Cannondale Topstone Gravel Ebike

[Deacon Blues]

Congratulations.
I can't say enough good things about my new Specialized Pathfinder 2Bliss tires. I've upgraded to carbon wheels from Yeoleo, but I have a Lefty 3 front hub.
Yeoleo was able to custom build a set of wheels for me at no additional cost.
Since the rear as suspension, all be it with minimal travel, I've not found that I needed to add a seat post suspension. Even though I have a front shock I did add a Redshift suspension stem, which I'm really happy with. It's very noticeable on gravel roads, which the shock didn't filter out.

 

[Spicy Legato]

Hello. This is my first post. I purchased a Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon 3 Lefty from REI a few days ago. They are on sale right now for 20% off. I'm just waiting to pick it up. Normally, I would not purchase a bike without being able to ride it first. However, REI has a really good return policy. So, I'm not too worried. I really wish I lived in Oregon, as I could have saved $500 on sales tax.

I'm interested in minimum range. I figure it's about 20 miles, but more realistically 30. I'll be purchasing a second battery. I'm going to set this up as a lightweight bikepacking rig. My intent is to ride from Seattle to Michigan in June. I'd like to do 100-125 miles per day. I'll probably mix camping and hotel stays. I purchased an extra charger so I can recharge both batteries at the same time. I really wish Bosch would make a 10 amp charger, or at least make the 6 amp available stateside. If the ride to Michigan works out I'm hoping to do most of the GDMBR in July.

 

[Alaskan]

Hello. This is my first post. I purchased a Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon 3 Lefty from REI a few days ago. They are on sale right now for 20% off. I'm just waiting to pick it up. Normally, I would not purchase a bike without being able to ride it first. However, REI has a really good return policy. So, I'm not too worried. I really wish I lived in Oregon, as I could have saved $500 on sales tax.

I'm interested in minimum range. I figure it's about 20 miles, but more realistically 30. I'll be purchasing a second battery. I'm going to set this up as a lightweight bikepacking rig. My intent is to ride from Seattle to Michigan in June. I'd like to do 100-125 miles per day. I'll probably mix camping and hotel stays. I purchased an extra charger so I can recharge both batteries at the same time. I really wish Bosch would make a 10 amp charger, or at least make the 6 amp available stateside. If the ride to Michigan works out I'm hoping to do most of the GDMBR in July.

Check out the Bosch Range Assistant. https://www.bosch-ebike.com/us/service/range-assistant/

Dig in deep on it as it has all the variables and factors for you to set, speed, topography, wind, road quality, bike, battery, motor, assist level, rider weight, etc. Once you have all the parameters set you can tweak each one, one at a time and see the impact of the change on your range. The accuracy is uncanny, IF you set the parameters correctly,

 

[Johnny]

Hello. This is my first post. I purchased a Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon 3 Lefty from REI a few days ago. They are on sale right now for 20% off. I'm just waiting to pick it up. Normally, I would not purchase a bike without being able to ride it first. However, REI has a really good return policy. So, I'm not too worried. I really wish I lived in Oregon, as I could have saved $500 on sales tax.

I'm interested in minimum range. I figure it's about 20 miles, but more realistically 30. I'll be purchasing a second battery. I'm going to set this up as a lightweight bikepacking rig. My intent is to ride from Seattle to Michigan in June. I'd like to do 100-125 miles per day. I'll probably mix camping and hotel stays. I purchased an extra charger so I can recharge both batteries at the same time. I really wish Bosch would make a 10 amp charger, or at least make the 6 amp available stateside. If the ride to Michigan works out I'm hoping to do most of the GDMBR in July.

That is an excellent, lightweight gravel bike with an innovative dual suspension setup and you got it for a very good price from REI. Other companies sell no suspension hybrid bikes for the msrp of this bike. (I always thought of this bike as a great gravel bike).

Range is not something that can be commented or computed without knowing how much power you are going to put in yourself and the average speed you will be cruising at, elevation gain etc.

To cover 100-125 miles with a total of 1000wh (two 500wh) batteries, you are looking at spending 8-10wh per mile. It is a good bit of support, if you will be cruising around or under 15mph on average and using mostly eco that distance should be doable without any problems.

Enjoy your bike.

