CANNONDALE TOPSTONE ALLOY 2023 – PRODUCT LAUNCH

 

Say hello to the all-new Cannondale Topstone Alloy gravel bike! The previous version of the Topstone Alloy has been a massively popular gravel bike here at Wheelbase, with the small range of alloy gravel bikes proving to be well-loved by a wide range of our customers thanks in most-part to their versatility, durability and relative affordability. We’ve seen a real boom in the use of gravel bikes in the UK and indeed, all around the world, with almost every major bike brand boasting them within their range of bikes and Cannondale have been at the forefront of this movement from the earliest days of gravel riding.

The first-generation Topstone Alloy was incredibly popular and the all-new model is ready to pick up where the original left off.

 

As you’ll probably know Cannondale recently launched their second-generation Topstone Carbon which featured multiple changes over the previous model, making the bike even more versatile than the original model thanks to changes in its geometry as well as increased tyre-clearance and a wide array of bolt-on-bosses that allowed you to fine-tune your Bikepacking setup to suit any gravel adventure. With this in mind it’s a fair assumption that the all-new Topstone Alloy would inherit some of these improvements, albeit at a more affordable price point…

There’s a number of significant changes to the new Topstone Alloy, making it even more versatile than its predecessor. 

 

The new Cannondale Topstone Alloy features a lightweight but durable chassis consisting of a SmartForm C2 Alloy frame and a compliant carbon fork that helps isolate you from rough surfaces and includes plenty of bolt-on-bosses for mudguards and/or Bikepacking luggage. Both the frame and fork includes the now-industry-standard 12×142 and 12×100 thru-axles and flat mounts for disc calipers; the frame features internal cable routing, a BSA threaded bottom bracket and a multitude of fender, bottle and luggage mounts. There’s an increase to tyre clearance on the new model too allowing you to run front and rear tyres up to 45mm wide.

The next-generation Topstone Alloy features an all-new carbon fork complete with multiple bolt-on-bosses.

 

When Cannondale launched the Carbon version of this bike in April this year we remarked at how the American bike brand had ensured they’d moved with the times, keeping up with how the gravel bike scene was continuing to evolve and diversify into sub-genres. We’ve seen other brands launch models that are suited to one specific type of gravel riding; for example carbon race machines, utilitarian Bikepacking wagons designed to take on arduous multi-day adventures or fun and agile bikes with relaxed angles and long-reach geometry designed to excel on tight singletrack. Cannondale instead opted to create one gravel bike that excelled in all scenarios and the new alloy version follows exactly the same tack; so when it comes to the new Topstone Alloy think fast, fun and utilitarian in equal measure.

Bikepacking, gravel racing or simply looning around the trails, the Cannondale Topstone Alloy can do it all with ease.

 

The new Topstone Alloy boasts Cannondale’s OutFront steering geometry which helps to give a confident, stable ride while remaining agile on the tighter stuff. An extra-long fork offset paired with a slack head angle helps to keep the steering light and lively while delivering confidence when you’re riding at full chat through the rough stuff. It’s light and fast enough to line up at any gravel race, regardless of distance or course profile, while those multiple bolt-on-bosses mean you can load this bike up in any way you like and head out on long cycle tours or mid-week sleep outs. Oh and this new version accepts an internally-routed 27.2 dropper seatpost, further adding to the bike’s capacity when your gravel riding gets really rowdy.

Changes to the geometry mean that this latest iteration of the Topstone Alloy is even more agile and confidence-inspiring to ride.

