God I love Cannondale. They're the "so preoccupied with the fact that they could, they didn't stop to think if they should" of bike companies sometimes, and it's so much fun.
Cannondale is the contemporary artist of bike design in our modern era. I turned my BadBoy into a flat bar gravel/commuter (put XT 4 Piston Brakes with Ice-Tech Rotors, a Cannondale Dropper, RaceFace Carbon Flat Bar, ODI Grips, Giant Recon Lights, GRX derailleur, XTR Teflon shifter Cable, XT Hub with Saint 135 Axle, XT 11Sp Cassette 11/40, Drilled out dropouts to fit an MRP 12mm Thru Axle, Stainless DT Swiss spokes in the rear, Hollowgram Cranks, RaceFace Cinch BB and Spindle and an Absolute black 34T Oval Chainring, Rolling on Schwalbe Big Ben Plus, Soon to be Maxxis 2.1 Gravel Tyres ) it's now a Bloodclart BadMan.
sorry to be so offtopic but does any of you know a method to get back into an Instagram account?? I somehow lost the login password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me!
YES! I was just reading how the Cannondale Slate was discontinued and felt a heavy weight fall over me while I looked at my grey Slate Ultegra that I love so much, thinking they were gone forever. They're bringing it back in perfect form! Thank you Cannondale for realizing how special that bike really is.
These bikes are perfect for commuting to work; at least for me anyway as my commute involves some trails, roads, abit of mud and a lot of roadworks. But I can only dream while propelling my Kmart hard tail MTB on me way to work this morning.
This really appeals to me. Both versions. I love the way they’ve integrated the Bosch Kiox display in the e-bike. And the regular one looks nice and light. And I always liked the Lefty fork. Cannondale do really unique stuff.
Oh my GOD Jeremy is so fricken METAL ! I've never seen anything attack a hill like that. That was vicious, it was like watching a mugging. So much Respect for Jeremy , just WOW..
I had a Slate, awesome bike. Sold it last year as I'm living on the mountains in Italy and the downhill section were just too hard with the wheel diameter of the slate. I must say, it was a fantastic bike. If I have the money I would by this one ;-)
I can chime in. Had a Slate that I sold last year. Biggest mistake of my life. Was a joy to ride it and never had so much fun on a bike for some weird reason. Seriously considering buying the Topstone Lefty!
Karl Norberg I understand! I regret it too if I just purely consider the fact that this bike was fun, comfortable after adding a pro discover flare handlebar though! Here in Italy many streets in the mountains here are in a bad condition. The Oliver filtering these bad roads is wonderful. Then you go onto gravel roads and that’s we’re the bike really was great! Very fast because all my road bike PR’s on strava I have beaten with the slate. Once taking it into the trails it was fun, but the 42mm tires were not enough to replace also a mountainbike. I think the new slate could actually! I really would love to try it out. Maybe GCN can send me their test models and I will test them with pleasure for you! 😉
Yeah Jeremy shows how much fun it is to rip it in the woods with ebike. I got the Pinarello Dyodo gravel prelockdown and have been having a blast on solo adventures. J
I have a Cannondale Slate and its the best bike I have ever owned. It literally makes everything fun. I haven't tried it yet on double black or black XC trails but on Blues it out performs my XC mountain bike hands down. Yes, I have to pick the line because of the suspension limitations, but the climbing and speed makes the ride much more efficient and enjoyable. No I am not sending huge drops or gap jumps with it. But I have a DH bike for that. I wanted a bike that I could have fun pedalling on, and this is it! And the best part is I don't have to put my bike in the back of my car and drive to the MTB park. I can just bike there. I am seriously thanking Cannondale for making this line of bikes!
I have the Cannodale Apex 1 with the lefty suspension fork. And yes the suspension is too stiff for real off road riding. The other issue that I find is it is too difficult to climb. This is due to the limited gear ratio of the 1x. There needs to be a better range for off road because a rider will find themselves in a situation where there is a short steep climb that needs a really easy gear. I have had to get off and walk up silly little climbs that I can easily do with my XC mtb. On the other hand I absolutely love the overall performance of the Cannodale Slate. It makes easy single track fun. I think the future of biking for me will be this type of bike (gravel with suspension capabilities). I absolutely love this direction that Cannodale is going with their bike design.
ive been debating whether to get a gravel bike or split into a road and hardtail 29ner. i went with the second option and its worked well. i think if i lived in a place where there was more gravel the decision wouldnt have been that hard. it truly is dependent on where you live.
