Which Gravel Bike for $2k? Is full carbon worth it?
06-13-20, 02:50 PM
#26
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Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
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Theres a Cannondale Topstone FaceBook group, sign up as there are a bunch of carbon owners who could answer the question of maximum tire size on the carbon version.
06-13-20, 09:35 PM
#27
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Topstone is really a poor design decision by Cannondale. Too little clearance and the geometry is just that of the Synapse...so a road bike. If it fits your terrain and riding style it could be fine...I really wanted it when it came out and then I did more research and was disapointed.
Last edited by dwmckee; 06-13-20 at 09:41 PM.
06-19-20, 01:25 AM
#28
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Secondly, when are 'cross bikes not gravel bikes?
06-21-20, 07:19 PM
#29
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I have two friends, husband and wife that bought Topstiones this year and are regretting it. Too twitchy (roadish) and too stiff for real extended gravek riding. C'dale is like some of the other big brands that were late into starting to make gravel bikes and rebranded older road or cross frames as gravel just to jump into the market. Result is a twitchy bike with too little tire clearance and something uncomfortable for more than 45 minutes of hard riding. Look for gen 2 and 3 of their bikes before they start to get it right. C'dale spent more than 30 years trying to make all of their bikes as stiff as possible and now that people want compliance all of their old R&D isn't of much help... The quick solution - Put an expensive suspension fork on it and try and sell that as an advantage! Oh boy,,,
06-23-20, 08:22 PM
#30
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The Revolt is the best $$$ deal out there on a carbon gravel bike. Damned tough to beat for comfort, compatibility and upgrade-ability.
06-23-20, 11:36 PM
#31
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I have two friends, husband and wife that bought Topstiones this year and are regretting it. Too twitchy (roadish) and too stiff for real extended gravek riding. C'dale is like some of the other big brands that were late into starting to make gravel bikes and rebranded older road or cross frames as gravel just to jump into the market. Result is a twitchy bike with too little tire clearance and something uncomfortable for more than 45 minutes of hard riding. Look for gen 2 and 3 of their bikes before they start to get it right. C'dale spent more than 30 years trying to make all of their bikes as stiff as possible and now that people want compliance all of their old R&D isn't of much help... The quick solution - Put an expensive suspension fork on it and try and sell that as an advantage! Oh boy,,,
Are you saying the Topstone is uncomfortable after 45min due to it being too twitchy and not having a wide enough tire?...or are you still just generalizing and passively associating the Topstone with those generalizations?
Cdale didn't only ever try to make the stiffest bike. For some applications, yes they did that for sure. So did giant, trek, etc etc.
But for many bikes in their lineup, frame stiffness didn't seem to be a top priority. Thru the years I've ridden a couple of their MTBs and owned a touring bike- none seemed hinderingly stiff, especially not when compared to other category options from the same periods.
from where I sit, you just typed up some reneralizations and tagged Cannondale to the comments.
The gravel category is quite wide- you know this. Some bikes are marketed as pure aggressive race. Some are for long race. Some are adventure. Some are for tackling singletrack.
The geometry will obviously vary between brands and models since it would be dumb to have so many with the same geometry.
What you claim is a lack of experience on Cdale's part as it pertains to tire clearance or twitchy steering, perhaps they designed the exact type of bike they wanted at this time. Perhaps others will want a fast steering bike and aren't interested in massive tire clearance so they see the Topstone as perfect.
Claiming the designers don't know what they are doing is quite bold on your part.
My bike has fast steering compared to many options, but that doesn't mean the designers don't know what they are doing- they specifically designed it that way.
I get what seems like your point- the Scott Addict gravel is apparently their CX frame. That could apply to your generalized comments. Does the Topstone though?...hmm.