 

Full Specification:

• Frame: Lightweight SmartForm C2 Alloy, 12×142 thru-axle, tapered headtube, BSA threaded BBm flat mount disc, StraightShot internal cable routing, multiple gear/bottle mounts
• Fork: Topstone Carbon, 1-1/8″ to 1.5″ steerer, 55mm OutFront offset, flat mount disc, internal routing, 12×100 thru-axle, fender/gear mounts
• Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8″ – 1-1/2″
• Bottom Bracket: Shimano BBRS500
• Cassette: Shimano 105, 11-34, 11-Speed
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano GRX 810, Shadow RD+
• Front Derailleur: Shimano GRX 800, braze on
• Shifters: Shimano GRX 800, 11-Speed
• Chainset: Shimano GRX 600, 46/30T
• Chain: KMC X11, 11-34T, 11-Speed
• Brakes: Shimano GRX 800, 160/160mm RT54 Rotors
• Wheels: WTB KOM Light i23 TCS, 28h, Tubeless Ready, (F) Formula cartridge bearing, 12x100mm centerlock (R) Formula cartridge bearing, 12x142mm centerlock
• Tyres: WTB Riddler TCS Light, 700 x 37c, tubeless ready
• Handlebar: Cannondale 3, butted 6061 Alloy, 16 degree flare drop
• Handlebar Tape: Cannondale 3.5mm
• Stem: Cannondale 3, 6061 Alloy, 31.8 7°
• Saddle: Fizik Aliante Delta, S-Alloy rails
• Seatpost: Cannondale 3 6061 Alloy, 27.2 x 350mm

 

Full Specification:

• Frame: Lightweight SmartForm C2 Alloy, 12×142 thru-axle, tapered headtube, BSA threaded BBm flat mount disc, StraightShot internal cable routing, multiple gear/bottle mounts
• Fork: Topstone Carbon, 1-1/8″ to 1.5″ steerer, 55mm OutFront offset, flat mount disc, internal routing, 12×100 thru-axle, fender/gear mounts
• Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8″ – 1-1/2″
• Bottom Bracket: Shimano BBRS500
• Cassette: Shimano 105, 11-34, 11-speed
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano GRX 810, Shadow RD+
• Front Derailleur: Shimano GRX 800, braze-on
• Shifters: Shimano GRX 600, 11-Speed
• Chainset: Shimano GRX 600, 46/30
• Chain: KMC X11, 11-speed
• Brakes: Shimano GRX 400 hydraulic disc, 160/160mm RT54 rotors
• Wheels: WTB ST i23 TCS, 28h, tubeless ready, (F) Formula cartridge bearing, 12x100mm centerlock / (R) Formula cartridge bearing, 12x142mm centerlock Stainless Steel
• Tyres: WTB Riddler TCS Light, 700 x 37c, tubeless ready
• Handlebar: Cannondale 3, butted 6061 Alloy, 16 deg flare drop
• Handlebar Tape: Cannondale 3.5mm
• Stem: Cannondale 3, 6061 Alloy, 31.8, 7°
• Saddle: Fizik Aliante Delta, S-alloy rails
• Seatpost: Cannondale 3, 6061 Alloy, 27.2 x 350mm

 

Cannondale Topstone 2 RRP £1,800.00

Full Specification:

• Frame: Lightweight SmartForm C2 Alloy, 12×142 thru-axle, tapered headtube, BSA threaded BBm flat mount disc, StraightShot internal cable routing, multiple gear/bottle mounts
• Fork: Topstone Carbon, 1-1/8″ to 1.5″ steerer, 55mm OutFront offset, flat mount disc, internal routing, 12×100 thru-axle, fender/gear mounts
• Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8″ – 1-1/2″
• Bottom Bracket: FSA Cartridge
• Cassette: Shimano HG500, 11-34, 10-speed
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano GRX 400, Shadow RD+
• Front Derailleur: Shimano GRX 400, braze-on
• Shifters: Shimano GRX 400, 10-speed
• Chainset: FSA Omega AGX+ Alloy, 46/30
• Chain: KMC X10, 10-speed
• Brakes: Shimano GRX 400 hydraulic disc, 160/160mm RT54 rotors
• Wheels: WTB ST i23 TCS, 28h, tubeless ready, (F) Formula cartridge bearing, 12x100mm centerlock / (R) Formula cartridge bearing, 12x142mm centerlock Stainless Steel
• Tyres: WTB Riddler TCS Light, 700 x 37c, tubeless ready
• Handlebar: Cannondale 3, butted 6061 Alloy, 16 deg flare drop
• Handlebar Tape: Cannondale 3.5mm
• Stem: Cannondale 3, 6061 Alloy, 31.8, 7°
• Saddle: Fizik Aliante Delta, S-alloy rails
• Seatpost: Cannondale 3, 6061 Alloy, 27.2 x 350mm

