Wow Jom, what a great review. Everybody needs to take a blue print of this way of review and not those brainstorm that you see in other channels going up and down. Your mate from Ride Adaleide is doing a great job as well in his last videos. 👍👍
Thanks mate, appreciate the kind words! I'm tired of the shill reviews and other bollocks out there. James from Ride Adelaide, top notch all round. I'm hoping to do some further collaboration with him if Covid ever settles down? Visiting the Aussie homeland is currently untenable due to the mega quarantine requirements, not to mention the financial cost of that quarantine :(
Thanks Chuck. The rubbish posted by the UA-cam outlet with the three-letter acronym aka nothing more than Paid Promotions make me ill. I've no time for shill reviews,
Thank you. For years I have shaken my head at the paid review rubbish, which seems to get worse and worse. Thankful to be in a position to post no BS reviews.
I though that I misunderstood your accent when you said, "10 speed cassette body". Backed up the video... wow. What a strange decision. Great review as always!
The flip side of this is fitting an 11 speed FHB and a spacer to make the MTB cassette work. Other people for slate them for this 'bad' spec choice. I suspect it's because it's built to take the larger cassette and so that there isn't a spacer to lose when replacing the cassette.
Really enjoyed your review. I've been looking for a new bike and gravel would be well suited to the terrain in my area. Thank you for sharing the good and the bad. It's wonderful to know what to expect.
Love your reviews!! I think the Road 10s/MTB 11s freebody sucks for a stock gravel bike wheelset, too! However, I believe the Shimano 11-34T cassettes would fit, unlike the 11-32Ts.
Very helpful review, interesting you say you’d take it climbing I.e additional weight of lefty is not a hindrance. Some of the issues you identify have been addressed in the 2023/24 update - no more wheel offset. Topstone 2 lefty is now spec’d with Grx 820 12 speed which can take up to a 51T cassette
Hello there, glad to hear Cannondale has made improvements. Of note, Cannondale have placed me on their $hit list since this review, because of the issues I pointed out concerning the bike. Truly pathetic. Add BMC to that list too. I made some negative comments concerning their version 1 URS LT, triggering the USA marketing lead (Joan Hanscomb), to add me to her personal $hit list. She relayed to me in person at the 2022 Sea Otter event, that she wasn't happy with some of my remarks in that review. Again, very sad these manufacturers and marketing people hold these grudges. Unprofessional.
Nice video jom good explanation of everything about the bike but I just don’t like the looks of the single fork just can’t get past it even with several months of therapy I don’t think I could get over it to each his own I guess haha keep the video coming .
Cannondale is notorious for skimping on components. Their frames are good but they use lower quality components. Their "Ultegra" versions of bikes use 105 cassettes and rotors. Some of their Dura Ace ones also use 105 or Ultegra.
Good thing you pointed out their weird hub decision. That somewhat makes me weary of any gravel bike that comes stock spec'd with a MTB cassette. It could come with a MTB freehub body that isn't compatible with a standard road 11S. Wth, Cannondale! All they needed was a spacer with the regular Road 11 speed hub if they wanted that SLX cassette on there, smh.
Nice review. I found a new-old-stock slate in a bike shop. I guess it was too radical to attract a buyer. But it looked good to an old mountain biker like me. In size L with the SRAM CX1 build it weighs 9Kg on the dot. That's a bit lighter than the Topstone Lefty - not bad for an old 'un. The 10-42 cassette covers a fair range, but the stock 44T chain ring has to go. It's just too high for the hills here. Or maybe I need to train more. A 38T or a 40T may just about do. Cheers
38T Chainring paired with your 10-42 cassette should be perfect. I reviewed the Campy Ekar 13-speed groupset a while ago, 38T chainring there, with an 11-44T cassette. It covered all terrain types. Good luck!
I have one of these bikes. It is awesome but I do need more climbing gears for sure... but I love the simplicity of a 1x system. What is my most affordable option for more gears at the rear? Is there a bigger cassette I could purchase and use a goat link? Any advise would be appreciated! Great video 📹 👍
Hello sir. I have a same bike but i was thinking to upgrade the wheelset what kind of hub did you used the rear hub and front hub. And also are this lefty 3 can run to 700c please let me know. Thanks jason cabo. Ride safe always
Cool, I plan to buy this bike next year, they're not selling here yet. Do you know how to install 700c wheels on this bike? As I discovered it has to be rebuild Lefty fork to work with 700c wheels
Hopefully in next years model they'll spec it with a 2x option as well as 11speed hubs. The latter is almost unforgivable - generally even the cheapest Gravelbikes with 10Speed shifting tend to come with 11Speed hubs and just use a spacer.