No matter how much the suspension progresses the Cannondale lefty is just too awesome. That lefty is competition tested cant imagine to date how it can enhance the gravel community. They are just simply ahead of their time.
Maybe for some of the gnarlier terrain, but that's not what these bikes are for - they're all day adventure bikes that are designed to cope with a rage of conditions, so they'll never be thoroughbred road or xc bikes, but they occupy that middle ground fairly well!
GCN Tech makes sense, would you be able to do a deeper dive into the flexible carbon ‘linkages’ we’re starting to see more of? Have a look at fatigue lives, if any of them can be set up differently for different weight riders etc
@@gcntech I think the problem is that folks are still trying to figure out where gravel bikes are meant to ride. It seems to me that dirt and gravel roads are the only places where they are effective. My hardtail is definitely faster on singletrack but my gravel bike is faster on hard-pack roads.
I have an Orbea Oiz, having come from a longer travel SC Tallboy. The Oiz has full lockout (from handlebar levers) which has three positions which control the front and rear simultaneously. It’s awesome on the road fully locked out and as capable as the SC for the most part off. The lockout on this Canondale should be from a remote lever, otherwise transitions from one surface type to another would be a pain
Man these look like the ultimate all rounder to me. Just lovely. My wife wants a gravel bike and I think this is it - luckily she rides the same size as me 😊 love the ebike but the price 😳
Even though I ride only on the road, I'm glad to see manufacturers keep innovating. All of us riders eventually benefit. (BTW, a good video, guys. Sorry about the 'skeeters.)
@@gcntech Speaking of change - which I was implying: 1) Why is the front disc so narrow? 2) Would a disc with a wider diameter have more braking power?
I am a typical average amateur cyclist. I don’t have enough space to store three different types of bicycles at home. I'm not young enough to think about serious competitions. I'm not healthy enough to kill my joints by long-term riding without suspension over rough terrain. But at the same time, I still have a fire in my eyes and a desire to have the best of all worlds, which is so pleasing to macroretologists. It seems like the best choice for universal comfort gravel in 2020 is between the Niner MCR 9 RDO, Canondale Topstone and Specialized Diverge. It would be great to see their direct comparison from the GCN.
I love my Carbon 2 Neo (Non Lefty). Best at asphalt, but it CAN do it all, perfect as I ride 90% on asphalt, but some times need to take Gravel Shortcuts to the store!
I'm amazed that so few firms gave put the bosch motor and big battery into a bike with front suspension. Seems kinda obvious. The added range over emtb is huge.
I remember when Koichi Yamaguchi built that lefty fork for Mike McCarthy and he took the world championship. That's the first one I've seen. Cool design.
Please please please review the new diverge series. I am especially interested in the expert carbon as this is the model I wld most likely purchase however a review of any of the models would be greatly appreciated. Thanks gcn keep up the great vids
I have a 2016 Slate, and have always thought the fork was a bit stiff - doesn't do much to take out the road buzz on washboard gravel roads. Would love to see a direct comparison between the (old and new) Lefty vs. Specialized's Future Shock system!
Reminds me of the single sided swing arm motorbikes started by Motoguzzi, and taken up by BMW, Honda and others. They looked cool in those days. I think there was one with a single sided front suspension, too.
Not only the differences between the different types of road bikes are getting smaller and smaller - now the difference between a mountain bike and a road bike seems to be (almost) only on the handlebars... 🥴 This is ideal for us cyclists, because everyone can find exactly the bike that suits their preferences best!
Some of my local roads here in CA are probably on par with Europe’s cobblestones. This looks like the most applicable use of the Lefty ever. Though not interested in pursuing drop bars over mountain bike terrain, this idea seems ideally suited for bringing comfort to come-what-may road conditions in the drop bar category... I’m definitely interested! Now, what BB is in there?😨
Nice new bike, Si. Nice new helmet. How can you receive new bikes and gear from all over the cycling world but can't get the new kit from your own company?
Hi Mark, because making videos is super expensive and we don’t charge you to watch them we need to make money in other ways. One of them is to work with brands that we rate to showcase their products that we think you all will want to know about. Of course we can’t review them, but we won’t put crap bikes on the channels.