 

Full Specification:

• Frame: Lightweight SmartForm C2 Alloy, 12×142 thru-axle, tapered headtube, BSA threaded BBm flat mount disc, StraightShot internal cable routing, multiple gear/bottle mounts
• Fork: Topstone Carbon, 1-1/8″ to 1.5″ steerer, 55mm OutFront offset, flat mount disc, internal routing, 12×100 thru-axle, fender/gear mounts
• Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8″ – 1-1/2″
• Bottom Bracket: Cartridge, square taper
• Cassette: Sunrace 11-34, 9-Speed
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano Sora GS, 9-Speed
• Front Derailleur: Shimano Sora GS
• Shifters: Shimano Sora, 9-speed
• Chainset: FSA Tempo Adventure, 46/30
• Chain: KMC Z9, 9-Speed
• Brakes: Promax Decoder R mechanical disc, 160/160mm rotors
• Wheels: GXD 1.0, 28h (F) Formula alloy, 12x100mm / (R) Formula alloy, 12x142mm, Stainless Steel
• Tyres: WTB Riddler Comp, 700 x 37c
• Handlebar: Cannondale 3, butted 6061 Alloy, 16 deg flare drop
• Handlebar Tape: Cannondale 3.5mm
• Stem: Cannondale 3, 6061 Alloy, 31.8, 7°
• Saddle: Fizik Aliante Delta, S-alloy rails
• Seatpost: Cannondale 4, 6061 Alloy, 27.2 x 350mm

 

Cannondale Topstone 4 RRP £1,200.00

Full Specification:

• Frame: Lightweight SmartForm C2 Alloy, 12×142 thru-axle, tapered headtube, BSA threaded BBm flat mount disc, StraightShot internal cable routing, multiple gear/bottle mounts
• Fork: Topstone Carbon, 1-1/8″ to 1.5″ steerer, 55mm OutFront offset, flat mount disc, internal routing, 12×100 thru-axle, fender/gear mounts
• Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8″ – 1-1/2″
• Bottom Bracket: Cartridge, square taper
• Cassette: microSHIFT, 11-48, 10-speed
• Rear Derailleur: microSHIFT Advent X
• Shifters: microSHIFT Advent X, 10-speed
• Chainset: Prowheel, Charm 40T
• Chain: KMC X10, 10-speed
• Brakes: Promax Render R mechanical disc, 160/160mm rotors
• Wheels: GXD 1.0, 28h, (F) Formula alloy, 12x100mm / (R) Formula alloy, 12x142mm, Stainless Steel
• Tyres: WTB Riddler Comp, 700 x 37c
• Handlebar: Cannondale 3, butted 6061 Alloy, 16 deg flare drop
• Handlebar Tape: Cannondale 3.5mm
• Stem: Cannondale 3, 6061 Alloy, 31.8, 7°
• Saddle: Cannondale Stage CX
• Seatpost: Cannondale 4, 6061 Alloy, 27.2 x 350mm

 

Cannondale Topstone Alloy Geometry

 

One of the main reasons the previous-generation Topstone Alloy was so popular was down to its relatively affordable price point. The range meets the needs of riders coming into gravel riding from road cycling OR mountain biking, with an easy to justify price for an additional bike in their fleet, capable of opening up their riding even more. We see mountain bikers coming into gravel because they want to leave the car at home and head out straight from the front door, linking stretches of road and off-road tracks together. Likewise we see roadies getting into gravel as an alternative to riding exclusively on the road; getting away from busy traffic and exploring more unpredictable routes or simply for use as a durable and versatile winter bike option. Factor in that this sort of bike can be used as a daily commuter during the week and it’s really hard to argue against having a Cannondale Topstone Alloy at your disposal.

The all-new Cannondale Topstone Alloy is a durable, versatile and affordable gravel bike option.

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

All photos by Cannondale

 

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