Exactly... a spacer would have solved the issue. As alluded to in the video, I would like to make a project bike of the Topstone with GRX Di2 or SRAM Etap Force Wide.
JOM, I enjoyed your review and decided to pick one of these up. I want to pick up another wheel set but I can't find anything detailing the Ai offset that Cannondale uses. Even on Atomik's website there was nothing that let me specify that I needed an Ai offset compatible wheel set. Is there something specific I need to look at when looking for an Ai offset wheel?
Hi Charlie, you will specifically have to ask in a lot of cases. If it helps, I reviewed a Lefty specific wheelset by Knight Composites. Drop by their website or send them a message. Good luck!
Would you recommend this bike to ride the Great Divide? It looks fun but the unique wheels seem like a big annoyance then. Any other bikes I should consider? I'm thinking that having front suspension is a necessity.
Jom, quick question? How many elite, very light cross country bikes do you see on your competitive gravel events around the United States. In other words how many flat bar bikes are out there. I have a serious propensity for light cross country bikes and I’m thinking of getting of new very very light one, to use as a crossover and gravel
Haha here is one of those saying that the Cannondale Topstone and other gravel bikes are dropbar MTB, they are old school mtb from circa 90s. The new crop of MTB are more like Motorcycles these days with super long frames, long wheelbase and slack headtube angle. :P So yes, the gravel bikes are dropbar mtb but from yesteryear :P
Great review, thanks. Thinking of getting one of these for my wife and I. Hers would be an XS, so assuming there’d be a fair bit of seat post left in the seat tube, would this affect the rear suspension action at all ?? Is it worth basically paying twice the price for the Topstone 1 ??
I reckon if I put all the odd parts lying around my garage onto a frame I have something like this to ride. How can you tell if someone rides a Cannondale lefty, they know what a needle bearing is
Good review, did you throw any 700c wheelset on or won’t they fit? I don’t mind the 650B but prefer the larger circumference of the 700c with a 45mm tire.
@@GravelCyclist bummer. That's the reason I moved my Slate on, 700c wasn't a good option. I then got a Checkpoint which was fantastic...but I'm now rock'n a Surly Pacer set up for gravel and long back road ride around Syd. I really enjoy your vids, especially the ones showing us around the towns....not many people make an effort to do that so thanks.
@@GravelCyclist I take it as an agreement of this not being a "fork". I have talked to people who had an earlier version of this chop stick. general consensus: a ittle bit of a gimmick. just put a normal gravel fork on you bike and you're good to go through the rough stuff. Either way, this setup must be great when descending on the gnarly stuff. How does this suspended gravel bike compare to a bike with 650b x 2" tires.
You can get the feel close, but there is no substitute for that extra plush with the suspension. Do you need it? Some riders do for sure. I have to say, the Topstone Lefty rides really sweet with 650b x 2" tyres.
The 10 speed thing is annoying, not because I need 11 or 12 in back, but because it limits my brifter and derailleur choices. I'm not bothered by the 6mm offset to the right, though. I have never swapped wheels as much as I may talk about it. IMO rear wheels have for some time had far too much dish, and as an... um... not lightweight rider... I appreciate the symmetry.
A good bike that can soften those micro jack hammering bumps without adding full suspension would be perfect. A bike with quirks like the cassette body is too iffy. When I was looking to purchase I inquired about the lefty servicing here in Oz and it had to be shipped to Brisbane where the only single (approved) service centre is located. Not good. In principal and design, I like it. But I don't want to buy an expensive bike only to have to throw more money at it for my liking.
Hi Rick, that's a real bugger about Brissy having the only service centre. The bike has so much potential but is lacking in some areas as you've pointed out. With that said, I had a ton of fun riding it, and sincerely hope Cannondale will take my feedback in a constructive manner.
The cassette is a MTB cassette. so a 10 speed body works with a MTB cassette. The money managers where thinking nobody would try to put on a road cassette
Indeed, and that's where I step in. I like to tinker and go beyond the normal realms of reviews. No other reviews bothered to swap wheels... you saw it here, thanks for chiming in!
