Almost exactly 50 years ago, the guitar band Golden Earring appeared on the legendary ZDF music programme "Disco" and played their biggest hit in very tight satin trousers: Radar Love. Half a century later, the US brand Cannondale has discovered its love for radar: Their gravel bike model called Topstone uses high-tech eyes to see if danger is imminent from behind. A radar detector in the rear light detects up to eight faster, approaching vehicles such as cars and lorries, but also motorbikes and even bicycles. They trigger a signal on the handlebar display from a distance of 140 metres. At the same time, the rear light increases its luminosity. A warning tone can also be switched on via the app. This means you are always aware of what is happening behind you on the road.
The radar technology comes from sat nav specialist Garmin and is also available separately under the name Varia in the form of rechargeable rear lights. Experienced touring and racing cyclists find this system helpful and practical when travelling out of town. On the Topstone, Cannondale combines the Garmin sensor with a powerful, approved Lezyne front light and a battery, which is located on the down tube together with an internally routed cable. The complete system is called "Cannondale Smart Sense" and left mixed impressions: It occasionally triggered false alarms in the highly stimulating urban environment or on a roadside cycle path. In addition, the battery life is currently very short at around three to four hours (with the lights switched on). A hub dynamo connection could therefore be a useful addition in the future.
Very comfortable
However, the company hit the bull's eye with the frame construction. It makes the new Cannondale Topstone one of the most comfortable bikes of its kind. The secret lies in carbon tubes with widely varying diameters and a discrete joint. Where maximum flexural rigidity is required, they are bulky and angular. At the rear end, but also in the seat tube, there are almost delicate, flattened areas. They make the tubes there flexible, similar to a leaf spring. The chainstays absorb shocks from below and pass them on to the upwardly flexible seat stays. These end in a joint that transfers the rest of the impact energy to the seat tube. This deflects slightly forwards in the flat area, while the saddle itself moves slightly backwards - and in turn contributes to the noticeably successful shock absorption.
Of course, this only works optimally with small, short successive impacts such as gravel surfaces or cobblestones. But even a high root or a step at right angles to the path are noticeably cushioned. The flexing seat post and the thick 40-millimetre tyres also contribute to the comfort effect. The Cannondale Topstone runs smoothly on rough trails and stays on track even on passages with difficult surfaces. With a compact riding position and the effective comfort concept, even long tours through woods and fields can be ridden confidently without premature fatigue. And on the last few metres back home, there is enough alertness for the small, colourful radar dots on the handlebars.
The most important information about the Cannondale Topstone
- Model: CANNONDALE Topstone Carbon 1 RLE
- Price: 8999 Euro
- Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Test bike weight: 9 kg
- Permissible total weight: 129 kg
- Frame: Carbon, thru axle, rear suspension
- Fork: Carbon, thru axle
- Circuit: SRAM Force eTap AXS, radio-controlled
- Translation: 43/30, 10-36 t., 2x12-fold, 516 %
- Brakes/ø: SRAM Force Disc/160 mm
- Tyres: Vittoria Terreno Dry Graphene 2.0 40-622
- Lighting system: Lezyne front light, Cannondale rear light, radar unit, handlebar display
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Effective flex elements; high ride comfort; top handling; helpful rear radar
- Minus: Partly oversensitive radar detection; very short battery life
Conclusion on the Cannondale Topstone
The potential of radar technology is huge: once the teething troubles such as occasional incorrect displays and short battery life are under control, cycling in urban areas could become safer in future thanks to radar retrospection.