 

[Deacon Blues]

With my Lefty 3 I can, if I keep it in eco mode for most of the ride, do at least 120km (75mi) on a single charge, with a couple of battery bars still showing on the display. Of course as already mentioned, there are many factors in play when it come to battery range. I only weigh 155 pounds and I'm a fairly strong rider (my other bike is a light carbon road bike). Even on moderate hills I seldom up the power to touring.
One thing I didn't like about my Lefty was the tires. I found them noisy and slow. I switched to a pair of Specialized Pathfinder 2Bliss, along with a set of carbon wheels, and it make a huge difference in both ride quality and speed on pavement.
I'm really enjoying my Lefty.

 

[Alaskan]

Actually I misspoke in my last post. The bike I bought is the Topstone Neo Carbon 2 not the lefty three. The model 2 has a fixed carbon fork, not the lefty suspension fork, It has the gravel specific GRX groupset from Shimano and more carbon parts to get the weight down to 16.2kg/37 lbs. It is also the only Bosch powered bike I know of with a 2 by drive train with front derailleur and two chain rings it is a 2x11, 22 speed drive train with 48/32 up front and and 11-32 cassette. As it is not a lefty with the front shock, I am going to put the Kinkekt body float stem on the bike along with Tubless WTB Byway 700x40 tires

 

[Deacon Blues]

If the Kinkekt stem is anything like the Redshift stem you'll be very happy with your purchase.
Those WTB byways look very similar to the Pathways I went with. Looks to be a very good choice.

 

[Spicy Legato]

Thanks for the tips. I'm definitely going to put 47c tires on it. I don't know if I can afford better rims, but it would be nice. I plan to add a seatpost bag, handlebar bag, gastank bag, and partial frame bag. I'd go with a full frame bag, but I figure I will need easy access if I intend to swap batteries. I also don't know that I need that much space.

I wan't to keep bike weight, including gear, to a minimum. My tent, sleeping bag, and pad weigh 5 lbs combines. I want to keep the total bike weight under 65 lbs. That excludes food and water. I won't carry much food. I may stop and charge mid-day for about four hours if convenient. Touring with these ebikes would be much more practical with faster charging. Even 1C charging would be a huge improvement.


I also weigh 155 lbs, but I intend to be pretty lazy on inclines.

I almost went with the Synapse Neo 1, which is also on sale. The Topstone Lefty 3 just seemed like a better deal, and far more versatile.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@Alaskan: Just curious. What did make you go for a gravel e-bike?

 

[Spicy Legato]

@Alaskan: Just curious. What did make you go for a gravel e-bike?

I wanted a class 3 ebike I could purchase from REI which I could use to ride across country on mostly paved roads, and also on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, which is mostly dirt/gravel roads. It helps that the topstone 3 is basically one of the lightest class 3 ebikes, and is currently on sale at REI. I was going to purchase a Surly Big Easy, but it's not a class 3, it's way less efficient, and probably not as comfortable to ride several thousand miles. Also, the Big Easy is not available at REI. I hope that Surly makes an updated Big Easy as a class 3, and with fat tires. That way, I can use it to bikepack the baja divide.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I wanted a class 3 ebike I could purchase from REI which I could use to ride across country on mostly paved roads, and also on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, which is mostly dirt/gravel roads. It helps that the topstone 3 is basically one of the lightest class 3 ebikes, and is currently on sale at REI. I was going to purchase a Surly Big Easy, but it's not a class 3, it's way less efficient, and probably not as comfortable to ride several thousand miles. Also, the Big Easy is not available at REI. I hope that Surly makes an updated Big Easy as a class 3, and with fat tires. That way, I can use it to bikepack the baja divide.

I understand your own case Legato: your needs are clear. However, I know Alaskan's e-bike background and am specifically interested what made him buy a gravel e-bike.

 

[almikel]

The Topstone Neo Carbon Lefty (https://www.cannondale.com/en-au/bi...o/topstone-neo-carbon-lefty-3?sku=c62151m10lg) was what the LBS recommended to me after some test rides of hub drive and mid drive e-bikes left me underwhelmed on their assist up hills.

Awesome bike!

I was looking for a drop bar e-bike that had a motor that could haul my f@t@ass up the hills on my daily commute (eg Bosch CX, Shimano EP8, Yamaha PX2 etc).
It turns out that gravel e-bikes are the only option for a drop bar bike with motor with torque >= 80nm

My acoustic roadie is a carbon Cannondale that I've owned for 12 years and ridden daily, so another Cannondale was fine by me.

