Cannondale Topstone Gravel Ebike

[Alaskan]

They have one in large size as well

Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon Lefty 3 Gravel E-Bike - 2021, Large

Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon Lefty 3 Gravel E-Bike - 2021, Large

www.theproscloset.com

 

[Al 1961]

I got my bike back from REI. The mechanic found that the creaking sound I have been hearing is coming from where the battery and frame meet, and can be recreated by simply pushing near the seam. It doesn't seem like a big deal, whereas a loose motor bolt could be a big deal if left unaddressed.

I upgraded the front brake rotor, with the hope that the squeaking would stop. Unfortunately, it got worse. I guess it is likely a caliper/pad issue. It doesn't seem to squeek in a stand, so the mechanics might not notice it. I hope it not something bent or otherwise misaligned in a way that can't be easily fixed. The new icetech rotor works really well, however.

I have a synapse neo same battery and frame as topstone. It was making a creaking sound and I used some stiff thin foam material between battery cover and frame and the motor cover and frame noise is gone.

 

[Alaskan]

This gravel-oriented ebike looks fabulous…
View attachment 56622

• Tyres: 40-622 (road & trail) or 48-584 (trail & even rougher).
• Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX Gen4.
• Battery: 500 Wh PowerTube
• Front Suspension: Lefty Oliver suspension or, as in this photo, conventional road-oriented fork
• Rear Suspension: Kingpin – to absorb vibrations rather than jumps & bumps
• Frame: carbon
• Cost: AU$8399

Link to Cannondale Website

David, I wanted to thank you for bringing this bike to my attention. I absolutely love riding it on all kinds of conditions from rock and gravel strewn logging roads to open rural pavement. It is fast, nimble, comfortable and the most overall fun ebike yet.

Yesterday I did a ride with my roady buddies, 34 miles mostly in Tour with Sport used going up hills. The ride ended with 52% of the 500 watt power tube, almost the same as I would get with the Delite in Eco.

I am now considering selling either my Delite Mountain or the Trek Allant 9.9s. Both of them have become as neglected as ugly step children.

 

[Deacon Blues]

This thread also got my interested in this bike....enough to buy one.
I've got a beautiful light carbon road bike that spends most of its time hanging from a bike rack in one of our spare bedrooms. Given a choice I'd much prefer riding my Lefty 3.

 

[GainGRX]

Hi and good day everybody ☺
31 mile ( for us in EU equivalent to 50 km ) it seems to me showing a high battery drain even if used in Tour or Sport mode.
My regular tours are averaging 100/120 km( 65 mile) and ,leaving close by to the Alps ,always with a minimum elevation gain from 1000-1500 mt ,and the battery drain never exceed 70%.For time being , with about 5000 km in the wheels with the Lefty 3, only once I have been back home with the battery light ( on the Kiox screen) flashing but the ride was over 160 km longer and 1750 mt elevation gain with an average gradient of 9%.
As example enclosed the screen shot for last two rides both terminated with 30%and 40%battery charge.Surely a lot depends which kind of assistance is used during the ride ( for me Eco 90% and Tour 10%, never used Sport or Turbo),road condition,biker weight , weather ( front wind , rain...)...Also my experience is based on motor limited to 25km/h ( as per EU rules) and not idea about possible consumption for models you classified class 3...but honestly I do not see the reason for such high speed assistance ( over 28 km/h) as on flat I'm regularly riding without assistance at over 30km and on climb is more than enough the support available.
The battery key anyhow is always with me stored in the spare-tool cage for any possible reason
Enjoy the day ,
Blackvipergts

Hi Blackviper, i am surprised to see the stats you realize. Riding 90% in eco, i would assume that a large part of eco power compensates for the heavier weight of the bike. In other words, if you can do 160km with a 16kg bike, you must be strong enough !