Your comment about the cassettes isn't entirely correct. Shimano makes cassettes like the HG700 and HG800 11 speed road cassettes that also need the spacer on an 11 speed freehub body which means they fit the 10 speed freehub body. Both are 11-34.
Several people have made the comment about the 11-34, which I admittedly goofed on. The 11-32 and lower, those are definitely no go. Thanks for chiming in!
Haha thanks mate. It had to be said. I'm tired of these know-it-alls writing in saying my fit sucks, or pushing their keyboard warrior fitting views onto others. Somehow, I finished 144 miles last Sunday on the Topstone with my shoddy fit. Woah!
The Topstone Lefty comes with 47 tyres off the box. This is off-off road! My question to you is this: can this bike behave in the realm of decent control with 40? How about 38? I'd love to get your views on this.
Mtb cassettes and road cassettes differ in spacing. Not disagreeing with they could have done better, but if they speced it with a 11speed road freehub, the SLX/XT cassette wouldnt have worked
I love how you took Cannondale to task for the wheel and cassette decisions they made. That's the kind of info I look for in a review.
Thank you Terence. That was a huge disappointment, especially when you consider that was a 2020 model year bike, and very high end.
instaBlaster
You are by light years the best person to watch for reviews! 👍
Thanks Douglas! I try to be very thorough.
Wow Jom, what a great review. Everybody needs to take a blue print of this way of review and not those brainstorm that you see in other channels going up and down.
Your mate from Ride Adaleide is doing a great job as well in his last videos. 👍👍
Thanks mate, appreciate the kind words! I'm tired of the shill reviews and other bollocks out there. James from Ride Adelaide, top notch all round. I'm hoping to do some further collaboration with him if Covid ever settles down? Visiting the Aussie homeland is currently untenable due to the mega quarantine requirements, not to mention the financial cost of that quarantine :(
I hear you of course. Anyhow that's great news for the gravel community. I be looking forward for that collaboration. 👍
Ahhhh thanks guys! Appreciate the love!
Another great review man thanks for helping us sort through all the options you are a boon to the industry
Thank you!
Good stuff. Thanks for that. So nice to see someone who is willing to give an honest review, good and bad.
Thanks Chuck. The rubbish posted by the UA-cam outlet with the three-letter acronym aka nothing more than Paid Promotions make me ill. I've no time for shill reviews,
Glad to know we're not the only ones that get internet "fit experts" commenting on our vids :)
And emails... and Instagram comments. I have much fun messing with them :)
I wouldn't write it off for my needs. Great review Jom!
Thank you! Someone apparently got butthurt by the review... thumbs down, ruh roh!
Excellent review! And yes the comment about the keyboard bike fitter's was great! 🤣
Someone needs to mess with the troll keyboard heroes :)
@@GravelCyclist hahaha Yes!! Love it!!
This is the type of review that's needed. Thx. Good stuff. :-)
Thank you. For years I have shaken my head at the paid review rubbish, which seems to get worse and worse. Thankful to be in a position to post no BS reviews.
I though that I misunderstood your accent when you said, "10 speed cassette body". Backed up the video... wow. What a strange decision. Great review as always!
Mind blowing... a cost saving? I really don't know.
@@GravelCyclist You can use HG700 and HG800 11 speed cassettes which are both 11-34 and fit on a 10 speed freehub body. It's pretty much a non issue.
12 sp microspine is on the horizon for gravel, this is a non issue
My issue is, why go with outdated spec in any build?
The flip side of this is fitting an 11 speed FHB and a spacer to make the MTB cassette work. Other people for slate them for this 'bad' spec choice. I suspect it's because it's built to take the larger cassette and so that there isn't a spacer to lose when replacing the cassette.
Really enjoyed your review. I've been looking for a new bike and gravel would be well suited to the terrain in my area. Thank you for sharing the good and the bad. It's wonderful to know what to expect.
I had to get rid of my 19' slate fx1. Best bike I've ever had. I was hoping they would build another aluminum but I'm leaning towards the new topstone
"...should be folding their mom's laundry or cleaning out her gutters" -- made me laugh out loud, and so true!
I'm glad my sense of humour is appreciated :)
Love your reviews!!
I think the Road 10s/MTB 11s freebody sucks for a stock gravel bike wheelset, too!
However, I believe the Shimano 11-34T cassettes would fit, unlike the 11-32Ts.
