Cannondale Topstone

The Topstone's novel Kingpin pivot pumps up the comfort

- SAM CHALLIS

With its roots in one of modern gravel’s most pioneering designs, the Cannondale Slate, the Topstone is one of the most well-informed gravel bikes on the market. This is the second-generation Topstone, and since the release of its predecessor the category has exploded in popularity, splitting off into sub-genres.

Cannondale has designs that cater for each, including the SuperSix Evo SE for racing and the Topstone Lefty for more extreme adventuring. This rigid Topstone sits in the middle and is perhaps the best reflection of the gravel bike category because its design is modifiable, allowing it to make a decent fist of any riding.

There’s a range of spec options, of which the Carbon 2 L sits at the upper end. Shimano’s GRX groupset features in 2x mechanical guise and the finishing kit is similarly dependable: aluminium bars and stem, Fizik’s Terra Argo X5 saddle and WTB’s KOM Light i23 TCS wheels. There are also fancier touches such as Cannondale’s flexy Save carbon seatpost and Vittoria’s fast-rolling Terreno Dry tyres. Cannondale’s SmartSense system of lights tops things off.

The second version of the Topstone frameset introduces a raft of changes from the first. Most notable is that the bike’s USP, the Kingpin pivot at the junction of the seatstays and seat tube, has been redesigned. Simply put, the pivot point now sits on bushings instead of bearings, meaning it can be 100g lighter while also making it maintenance-light, all while preserving its claimed 30mm of fore-aft flex at the saddle.

Trimmer and freer