 

[Deacon Blues]

I finally got around to taking my Lefty 3 to the bike shop I bought it from (160km from my house) to have my new, larger front ring installed, along with a new chain, and a computer update.
Normally, I'd put on the larger ring and new chain myself, but reprogramming of the computer is needed, which has to be done at the bike shop.
I'm taking it for a longer ride today to see if I notice any difference.

When I picked up the bike the shop asked me where I got my carbon wheels. Seems the rear wheel was laced incorrectly and is offset slightly to one side. I was told this could cause more stress on the spokes on one side. Looks like I'll have to get the rear wheel re-laced in the near future.
I'm taking back my endorsement of Yoeleo wheels.

 

[Alaskan]

I finally got around to taking my Lefty 3 to the bike shop I bought it from (160km from my house) to have my new, larger front ring installed, along with a new chain, and a computer update.
Normally, I'd put on the larger ring and new chain myself, but reprogramming of the computer is needed, which has to be done at the bike shop.
I'm taking it for a longer ride today to see if I notice any difference.

When I picked up the bike the shop asked me where I got my carbon wheels. Seems the rear wheel was laced incorrectly and is offset slightly to one side. I was told this could cause more stress on the spokes on one side. Looks like I'll have to get the rear wheel re-laced in the near future.
I'm taking back my endorsement of Yoeleo wheels.

I am curious as to how many teeth on your new front chainring. I have been riding a 48 tooth chainring with an outer guard ring for the past month which I installed my self without any software tweaking by the LBS. There have been no issues whatsoever. Granted my bike is in the USA and has the Bosch speed motor with assist to 45 kph.

Looking forward to reading your ride report.

ps. I picked up a lightly used Onyx hub on ebay and had it laced into the original back wheel. With its instant engagement, ceramic bearings, and totally silent coasting, it is a great refinement to an already amazing bicycle.

 

[Deacon Blues]

My new ring has 46 teeth. The original ring had 42. I believe yours came with a larger 44T ring?

 

[Alaskan]

My new ring has 46 teeth. The original ring had 42. I believe yours came with a larger 44T ring?

Correct, I went first from a 44t to a 46t without any firmware adjustments and then to a 48t and just left the firmware alone without any issues. This lowered my cadence at 25 mph from 80 to 70.

I also put a Sunrace 11-46 tooth cassette on it to regain almost all of the lost low ratio climbing ability. Although the RGX 812 derailleur specifies a maximum cog size of 42, the B screw adjusted out far enough to accommodate the larger 46 tooth low gear cog. So my low gear went from 44-42 to 48-46.

 

[Blackvipergts]

Hi Blackviper, i am surprised to see the stats you realize. Riding 90% in eco, i would assume that a large part of eco power compensates for the heavier weight of the bike. In other words, if you can do 160km with a 16kg bike, you must be strong enough !

Hi Blackviper, i am surprised to see the stats you realize. Riding 90% in eco, i would assume that a large part of eco power compensates for the heavier weight of the bike. In other words, if you can do 160km with a 16kg bike, you must be strong enough !

Thank for Your comment. I don't know whether I'm strong enough or not , probably not as I would like to be , but for sure I have a quite decent past as cyclist ..Recently I had the opportunity to swap the Topstone Neo Lefty 3 for a WilierCento10 hybrid (10,5 kgs ebike with Ebikemotion, Durace...) which better cover my riding habit ....More than 6 kgs on flat are important once pedalling without assistance over 30km/h and on huphill the feeling is very close to a normal non assisted.For example yesterday I did 120 km , 1950 mt elevation gain , longer climb measuring 10 km at 9% average and max 17%...I close the tour with still 20% battery ( downtube battery from 250 wh).Best regards.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@David Berry and @Alaskan: I've got a story for you!

I went for a ride on my hub-drive Lovelec bike today. On my return, I tried to re-inflate tyres. By bad luck, I lost the inner tube (don't ask why). I drove to the small town of Brwinów, to the most local LBS for me you could even imagine. After buying new inner tube, ordering a high-pressure mini-pump (I need it for other purposes), and discussing the damaged rear hub in my Trance E+, I looked at bikes for sale the store had.

