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Cannondale Topstone vs GT Grade | 'Suspension'-Equipped Gravel Bike Shootout
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- Опубліковано 18 сер 2019
- Cannondale Topstone or the GT Grade? That's what Senior Road Technical Editor Warren Rossiter aims to find out in this video. The Cannondale Topstone and GT Grade are some of the hottest bikes in gravel riding right now, and they also have remarkably similar geometry and components. However, there are subtle differences between the two, especially in the way they add comfort into the ride
But who will come out on top? does the clever shockless, leaf sprung rear suspension or the Topstone win out, or does the GT Grade's solid glass-fibre wrapped a carbon skin take the win? Watch on the find out!
What do you think of Warren's conclusion, and which would you pick if you had the choice?
Cannondale Topstone First Ride: www.bikeradar....
GT Grade Carbon Pro First Ride: www.bikeradar....
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Which one would you pick? Do you think Warren got it right? let us know in the comments!
Cannondale Topstone. Already own a Synapse and a CAAD12 by your advice. Love it.
BikeRadar non! Because neither design can isolate pedaling forces.
Had 2016 aluminim version of GT Grade. It was something about geometry, that I made the bike very uncomfortable for me. Anyway, I hat to sell it in the end. But if geo is right for you, it,s quite decent bicycle.
I love both and as a c-dale owner from way back 1986 i’d buy the Cannondale
One of these bikes will require you to maintain or repair a separate pivot. One will not. It's that simple to me.
I'm a big fan of Cannondale, but it needs to be mentioned that to swap wheels, the offset needs to be specific to Cannondale for the back wheel to work. This should be a factor for anyone deciding on the Topstone. That said, the Topstone will probably be my next bike.
'dale FTW!
Yup, that’s why I picked up the Topstone Alloy instead which doesn’t require the rear wheel dishing, and allowing me to swap wheels with my other bikes.
The GT! Nothing like a nice lively bike. I have an AL GT Grade and an AL Cannondale Topstone. The difference is night and day. I definitely enjoy my ride on the GT much more than on the Cannondale. Don't get me wrong. The Cannondale is great for getting me from A to B. I feel less fatigued on the Cannondale but, I have so much more fun on the GT although much more fatigued. GT GRADE LOVE!!!
Interesting! I would love to know more about the difference of these two in alloy. This review made it sound like there was more compliance in the grade in carbon but do you said you feel much better on the Cannondale an hour away. Is there more compliance in the Cannondale in aluminum? Please let me pick your brain :-)
B
Love the GT Grade.
First comment! Have a heart of 1,000,000 gold stars from BikeRadar.
Of course they're similar, GT and Cannondale are owned by the same corporation (Dorrel industries)
I wouldn’t say based on that fact that the designers and engineers set out to build similar feeling bikes using differing methods of compliance, but it would explain why Bikeradar are reviewing them at the same time.
Engineers even work in the same building, just different sections/rooms of it.
bikerumor.com/2017/01/20/cannondale-headquarters-tour-part-1-offices-killer-coffee-machine/
@@jdotoko lol. Didn't know they were that close. Funny competition. Reminds me of Ford Lincoln Mercury. Or GM and their 13 thousand brands.
Wow. The illusion of choice under capitalism
Thanx for the presentation of the two bikes, I have been trying to make a decision on a gravel/ adventure bike and it would be used for commuting and probably club rides so therefore I would probably choose the Cannondale. I am probably not the most death defying rider and therefore the Cannondale would suit my kind of conservative pilotage. Notwithstanding It would be interesting to see how both bikes deal with a good distance of rough stuff packed up. Both look great and have great specs to keep you comfortable at speed.
Thanx for the vid again Patch Swindle
I've got the 2016 alloy Grade, love it. It's nice that the new one stayed playful, and that it is stated in reviews for both of them. It's Grade fun, this.
If I had to choose I would pick the Cannondale, but I don't have to because I recently bought the Ribble CGR SL and I'm very happy with it!
Warren, you are doing good mate!
I've loved the two Cannondales I've owned over the years, liked the one GT I once had. Notice, loved/liked ... still, Warren's opinion is gold as far as I'm concerned and that nudges my lust more toward the Grade in this contest.
