Off-road fun and comfortable suspension systems - in Cannondale's opinion, they belong together. Thanks to the single-arm "Lefty" suspension fork, this approach cannot be overlooked on the new Topstone gravel bike. Although the Cannondale engineers have only given the so-called Lefty Oliver 30 millimetres of suspension travel, this is a world of difference compared to rigid carbon forks.
Comfort comes first: New gravel bikes
In addition to Cannondale, there are also other manufacturers such as Niner, Lauf or Specialized who breathe an extra dose of comfort into their "gravel track racing bikes". The best example is the brand new Diverge from Specialised with its Future Shock 2.0 suspension element under the stem, which offers up to 20 millimetres of suspension travel on the handlebars. Cannondale goes one step further, however, by giving the Topstone gravel bike a proper suspension fork. And we know from the mountain bike sector that the Lefty Ocho is a really good suspension fork. The fact that it is very stiff and responds as smooth as butter is proof of this. the latest suspension fork test from our colleagues at BIKE magazine.
27.5-inch wheels with 47 millimetre wide tyres
In addition to the suspension travel of the fork, there are other components designed to improve comfort. With a tyre width of 47 millimetres, the Topstone Lefty is moving into mountain bike dimensions. The rear triangle should also have plenty of flex thanks to a pivot point built into the seat tube. With this combination of front and rear suspension, Cannondale wants to noticeably dampen bumps and vibrations without the additional weight of rear shocks, rockers or linkages.
By the way: The Cannondale Topstone Lefty is also available in a motorised version. Cannondale Topstone Carbon Neo Lefty 1 is the full product name of the e-bike, which costs 9,000 euros.
Features of the Cannondale Topstone Lefty
- Frame: Cannondale BallisTec Carbon
- Fork: Lefty Oliver Carbon
- Gear system: SRAMX01 Eagle eTap AXS, 12-speed 10-50
- Crankset: SRAM Force eTap AXS, 40
- Brakes: SRAM Force eTap AXS
- Wheels: HollowGram 23 Carbon,
- Tyres: WTB Venture (front) and Byway (rear)TCS Light, 650 x 47c
- Handlebars and stem: HollowGram SAVE Carbon
- Saddle and seatpost: Fabric Scoop and SAVE Carbon
- Frame: Cannondale BallisTec Carbon
- Fork: Lefty Oliver
- Shifting: Shimano GRX 800 wide, 11-speed, 11-42 (Women's 3: Shimano GRX 812, 11-speed 11-42)
- Crankset: Cannondale 1, 40
- Brakes: SRAM Force eTap AXS
- Wheels: WTB ST i23
- Tyres: WTB Venture (front) and Byway (rear) TCS Light, 650 x 47c
- Handlebars and stem: Cannondale 3 and Cannondale 2, aluminium
- Saddle and seatpost: Fabric Scoop and Cannondale 2, carbon
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