Cannondale bikes are known for their funky dimensions, single-sided forks and stand-out-of-the-crowd sort of designs. Their engineers joke that, despite the commentary, they don’t sit around and pick weird designs just for fun; instead, they are committed to challenging the capabilities of bikes (as well as riders’ expectations) of where they can go.
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One rip on the new Topstone Carbon 2 Lefty proves the Cannondale team is onto something. This bike integrates up to 30mm of suspension in the front and the rear of the bike, absolutely changing the game when it comes to innovating gravel comfort and capability.
What makes the Topstone Carbon 2 Lefty different than other bikes?
Gravel riders know that feeling comfortable and grounded on slippery gravel is a tough task. Between loose switchbacks, singletrack or standing up over the top of the hill, it makes a huge difference when you can feel confident in your bike’s traction. The suspension systems on the Topstone add as much traction as a tire that’s 9mm wider with lower pressure, giving riders the opportunity to run faster rolling, smaller tires while benefiting from the traction they truly could only dream of before this bike.
In front, the Lefty Oliver fork is nearly imperceptible until you need it; on the road, Oliver feels stiff and snappy. As soon as the front end hits a rough patch, Oliver engages, notably softening the ride. One minor downside of the Lefty is the need for Cannondale’s Lefty specific hub and the learning curve associated with figuring out how to properly remove the front wheel. At the end of the day though, it’s a pretty minor downside for some extra squish and comfort.
