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2019 Cannondale

Topstone Sora

An aluminum frame gravel bike with mid-range components and promax mechanical disc brakes.
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Manufacturer Price

$1,050
FrameAluminum
SuspensionRigid
ForkCarbon
Wheels700c Aluminum
Drivetrain2 × 9
GroupsetSora
BrakesPromax Mechanical Disc
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Insights
Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Rider Position
relaxedaggressive
Terrain
smoothrugged
Topstone Sora
Other Gravel bikes
Gearing

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Lowest gear

(climbing)

36 mph

Topstone Sora

36 mph

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Sizing
XS

5'1" – 5'6"

SM

5'4" – 5'9"

MD

5'7" – 6'0"

LG

5'10" – 6'3"

XL

6'0" – 6'5"

🐐 Estimated

Rider Fit Notes

None yet.

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Reviews

Summary

The Cannondale Topstone is a versatile and comfortable gravel bike, praised for its smooth ride quality, impressive handling, and the innovative Kingpin suspension system that enhances comfort without sacrificing efficiency. It's designed for long, meandering rides with a geometry that balances agility and stability, making it suitable for a wide range of terrains. However, some models face criticism for limited tire clearance and occasional creaks or rattles.

Pros
  • Versatile and comfortable ride

  • Innovative Kingpin suspension system

  • Impressive handling and stability

  • Multiple mounting points for storage

  • Good value for money

Cons
  • Limited tire clearance on some models

  • Occasional creaks and rattles

  • Higher price tag for top-end models

  • Feels out of depth on challenging terrain

Key Quotes
The Cannondale Topstone Carbon is a superb all-around carbon gravel bike, but it’s not without a few compromises.
Cycling Tips logoCycling Tips
Riding the Topstone is like peeling back layers of an onion - just when you think you have a solid grasp on the bike it shows you something else, something subtle, that pulls you in and makes you appreciate it just a little bit more.
Bicycling
The beauty in this bike truly is its versatility.
Bicycling

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99 Spokes
2020 Cannondale Topstone 105

Jun 2020

Cannondale's attention to detail on the Topstone is excellent, and they've made some really interesting design choices to stand out in an increasingly-crowded category. Apparently they've succeeded -- the Topstone 105 has been the third most popular bike on all of 99 Spokes this year.

Highs
  • Well balanced

  • Descends well

  • Good power transfer

Lows
  • No mount points on the fork

  • Cheap bottom bracket

Read Review

road.cc
Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty 1

Dec 2020 · Dave Atkinson

Fast, light gravel ripper with top-notch equipment and useful suspension tech

Highs
  • Suspension a genuine benefit off road

  • Fast and fun ride

  • Dropper and mudguard compatible

Lows
  • Fiddly front wheel removal

  • Tyres not up to technical stuff

  • Costs large amounts of money

Read Review

Cycling News
Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty 3 gravel bike review

Aug 2020 · Josh Ross

The Cannondale Topstone Lefty 3 draws from the best ideas in Cannondale’s history. It’s a full-suspension gravel race bike that brings back the out-of-the-box thinking we've come to expect from Cannondale

Highs
  • Lots of tyre clearance

  • Front suspension is easily locked out

  • Adaptable for different uses

Lows
  • No mounts on the fork

  • Mudguards aren’t available

Read Review

Cycling Weekly
Cannondale Topstone Carbon Ultegra RX

Dec 2019 · James Bracey

Cannondale's latest carbon framed Topstone features Kingpin suspension technology and a sublime ride quality

Highs
  • The ride feel

  • Comfort

  • Spec

Lows
  • Nothing

Read Review

Gran Fondo Magazine
Cannondale Topstone Carbon Ultegra RX in Review

Nov 2019 · Benjamin Topf

The Topstone Carbon has been part of Cannondale’s gravel portfolio since summer 2019 and aimed to cause a stir on the gravel scene with its KingPin suspension system. You can find out whether that goal has been successful here. Click here for an overview of the best gravel bike 2020 group test. Cannondale claims that […]

Highs
  • Good stability at high speeds

  • High level of comfort

  • Coherent component spec

Lows
  • Unstable at slow speeds and through tight corners

  • Noisy internal cable routing

  • Feels out of its depth on challenging terrain

Read Review

Cycling Tips
Cannondale Topstone Carbon long-term review: A superb ride, a few quirks - CyclingTips

Aug 2019 · James Huang

Cannondale debuted its new Topstone Carbon gravel bike a little more than two months ago, and the initial impressions were very favorable (if you want to refresh your memory on what the Topstone Carbon is all about, you can check out all the nitty-gritty tech details here). But bikes are a lot like people: that […]

Highs
  • Comfortable-yet-controlled ride quality, road bike-like responsiveness and handling.

Lows
  • Too many creaks, too many rattles, side effects of the asymmetrical design.

Read Review

BIKEPACKING.com
Cannondale Topstone Apex 1 Review: Roll and Roam

Aug 2019 · Lucas Winzenburg

The Cannondale Topstone Apex 1 promises "pure gravel goodness" at a price that won't break the bank, but does it deliver? See our full review here...

Highs
  • Reasonably priced at $2,100

  • Lots of mounts throughout

  • Impressive comfort and versatility

Lows
  • Tire clearance is limited to 700 x 42mm

  • Feels like it was designed with unloaded riding in mind

  • Not particularly light at 23 lbs (size XL)

Read Review

BikeRadar
Cannondale Topstone Carbon Force AXS first ride review

Jun 2019 · Warren Rossiter

I’ve ridden the same Synapse model since it won Bike of the Year back in 2014, and the Topstone feels very, very similar, with the added bonus of its off-road ability.. .

Read Review

Geometry
Specs
Build
Frame

Topstone, SmartForm C2 Alloy, 142x12 thru-axle, tapered headtube, flat mount rear brake, internal cable routing

Fork

Cannondale Topstone Disc, Full Carbon, 1-1/4" to 1-1/8" tapered steerer, 55mm offset, flat mount, 12x100 thru axle

Bottom Bracket

FSA Cartridge

Headset

Topstone Si, 25mm Alloy top cap

Stem

Cannondale C4, 6061 Alloy, 31.8, 7°

Handlebar

Cannondale C3, butted 6061 Alloy, 16 deg flare drop

Saddle

Cannondale Stage Ergo

Seatpost

Cannondale C4, 6061 Alloy, 27.2 x 400mm

TypeRigid

Pedals

Not Included

Grips

Cannondale Grip Bar Tape w/Gel, 3.5mm

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

Shimano Sora

Front Derailleur

Shimano Sora, 31.8 clamp

Crank

FSA Tempo Adventure, 46/30

Shifters

Shimano Sora, 2x9

Cassette

Sunrace, 11-34, 9-speed

Chain

KMC Z9, 9-speed

Brakes

Promax Decoder R cable actuated disc, 160/160mm

TypePromax Mechanical Disc

Brake Levers

Shimano Sora

Wheels
Rims

CX 2.0, 28h

Spokes

Stainless Steel, 14g

Front Hub

Formula RX-512 12x100 front, RX-142 12x142 rear

Rear Hub

Formula RX-512 12x100 front, RX-142 12x142 rear

Tires

WTB Nano, 700 x 40c, wire bead

Rider Notes
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First added June 25

Last updated June 9

Not listed for 2,189 days