I just have the Topstone Carbon 5 2021.
Maybe I will do Topstone review soon.
Unfortunately there is no more GT dealer in Indonesia.
The GT wins by a mile for me simply because it has NO STUPID PROPRIETARY COMPONENTS
1000x this.
Great review. My 2016 Grade carbon is the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden .Even over a measured to fit Roberts steel framed bike. Would love the new Grade but not sure I want electronic gearing.
Kevin O'Sullivan ki LP just
I have 2014 GT Grade carbon 105 and love it!
how are these on the road, is it just a case of slapping slightly skinnier tyres on?.. kinda want a bike that can do both!
I got this version of the Topstone, and it is a fantastic road bike. I'm running 32mm road slicks on the stock rims, and the ride is amazing. It's surprisingly fast.
Are there bad bikes anymore? (Over 2000£?) I can't imagine finding thinner hairs to split!
I think you're right, that's why test riding is so important. I test rode 3-4 road bikes back to back and was surprised at how "same" some felt (not having a lot of bike testing experience), then one jumped out at me as being more smile-inducing.
Cannondale bikes are pretty bad. Horrible QC on bottom brackets. Only other brand thats worse is boardman.
Currently on a Trek Boone Disc w/ IsoSpeed (if we want to talk about where the pivot design came from) so I definitely have theories on how the Top Stone is going to ride, but I personally think the GT Grade would be better for me personally. I am primarily a MTBer, and tend to challenge the bike with more singletrack, but love churning out gravel miles through-and-through.
What I am looking for is something that's more "road bike"....A few years back I did 350mi gravel ride across 4 days on my Cervelo S2 w/ 23c tires and only suffered 1 puncture....It was brutal on the body but I was really in good form going into it. Last year I did it on my steel GT Peace Tour with a Surly steel fork and 40c tires and the ride was a breeze. However, it didn't feel any where close to as fast as on the Cervelo. Based on BikeRadar I've seen the Aspero and I'm looking at the 2020 Domane but is there any other options besides those and the 3T Exploro that go for the more aero approach with respectable clearances and a fast geometry? Preferably one with a threaded BB? My guess is that its only the Domane....Moving to Belgium in December so if there's EU/UK brands I should look into, I could sure use the help!
I have Di2 on my Defy Advanced Pro 0 and I love it. It will also be a 'must have' on my next bike. Therefore, the GT would be my choice.
Thanks, Warren, for showing us these bikes, both look good, not sure which I'd choose. But I'd say surf music at the end for the win!
Pretty sure that's Western, not Surf.
@@leotard2536 Okay, Western it may be, maybe so much so that it reaches all the way to the coast :)
I love my Gt Grade i saw that you guys fitted a dropper post to it iin the review on the website was wondering how did you manage that with the di2 battery in the seatpost .? I would like to fit one to mine that would bring alot more enjoyment when descending !
GT Grade ! Love the look and would satisfy me fully...
Thank you GT for external cable routing!
Do you do off road or on road riding ❤
@@johnbailes7691 both
@@alexandervonbraun that is good to no me to I'd like to keep in touch if that's ok with you.
For a first time buyer what would you purchase. If you could start with a rear suspension would you?
Id live to do more gravel but where i live in Australia there are hardly any gravel roads or old railway tracks. You'd think in oz we'd have lots of gravel type trails but we don't unlike Europeaand América . We have dirt roads in the far out regions but not near the cities.
Cable for offroad for me its too easy to break stuff offroad. Ive got di2 on my road bike but cable on my mtb.
glenny oc Great roads thanks to convict labour.
@@irvhh143 Not in my state we were free settlers after convict labour ended. Convicts were mainly in Tasmania and NSW. Prison labor was quite common in many countries and still is today in places.
We need a "BOTY Gravel" category! I'd like to see the Topstone carbon go against the new Scott Addict gravel 10. The GRX Di2 is going to "hopefully" be worth the premium price they're asking!
