the stays. Knowing C'dale it must be quite good and an improvement on the ol' Slate. DO NOT skimp on the maintenance of the lefty though, or it will bite your wallet !! Talking of experience: I had a first "maintenance" bill of 500€ + after 3 years of skimping, ouch!! My own fault I guess, but if you are like me coming from a road biking experience/inexperience with suspension, a very good tip.

[Andy_ATB]

I liked the Slate, but it did have its limitations. However, this looks an improvement on the already excellent Topstone. For gravel, full suspension is overkill - this is what I'd call a 'soft tail', which in combination with the lefty fork is more than enough for gravel.

[zacharyblanco]

I just don’t understand how anyone can call this bike ugly

[harrylook]

Yeah - no mudguard on the front, and another issue I noticed with my non-lefty Topstone: you can't use the rear fender bracket with the stock tires! I'm sure anything smaller than 37mm would work. Astonishing mistake by Cannondale there.

[bobqzzi]

A couple of observations: This would make a great road bike with a set of 700C wheels, It may, finally, be a better gravel bike than my old Softide. I may consider one once they get a bit cheaper

[lil----lil]

In NYC, the street IS the gravel. Anyone who rides in NYC can testify. This is long overdue. Please come down in price so we can buy one.

[jklsasha]

Dang wished they had done the same for the alloy versions

[CaptainShiny]

I absolutely love it as a concept but unfortunately Cannondale uses too many proprietary parts on that bike - I mean apart from the fork - that's unavoidable. If it wasn't for the proprietary (and appearently often creaky) BB and Crank I'd absolutely want one.

[Wojtas_G]

Defininately not my bike... gravel must be gravel...not almost mtb with different handlebar. Not my story. For me better clasic gravel.

[akissparaskevopoulos]

I think it’s not a gravel bike anymore. It’s a Mountain Bike. Maybe it’s just me.

[OmarTan]

Man, I think I take the new Diverge over this. This looks like a hardtail with drop bar no matter how people try to paint it as. I prefer the original Topstone over this even though this will have a more "comfy" front

[sakthik]

Are you planning to try the fork on Secan ?