Wishing I had checked the 11-34 right now haha, will confirm later. Thanks!
Agreed. The 11-34 will fit, as officially it is an MTB cassette.
Super review!
Very helpful review, interesting you say you’d take it climbing I.e additional weight of lefty is not a hindrance. Some of the issues you identify have been addressed in the 2023/24 update - no more wheel offset. Topstone 2 lefty is now spec’d with Grx 820 12 speed which can take up to a 51T cassette
Hello there, glad to hear Cannondale has made improvements. Of note, Cannondale have placed me on their $hit list since this review, because of the issues I pointed out concerning the bike. Truly pathetic. Add BMC to that list too. I made some negative comments concerning their version 1 URS LT, triggering the USA marketing lead (Joan Hanscomb), to add me to her personal $hit list. She relayed to me in person at the 2022 Sea Otter event, that she wasn't happy with some of my remarks in that review. Again, very sad these manufacturers and marketing people hold these grudges. Unprofessional.
Nice video jom good explanation of everything about the bike but I just don’t like the looks of the single fork just can’t get past it even with several months of therapy I don’t think I could get over it to each his own I guess haha keep the video coming .
Columbus Riverwalk, my stomping grounds. Great gravel roads on post & a few minutes away in Seale. I thought I recognized some of the roads.
Cannondale is notorious for skimping on components. Their frames are good but they use lower quality components. Their "Ultegra" versions of bikes use 105 cassettes and rotors. Some of their Dura Ace ones also use 105 or Ultegra.
thanks
Best review. Thank you
Thanks!
Good thing you pointed out their weird hub decision. That somewhat makes me weary of any gravel bike that comes stock spec'd with a MTB cassette. It could come with a MTB freehub body that isn't compatible with a standard road 11S. Wth, Cannondale! All they needed was a spacer with the regular Road 11 speed hub if they wanted that SLX cassette on there, smh.
Agreed, a silly cost-cutting measure?
what are the specs of the spokes you used on the front wheel set?
Nice review. I found a new-old-stock slate in a bike shop.
I guess it was too radical to attract a buyer. But it looked good to an old mountain biker like me.
In size L with the SRAM CX1 build it weighs 9Kg on the dot. That's a bit lighter than the Topstone Lefty - not bad for an old 'un.
The 10-42 cassette covers a fair range, but the stock 44T chain ring has to go. It's just too high for the hills here. Or maybe I need to train more. A 38T or a 40T may just about do.
Cheers
38T Chainring paired with your 10-42 cassette should be perfect. I reviewed the Campy Ekar 13-speed groupset a while ago, 38T chainring there, with an 11-44T cassette. It covered all terrain types. Good luck!
I have one of these bikes. It is awesome but I do need more climbing gears for sure... but I love the simplicity of a 1x system. What is my most affordable option for more gears at the rear? Is there a bigger cassette I could purchase and use a goat link? Any advise would be appreciated! Great video 📹 👍
Just buy the lefty 1 instead of the Lefty 3 and problem solved.
Hello sir. I have a same bike but i was thinking to upgrade the wheelset what kind of hub did you used the rear hub and front hub. And also are this lefty 3 can run to 700c please let me know. Thanks jason cabo. Ride safe always
Great review, thank you. Maybe you would be so kind and tell me the weight of the stock wheelset. Thank you very much.
Unfortunately, I don't have the wheels / bike any longer, but from memory, the stock wheels were close to 2kg for the pair!
@@GravelCyclist Thank you very much.
Cool, I plan to buy this bike next year, they're not selling here yet. Do you know how to install 700c wheels on this bike? As I discovered it has to be rebuild Lefty fork to work with 700c wheels
Nice bike. The 1x and deep headtube limit its versatility somewhat though (for me as a bikepacker at least).
Agreed 100%, it needs far lower gearing for bike packing. I think a nice 2x with low ratio would have been a better choice for this bike.
Excellent as s always - love the look of this too
Have you ridden or tested the giant revolt.
Hi there, no time on a Giant Revolt.
what cycling shoes are they?
Hopefully in next years model they'll spec it with a 2x option as well as 11speed hubs. The latter is almost unforgivable - generally even the cheapest Gravelbikes with 10Speed shifting tend to come with 11Speed hubs and just use a spacer.