Have been looking at all Your reviews and I’m sooooo dawn interested in a Gravel Bike this will come at the end of 2020 or beginning 2021 hoping back and for between Cannondale and Canyon Grail what would You guy’s pick...? 😎🤔 awesome review again thanks for keeping us all sane during lockdown 😊 Stay healthy and safe
Maybe I can help. I own(ed) both. I only had the Slate (1x11 Sram Force) for a short time, but it was a very nice bike. But I found a good price on a demo Grail CF SLX (2x11 Ultegra) and bought it as well, then ended up selling the Slate. Both great bikes. You get more for your money with Canyon, but that's not the main reason I sold the Slate. My typical "gravel" rides are about 50/50 paved/unpaved, with lots of climbing, and mostly only short sections of really rough terrain/trail. For that type of riding, the increased gear range of the Canyon's 2x11 system, paired with it's lighter weight and more aero wheels make it the winner. I can just slow down a bit when things get too rough* and I feel like I am going to bash a rim. The rest of the ride I'm happy to have something lighter and faster. I already have a road bike and a very light XC hardtail (lighter than the Slate). If my "gravel" rides had more offroad or singletrack, or I wanted to replace both the XC and Road bikes with one bike, I may have kept the Slate. Or you could look at it this way. The Slate was more like an XC race hardtail, the Grail is more like a roadbike.... depends on what you want. (*BTW, the funky handlebar on the Grail CF does not do anything suspension-wise, but it also doesn't cause me any problems, so I'm fine with it)
T O Great Feedback thanks a lot for taking the time. Looks like I will go with the Grail CF SLX 8.0 Di2 Cause of weight and the option of gears. Like You I go easy off-road and lots of street a little Countryside roads true the fields. Believe this is my best option.
Iliad P price range shouldn’t be a point of decision (if possible) thanks for Your reply. Will probably go with the Grail CF SLX 8.0 Di2 Cause of weight, components and the option of gears
Just my personal experience, as I own bikes of both brands. Canyon is known as good value for money if compared with full price of C'dale. Though you will get easily 15%, even 20% off the last with your LBS, so perceived value should be the same. Canyon is fine. It will not make you excited every time you look at it or about to ride. It just moves you from point A to B. All is good ...as long you do not discover any issue with it, which means you need to contact their HQ and use delivery services. C'dale at the same time is made to impress you. You will be in love with it for many years. You will appreciate that C'dale makes innovative and different stuff that just works. In this particular case (Topstone vs Grail) consider also what level of comfort each of them is offering, as this is probably one extremely important issue for gravel. Surely more important than +/- 1kg bike weight difference, if you are over 75kg.
225/5000 A lady from Florence broke the rear of the Carbon Topstone with the rigid fork. Get the message across and ask other owners if they have had a problem. Write to info@reporterspress.it. Thank you
In the US I completely get these bikes but they are the same mass as a fast xc bike! I think that a cross bike like the Cannodale Super x or a Trek Boone can be more fun in the UK, we don't have the miles of gravel roads and the bridleways we do have are tight and twisty!
The geometry might be the same as with the rigid fork when it's uncompressed, but when it compresses it's for sure different. I'm guessing the head angle will get steeper and the wheelbase gets shorter as the fork gets shorter, making the bike more unstable exactly when you are hitting bumps...
I'm curious to see how the lefty compares to something like the specialized future shock or maybe more interestingly, the lauf grit fork which I think also does 30mm travel.
without even testing, a fork suspension is a better design as it keeps the non-suspensioned mass lower (only the wheel) - so the whole frame is protected from vibrations so more comfort and less energy waster on the gnarly roads. Also lefty is a proper fork, with tunable qualities for preload, compression, rebound and how progressive it is, future shock is just a piece of rubber.
4 роки тому
@@lechprotean + not sure, if you can lock it. you can lock lefty
A lot of Topstone Carbon Lefty videos came out today but only GCN's is labeled an "ad." I'm assuming all the other videos featuring actual bikes are ads, too?
Dear GCN Team. I’m looking for an E Gravel bike. Based on your experienced when they were reviewed by you guys would you go for the Cannondale Topstone Neo of the Canyon Grail On CF8 ?
Looks a whole lot of fun but I still think I was riding something similar in the 80’s with flat bars and thumb shifters... I really don’t get the gravel thing. It’s just old school mtb’s with road bars. Great video btw!
Technology has moved on quite a long way since those vintage mtbs, modern gravel bikes are much lighter and faster, and generally more capable - maybe not everyone's favourite discipline but we feel there's a place for it for sure!
GCN Tech I know! Bikes are evolving at such a rate, but I did love the simplicity of those days. I really do need to buy a new bike, but I love the ones I ride. As I get older, I’ve almost convinced myself that I really do need a less racy set-up on both my road bike and my MTB! Road bike gearing is getting tougher up the really steep roads (could be my birth too) and my carbon hardtail is a little harsh for my off road forays now as my body doesn’t want to soak up the extra ‘travel’ so readily. I still bloody love it though!🤣
Old school mtb with road bars sounds awesome to me as a MTBer who wants to put more miles in. I've been using my hardtail for road rides since I don't have a road bike and I like to mess around allot, anything more then 20 miles or so and my hands are hurting allot and I want to do 80+ mile rides... flat bars suck for road. I've considering putting drops on it to make a monster-cross bike but its allot to convert and since I don't have a road bike I'd be picking a drop bar blind.
