Cannondale 700 M Topstone 3

The 2021 Cannondale 700 M Topstone 3 is a versatile and robust gravel bike designed for discerning riders who want to ride both on the road and off-road. Priced at 1,399 EUR, it offers excellent value for money.

The Topstone 3’s frame is made from SmartForm C2 Alloy and features a 12x142 mm thru-axle, a tapered head tube and a flat-mount disc brake mount. The StraightShot internal cable routing ensures a clean look and protects the cables from external influences. Multiple mounting points for luggage racks and bottle cages offer additional flexibility for longer tours and bikepacking adventures.

Braking performance is provided by Promax Decoder R mechanical disc brakes with 160 mm rotors at the front and rear. The brake levers are from Shimano Sora, as is the entire groupset. The Topstone 3 is fitted with a Shimano Sora GS derailleur, which offers 18 gears and enables precise and reliable gear selection. The shift levers are also Shimano Sora, 9-speed.

The BallisTec full-carbon fork, with a 1-1/8" to 1-1/4" head tube and a 55 mm OutFront offset, ensures agile and stable handling. The fork is also fitted with a flat-mount disc brake mount and internal cable routing, and uses a 12x100 mm thru-axle.

The bottom bracket is a cartridge model with a square taper, whilst the crankset is an FSA Tempo Adventure with 46/30 teeth. The cassette is a Sunrace model with a 11–34-tooth range, and the drivetrain features a KMC Z9 9-speed chain.

The handlebars are Cannondale 3, made from butted 6061 aluminium, with a 16-degree flare drop for a comfortable grip position. The grips are fitted with 3.5 mm-thick Cannondale bar tape, which offers additional comfort. The stem is also a Cannondale 3 made from 6061 aluminium, with a length of 31.8 mm and a 7° angle.

The wheels feature RD 2.0 rims with 28 spokes, fitted with WTB Riddler Comp tyres in size 700 x 37c. The hubs are made of aluminium, with a 12x100 mm thru-axle at the front and a 12x142 mm thru-axle at the rear. The spokes are made of 14g stainless steel.

The saddle is a Cannondale Stage CX model, mounted on a Cannondale 4 seatpost made from 6061 aluminium, measuring 27.2 x 350 mm. Pedals are not included with this model, allowing for individual preferences to be taken into account.

Overall, the Cannondale 700 M Topstone 3 offers a balanced combination of performance, versatility and comfort, ideal for riders who want to ride on both tarmac and gravel tracks.