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Cannondale revamped its Topstone alloy gravel bikes. The most cost effective model, the Topstone 4, comes with a full carbon fork, a 1x setup and sufficient mounting factors to hold something. It could be $1,325 / £1,100, however sadly that is now an affordable value to pay for a stable, reliable bike.
The American bike firm is understood for its nice alloy frames, and this now applies to its gravel bikes, in addition to its well-known CAAD highway bikes. There are carbon body choices of the Topstone, such because the Cannondale Topstone Carbon 3 that we lately examined, however the alloy Topstone 4 is a good worth choice that stacks up effectively in opposition to the dearer choices that we price because the best budget gravel bikes.
Cannondale Topstone 4: Development
The very first thing one notices in regards to the Topstone 4 is how stable it appears. That is good, it’s a gravel bike, designed for the rigours of trails and challenges away from the highway, and it definitely appears the half. It isn’t a massively racy wanting bike, constructed for consolation greater than velocity, and with a really relaxed driving place, though it does have dropped seat stays.
That is in all probability not your bike for a gravel race, then, however a gravel journey, with mounting factors everywhere in the body, prepared for every kind of luggage. The angles are sort to the newbie gravel rider, with the handlebars fitted in a really snug place at 31.8 levels. It’s fairly an upright driving place, however then that’s tremendous on a motorbike of this kind.
The SmartForm C2 Alloy body is similar one discovered throughout all Topstone Alloys, though the high quality fashions include the “light-weight” model. This isn’t a lightweight bike, weighing in at over 10kg, however that doesn’t matter an excessive amount of on a gravel bike, with the Topstone 4 feeling very secure over every kind of terrain. The inner cable routing is sensible, and makes it really feel like a really fashionable object.
The subsequent factor you discover on the bike is its 1x setup, which is definitely microSHIFT Introduction X; you may not have heard of the tiny (in comparison with a behemoth like Shimano) components producer, however its drivetrain is stable. As a result of it has only one chainring on the entrance, it has dinner plate-sized sprockets on the again – going as much as 48 tooth. The shortage of a small ring and entrance derailleur could be disconcerting to these used to highway driving, however it does imply much less upkeep on the horizon.
Apparently, Cannondale turned to microSHIFT on account of provide chain points in the course of the pandemic, and the bike consequently does really feel prefer it has been put collectively from regardless of the American firm might cobble collectively; alongside the microSHIFT drivetrain, the mechanical disc brakes are from Promax elements. Whereas these labored principally tremendous, you’ll discover the stopping energy distinction between hydraulic and mechanical brakes, and we aren’t as conversant in Promax as different element producers.
Like all Cannondale Topstones, it comes with a full carbon fork by means of the model’s BallisTec subdivision, and it actually helps dampen the vibrations you recover from tough floor, whereas maintaining among the weight off. With the mounting factors on them too, there isn’t a lot to complain about there, and the tapered steerer tube provides to the exact feeling of the entrance of the bike.
That is mixed with Cannondale’s ‘OutFront’ steering geometry, which sees the entrance wheel additional in entrance of the rider, for stability and confidence, like an old-school mountain bike. It additionally means you positively won’t ever get any form of toe overlap with the entrance wheel. Cannondale says that this makes the steering ‘mild and agile’, and I can positively agree with that. It is a nice instance of tech trickled down from dearer fashions.
The Topstone 4 comes with Cannondale’s personal GXD 1.0 wheels and Vittoria’s Terreno Dry 35mm tires, which have sufficient tread to take care of absolutely anything. Nonetheless, relying on location, you may get WTB’s Riddler Comp 37mm tires, with an identical degree of tread. I’ve to say, the tan partitions look extra enjoyable than the boring outdated black ones I had on my check mannequin. Nonetheless, the grip was glorious. The bike can match as much as 45mm tires, however I do know some those who choose to go even greater, so this may maintain some riders again.
The 35s on the bike I received coped with the paths close to me, however if you happen to needed to really feel safer on muddier, less-grippy terrain, there may be positively that choice.
The whole lot else on the bike is from Cannondale, with the handlebars, stem, saddle and seatpost all own-brand. One factor to notice is that if you happen to fancy it, you’ll be able to swap out the Cannondale 4 seatpost for a 27.2mm dropper seatpost, because the body is constructed to deal with internally routed fashions.
Sadly, not one of the Topstone Alloys include Cannondale’s built-in SmartSense radar and lights, powered by a single battery. Though you’ll be able to add it as an additional on all of the fashions. They do all include a detachable fender bridge, nevertheless, which is a bonus for these moist components of the yr.