Would it be easy to change over the brake setup as I’ve ordered a bike online and the right brake lever controls the rear brake when to me in the Uk I’m use to it controlling the front brake ? I won’t have to unwrap the handlebar tape will I as they are hydraulic brakes ?
For that money I'd rather get a good 29 carbon ht with proper 100mm fork.
Ive seen a couple of guys that have put drop bars on alloy 29ers and a carbon rigid fork for less money and similar weight. As you say though you can gave carbon xc forks with 100mm fir this money
Very true but gravel bikes are aimed at roadies with thick wallets and they wont be seen dead on a mountain bike
@@andypaul999 Bullshit. Gravel bikes are exactly what some of us have asked for every day for the last 30 years because it's a perfect combination of features. We compromised with both HT mountainbikes and classic roadbikes instead. Sure, if you are riding trails, get a mountainbike. If you want to road race, get a roadbike. But if you want to ride sporty purely for the joy of it and particularly if your dream vacation is going 100 mile days over varying terrain with camping gear and stuff on your bike for a week these bikes are a godsent.
I've done these kind of trips since rigid steel was the only mountainbike you had and built up and tried to make MTBs work for that (the last time in 2011 based on an alloy HT). The better compromise has always been coming from a roadbike and trying to make that work. Hack material from brake calipers so you could fit 25 or even 28mm tires, use several layers of bar tape, use the ugliest stem you can find, sow your own frame bag and loads of straps, suspension seat posts, ...
If anyone would've asked me what my dream bike was it'd be pretty much a description of a modern gravel bike. Sadly it took the americans to realize that cycling is awesome and that the only place many of them could cycle safely was gravel roads.
You have to take your terrain into consideration. For more technical routes with bigger potholes, singletrack etc. you're going to benefit by the hardtail. However, if you see more tarmac and smoother gravel, the dropbar geometry-optimized gravel bike is going to be faster, more efficient, and more comfortable over longer distances. That much has been proven.
@@josh33172 Sure, I'd take a MTB for a MTB route. I love all bikes. I just hate the gatekeeping, elitism or whatever.
Nicely done. If in only had the $ to buy one
How does the performance of the suspension change with different rider weight? I'm a skinny guy (5ft11 & 10st) so guess I'd not get as much travel as someone heavier?
Great! More comprasions like this!
Are these frames produced in US?
GT better handling = fun
dear bike radar team!! i have a giant escape 3 n i want to transform it into a gravel adventure bike is it possible??? how much it will cost???
I had to make this choice for a friend of mine a month ago...TopStone vs GT (mech shift) -> GT Wins. So responsive!
I'd probably go for the GT as well because it is simpler...why would you want another set of bearings on a gravel frame? It's just something else that can break and will need maintenance at some point. One thing I don't quite get is why these quite bling bikes are still so heavy...a few years ago I bought an aluminum CX bike Shimano 105 and canti brakes for 1000 Euros (after some haggling, I think retail was 1199). I put lighter wheels on it that I had lying around and over time have swapped some of the 105 parts for Ultegra that was taken off one my road bikes...still it's nothing fancy really and is just under 9kg in size 61. Is it really just the disc brakes that make such a big difference?
No one use the shimano clutch mode on! I see others reviews in mode off.
Hessitant to buy one of these frames that flex so much. Maybe they are very durable but wouldn't risk it spending anything like that much, rather have a cheaper gravel bike and a separate MTB for when it's rough.
Agree, I've cracked a carbon frame before and its a pricey situation.
Never heard of a warranty?
@@cup_and_cone Well yes, especially since I have a CAADX which is being recalled at the moment for fork failures. Long wait and a bit of a fuss though so it's not always that straight forward and they might not always accept full responsibility. Anyway of the two I'd go for the Grade for the lack of bearings, plus no proprietary wheel dish and crank. Seems better value lower spec builds as well.
Flex is a good thing. If aeroplane wings didn't flex, they would snap. They're designed to flex, it's an inherent material quality designed in to the frame.
@@thelmaviaduct Yes you don't want a brittle material. Using glass fibre on the GT Grade seems a good idea. Just imagine to allow for flex they have to use less material which makes it weaker and creates stress points. I am buying a gravel bike and have one on order and the Grade Carbon Expert is making me contenplate switching to it 🙂.