Exactly... a spacer would have solved the issue. As alluded to in the video, I would like to make a project bike of the Topstone with GRX Di2 or SRAM Etap Force Wide.
So um yea they did
I got it with a 11 speed hubs
Where did you buy these wheels? Is the rear wheel stock, or is it bike specific?
JOM, I enjoyed your review and decided to pick one of these up. I want to pick up another wheel set but I can't find anything detailing the Ai offset that Cannondale uses. Even on Atomik's website there was nothing that let me specify that I needed an Ai offset compatible wheel set. Is there something specific I need to look at when looking for an Ai offset wheel?
Hi Charlie, you will specifically have to ask in a lot of cases. If it helps, I reviewed a Lefty specific wheelset by Knight Composites. Drop by their website or send them a message. Good luck!
@@GravelCyclist Thanks for the quick response and insight JOM.
Would you recommend this bike to ride the Great Divide? It looks fun but the unique wheels seem like a big annoyance then. Any other bikes I should consider? I'm thinking that having front suspension is a necessity.
What is your top tube bag?
Apidura Racing Bolt-On Top Tube Pack, check out my review here - wp.me/p4V4se-agw
Jom, quick question? How many elite, very light cross country bikes do you see on your competitive gravel events around the United States. In other words how many flat bar bikes are out there. I have a serious propensity for light cross country bikes and I’m thinking of getting of new very very light one, to use as a crossover and gravel
hi, the rear hub is dt swiss 240? mtb or road? front dt swiss 240 50 mm?
The non-stock wheels (Knight and Atomik) featured in this review used DT Swiss 240 hubs, same for the front hub.
Gravel Cyclist I understand, but the front hub is lefty 50 or 60mm? did you have to change rear axle?
Front hub is 50mm I think, it is not Boost. Rear axle is 142mm x 12mm.
Haha here is one of those saying that the Cannondale Topstone and other gravel bikes are dropbar MTB, they are old school mtb from circa 90s. The new crop of MTB are more like Motorcycles these days with super long frames, long wheelbase and slack headtube angle. :P So yes, the gravel bikes are dropbar mtb but from yesteryear :P
Do you feel better now?
@@GravelCyclist so much better :D
What chainguide are you using on this bike?
No idea, no branding is on the chainguide, stock item with the bike.
@@GravelCyclist Ouch, thanks anyway.
My reply wasn't meant as an insult if that's what your Ouch was about? I honestly don't know, no markings on it. Sorry!
would you consider this an xc bike replacement?
No I would not, unless you really like to work on your skills :)
Great review, thanks.
Thinking of getting one of these for my wife and I.
Hers would be an XS, so assuming there’d be a fair bit of seat post left in the seat tube, would this affect the rear suspension action at all ??
Is it worth basically paying twice the price for the Topstone 1 ??
Seatpost plays into the suspension concept, so... you need to decide what is value to you, sorry! Perhaps visit a stocking dealer for a look.
I reckon if I put all the odd parts lying around my garage onto a frame I have something like this to ride. How can you tell if someone rides a Cannondale lefty, they know what a needle bearing is
Yep, and also, "don't worry, they'll tell you"
well then narrowing my choice to diverge and good ol surly
Good review, did you throw any 700c wheelset on or won’t they fit? I don’t mind the 650B but prefer the larger circumference of the 700c with a 45mm tire.
No 700c wheels for this review, none available to me for a Lefty.
@@GravelCyclist bummer. That's the reason I moved my Slate on, 700c wasn't a good option. I then got a Checkpoint which was fantastic...but I'm now rock'n a Surly Pacer set up for gravel and long back road ride around Syd.
I really enjoy your vids, especially the ones showing us around the towns....not many people make an effort to do that so thanks.
Hmmm. Is the Lefty still a fork? For something to be a fork, it needs to have 2 prongs (or more), right? I'd call it a chop stick.
Haha, open to interpretation.
@@GravelCyclist I take it as an agreement of this not being a "fork". I have talked to people who had an earlier version of this chop stick. general consensus: a ittle bit of a gimmick. just put a normal gravel fork on you bike and you're good to go through the rough stuff.
Either way, this setup must be great when descending on the gnarly stuff.
How does this suspended gravel bike compare to a bike with 650b x 2" tires.
You can get the feel close, but there is no substitute for that extra plush with the suspension. Do you need it? Some riders do for sure. I have to say, the Topstone Lefty rides really sweet with 650b x 2" tyres.