And I went insane. The small store is an Authorized Cannondale Dealer
-- Topstone Neo, sir? -- one of the twins owning the store asked -- There it is. Just in your size, sir. Feel free to buy it!
-- Well, guys... I'm almost sold on this Topstone Neo Lefty 3... Is if carbon fibre? -- I touched the bike.
-- Of course it is! No money now? Can we offer you some financing?

I could not believe my eyes. A 11,000 inhabitant town. A small LBS. And they had Cannondales. Including the Topstone Neo Lefty 3, my size... Was I dreaming?

STOP ME BEFORE I BUY IT!

 

[Alaskan]

@David Berry and @Alaskan: I've got a story for you!

I went for a ride on my hub-drive Lovelec bike today. On my return, I tried to re-inflate tyres. By bad luck, I lost the inner tube (don't ask why). I drove to the small town of Brwinów, to the most local LBS for me you could even imagine. After buying new inner tube, ordering a high-pressure mini-pump (I need it for other purposes), and discussing the damaged rear hub in my Trance E+, I looked at bikes for sale the store had.

And I went insane. The small store is an Authorized Cannondale Dealer
-- Topstone Neo, sir? -- one of the twins owning the store asked -- There it is. Just in your size, sir. Feel free to buy it!
-- Well, guys... I'm almost sold on this Topstone Neo Lefty 3... Is if carbon fibre? -- I touched the bike.
-- Of course it is! No money now? Can we offer you some financing?

I could not believe my eyes. A 11,000 inhabitant town. A small LBS. And they had Cannondales. Including the Topstone Neo Lefty 3, my size... Was I dreaming?

STOP ME BEFORE I BUY IT!

BUY IT...BUY IT...RESISTANCE IS FUTILE.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

BUY IT...BUY IT...RESISTANCE IS FUTILE.

If I'll get good sales figures this year, I might go for it Strangely enough, some markets seem to be growing!

 

[Deacon Blues]

In July of last year I visited a bike shop that sells Cannondale while on an RVing trip. I had no intention of buying......just wanted to look.
They happen to have a Cannondale Lefty 3, but it was a large (I ride a medium). I took it for a ride anyways and I was sold. I ordered a medium when I got back from the test ride.

 

[Alaskan]

In July of last year I visited a bike shop that sells Cannondale while on an RVing trip. I had no intention of buying......just wanted to look.
They happen to have a Cannondale Lefty 3, but it was a large (I ride a medium). I took it for a ride anyways and I was sold. I ordered a medium when I got back from the test ride.

It is the most captivating, just plain fun to ride ebike I have ever owned. When I ride my Allant 9.9S or 2018 Delite Mountain, I am instantly reminded of why I fell in love with each bike and have a joyful ride. Nevertheless, the very next time I ride, I almost always charge and ride the Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon Lefty 3. @Stefan Mikes, don't test ride this bike if you are not prepared to fall in love with a machine.

 

[RandallS]

I am looking for any upsides to my Roadie buddy moving away.
Thankfully he left before I went out and bought a Lefty, as they sure sound like fun.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@Stefan Mikes, don't test ride this bike if you are not prepared to fall in love with a machine.

@Alaskan:

• Cannondale claim they are getting connectivity with the bike (using the Cannondale app). The bike is equipped with Purion. Could you explain the reality?
• Your opinion on the model 4? It is far less expensive!
• I think both of us have similar leg power output. What is your typical range on the 500 Wh battery?
• What pedals have you chosen?

I say, I'm strongly interested with that e-bike!

 

[Alaskan]

The Cannondale app connectivity is with the Cannondale/Garmin speed sensor the comes on the front wheel of the Neo 2. I added it to my Neo 3 for an extra $50. It really does not do anything more than the Nyon which I had fitted to my Neo 3 before delivery. I am not a fan of the Purion at all. I also put WTB Byway 650Bx47 tires on the bike as they are more of a hybrid road/trail tire.