Looks like a real gravel weapon - bear in mind that the Cannondale Slate was ridden to 1st place in the Dirty Kansa in 2016, then this has got to have some pretty good DNA..........but sourcing after market wheels will be a pain?
What does it take to change the chain set of a bike from the right to the left side?....what are the implications for left handed vs right handed cyclists?
There are almost no bikes in the world with left hand side drive trains, it doesn't make any difference at all really, there's very slightly more weight on one side of the bike but this is barely noticeable
Lefties eh? On the plus side u can change the inner tube without taking the wheel off but on the downside it's pretty hard to take the wheel off anyway as u have to take off the brake caliper...unless they've solved that problem now?
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
God I love Cannondale. They're the "so preoccupied with the fact that they could, they didn't stop to think if they should" of bike companies sometimes, and it's so much fun.
Cannondale is the contemporary artist of bike design in our modern era. I turned my BadBoy into a flat bar gravel/commuter (put XT 4 Piston Brakes with Ice-Tech Rotors, a Cannondale Dropper, RaceFace Carbon Flat Bar, ODI Grips, Giant Recon Lights, GRX derailleur, XTR Teflon shifter Cable, XT Hub with Saint 135 Axle, XT 11Sp Cassette 11/40, Drilled out dropouts to fit an MRP 12mm Thru Axle, Stainless DT Swiss spokes in the rear, Hollowgram Cranks, RaceFace Cinch BB and Spindle and an Absolute black 34T Oval Chainring, Rolling on Schwalbe Big Ben Plus, Soon to be Maxxis 2.1 Gravel Tyres ) it's now a Bloodclart BadMan.
sorry to be so offtopic but does any of you know a method to get back into an Instagram account??
I somehow lost the login password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me!
@Pierce Lennox Instablaster :)
YES! I was just reading how the Cannondale Slate was discontinued and felt a heavy weight fall over me while I looked at my grey Slate Ultegra that I love so much, thinking they were gone forever. They're bringing it back in perfect form! Thank you Cannondale for realizing how special that bike really is.
These bikes are perfect for commuting to work; at least for me anyway as my commute involves some trails, roads, abit of mud and a lot of roadworks. But I can only dream while propelling my Kmart hard tail MTB on me way to work this morning.
Nice to see that Si finally got his new kit. Looking fresh!
For some reason, I'm watching a review for a bike that I can't afford. All because of Si
Haha, thanks for watching!
Thanks for keeping me sane during lockdown!
He is so convincing
Will they do a right hand lefty for UK roads? ;)
shapes2000 that was one of the brexit demands. All righty then.
How are you going to mount disc brakes?
First time I saw a guy with a lefty he told me he’d broken the other fork.
I was 8
Fun story 😀😀😀
This really appeals to me. Both versions. I love the way they’ve integrated the Bosch Kiox display in the e-bike. And the regular one looks nice and light.
And I always liked the Lefty fork. Cannondale do really unique stuff.
Oh my GOD Jeremy is so fricken METAL ! I've never seen anything attack a hill like that. That was vicious, it was like watching a mugging. So much Respect for Jeremy , just WOW..
I had a Slate, awesome bike. Sold it last year as I'm living on the mountains in Italy and the downhill section were just too hard with the wheel diameter of the slate. I must say, it was a fantastic bike. If I have the money I would by this one ;-)
It will be interesting to see how many think the same!
I can chime in. Had a Slate that I sold last year. Biggest mistake of my life. Was a joy to ride it and never had so much fun on a bike for some weird reason. Seriously considering buying the Topstone Lefty!
Karl Norberg I understand! I regret it too if I just purely consider the fact that this bike was fun, comfortable after adding a pro discover flare handlebar though! Here in Italy many streets in the mountains here are in a bad condition. The Oliver filtering these bad roads is wonderful. Then you go onto gravel roads and that’s we’re the bike really was great! Very fast because all my road bike PR’s on strava I have beaten with the slate. Once taking it into the trails it was fun, but the 42mm tires were not enough to replace also a mountainbike. I think the new slate could actually! I really would love to try it out. Maybe GCN can send me their test models and I will test them with pleasure for you! 😉
I have a Slate Lefty and wanted an eSlate... Well this is it, the Topstone Carbone Neo with lefty. Can't wait to test it.
second dude on the evo is just as energetic as the bike itself
Like the use of the stick stand throughout. Great new tech with an age old solution.
