Cannondale Topstone Carbon 3 650b

The "Topstone Carbon 3 650b" model from Cannondale from 2024 is a versatile gravel bike that impresses with a variety of high-quality components and sophisticated technical features at a price of EUR 2999. The frame of the bike is made of Topstone Carbon and is equipped with the Kingpin suspension system, which provides additional comfort. It is SmartSense-compatible and has a proportional response construction as well as a 12x142 mm thru-axle.

For the brakes, Cannondale relies on Shimano GRX 400 hydraulic disc brakes with 160 mm RT64 rotors both front and rear. The brake levers are also from Shimano's GRX 600 series. The gearing of the Topstone Carbon 3 650b comprises a Shimano GRX 810 Shadow RD+ rear derailleur and a Shimano GRX 810 front derailleur with an 11-speed cassette (11-34) and is operated via Shimano GRX 600 shifters. A total of 22 gears are available to the rider, allowing precise adaptation to different types of terrain.

The fork is also made of Topstone Carbon and has a tapered head tube (1-1/8" to 1.5"), a 55 mm OutFront offset, flat-mounted disc brakes, internal cable routing and various mounting points for bottle cages and mudguards. The suspension travel of the shock is 30 mm, which provides additional comfort on uneven surfaces.

The bottom bracket is an FSA Mega EXO model, while the crankset consists of an FSA Gossamer Pro Modular AGX+ and is equipped with a 46/30-tooth combination. The drivetrain is a Shimano HG601 11-speed chain. The handlebars are a Cannondale 3 model made from butted 6061 aluminium with a 16-degree flare drop, and the grips are Fizik Solocush Soft with a thickness of 3 mm. The stem is also Cannondale 3 6061 aluminium with a 7 degree angle.

The WTB ST i25 TCS rims are tubeless ready and have a size of 650b with 28 spokes. The hubs are Formula cartridge bearings with centrelock mounts (front: 12x100 mm, rear: 12x142 mm). The tyres are WTB Sendero TCS Light in the size 650bx47 mm (47-584) and also tubeless ready. Vittoria Terreno Dry tyres in the same size are used for the European market.

The saddle is a Fizik Aliante Delta with S-Alloy rails, and the seatpost is a Cannondale 3 made of 6061 aluminium with the dimensions 27.2x350 mm. The total weight of the bike is around 35kg.

The geometry of the frame includes a reach of 371 mm, a stack of 534 mm, a seat tube length of 410 mm, a top tube length of 533 mm, a head tube angle of 70 degrees, a seat tube angle of 73 degrees, a head tube length of 105 mm, a chainstay length of 420 mm, a fork rake of 55 mm, a standover height of 697 mm and a wheelbase of 1010 mm. This geometry ensures a balanced mix of stability and agility that is impressive both on the road and off-road.