I have a Topstone Neo 2 Lefty. Awesome bike btw - so much fun!
Alaskan
Well-Known Member
Are you sure. The Topstone Neo Carbon 1 (green color) & 3 (silver color) are lefties with 1x12 or 1x11 drive trains.
The Neo 2 is the Black Pearl one with the rigid carbon fork and the 2x11 drive train with 2 front chainrings.
Good call on the medium bag not fitting. My bike is an XL!
Apologies, typo -> must be Neo Lefty 3.
Hi All! I’m new to the forum and I’ve just put a deposit down on a topstone neo carbon lefty 3. I’ll be picking it up in a week or so. I will use the bike for weekend rides, but it will also serve some commuting duties too. With that in mind, I’m considering the best way to transport gear. I’ve been using a bike with a rack up until now and that’s been super useful. I’ve read that a tailfin rack may be an option on the lefty 3, but Im wondering if anyone in here has experience with that system and who may offer some advice as to the particular mounting option that you chose. If anyone has any other ideas for a rack system that may work, I’d welcome that advice too. Essentially it is just a small amount of clothing and a laptop each way that Im looking to carry. I could use a backpack, but the rack is just a comfortable way to commute, especially here in summer temperatures. In advance, thank you!! I’m also keen to hear about any upgrades that you’ve made to your own bikes that you feel have made a difference and were good value for you. Cheers!!
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
I just purchased a Randonneur Seat Post Rack and Tailrider bike bag from Arkel https://www.arkel-od.com/rear-bags/
I can't tell you if I like it or not, because I won't get it until the 8th. I have another style of Arkel seatpost bag on my carbon road bike and I'm very happy with it.
Not sure about carrying a laptop commuter, though.
I can't tell you if I like it or not, because I won't get it until the 8th. I have another style of Arkel seatpost bag on my carbon road bike and I'm very happy with it.
Not sure about carrying a laptop commuter, though.
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Interesting option that rack. Might work well for the topstone given the kingpin suspension and lack of mounting points. I’d love to know how it works out for you! The laptop is definitely an issue for me. that’s where the tailfin‘s extra stability might help a bit. It’ll hit my hip pocket though!!
Alaskan
Well-Known Member
The topeak beam track and DRX bag work great on my Topstone Neo Carbon 3. I put a 27.2 to 30.8 seatpost shim on my carbon seatpost to protect it from being crushed by the clamp on the beamtrack.
The bag goes on comes of quick and easy and the drop down panniers on each side really boost the carrying volume. The bag is available in bigger and smaller sizes. Very nicely organized and well thought out system. Durable construction and a good raincover to keep it all dry inside.
www.topeak.com
The bag goes on comes of quick and easy and the drop down panniers on each side really boost the carrying volume. The bag is available in bigger and smaller sizes. Very nicely organized and well thought out system. Durable construction and a good raincover to keep it all dry inside.
MTX TRUNKBAG EXP
Large capacity MTX TrunkBag containing one main divided compartment with two expandable pannier side panels and rear water bottle holder. Our unique construction process provides rigidity and water repellency. Compatible with all MTX QuickTrack® racks with attached side frames. MTX Dual Side...
www.topeak.com
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
I have something similar on my Lefty now. I used a piece of rubber to compensate for the difference in the rack's clamp diameter and my seat post diameter-something that I was never happy with, because the rack would move around a bit on trails. Using a seat post shim is a much better solution.The topeak beam track and DRX bag work great on my Topstone Neo Carbon 3. I put a 27.2 to 30.8 seatpost shim on my carbon seatpost to protect it from being crushed by the clamp on the beamtrack.
The bag goes on comes of quick and easy and the drop down panniers on each side really boost the carrying volume. The bag is available in bigger and smaller sizes. Very nicely organized and well thought out system. Durable construction and a good raincover to keep it all dry inside.
MTX TRUNKBAG EXP
Large capacity MTX TrunkBag containing one main divided compartment with two expandable pannier side panels and rear water bottle holder. Our unique construction process provides rigidity and water repellency. Compatible with all MTX QuickTrack® racks with attached side frames. MTX Dual Side...
Thanks Alaskan. How have you felt the "sway" of the beam rack if you have it fully loaded? I work as a teacher, so the most it would need to carry is some books, papers to mark, some clothing and a laptop...The topeak beam track and DRX bag work great on my Topstone Neo Carbon 3. I put a 27.2 to 30.8 seatpost shim on my carbon seatpost to protect it from being crushed by the clamp on the beamtrack.
The bag goes on comes of quick and easy and the drop down panniers on each side really boost the carrying volume. The bag is available in bigger and smaller sizes. Very nicely organized and well thought out system. Durable construction and a good raincover to keep it all dry inside.