The stick is very high tech!
Pretty cool bikes! I always like seeing lefty forks. I lusted after a Scalpel in my shop days.
I already have a Slate but cannot help salivating over this new Topstone
It's a great looking bike we think, although not a favourite for everyone!
Yeah Jeremy shows how much fun it is to rip it in the woods with ebike. I got the Pinarello Dyodo gravel prelockdown and have been having a blast on solo adventures. J
This and the Canyon Grail ON are my fav E-gravel bikes at the moment...😍🤩
9:35 was both entertaining and impressive!
Haha yes!
I have a Cannondale Slate and its the best bike I have ever owned. It literally makes everything fun. I haven't tried it yet on double black or black XC trails but on Blues it out performs my XC mountain bike hands down. Yes, I have to pick the line because of the suspension limitations, but the climbing and speed makes the ride much more efficient and enjoyable. No I am not sending huge drops or gap jumps with it. But I have a DH bike for that. I wanted a bike that I could have fun pedalling on, and this is it! And the best part is I don't have to put my bike in the back of my car and drive to the MTB park. I can just bike there. I am seriously thanking Cannondale for making this line of bikes!
I have the Cannodale Apex 1 with the lefty suspension fork. And yes the suspension is too stiff for real off road riding. The other issue that I find is it is too difficult to climb. This is due to the limited gear ratio of the 1x. There needs to be a better range for off road because a rider will find themselves in a situation where there is a short steep climb that needs a really easy gear. I have had to get off and walk up silly little climbs that I can easily do with my XC mtb. On the other hand I absolutely love the overall performance of the Cannodale Slate. It makes easy single track fun. I think the future of biking for me will be this type of bike (gravel with suspension capabilities). I absolutely love this direction that Cannodale is going with their bike design.
ive been debating whether to get a gravel bike or split into a road and hardtail 29ner. i went with the second option and its worked well. i think if i lived in a place where there was more gravel the decision wouldnt have been that hard. it truly is dependent on where you live.
The Lefty Fork is Beautiful!
No matter how much the suspension progresses the Cannondale lefty is just too awesome. That lefty is competition tested cant imagine to date how it can enhance the gravel community. They are just simply ahead of their time.
Can’t help feeling all the clips of you riding on trails would be more fun on a XC hardtail with bigger tyres.
Maybe for some of the gnarlier terrain, but that's not what these bikes are for - they're all day adventure bikes that are designed to cope with a rage of conditions, so they'll never be thoroughbred road or xc bikes, but they occupy that middle ground fairly well!
I feel the same way every time I ride my Slate.
GCN Tech makes sense, would you be able to do a deeper dive into the flexible carbon ‘linkages’ we’re starting to see more of? Have a look at fatigue lives, if any of them can be set up differently for different weight riders etc
@@gcntech I think the problem is that folks are still trying to figure out where gravel bikes are meant to ride. It seems to me that dirt and gravel roads are the only places where they are effective. My hardtail is definitely faster on singletrack but my gravel bike is faster on hard-pack roads.
I have an Orbea Oiz, having come from a longer travel SC Tallboy. The Oiz has full lockout (from handlebar levers) which has three positions which control the front and rear simultaneously. It’s awesome on the road fully locked out and as capable as the SC for the most part off. The lockout on this Canondale should be from a remote lever, otherwise transitions from one surface type to another would be a pain
I'm getting the E-Bike version for next years Dirty Kanza for sure.
Man these look like the ultimate all rounder to me. Just lovely. My wife wants a gravel bike and I think this is it - luckily she rides the same size as me 😊 love the ebike but the price 😳
Great review Simon ,,,,as always !,,,oh yes and Jeremy
Kind of my hardtale 1997 Cannondale F1000 mtb with its DD60 Headshock. It's a return to vintage MTB with drop bars.
Great bike but audio is annoying. Does the music volume increase during riding clips?
Even though I ride only on the road, I'm glad to see manufacturers keep innovating. All of us riders eventually benefit. (BTW, a good video, guys. Sorry about the 'skeeters.)
Thanks! We love to see innovation too, these bikes are definitely out there, but who knows how we may all benefit from these ideas in future!
@@gcntech Speaking of change - which I was implying: 1) Why is the front disc so narrow? 2) Would a disc with a wider diameter have more braking power?