I've always had a philosophical issue with single sided suspension like the Lefty - I'm sure it works fine - but from an engineering perspective all those cantilevered/angular loads just makes design harder than it needs to be...I've always thought it was an idea proposed by the Cannondale marketing department, and the Cannondale engineering department said "WTF?", but made it work

I wasn't looking for an e-bike that had suspension anyway (and definitely not single sided suspension) - as my primary usage is pavement commuting.
The next model down from the Topstone Neo Carbon Lefty is the Topstone Neo Carbon 4 ( https://www.cannondale.com/en-au/bi...topstone-neo-carbon-4-c62251m?sku=c62251m10sm ).
Bosch CX motor, drop bars - it ticked the boxes for me.

Unfortunately the cost of the Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon 4 was astronomical (AUD$8700) - way above what I could justify...the Topstone Neo Carbon 4 became my "stretch" target if I couldn't find anything less expensive, but very unlikely to be purchased anytime soon with other financial priorities...

I looked further and found the Giant Revolt 2020 model (https://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/revolt-eplus-pro-2020) at AUD$5700 - still a stretch financially, but doable.

I've owned the Giant Revolt for 3 weeks now - I love it - I'm sure the Cannondale would be better, but was too expensive for me at AUD$3K more (~53% more expensive).

I'm still completely gobsmacked on how heavy e-bikes are.
My carbon acoustic is around 8.5kg
My new Giant e-bike is around 19kg - basically a bag of cement to carry around...don't get me wrong - I'm happy to have that weight penalty to have a motor/battery that hauls me up the hills ...
...but I had a need to take out my acoustic after not riding it for a few weeks, and it felt like I could throw it into next year it was so light...it's likely taking the acoustic out occasionally will remain a joy as long as I avoid the steep stuff

@David Berry - lovely bike!
I'd love to know what it weighs - have you measured it?

cheers
Mike

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Why do you guys need the drop bars? Because you really want to reduce the air drag or it is something you got used to on your road bikes?
Seriously. Just asking.

 

[almikel]

Why do you guys need the drop bars? Because you really want to reduce the air drag or it is something you got used to on your road bikes?
Seriously. Just asking.

Hi Stefan,

For me I was looking to replace my road bike with an e-bike, and maybe get on some (road) group rides again.
Nothing to do with air drag - all to do with image

I haven't done a group ride for 5 years or so, as I've gotten too slow/fat/old to keep up.

The barrier to entry for a group (road) ride is obviously variable depending on the group...but usually all participants are on drop bar acoustics.
Turn up with baggy shorts and suspension and you're likely not to be invited again...likely worse if you smoke the bunch on ascents with an e-bike

A drop bar gravel bike, excluding the fat tyres, looks similar to a road bike...sitting within a peloton, an outsider wouldn't notice that the pack had a gravel bike in its midst...
...whereas a baggy panted mountain e-biker with suspension and flat bars would stand out like the proverbial dog's balls...
It's ridiculous that roadies think that way, but IME they do.

A case in point - the work crew that ride each week (all acoustic roadies) have invited me along (drop bar e-gravel bike), but not another work colleague that recently purchased a flat bar e-cruiser...
...I intend to break that sh!t down within the work crew...but roadies IME want the bunch to "look" like roadies...flat bars and baggy pants aren't welcome in the bunch, with unshaved legs tolerated but you better be fast...
...I like the social aspect of a group ride and coffee...although ridiculous drop bars are a part of that

Mike

 

[Marci jo]

Why do you guys need the drop bars? Because you really want to reduce the air drag or it is something you got used to on your road bikes?
Seriously. Just asking.

Good question Stefan.
In my road cycling days I remember liking the drop bars for a couple reasons. Body weight felt more evenly distributed so butt pressure is less . More importantly I seemed to be able to deliver more power to the legs, especially hamstrings. Now add spd pedals, less wind resistance, light bikes and well, you get the picture.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Thank you Mike for your interesting answer! On my side, I'm flirting with a gravel bike club. They already know I would like to just follow the group, ride touring e-bike (because of health issues), and don't intend to compete with them Besides, making 550 km in 64 hours is unrealistic in my case...