My $ always goes to GT 😎👍🙌🙏🚴🏾♂️ i love my 2017 GT Grade Alloy and the upgrades make it even better hope to buy a 2020 or 2021 😁
I pick up my 2021 elite 2day burgundy
weaks 😷👍👍🙌🙏enjoy , hopefully I get me a 2021
Yes look at chain reaction & in Europe that's where I got mine from.
Please who knows where I can order this [or any other super gravel bike] internationally to West Africa.
Both owned by CSG group so they will make money whichever you buy.
Cyclesteffer, I believe you meant Dorel Sports.
@@Deuteross Yep, they are the top parent company. CSG is a subsidiary that distributes both of those in the UK
Boooo, I love my Cannondale Topstone' though have the 105 version 2019😉👍🏻
Give it a few months and you'll have a vintage gravel bike :)
It was old once I paid for it🙄😉
I bought the topstone 105 and I love it...
i wonder what cannondales suspension would be like if paired with a luaf fork
If the rear suspension bobs like the Lauf fork then they are a match made in hell. And yes I have tested the Lauf fork.
@@edrcozonoking so have i and it didn't bob, how much do you weigh?
@Jason Dorset Mamil Cycling interesting, when i rode the lauf i really liked the fork but it made very aware that i had nothing on the back my initial assumption of the topstone was that it would be the same thing just in reverse
@Jason Dorset Mamil Cycling good stuff, i think my local bike shop has some in stock so i'll see if i can get a test ride and maybe buy one :)
Review the new Grill with GRX please
Dorel Sports owns both Cannondale and GT. No wonder they are similar. It's the same company with different branding
Long live the spirit of Gary Turner.
Weight of the top one of gt?
GT grade is my pick 🍺🍺🍺
Any feedback on the suspension of these bikes? Does it make the slightest bit of difference? Is one better?
Vorrei essere il più possibile gentile: com'è possibile che un uomo..... Assolutamente e visibilmente..... Fuori forma..... Possa essere il "tester" di biciclette!!!! È davvero cambiato questo mondo!! In altri tempi, non troppo lontani, avrebbe potuto "testare" degli scooter.... Per chi era in cerca di un mezzo ideale casa/ufficio.
Why is there no reason to doubt 30mm of travel? Why not measure it?
Maybe they could make an entire video dedicated to measuring something like that. I imagine you'd have to make some sort of chain stay mounted ruler with a high-ish speed camera? How would someone measure something like that?
@@TheLionEric Just a few slow-mo shots would be interesting IMO
@@TheLionEric easy enough just mount a pen to the seatpost then a piece of card to the chain stay and measure.
GT for me. 42's are better than 40's.
Those seat stays are scary tiny!
Not really mate, they're solid glass fibre wrapped in carbon, so probably have more material than a traditional seat stay. I've had a Grade for 4 years and they're robust.
@@thelmaviaduct much like a high end fishing rod. When you consider how strong they are id feel safe on that frame.
@@glennoc8585 exactly. Fishing rods have glass fibre blended in to carbon at the tip to give better bite registration, more flexibility where you want it. The rest of the rod is carbon, a stiffer material, this aids with casting weights as a stiffer rod gives a longer lever as opposed to a noodly all glass fibre rod. The designer engineer where they want and don't want the flex.
I am tempted by the GT but was put off by the skinny seat stays, you have somewhat eased my mind....!Cheers bud
Why 46t crank. 50 is the norm
Why do gravel bikes have to be so damn heavy. Here in Colorado gravel races have 5000-10,000 feet of elevation gain. So far I'm sticking with my 18.5 lb. (8.4kg) alloy Specialized Crux.
9.5 kg is heavy to you? Maybe you have to go to gym?
I really like GT bikes!
Gt is owed by cannondale. Thats why they are so close to each other.
I hope this model is better than the Cannondale lemon they sold me. Good luck, you'll need it because Cannondale doesn't honor their warranty.