I am a typical average amateur cyclist. I don’t have enough space to store three different types of bicycles at home. I'm not young enough to think about serious competitions. I'm not healthy enough to kill my joints by long-term riding without suspension over rough terrain. But at the same time, I still have a fire in my eyes and a desire to have the best of all worlds, which is so pleasing to macroretologists.
It seems like the best choice for universal comfort gravel in 2020 is between the Niner MCR 9 RDO, Canondale Topstone and Specialized Diverge. It would be great to see their direct comparison from the GCN.
I would add Canyon Grail SLX Di2
The marketing is strong in this one (bike I mean, not this particular video).
Still watched because love Si!
We need to get LWB recumbents inside this channel. All these gravel bike are going crazy
RIP the slate long live the new slate
Very pleased with product
like that Venture / Byway tyre combo...been thinking about a split tyre set-up on my gravel bike, but maybe a Venture rear and Sendero front...
That 50T cassette though! For all intents and purposes, this is a mountain bike with drops.
Great location Jeremy with the gate that you parked the bikes
the slate is back!
Looks an absolute weapon.
Saw this on the radavist too. I think the lefty fork looks less out of place now than it ever has. I think I might love it!
Once again the guy who least needs an E-Bike gets the E-bike, is Si worried we might start the over the hill comments if we see hime ride one?
Haha! Maybe...
Doesn't need ebike, but with one he can keep up with petrol powered dirt bike!
@@CliffeDuffield Then just buy a dirt bike?
@@CoderShare My hippie Dad insisted that we don't do any hobbies that involve gasoline, and I've stuck to it
@@adanielweaver I'm glad someone's doing that!
I love my Carbon 2 Neo (Non Lefty). Best at asphalt, but it CAN do it all, perfect as I ride 90% on asphalt, but some times need to take Gravel Shortcuts to the store!
Just bought an alloy Topstone last yr. Should've held out for this!!
Sounds like you might be able to just add the lefty fork. Although the alloy is missing the rear kingpin suspension I think?
I'm amazed that so few firms gave put the bosch motor and big battery into a bike with front suspension. Seems kinda obvious. The added range over emtb is huge.
It’s good to see that Jeremy is enjoying retirement!!😂
I have an original Cannondale Rush MTB - one of the first with a lefty fork. I’d love to get my hands on one of these lefty gravel bikes!
Oli on the ebike Vs Si or Jeremy on the standard one please
Haha! Now that we have to see!
@@gcntech 👍
I remember when Koichi Yamaguchi built that lefty fork for Mike McCarthy and he took the world championship. That's the first one I've seen. Cool design.
Designer/Engineers: Do you want an aerobar?
Cannondale: Yes
Please please please review the new diverge series. I am especially interested in the expert carbon as this is the model I wld most likely purchase however a review of any of the models would be greatly appreciated. Thanks gcn keep up the great vids
I have a 2016 Slate, and have always thought the fork was a bit stiff - doesn't do much to take out the road buzz on washboard gravel roads. Would love to see a direct comparison between the (old and new) Lefty vs. Specialized's Future Shock system!
That would be interesting, they're both very different approaches to solving the problem!
And there is nothing that would make me chose this piece of ephemeral plastic over the eternal titanium beauty of a Moots Routt YBB.
Indeed. All the complexity of a suspension fork for a mere 30mm of travel? not to mention all the lateral braking force with only a single leg
Si seems to be very popular amongst birds, every time he’s presenting outdoors there is always some sort of bird chirping in the background 😂
I actually think the lefty fork looks a lot better on a gravel bike than it did on the old MTBs!
I'd never seen Jeremy before but he is exactly what I'd imagine a e-biker to be.
Would you mind pushing a saddle next time so that we can see the rear suspension in action?
Check out the website.
@@javiervaldez8625 ThnX! Looks like a fine piece of engineering art.
Reminds me of the single sided swing arm motorbikes started by Motoguzzi, and taken up by BMW, Honda and others. They looked cool in those days. I think there was one with a single sided front suspension, too.
All cars have single-sided suspensions... ;)
Not only the differences between the different types of road bikes are getting smaller and smaller - now the difference between a mountain bike and a road bike seems to be (almost) only on the handlebars... 🥴 This is ideal for us cyclists, because everyone can find exactly the bike that suits their preferences best!
Some of my local roads here in CA are probably on par with Europe’s cobblestones. This looks like the most applicable use of the Lefty ever. Though not interested in pursuing drop bars over mountain bike terrain, this idea seems ideally suited for bringing comfort to come-what-may road conditions in the drop bar category... I’m definitely interested!
Now, what BB is in there?😨
It would be cool to try it with a fat tire/wheel at the front!