Is the Bikespeed RS really not detectable by the motor? I would be apprehensive the Bikespeed and Bosch are playing a game of leap frog and eventually an update would detect it and cause problems.

If you do get the speed delimiter, you will want to change out the front chain ring from 44 teeth to 48 in order to get higher speeds at a more comfortable cadence. I took my cadence at 25mph down from 82 to 72. In order to recapture lost climbing ability, I put a Sunrace 1-46 Shimano XT compatible cassette in the back. Although the GRX 12 derailleur says the largest cog it supports is 42 teeth, the B screw can be adjusted to reliably accommodate a 46 tooth. I have not skipped a tooth or dropped a chain thus far.

As to range, I 80+miles in Eco with an average speed of 14 top cruising speed of 22, Tour gets me 50+ miles with an average of 16 and a comfortable cruising speed of 24, Sport average speed is 18 with a cruising speed of 26 and Turbo is anyone's guess.

These are the relatively inexpensive, lightweight and thin pedals I have on the Neo 3

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There is nothing on the Neo 3 that I would give up to save money and get a 4 instead. It is such a dialed-in, exciting bicycle. I would not want to compromise anything about it.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Richard:

1. Nyon: Doesn't it look too huge on the gravel bike? Just asking.
2. The dealer brothers were very specific about "SpeedBox". They have actually fitted one into a Neo 3 just for practice and test; they said it was undetectable, and they could ride the bike at speed expected from a road bike. (They know they wouldn't sell a single road e-bike with the 25 km/h restriction; Poles are anarchist by heart although it is hard for me to admit that).
3. 130 km at 22.5 km/h average with 35 km/h top cruising speed is a huge range as for 500 Wh battery and average leg output of (probably) 70-80 W. Do you attribute that to the more aero position taken on the Neo?
4. I'm glad to see you use MTB platform pedals. I would be very unhappy to use clipless pedals/cleated shoes. What about the saddle? Are we keeping the road-bike style of it?
5. I agree with you taking the plunge for Neo 3 is worthwhile as "money is just money", and it would make not very much sense to accept compromise on such an excellent e-bike.

As you know Richard, I practice carrying spare batteries. That would be not practical with a road e-bike though... Perhaps I worry too much.

 

[Alaskan]

1. Nyon: Doesn't it look too huge on the gravel bike? Just asking.
2. The dealer brothers were very specific about "SpeedBox". They have actually fitted one into a Neo 3 just for practice and test; they said it was undetectable, and they could ride the bike at speed expected from a road bike. (They know they wouldn't sell a single road e-bike with the 25 km/h restriction; Poles are anarchist by heart although it is hard for me to admit that).
3. 130 km at 22.5 km/h average with 35 km/h top cruising speed is a huge range as for 500 Wh battery and average leg output of (probably) 70-80 W. Do you attribute that to the more aero position taken on the Neo?
4. I'm glad to see you use MTB platform pedals. I would be very unhappy to use clipless pedals/cleated shoes. What about the saddle? Are we keeping the road-bike style of it?
5. I agree with you taking the plunge for Neo 3 is worthwhile as "money is just money", and it would make not very much sense to accept compromise on such an excellent e-bike.

As you know Richard, I practice carrying spare batteries. That would be not practical with a road e-bike though... Perhaps I worry too much.

No perhaps about it. You worry WAY too much.

The new Nyon is the perfect size, not too big but big enough to read easily, and a great array of useful features.

The range is attributable to the low weight, aero position and tubeless, easy rolling tires.

I ride a Selle Anatomica H2 with light to medium padded shorts, you may have a different favorite but that is mine.

I do have a spare battery with the matching Cannondale cover installed. It fits inside a Revelate Frame bag than hangs below the top tube. I don't carry it along often but I like to have it for longer, faster rides.