MTX TRUNKBAG EXP
Large capacity MTX TrunkBag containing one main divided compartment with two expandable pannier side panels and rear water bottle holder. Our unique construction process provides rigidity and water repellency. Compatible with all MTX QuickTrack® racks with attached side frames. MTX Dual Side...
Alaskan
Well-Known Member
I probably nave not had more than 12 pounds of tools and groceries in my bag, With the aluminum shim covering the seatpost, I can clamp it the beam rack down quite securely such that it does not swing or sway. Just a little bit of abrasive carbon mounting compound would surely eliminate any movement.
us.muc-off.com
Carbon Gripper - 75g
The guys here at Muc-Off HQ have been racking their brains to come up with a solution for carbon fiber bike parts slipping. Whether it's your Carbon seatpost having a mind of its own or your Carbon stem is struggling to grip your handle bars, our mad scientists have come up with the answer. May...
us.muc-off.com
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
Richard, did you replace your seat post with a carbon one? The reason I ask is the Canadian Lefty 3 specs show an aluminum seat post (Promax SP-2032, Alloy, 27.2)
What sold me on the Arkel rack/bag I've purchased is it mounts to the seat rails and the seat post.
What sold me on the Arkel rack/bag I've purchased is it mounts to the seat rails and the seat post.
Brendon@OEB
Well-Known Member
I imagine to shed some weight and add some compliance, that's why I swapped to a carbon post on mine.
Sounds like a good upgrade Alaskan. I'd certainly consider doing something similar too... Do you feel the Kinekt made a considerable difference over the existing kingpin and lefty set up? I have some minor back irritation that flares up sometimes, so I imagine something like your setup would be very comfortable!
Alaskan
Well-Known Member
My observation is that the kinkpin rear suspension functions reasonably well when you hit a pothole, a larger stick, basically deals with major impacts. The kinekt, deals with higher frequency vibrations and is more responsive to smaller stones, twigs and minor imperfections in the road or trail. They compliment each other quite well, coming closer to a true suspension than either one can do on their own. I also find that thicker bar tape with gel padding in key hand hold zones can help quite a bit with the hands as the 30mm suspension on the left is pretty stiff as well. Just an old guy trying to be comfortable while having too much fun 
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
I find the same with front suspension. The single shock does a decent job for large hits, but is too stiff to filter out the vibrates from gravel roads/trails.
When I installed a suspension stem I noticed the difference right away.
When I installed a suspension stem I noticed the difference right away.
Excellent setup then! Even the not so old like to be comfortable my friend!My observation is that the kinkpin rear suspension functions reasonably well when you hit a pothole, a larger stick, basically deals with major impacts. The kinekt, deals with higher frequency vibrations and is more responsive to smaller stones, twigs and minor imperfections in the road or trail. They compliment each other quite well, coming closer to a true suspension than either one can do on their own. I also find that thicker bar tape with gel padding in key hand hold zones can help quite a bit with the hands as the 30mm suspension on the left is pretty stiff as well. Just an old guy trying to be comfortable while having too much fun
For my situation, I've not ridden much over the past 15 years, but rode a lot as a youngster through my childhood, teenage years and into university. I raced mountain bikes a little bit and completed a few small triathlons as a youngster for some fun. I've not ridden drop bars for quite a long time, so that will be a change for me with this bike. Last year I had some health advice which basically said I needed to fix up my diet and get up and moving more. So, I've rented an R & M Charger 3 since late last year to see if I could make cycling work for exercise. I've been completing 3 quite good rides per week, some of which have been commuting to and from work. The R&M bike has been excellent, but I am looking forward to the much lighter Topstone.
Deacon Blues - which suspension stem did you install on yours?
Thanks a heap for the advice. Being able to communicate with people who own the bike is incredibly helpful!
Cheers!
I don't use a rack but use a bag on the handlebars instead which works well for me. The bag I went with was the Zeitgeist Pack from Swift Industries and you can either mount it on the handlebars or on your saddle. I find it provides more than enough room. In fact I can even fit an extra battery in it. It's a bit pricey but it works well and is very stable and does not move at all when riding
I do use a rack on my other ebike, the Cannondale Quick Neo and use the Topeak TetraRack. My Topstone I use for long rides mainly on weekends, but the Quick Neo I use to go to stores and sometimes to work so a rack is more useful for this bike.
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
GainGRX, are those wheels carbon? I really like my Yoeleo carbon 650b, which also have DT Swiss hubs.
Vossy, it's a Redshift suspension stem.
Vossy, it's a Redshift suspension stem.
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