CANNONDALE TOPSTONE CARBON 2022 – PRODUCT LAUNCH

 

Launched today! – the all-new Cannondale Topstone Carbon. Now nothing is impassible…

The original Topstone Carbon was one of our most popular gravel bikes here at Wheelbase and it’s great to see this new version which has had quite a makeover for 2022 and reflects the ongoing evolution of gravel riding. There’s a significant number of design improvements compared to its predecessor and our first impressions, before we even got into the technical aspects, were that this new Topstone looked hot! There’s a faster, more agile vibe to the bike’s silhouette and it looks ready for more fun even when it’s stood still; this is mainly down to the changes to the frame which is now more compact, with a dramatically increased slope to the top tube which just looks more in proportion to their unique rear triangle featuring the Kingpin pivot point.

The all-new Cannondale Topstone Carbon’s frame is more compact that its predecessor and just looks right. 

 

We’ll get into the specifics regarding tech in a minute, but first there’s two stand out factors to us which we think is worth identifying. First off is the raft of key improvements over the previous iteration of the Topstone Carbon. It’s clear that Cannondale have listened to both customers and retailers who’s gravel riding has evolved in recent times and have acted accordingly to make the bikes even more user friendly and functional as the demands of modern gravel biking continue to diversify.

Cannondale have clearly listened to their customers and have made some very logical and user-friendly design changes to the all-new Topstone Carbon.

 

Secondly there’s the versatility of the new Topstone Carbon, with much more choice within the range; this isn’t just a case of same frame and fork throughout with just the choice of groupset to decide. Reacting to how gravel biking continues to diversify with individuals focusing on different types of riding from Bikepacking adventures to flat-out mixed terrain rides where speed is key to more singletrack-focused riding where agility is more important Cannondale have offered a wider choice of configurations to meet the needs of a wider gravel audience.

Cannondale recognises how gravel biking continues to sub-divide into different riding styles and spec their Topstone Carbon bikes accordingly.

 

Within the Topstone range there’s a bike for every gravel style; for example choose the Topstone Carbon 2 Lefty for rowdy capability on the trails thanks to that super-plush 30mm travel front fork or the Topstone Carbon 2 L for a more Bikepacking-focused setup allowing you to head out fully laden with your Bikepacking luggage for a multi-day adventure. This particular model features Cannondale’s unique SmartSense system developed in partnership with Garmin and first seen on the road-going Synapse which launched earlier this year; SmartSense is ideal for those epic adventures that see you riding long into the night, when you need a powerful light source and benefitting from the SmartSense radar system which increases your awareness of traffic behind you as well as alerting drivers to your presence further up the road.

Epic Bikepacking adventures that extend into the night are made a little easier with Cannondale’s SmartSense system featuring on key bikes in the range.

 

Key Features In The Topstone Carbon Range…

Kingpin Suspension You’ll most probably be familiar with Cannondale’s iconic Kingpin suspension system from the original Topstone Carbon. For the new 2022 version the same rear suspension now features a low-friction bushing which is more durable than the previous model’s cartridge bearing setup. This simple system which relies on the engineered flex of the carbon fibre rear triangle gives 30mm of rear travel and takes the sting out of rough terrain without adding any extra weight or complexity and is completely maintenance-free.

Cannondale’s Lefty goes big! Whilst Cannondale previously offered their Lefty suspension fork on the Topstone Carbon in combination with a 650b wheel size this is the first time that the Lefty fork has been designed around the larger 700c wheel size. This all-new Lefty Oliver fork with its unique one-sided upside down telescopic configuration provides 30mm of bob-free travel and gives an even faster ride thanks to that larger-diameter 700c wheel which can accommodate a gravel tyre up to 45mm wide.

OutFront Steering Cannondale have continued to tweak the geometry of the Topstone Carbon with their OutFront steering providing confidence-inspiring handling for a stable ride in the chop when things get a little rowdy while remaining light and nimble when you’re winding your way through tight singletrack or are pointing the bike uphill.

SmartSense All of the new 2022 Topstone Carbon models are either equipped or are ready to upgrade to Cannondale’s SmartSense system which includes ambient reactive front and rear lights as well their rear-facing radar system which alerts you to traffic approaching from behind.

Superior Carrying Capability Cannondale have done everything possible to encourage you to spend longer on your gravel bike. Instead of doing your usual out and back ride in ‘a oner’ why not load up your Topstone Carbon with everything you’ll need for a multi-day adventure. There’s plentiful gear and water bottle mounts on the frame and fork (on the non-Lefty models) for all of your Bikepacking luggage.