Nice new bike, Si. Nice new helmet. How can you receive new bikes and gear from all over the cycling world but can't get the new kit from your own company?
In 2021 will be sold with flat bar as modern 650b MTB...
New Diverge Evo has flat bars :D
Why has GCN just become an AD platform for bike brands? Simon makes a good infomercial guy 👌🏻
Hi Mark, because making videos is super expensive and we don’t charge you to watch them we need to make money in other ways. One of them is to work with brands that we rate to showcase their products that we think you all will want to know about. Of course we can’t review them, but we won’t put crap bikes on the channels.
Hello is the non ebike topstone dropper post ready? Thanks
Wow! This bike makes me want to make a lasagne!
here is my new touring bike of course with my 3x ultegra will be awesome
Have been looking at all Your reviews and I’m sooooo dawn interested in a Gravel Bike this will come at the end of 2020 or beginning 2021 hoping back and for between Cannondale and Canyon Grail what would You guy’s pick...? 😎🤔 awesome review again thanks for keeping us all sane during lockdown 😊
Stay healthy and safe
I like the Grail more, but I'm just a random stranger. Take the bike with the better parts in your price range.
Maybe I can help. I own(ed) both. I only had the Slate (1x11 Sram Force) for a short time, but it was a very nice bike. But I found a good price on a demo Grail CF SLX (2x11 Ultegra) and bought it as well, then ended up selling the Slate. Both great bikes. You get more for your money with Canyon, but that's not the main reason I sold the Slate. My typical "gravel" rides are about 50/50 paved/unpaved, with lots of climbing, and mostly only short sections of really rough terrain/trail. For that type of riding, the increased gear range of the Canyon's 2x11 system, paired with it's lighter weight and more aero wheels make it the winner. I can just slow down a bit when things get too rough* and I feel like I am going to bash a rim. The rest of the ride I'm happy to have something lighter and faster.
I already have a road bike and a very light XC hardtail (lighter than the Slate). If my "gravel" rides had more offroad or singletrack, or I wanted to replace both the XC and Road bikes with one bike, I may have kept the Slate.
Or you could look at it this way. The Slate was more like an XC race hardtail, the Grail is more like a roadbike.... depends on what you want.
(*BTW, the funky handlebar on the Grail CF does not do anything suspension-wise, but it also doesn't cause me any problems, so I'm fine with it)
T O Great Feedback thanks a lot for taking the time.
Looks like I will go with the Grail CF SLX 8.0 Di2
Cause of weight and the option of gears. Like You I go easy off-road and lots of street a little Countryside roads true the fields. Believe this is my best option.
Iliad P price range shouldn’t be a point of decision (if possible) thanks for Your reply.
Will probably go with the Grail CF SLX 8.0 Di2
Cause of weight, components and the option of gears
Just my personal experience, as I own bikes of both brands. Canyon is known as good value for money if compared with full price of C'dale. Though you will get easily 15%, even 20% off the last with your LBS, so perceived value should be the same. Canyon is fine. It will not make you excited every time you look at it or about to ride. It just moves you from point A to B. All is good ...as long you do not discover any issue with it, which means you need to contact their HQ and use delivery services. C'dale at the same time is made to impress you. You will be in love with it for many years. You will appreciate that C'dale makes innovative and different stuff that just works. In this particular case (Topstone vs Grail) consider also what level of comfort each of them is offering, as this is probably one extremely important issue for gravel. Surely more important than +/- 1kg bike weight difference, if you are over 75kg.
In 1 or 2 years cannondale road gonna invent montainbike waw
225/5000
A lady from Florence broke the rear of the Carbon Topstone with the rigid fork. Get the message across and ask other owners if they have had a problem. Write to info@reporterspress.it. Thank you
In the US I completely get these bikes but they are the same mass as a fast xc bike! I think that a cross bike like the Cannodale Super x or a Trek Boone can be more fun in the UK, we don't have the miles of gravel roads and the bridleways we do have are tight and twisty!
The geometry might be the same as with the rigid fork when it's uncompressed, but when it compresses it's for sure different. I'm guessing the head angle will get steeper and the wheelbase gets shorter as the fork gets shorter, making the bike more unstable exactly when you are hitting bumps...
Do a video on using sticks as stands!
I've the cannondale topstone carbon 2019 and i love it. This one looks ultra cool! Maybe my new bike in 2021?! :)
Haha, we could all use a new bike day!
