I bought the same topstone as you last fall! Also my first bike since I was a teenager. I've been having a blast on it, seems to be the right blend of bike! If you haven't, you have to set your's up tubless, keep on riding!
Thanks! I did go Tubeless and haven't looked back. Do you find yourself wishing for more gears? I really like the bike but definitely run out of climbing gears here in Colorado where the uphills tend to be thousands of feet.
Yes, I've gotten off and had to walk up a couple of hills. Would be nice with one more gear on the low end! I'm only in Tulsa, but some hills have me questioning my endurance!
@@tommytwo-tokes3015 I'd assume the issue was me, but I do have a mountain bike with more gears and it definitely has easier "granny" gears. Maybe I'll change the gearing at some point (with help!).
Fantastic information, thanks for sharing! I'm also looking forward to buying the same bike, but the one thing that's bothering me is the carbon fork..is it sturdy or reliable enough? I've seen so many videos on UA-cam showing catastrophic crashes as the carbon forks snap off while riding!
Well, now you've given me something to be afraid of! I'd suspect it would take quite a shock to snap the fork, and probably the kind of terrain a gravel bike isn't intended for? On my rides thusfar, I haven't ridden on anything which made me worry the fork was in any danger. It is rigid, so maybe taking the bike down a rugged mountain bike trail could possibly do it? I think you can feel confident on paved, gravel, and even some light MTB trail but, obviously, that's just a guess based on my subjective experience so far. I just added a frame and handlebar bag. Excited to do some longer fall rides. Gravel bikes are a nice escape during these stressful times. Good luck on finding your bike. My friend picked up an old Surly bike on Craigslist. He's been happy with it.
I bought the same topstone as you last fall! Also my first bike since I was a teenager. I've been having a blast on it, seems to be the right blend of bike! If you haven't, you have to set your's up tubless, keep on riding!
Thanks! I did go Tubeless and haven't looked back. Do you find yourself wishing for more gears? I really like the bike but definitely run out of climbing gears here in Colorado where the uphills tend to be thousands of feet.
Yes, I've gotten off and had to walk up a couple of hills. Would be nice with one more gear on the low end! I'm only in Tulsa, but some hills have me questioning my endurance!
@@tommytwo-tokes3015 I'd assume the issue was me, but I do have a mountain bike with more gears and it definitely has easier "granny" gears. Maybe I'll change the gearing at some point (with help!).
Fantastic information, thanks for sharing! I'm also looking forward to buying the same bike, but the one thing that's bothering me is the carbon fork..is it sturdy or reliable enough? I've seen so many videos on UA-cam showing catastrophic crashes as the carbon forks snap off while riding!
Well, now you've given me something to be afraid of!
I'd suspect it would take quite a shock to snap the fork, and probably the kind of terrain a gravel bike isn't intended for?
On my rides thusfar, I haven't ridden on anything which made me worry the fork was in any danger. It is rigid, so maybe taking the bike down a rugged mountain bike trail could possibly do it?
I think you can feel confident on paved, gravel, and even some light MTB trail but, obviously, that's just a guess based on my subjective experience so far.
I just added a frame and handlebar bag. Excited to do some longer fall rides. Gravel bikes are a nice escape during these stressful times.
Good luck on finding your bike. My friend picked up an old Surly bike on Craigslist. He's been happy with it.