Proportional Response Cannondale have included their Proportional Response principle to the construction of each frame size in the Topstone Carbon range. Size-specific construction, with different carbon layups specific to the size of frame and fork means that every size of rider experiences exactly the same ride quality.

Increased Tyre Clearance and Greater Wheel Compatibility For the new 2022 version of the Topstone Carbon Cannondale have made two significant changes when it comes to their wheels and available tyre clearance. Gone is their unique Ai wheel and frame system seen on the previous Topstone; this set up meant that the wheels had to dished differently to conventional wheels and swapping out wheels from one bike to another was more complicated than it had to be. Now all wheels are standard dished for easy interchangeability; the other improvement is seen in the mud-shedding clearance capability of the new Topstone. Thanks to that new dropped drive-side chainstay you can now run up to 45mm wide tyres and still benefit from 6mm of clearance between tyre and frame.

Dropper Seatpost Compatible All of the new Cannondale Topstone Carbon gravel bikes will accept an internally-routed 27.2mm diameter dropper seatpost making this bike even more capable when your gravel biking gets rowdy on technical trails.

The all-new Lefty Oliver suspension fork is specific to the 700c wheel diameter for the first time, giving a faster ride and providing 30mm of travel.

 

The Topstone Carbon features a neat StrapRack tool holder, internal routing for a dropper post, an all-new low-friction Kingpin bushing and a threaded bottom bracket.

 

That Kingpin pivot gives 30mm of rear travel; some models feature Cannondale’s SmartSense system, without it the frame’s recess acts as a cradle for the StrapRack tool holder. If you want to run a single chainring the front derailleur hanger mount is removeable.

 

Topstone Carbon 1 RLE RRP £8,000.00

Key Features:

• Lightweight Topstone Carbon frameset with Kingpin suspension
• SmartSense Radar & Light equipped
• SRAM Force eTap electronic 12-speed groupset
• FSA K-Wing AGX Carbon bars
• HollowGram 22 carbon wheels with 700x38c Vittoria Terreno Dry
• Rear Travel: 30mm
• Wheel/Tyre Size: 700x38c

 

Full Specification:

• Frame: Topstone Carbon, Kingpin suspension system, SmartSense equipped, 12x142mm thru-axle, 27.2 dropper post ready, BSA 68mm threaded BB, DirectLine internal cable routing,removable fender bridge, multiple gear/bottle mount
• Fork: Topstone Carbon, 1-1/8″ to 1.5″ steerer, 55mm OutFront offset, flat mount disc, internal routing, 12×100 thruaxle, triple bottle/gear mounts, fender mounts
• Rims: HollowGram 22, Carbon, 700c, 24h front, 28h rear, 22mm deep, 25mm IW, tubeless ready
• Hubs: (F) HollowGram, sealed bearing 12x100mm, centerlock / (R) HollowGram 12x142mm w/ DT Swiss internals, centerlock
• Spokes: Formula Grand Forza
• Tyres: Vittoria Terreno Dry, 700x38c, tubeless ready
• Crank: SRAM Force Wide, 43/30
• Bottom Bracket: SRAM DUB BSA Road 68 Wide
• Chain: SRAM Force, 12-speed
• Rear Cassette: SRAM XG-1270, 10-36, 12-speed
• Front Derailleur: SRAM Force eTap AXS Wide, braze-on
• Rear Derailleur : SRAM Force eTap AXS
• Shifters: SRAM Force eTap AXS, 12-speed
• Handlebar: FSA K-Wing AGX Carbon
• Grips: Fizik Solocush Soft, 3mm
• Stem: FSA SL-K Stem, Alloy, -6°
• Headset: Integrated, Carbon, 1-1/8″ – 1-1/2″
• Brakes: SRAM Force eTap AXS, 160/160mm CenterLine centerlock rotors
• Brake Levers: SRAM Force eTap AXS
• Saddle: Fizik Terra Argo X3, kium rails
• Seatpost: SAVE Carbon SmartSense, 27.2, 350mm (XS-L), 400mm (XL)
• Connectivity: Cannondale Wheel Sensor
• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
• Colour: 1 Black Pearl w/ Meteor Gray and Graphite (BPL)
• Extras: SmartSense with Lights, Garmin Varia Radar, Edge Power Mount and Trainer-compatible thru-axle

 