I'm curious to see how the lefty compares to something like the specialized future shock or maybe more interestingly, the lauf grit fork which I think also does 30mm travel.
without even testing, a fork suspension is a better design as it keeps the non-suspensioned mass lower (only the wheel) - so the whole frame is protected from vibrations so more comfort and less energy waster on the gnarly roads. Also lefty is a proper fork, with tunable qualities for preload, compression, rebound and how progressive it is, future shock is just a piece of rubber.
@@lechprotean + not sure, if you can lock it. you can lock lefty
A lot of Topstone Carbon Lefty videos came out today but only GCN's is labeled an "ad." I'm assuming all the other videos featuring actual bikes are ads, too?
J POP!! AND Si !!!!!! Stop pissin mannon off with better episodes.. All of you rock
Dear GCN Team. I’m looking for an E Gravel bike. Based on your experienced when they were reviewed by you guys would you go for the Cannondale Topstone Neo of the Canyon Grail On CF8 ?
I have almost bought Canyon SLX Di2. But now i think of this new carbon slate. What do you recommend guys?
Nice bikes Cannondale. Will there be a version with flat handlebars and bar-ends for better grip on more demanding trails? ;-)
Cannondale the best!
When i saw the lefty ocho for the first time i was wonder why it was not on the slate. Now it is what i was axpetting from them
Why are there not more offers with internal hubs? It is such a smoother and maintenance free option compared to derailleur!
Absolutely amazing looking bike !! They just need to build it with 29 inch wheels !! It’ll then be the only bike you ever need.....
Pretty dope
Looks a whole lot of fun but I still think I was riding something similar in the 80’s with flat bars and thumb shifters... I really don’t get the gravel thing. It’s just old school mtb’s with road bars. Great video btw!
Technology has moved on quite a long way since those vintage mtbs, modern gravel bikes are much lighter and faster, and generally more capable - maybe not everyone's favourite discipline but we feel there's a place for it for sure!
GCN Tech I know! Bikes are evolving at such a rate, but I did love the simplicity of those days. I really do need to buy a new bike, but I love the ones I ride. As I get older, I’ve almost convinced myself that I really do need a less racy set-up on both my road bike and my MTB! Road bike gearing is getting tougher up the really steep roads (could be my birth too) and my carbon hardtail is a little harsh for my off road forays now as my body doesn’t want to soak up the extra ‘travel’ so readily. I still bloody love it though!🤣
Old school mtb with road bars sounds awesome to me as a MTBer who wants to put more miles in.
I've been using my hardtail for road rides since I don't have a road bike and I like to mess around allot, anything more then 20 miles or so and my hands are hurting allot and I want to do 80+ mile rides... flat bars suck for road. I've considering putting drops on it to make a monster-cross bike but its allot to convert and since I don't have a road bike I'd be picking a drop bar blind.
Great video. A bit curious to know why the new carbon Oliver (without crown) is so much heavier than the previous version. Anyone got any idea?
I took 3 seals out of my lx rear hub and i can flush and fill from the cassette lockring.
So would this be the best all-rounder bike that can do anything?
Once again I'm reminded how the Slate was invented before its time
Well said
You can still buy a brand new one on ebay for like $2500 US.
XS800 even before that.
That's a fine looking early 90's dual suspension mountain bike with drop bars.
So how much to the e-bike versions weight when compared to their non e counterparts?
why not have internal cableing??
Looks like a real gravel weapon - bear in mind that the Cannondale Slate was ridden to 1st place in the Dirty Kansa in 2016, then this has got to have some pretty good DNA..........but sourcing after market wheels will be a pain?
Anyvreason why wtb venture up front and byways in the back?
I have just ordered a black pearl 2020 Topstone. Hmmm do I cancel and buy the 2021 Lefty? The bike arrives Tuesday. Typical timing!
Can we get a full vid of ebike vs MTX?
Will Cannondale also release a new "non-lefty" topstone this Summer?
Yes. In carbon and alloy.
What does it take to change the chain set of a bike from the right to the left side?....what are the implications for left handed vs right handed cyclists?
There are almost no bikes in the world with left hand side drive trains, it doesn't make any difference at all really, there's very slightly more weight on one side of the bike but this is barely noticeable
"Cannondale, stop trying to make lefty happen! It's not gonna happen!"
uh really? They've been around forever. I've owned two and they are badass.
@@knelson3145 I know haha, it's a reference to Mean Girls
Lefties eh? On the plus side u can change the inner tube without taking the wheel off but on the downside it's pretty hard to take the wheel off anyway as u have to take off the brake caliper...unless they've solved that problem now?
I think you will still have to remove the brake calliper unfortunately, but at least as you say you can still change a tube without removing the wheel