Hi,can you send a link of new wheels?
Grazie
KnightComposites.com or AtomikCarbon.com
Gravel Cyclist weight wtb wheels?
Grazie👋
I would have it 2x and with 700c wheels.
For sure, 2x at a miminum for me.
The Ultegra level 11-34 shimano cassette fits on 10 speed HG bodies
Several people have mentioned this, an error on my part, thank you. I'll try an 11-34 on the original wheelset soon... 11-32 is a definite no go.
The 10 speed thing is annoying, not because I need 11 or 12 in back, but because it limits my brifter and derailleur choices. I'm not bothered by the 6mm offset to the right, though. I have never swapped wheels as much as I may talk about it. IMO rear wheels have for some time had far too much dish, and as an... um... not lightweight rider... I appreciate the symmetry.
Plenty of dish these days!
I have this bike and whats the parts list to make the Atomik Carbon Wheels and BERD Spokes work?
The parts list = a wheelset from Atomik Carbon... and the review JUST POSTED :) ! Check it out here - ua-cam.com/video/5Q2HXUt2w6g/v-deo.html
Cannondale is owned by a big company and therefore budget cuts have to be made.
The freehub is one of them. That's corporations for you.
But these decisions can be made sensibly or not. This is clearly dumb.
I'd like to know how much money was saved?
A good bike that can soften those micro jack hammering bumps without adding full suspension would be perfect. A bike with quirks like the cassette body is too iffy. When I was looking to purchase I inquired about the lefty servicing here in Oz and it had to be shipped to Brisbane where the only single (approved) service centre is located. Not good.
In principal and design, I like it. But I don't want to buy an expensive bike only to have to throw more money at it for my liking.
Hi Rick, that's a real bugger about Brissy having the only service centre. The bike has so much potential but is lacking in some areas as you've pointed out. With that said, I had a ton of fun riding it, and sincerely hope Cannondale will take my feedback in a constructive manner.
The cassette is a MTB cassette. so a 10 speed body works with a MTB cassette. The money managers where thinking nobody would try to put on a road cassette
Indeed, and that's where I step in. I like to tinker and go beyond the normal realms of reviews. No other reviews bothered to swap wheels... you saw it here, thanks for chiming in!
@@GravelCyclist 100% that's why i subscribe. Keep it up. And i agree I want a 2x option
Your comment about the cassettes isn't entirely correct. Shimano makes cassettes like the HG700 and HG800 11 speed road cassettes that also need the spacer on an 11 speed freehub body which means they fit the 10 speed freehub body. Both are 11-34.
Several people have made the comment about the 11-34, which I admittedly goofed on. The 11-32 and lower, those are definitely no go. Thanks for chiming in!
Nice review mate, love the keyboard warrior comments!!!
Folding their Mum's laundry.... 🤣🤣🤣
Haha thanks mate. It had to be said. I'm tired of these know-it-alls writing in saying my fit sucks, or pushing their keyboard warrior fitting views onto others. Somehow, I finished 144 miles last Sunday on the Topstone with my shoddy fit. Woah!
The Topstone Lefty comes with 47 tyres off the box. This is off-off road! My question to you is this: can this bike behave in the realm of decent control with 40? How about 38? I'd love to get your views on this.
Hello there, 42mm was the narrowest I ran on 650b, 38mm would be no worries whatsoever. I cannot speak for 700c, I only rode 650b on the bike.
Strip it out and refit it? At that price, it should be perfect.
Lol. Folding their mother's laundry.🤣
Basement trolls have to keep themselves busy when not trolling. 😀
Fix it sticks woo
Love the Fixit Sticks!
I'm a little concerned about the word....left!!!
Perhaps someone will manufacture a Righty?
sneaky cannondale, sneaky.......
Indeed.
Mtb cassettes and road cassettes differ in spacing. Not disagreeing with they could have done better, but if they speced it with a 11speed road freehub, the SLX/XT cassette wouldnt have worked
I have used an XT and XTR 11-Speed cassette on a road 11-Speed freehub, it works fine with a spacer behind the cassette.
The spacing between the cassette gears is the same. The actuating throw of the derailleur/shifter is different from road to mtb.
Maybe Cannondale knew costumers will swap the wheels for something nicer... still a poo poo desicion.
Agreed, especially considering the price of the bike. I expect better.