Topstone Carbon 2 Lefty RRP £4,500.00

Key Features:

• Lightweight Topstone Carbon frame with Kingpin suspension / Lefty Oliver gravel suspension fork, 30mm travel
• Shimano GRX 800/600 11-speed gravel groupset
• DownLow dropper seat post
• WTB KOM Light rims wheels with Vittoria Mezcal 700 x 44c tyres
• Travel: 30mm front / 30mm rear
• Wheel/Tyre Size: 700x44c

 

Full Specification:

• Frame: Topstone Carbon, Kingpin suspension system, SmartSense compatible, 12x142mm thru-axle, 27.2 dropper post ready, BSA 68mm threaded BB, DirectLine internal cable routing, removable fender bridge, multiple gear/bottle mounts
• Fork: Lefty Oliver, 30mm travel, lockout, Chamber Damper w/ All-Over tune, ISO High-Ride air spring, tapered steerer, 700c, 55mm offset
• Rims: WTB KOM Light i23 TCS, 700c, 28h, tubeless ready
• Hubs: (F) Lefty SL, 6-Bolt / (R) Formula cartridge bearing, 6-Bolt, 12x142mm
• Spokes: Stainless Steel, 14g
• Tyres: Vittoria Mezcal, 700 x 44c, tubeless ready
• Crank: Shimano GRX 600, 40T
• Bottom Bracket: Shimano BSA 68
• Chain: Shimano HG701, 11-speed
• Rear Cassette: Shimano SLX, 11-42, 11-speed
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano GRX 810, Shadow RD+
• Shifters: Shimano GRX 800, 11-speed
• Handlebar: Cannondale 2 ShortDrop, 7050 alloy, 12 deg flare drop
• Grips: Fizik Solocush Soft, 3mm
• Stem: Cannondale 2, 6061 Alloy, 31.8, 7°
• Headset: Integrated, Carbon, 1-1/8″ – 1-1/2″
• Brakes: Shimano GRX 800 hydraulic disc, 160/160mm RT76 rotors
• Brake Levers Shimano GRX 800 hydraulic disc
• Saddle Fizik Terra Argo X5, S-alloy rails
• Seatpost: Cannondale DownLow Dropper Post, 27.2, shifter-integrated lever, travel – 60mm XS-S / 80mm M / 100mm L-XL
• Connectivity: Cannondale Wheel Sensor
• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
• Colour 1: Gold Dust w/ Silver (GDT)
• Colour 2: Laguna Yellow w/ Butter, Mango, and Jet Black (LYW)
• Extras: StrapRack toolholder

 

Topstone Carbon 2 L RRP £4,500.00

Key Features:

• Lightweight Topstone Carbon frameset with Kingpin suspension
• SmartSense Light equipped Shimano GRX 800 11-speed gravel groupset
• SAVE Carbon seatpost
• WTB KOM Light rims wheels with 700x38c Vittoria Terreno Dry tyres
• Rear Travel: 30mm rear
• Wheel/Tyre Size: 700x38c

 

Full Specification:

• Frame: Topstone Carbon, Kingpin suspension system, SmartSense equipped, 12x142mm thru-axle, 27.2 dropper post ready, BSA 68mm threaded BB, DirectLine internal cable routing, removable fender bridge, multiple gear/bottle mounts
• Fork: Topstone Carbon, 1-1/8″ to 1.5″ steerer, 55mm OutFront offset, flat mount disc, internal routing, 12×100 thruaxle, triple bottle/gear mounts, fender mounts
• Rims: WTB KOM Light i23 TCS, 700c, 28h, tubeless ready
• Hubs: (F) Formula cartridge bearing, 12x100mm, centerlock / (R) Formula cartridge bearing, 12x142mm, centerlock
• Spokes: Stainless Steel, 14g
• Tyres: Vittoria Terreno Dry 700x38c, tubeless ready
• Crank: Shimano GRX 800, 48/31T
• Bottom Bracket: Shimano BSA 68
• Chain: Shimano HG701, 11-speed
• Rear Cassette: Shimano HG800, 11-34, 11-speed
• Front Derailleur : Shimano GRX 800, braze-on
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano GRX 810, Shadow RD+
• Shifters: Shimano GRX 800, 11-speed
• Handlebar: Cannondale 2 ShortDrop, 7050 alloy, 12 deg flare drop
• Grips: Fizik Solocush Soft, 3mm
• Stem: Cannondale 2, 6061 Alloy, 31.8, 7°
• Headset: Integrated, Carbon, 1-1/8″ – 1-1/2″
• Brakes: Shimano GRX 800 hydraulic disc, 160/160mm MT800 rotors
• Brake Levers: Shimano GRX 800 hydraulic disc
• Saddle: Fizik Terra Argo X5, S-alloy rails
• Seatpost: SAVE Carbon SmartSense, 27.2, 350mm (XS-L), 400mm (XL)
• Connectivity: Cannondale Wheel Sensor
• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
• Colour: 1 Chalk w/ Black (CHK)
• Colour: 2 Jade w/ Sage, Pine, and Jet Black (JDE)
• Extras: SmartSense with Lights