@Marci jo, thank you, too!

 

[reed scott]

Why do you guys need the drop bars? Because you really want to reduce the air drag or it is something you got used to on your road bikes?
Seriously. Just asking.

Trick question.

 

[Saratoga Dave]

Hey Stefan, let me throw in my own opinion in this... back in the murky past, my main and favorite bike was my drop bar Cannondale touring bike that I rode for many years. It ended up hanging in the garage for about five years, and has since moved on to my son who is still riding it.

My first two ebikes were flat bar sit up straighter bikes, which made sense because by the time I bought one, I somehow had reached my mid sixties and thought I was past the leaning over the bars stuff. But who knew, you miss that after a while! Two years ago I bought my Giant ToughRoad gravel drop bar bike and within a week I felt like I was back home again, so to speak. Last summer I added my Yamaha Civante road ebike to the club, and now I switch back and forth depending on mood and destination. I changed out the stem on the Civante to a somewhat shorter one with a little rise to it to more closely match the setup of the Giant.

There’s just something about the drop bar thing, the multiple hand positions, shifters in the brake levers, the ”feel” of how you sit on the thing overall. Especially on the gravel bike, it’s the most comfortable setup I’ve had. Even with 70 years old coming up this summer, I wouldn’t switch back. I can ride either one of these things all day long and feel fine at the end.

You should try a gravel bike setup! Cannondale, Giant, that really cool Canyon Grail... you’d keep us all entertained for a good long while with the new adventures.

 

[reed scott]

Hey Stefan, let me throw in my own opinion in this... back in the murky past, my main and favorite bike was my drop bar Cannondale touring bike that I rode for many years. It ended up hanging in the garage for about five years, and has since moved on to my son who is still riding it.

My first two ebikes were flat bar sit up straighter bikes, which made sense because by the time I bought one, I somehow had reached my mid sixties and thought I was past the leaning over the bars stuff. But who knew, you miss that after a while! Two years ago I bought my Giant ToughRoad gravel drop bar bike and within a week I felt like I was back home again, so to speak. Last summer I added my Yamaha Civante road ebike to the club, and now I switch back and forth depending on mood and destination. I changed out the stem on the Civante to a somewhat shorter one with a little rise to it to more closely match the setup of the Giant.

There’s just something about the drop bar thing, the multiple hand positions, shifters in the brake levers, the ”feel” of how you sit on the thing overall. Especially on the gravel bike, it’s the most comfortable setup I’ve had. Even with 70 years old coming up this summer, I wouldn’t switch back. I can ride either one of these things all day long and feel fine at the end.

You should try a gravel bike setup! Cannondale, Giant, that really cool Canyon Grail... you’d keep us all entertained for a good long while with the new adventures.

I rode a cannonade road bike for years. And before that some 'ten speeds' I barely remember. The thing that killed drop bars for me was my neck. If you know what I mean.

 

[jabberwocky]

Why do you guys need the drop bars? Because you really want to reduce the air drag or it is something you got used to on your road bikes?
Seriously. Just asking.

For me, two reasons: I want my ebike to mimic the feel of my normal bike (I ride both) which has drops and shimano shifters. Two, drops are much more comfortable (IMO) for long days since they offer several hand positions, and you can switch around. I do long days on my MTB occasionally and my shoulder and hands suffer when I do. Flats just don't give me enough different positions to switch things up when Im spending hours on the bike.

Edit: Just to add, I definitely run the drops higher than I did in my younger roadie days, and prefer them wider. For a comfort setup (both my gravel bikes) I have the flats of the bars set about level with the saddle. My road bike is setup more for efficiency, so the bars are maybe 1 1/2" below the saddle and are slightly narrower (44cm on both gravel bikes, 42cm on the road). I haven't ridden the road bike on anything but a trainer in several years, but I used to do very long days on that bike and it was perfectly comfortable (12 hours+, 130 miles or more). I've been riding the trainer this winter and realizing that that riding position doesn't work great for me anymore. When I get around to it I'll likely set the road bike up to be closer to my gravel rigs.

The point is, drops don't need to be setup in super road race position. The popularity of gravel has really increased the options in the drop bar realm too. A wider shallow drop flared bar with the flats/hoods set where you'd like a flat bar gives a lot of comfort with the additional riding position options.