2021 Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty 3 eGravel Electric Bike
Just like the Topstone Carbon Lefty, the Neo version delivers the confident and comfortable ride with stacks of verve, the addition of power to your ride helps to take you further faster and takes the sting from the hills
The Topstone Carbon from Cannondale is one of the most considered gravel bikes available. Some years ago, Cannondale released the SLATE at the genesis of the Gravel revolution. It was a great bike that was ahead of its time - by about 2 years. While those who 'got it' absolutely love it, it was just a little too progressive for many.
The introduction of the Topstone made the transition for roadies to gravel, a little less frightening and is (like all Cannondale) an exceptionally well conceived bike. Drawing on the company's Synapse geometry and delivering a comfortable ride with all the right mounts in all the right places, the Topstone is one of the most complete Gravel bikes in a sea of franken-bikes released by others with less consideration, simply to have a 'Gravel Bike' in the range. The Topstone Carbon added the KingPin suspension through frame flexion and a single pivot point, in order to further enhance the off-road capabilities of its Aluminium counterpart and to improve the comfort on the road.
Logically then, the latest devlopment in the evolution of the Topstone is the application of Cannondale's Lefty technology. Lefty has been around for 2 decades and remains a contentious design for those who don't fully understand it. BUT if you've ever ridden it, you'll wonder why no one else has done it. I rode Bike Park Wales on a Lefty equipped Habit SE after about 15 years of not riding a mountain bike at all. After the first run, the fact that I had only one fork leg left my consciouness, it was only the looks of horror and comments from others saying "you must be mad riding that here" that reminded me it was bolted to the front of the bike. Lefty is crazy strong, super stiff, plush as hell and - in the 30mm Oliver iteration found on the Topstone Carbon Lefty bikes - really light, which makes it ideal for gravel riding. It makes sense then that the latest range of Topstone Carbon now feature this marvellous tech..... a sensible evolution.
The geometry of the Topstone creates the ride. Like its aluminium stablemate, the Topstone Carbon Lefty features a dialled endurance fit that perfectly balances the need to be upright for epic days in the saddle and control on technical trails, yet remains low and forward enough for speed through the air when churning it out on the roads.
This balance is difficult to achieve but Cannondale are able to deliver it in part through their OutFront Steering Geometry that was originally developed for their SuperX cyclocross race bikes. This clever aspect of the geometry in effect sets the front wheel slightly further forward. By doing so the rider gains the benefit of more stable handling and confidence when tackling rough terrain. At the same time, it keeps the steering light and agile so there is no fighting the bike when you are being tested by the trail. It has the added bonus of keeping toe-overlap to a minimum - which can be particularly problematic on smaller frames.
The key development in the Topstone Carbon Lefty - and the most obvious element on the platform aside from the Oliver fork - is the KingPin suspension system. If you experienced the wonder that was the early Cannondale Scalpel mountain bike, the revolutionary, super-light suspension will be familiar to you since this is where it came from. The system relies on the inherent strength and pliability of Cannondale’s bomb-proof Ballistic Carbon. Careful layup combined with a single pivot at the seat-tube, allows for 30mm of travel that lets you ride harder on dirt and more smoothly on the road. No heavy or complicated linkages or shocks, just expertly engineered flex where you need it. The single pivot at the seat-tube uses Cannondale’s LockR Thru-axle design to link each seat-stay and avoid independent rotation, thus ensuring solid feel and instant pick-up.
Ultimately this innovative suspension system allows for greater control and traction while delivering unrivalled comfort with no sacrifice in acceleration or handling. It’s why, as an old school mountain biker who prefers hard-tails, I still kick myself for never buying the Scalpel when it used this system!
Most companies delivering a specific feel or handling characteristics are doing so at the mid-point of sizes - ie, for the average sized person. Me basically. 5’9 / 175cm. Great for me, less so if you happen to be 5’2” or 6’3”. Why? Well, if a frame has a fixed stiffness regardless of size for example, the way that bike feels or handles beneath you will vary hugely depending on your size.
Cannondale, keen to have their legendary ride qualities enjoyed by all, recognise this and as a consequence build the Topstone Carbon Lefty with what they call Proportional Response Construction. Suspension and carbon lay-up are tuned by size, with different tube dimensions dialled for the rider - so you can be sure that you are experiencing the bike in the way that Cannondale intended.
All of the features that exist on the original Topstone - those that made it an instant hit with the Gravel enthusiast - are present as you would expect. The huge 48mm tyre clearance (which becomes 40mm if you want to swap your wheels out for 700c rather than 650b), the generous provision of luggage / bottle mounts from top-tube and down-tube - both top and bottom, to the removable mudguard bridge to keep the lines tidy in the dry months. In addition, the entire Topstone Carbon Range has considered cable routing. All internal, each cable or hose has a guide within the frame for stress free cable routing from entry to exit. There’s even Dropper-post compatibility for those wanting it.
In addition, the Topstone carbon Lefty uses Speed-Release Thru Axles make wheel swaps, trail-side repairs or bike transport that much simpler. A nice touch for the new range is the new Connected feature. This slinky wheel mounted sensor, paired with the free Cannondale App, delivers super accurate speed, route and distance information, registers your bike and prompts you to service your machine - as well as more besides.
The Topstone Carbon Lefty makes it easier for riders to go harder, longer - wherever they choose to ride, courtesy of a composed carbon platform that still delivers excitement. The Topstone’s unique KingPin suspension and use of the Lefty Oliver Suspension fork with 30mm travel to match the rear, makes it possible to go where most other gravel bikes can’t, or simply make it more comfortable on more ordinary terrain.
Available in 2 unisex models and 2 NEO or electric models. Specification ranges from Shimano SLX / GRX Mix to Sram Force / Eagle eTap AXS mix. All feature Shimano or Sram Hydraulic Disc brakes - de-rigeur these days - so well modulated stopping power is a given. The top Lefty 1 models also feature Cannondale’s 23mm Carbon Hollowgram wheels too, for lower weight and higher speed. WTB tyres handle the grip across the range while Cannondale’s own finishing kit and the hugely successful and remarkably comfortable Fabric saddles round out each package.
A gravel bike to beat all gravel bikes. Dual suspension makes this the most off-road capable and on-road comfortable road bike ever made.
More Give. A Lot More Go.
An e-gravel bike with full suspension and true horsepower. The most capable, fun loving gravel bike ever made goes full power. Anything’s possible.
Features:
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An e-gravel bike like no other. Already the most off-road capable and on-road comfortable gravel bike, we’ve now added a Bosch motor for more power.
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Shimano GRX 812/600 11-speed hydraulic disc group
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Bosch Performance Line CX 250W drive-unit / 500Wh battery / Range: up to 176km