 

Topstone Carbon 3 RRP £3,200.00

Key Features:

• Lightweight Topstone Carbon frameset with Kingpin suspension
• SmartSense Ready / Integrated Cannondale App connectivity
• Shimano GRX 800/600 11-speed gravel groupset
• WTB ST i23 TCS wheels with 700x45c WTB Riddler TCS Light tyres
• Rear Travel: 30mm rear
• Wheel/Tyre Size: 700x45c

Full Specification:

• Frame: Topstone Carbon, Kingpin suspension system, SmartSense compatible, 12x142mm thru-axle, 27.2 dropper post ready, BSA 68mm threaded BB, DirectLine internal cable routing, removable fender bridge, multiple gear/bottle mounts
• Fork: Topstone Carbon, 1-1/8″ to 1.5″ steerer, 55mm OutFront offset, flat mount disc, internal routing, 12×100 thruaxle, triple bottle/gear mounts, fender mounts
• Rims: WTB ST i23 TCS, 700c, 28h, tubeless ready
• Hubs: (F) Formula cartridge bearing, 12x100mm, centerlock / (R) Formula cartridge bearing, 12x142mm, centerlock
• Spokes: Stainless Steel, 14g
• Tyres: WTB Riddler TCS Light, 700x45c, tubeless ready
• Crank: Shimano GRX 600, 46/30
• Bottom Bracket: Shimano BSA 68
• Chain: Shimano HG601, 11-speed
• Rear Cassette: Shimano HG700, 11-34, 11-speed
• Front Derailleur : Shimano GRX 810, braze-on
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano GRX 810, Shadow RD+
• Shifters: Shimano GRX 600, 11-speed
• Handlebar: Cannondale 3, butted 6061 Alloy, 16 deg flare drop
• Grips: Fizik Solocush Soft, 3mm
• Stem: Cannondale 3, 6061 Alloy, 31.8, 7°
• Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8″ – 1-1/2″
• Brakes: Shimano GRX 600 hydraulic disc, 160/160mm RT64 rotors
• Brake Levers: Shimano GRX 600 hydraulic disc
• Saddle: Fizik Aliante Delta, S-alloy rails
• Seatpost: Cannondale 3, 6061 Alloy, 27.2 x 350mm
• Connectivity: Cannondale Wheel Sensor
• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
• Colour 1: Tinted Black w/ White (CRB)
• Colour 2: Quicksand w/ Black Cherry and Smoke Black (QSD)
• Extras: StrapRack toolholder

 

Topstone Carbon 3 650b RRP £3,200.00

Key Features:

• Lightweight Topstone Carbon frameset with Kingpin suspension
• SmartSense Ready / Integrated Cannondale App connectivity
• Aggressive 650×47 “Road Plus” wheels & tyres
• Shimano GRX 800/600 11-speed gravel groupset
• Rear Travel: 30mm
• Wheel/Tyre Size: 650bx45c

Full Specification:

• Frame: Topstone Carbon, Kingpin suspension system, SmartSense compatible, Proportional Response construction, 12x142mm thru-axle, 27.2 dropper post compatible, BSA 68mm threaded BB, DirectLine internal cable routing, removable fender bridge, multiple gear/bottle mounts
• Fork: Topstone Carbon, 1-1/8″ to 1.5″ steerer, 55mm OutFront offset, flat mount disc, internal routing, 12×100 thruaxle, triple bottle/gear mounts, fender mounts
• Rims: WTB ST i25 TCS, 650b, 28h, tubeless ready
• Hubs: (F) Formula cartridge bearing, 12x100mm, centerlock / (R) Formula cartridge bearing, 12x142mm, centerlock
• Spokes: Stainless Steel, 14g
• Tyres: WTB Sendero TCS Light, 650bx47mm (47-584), tubeless ready
• Crank: Shimano GRX 600, 46/30
• Bottom Bracket: Shimano BSA 68
• Chain: Shimano HG601, 11-speed
• Rear Cassette: Shimano HG700, 11-34, 11-speed
• Front Derailleur : Shimano GRX 810, braze-on
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano GRX 810, Shadow RD+
• Shifters: Shimano GRX 600, 11-speed
• Handlebar: Cannondale 3, butted 6061 Alloy, 16 deg flare drop
• Grips: Fizik Solocush Soft, 3mm
• Stem: Cannondale 3, 6061 Alloy, 31.8, 7°
• Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8″ – 1-1/2″
• Brakes: Shimano GRX 600 hydraulic disc, 160/160mm RT64 rotors
• Brake Levers: Shimano GRX 600 hydraulic disc
• Saddle: Fizik Aliante Delta, S-alloy rails
• Seatpost: Cannondale 3, 6061 Alloy, 27.2 x 350mm
• Connectivity: Cannondale Wheel Sensor
• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
• Colour: 1 Tinted Black w/ White (CRB)
• Colour: 2 Quicksand w/ Black Cherry and Smoke Black (QSD)
• Extras: StrapRack toolholder

 

Topstone Carbon 4 RRP £2,800.00

Key Features:

• Lightweight Topstone Carbon frameset with Kingpin suspension
• SmartSense Ready / Integrated Cannondale App connectivity
• Shimano GRX 600/400 10-speed gravel groupset
• WTB ST i23 TCS wheels with with 700x38c Vittoria Terreno Dry tyres
• Rear Travel: 30mm
• Wheel/Tyre Size: 700x45c

Full Specification:

• Frame: Topstone Carbon, Kingpin suspension system, SmartSense compatible, 12x142mm thru-axle, 27.2 dropper post ready, BSA 68mm threaded BB, DirectLine internal cable routing, removable fender bridge, multiple gear/bottle mounts
• Fork: Topstone Carbon, 1-1/8″ to 1.5″ steerer, 55mm OutFront offset, flat mount disc, internal routing, 12×100 thruaxle, triple bottle/gear mounts, fender mounts
• Rims: WTB ST i23 TCS, 700c, 28h, tubeless ready
• Hubs: (F) Formula cartridge bearing, 12x100mm, centerlock / (R) Formula cartridge bearing, 12x142mm, centerlock
• Spokes: Stainless Steel, 14g
• Tyres: Vittoria Terreno Dry, 700x38c, tubeless ready
• Crank: Shimano GRX 600, 46/30
• Bottom Bracket: Shimano BSA 68
• Chain: KMC X10, 10-speed
• Rear Cassette: Shimano HG500, 11-34, 10-speed
• Front Derailleur : Shimano GRX 400, braze-on
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano GRX 400, Shadow RD+
• Shifters: Shimano GRX 400, 10-speed
• Handlebar: Cannondale 3, butted 6061 Alloy, 16 deg flare drop
• Grips: Fizik Solocush Soft, 3mm
• Stem: Cannondale 3, 6061 Alloy, 31.8, 7°
• Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8″ – 1-1/2″
• Brakes: Shimano GRX 400 hydraulic disc, 160/160mm RT54 rotors
• Brake Levers Shimano GRX 400 hydraulic disc
• Saddle: Fizik Aliante Delta, S-alloy rails
• Seatpost: Cannondale 3, 6061 Alloy, 27.2 x 350mm
• Connectivity: Cannondale Wheel Sensor
• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
• Colour: 1 Smoke Black w/ Jet Black, Stealth Gray, and Silver (SBK)
• Colour: 2 Olive Green w/ Black (OGN)
• Extras: StrapRack toolholder

 

 

 

 

The all-new Cannondale Topstone Carbon range is an intelligently-put-together collection of bikes which are clearly in-step with the ongoing evolution of gravel biking. Within this range there’s pretty much a Topstone Carbon to suit everyone; from riders looking for a fast & agile singletrack slayer with the capacity to take on rough, technical terrain at speed to those of us who are looking for a reliable gravel grinder that can be fully-laden with Bikepacking luggage and be ridden late into the night thanks to Cannondale’s SmartSense system. There’s been plenty of updates to the 2022 Topstone, helping the bikes function more efficiently while being more user friendly too; the versatile Topstone Carbon gravel bike has had a significant makeover for 2022 and we like it!

The Cannondale Topstone Carbon has has a significant makeover for 2022 and we like it!

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

 

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