Colorwise, it’s price noting that the Topstone 4 is available in two colours: the ‘black magic’ model which I had, or a relatively charming ‘alpine’ model, which is basically mild blue. I do know which one I’d go for if I had the selection. It appears nice with tan partitions.
So, aside from the Promax mechanical disc brakes, all the things appears to be comfortably punching above the comparatively reasonably priced value, and it positively appears good. What of the trip?
Cannondale Topstone 4: the trip
This isn’t a nasty bike, and is clearly an amazing choice do you have to want to get into gravel driving; there may be nothing massively to dislike about it, and it actually helps you get on the market. I examined the bike over fairly a number of completely different circumstances, and it was snug throughout most of them.
Nonetheless, it should be stated, I didn’t get pleasure from driving this on the highway that a lot. Clearly, that’s a part of the trade-off with it being so safe and enjoyable off-road, however on tarmac, it felt fairly sluggish and didn’t reply amazingly effectively to accelerations. The large knobbly tyres meant it was tough to really feel velocity on-road, and for these used to extra responsive highway bikes, the ‘OutFront’ steering made it really feel a bit odd. Mixed with the 1x drivetrain, and it feels a bit tough to seek out the proper gear to swimsuit driving on flat roads.
That’s, after all, not the first function of the Topstone 4, though there are quite a lot of gravel rides within the UK the place you will discover your self on the highway a good bit, sadly. Transferring off highway, although, the bike carried out admirably on gravel and stone paths, in addition to extra rugged terrain.
I loved the 1x drivetrain when making an attempt to stand up hills on trails, because it moved very easily, and the ‘OutFront’ steering made positive I felt firmly in management, even when the floor was moderately free or slippery. It felt like a motorbike designed for adventures, and the presence of the mounting factors underlines this. Having not used the 48-tooth rear cog as soon as on the highway, its presence was welcome on among the gnarlier climbs, particularly given the load of the bike.
I can’t say that I observed a lot distinction from having mechanical relatively than hydraulic disc brakes, and regardless of fears of what this might imply, I had no issues stopping on any form of floor. The bars are good and vast, and mixed with the flared drops, permits for loads of clearance over any baggage you may need. It doesn’t really feel too far ahead in any respect, and is a really snug expertise.
I took my Topstone out in the course of the summer season, on drier, dustier trails, however the presence of the area for mudguards on the back and front is welcome, and will stop a rider from getting too muddy. The clearance can be nice on the underside, leaving you feeling relatively excessive up on the bike.
Cannondale Topstone 4: worth and conclusion
There’s a lot to be lauded in regards to the value of the Cannondale Topstone 4. It could be over $/£1,000 – simply – sitting at $1,325 / £1,100, however that doesn’t really feel too outrageous a value in 2023. The components may really feel like they’ve been discovered from rummaging round in a cut price bin, however they work suitably effectively, and didn’t trigger an issue for me on my trip. One may really feel snug with greater identify manufacturers, however there may be not a lot to complain in regards to the microSHIFT and Promax setup on this bike.
The carbon fork is nice worth, and the presence of trickle down tech from the higher-specced variations just like the ‘OutFront’ steering makes it a compelling mannequin. It’s about the identical value because the Triban GRVL 520, however being from Cannondale, is a little more thrilling, possibly.
For a newbie gravel bike, I’m unsure you’ll be able to go too far incorrect.
The Cannondale Topstone 4 is a good first gravel bike, with a stable body to go together with its elements permitting for it to go virtually anyplace. It will even be implausible as a bikepacking choice, with its plethora of mounting factors, though I’m unsure I’d need to spend too lengthy commuting on it with the wheels and tyres it comes with.
It’s plenty of enjoyable to trip on every kind of various terrain, and can deal with tarmac, gravel, mud and just about something in between.
Cannondale Topstone 4: specs
- Body: SmartForm C2 Alloy
- Fork: BallisTec Full Carbon
- Groupset: microSHIFT Introduction X 10-speed
- Gear ratios: 40T, 11-48T
- Wheels: GXD 1.0
- Tires: WTB Riddler Comp 37s
- Brakes: Promax Render R mechanical disc
- Bars: Cannondale 3
- Stem: Cannondale 3
- Saddle: Cannondale Stage CX
- Seatpost: Cannondale 4 27.2mm
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Weight: 10.5kg
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