Muy interesante 👍👍👍
эта модель gt выглядит вкуснее чем cadeil)))
Ничего не понял, но очень интересно... 😁
Is the Best Gt.
I wonder how tall Warren is. The Cannondale L feels really L, imo.
please do not play 1-2 seconds of loud music between sentences - it is bloody irritating
idk man i cant get into the super skinny seat stays
Did you hear the one about a man who spent €3500 on a carbon bike to cycle around a forest
Nice looking bike but poor quality control or poor transport.Rear wheel has major issues right out of the box. ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Rear axle is bent! Derailleur is misaligned.Since the rear wheel comes assembled I would have expected better.Assembly instructions poorly written, but that was not unexpected...just annoying.I just had the bike checked at a shop and was told that I should contact the seller about getting a whole rear wheel assembly with cartridge. (The bike shop could not do anything to help me).Not a good experience with this bike, so lesson learned.Added 3 stars for excellent customer serviceUpdate Sept 8 2020Just received a complete replacement wheel for free. Great service and an otherwise fine bike.
may I suggest some sit ups????
That's a lot of money for a bike with no real suspension. Always seems like you get more tech for your money with a MTB despite them being less popular.
@@endianAphones You know, a tunable fork or shock with damping. Granted these bikes have a type of suspension. Wonder what they'd feel like with an undamped Lauf fork as well - probably a bit bouncy 😁.
@@endianAphones Yeah suppose there is only a small amount of travel and it is a simple lightweight solution for the purpose. Still it's a bit expensive for what you get but suppose there's more R&D that's gone into these whereas a MTB can get off the shelf suspension.
Steve Co but you’re comparing oranges with apples. Sure, they’re both fruit, but they’re from different categories of riding. As you pay more for MTB the lighter the frame, better gearing and more effective the suspension. Similarly with road bikes just without suspension (though this is changing) but relatively as road bikes are always going to be lighter than an MTB at any price point. You wouldn’t compare a Walmart bike to a top end Di2 equiped bike with carbon wheels based on weight/cost ratio and call the Walmart bike fantastic value based on “you get more for what you pay”.
fyi the bearings on cannondale rear are only good for a year
Who are you aiming these reviews at !!
£3500 just chuck it about and mess around in the woods
Talking absolute rubbish knows nothing about bikes
Too right. I don't have a grand to spend on a bike never mind £3500. If I did it would built how I like it which would be a lot better than these offerings. At that price you're in custom build territory.
@@endianAphones Yes indeed. I had a Grade Carbon of the previous generation, in 105 guise. Though it was already quite expensive to my eyes, I must admit that the rather more "disposable" nature of its 105 components made it fitter for its purpose. The thing about these gravel bikes to my eyes is that they're really joyful rides. Comfortable on road, slidey and fun off it. Gt gave the Grade many mudguard and luggage mounts to the new generation Grade, which is what mine lacked to an extent, but I'm not convinced about the pertinence of Di2 and stuff on the higher end builds. Let's not complexify these, or it'll ruin it all.
You can ge5 a custom fit or a titanium frame from curve or kinesis fir this money. Guys are doing trans America on more rigid frames. If you want suspension get an xc 29er
If you're going to ride off road, get a bike with suspension instead of beating your brains out on a road bike
The Grade aesthetically looks terrible in my opinion...
Spending that much on carbon frame that you are going to beat the F out of on gravel is something only idiots consider. My bike is a Cannondale F700. It's aluminum with front suspension, which would provide way more comfort and control than the claimed rear suspension and rigid forks on those bikes. And I only paid $1500 US. It is better than either of those two bikes. Dude, you should be ashamed trying to pawn off this garbage and repeating the marketing babble. Neither of those bikes seem like good bikes to me.
Wasupwitdat1 Mofiki I bought the 105 alloy topstone and love it. This is my first off road bike, I would never in a million years consider a carbon gravel grinder. One of the main reasons I got this bike is sturdiness. Who would want to worry that something cracked every time they go over a rock?
I have a GT Grade....much better than Cannondale!
New TopStone back suspension is just a yankee marketing rubbish...
The GT is Just too ugly
I'd have the Cannondale :)
@@endianAphones I guess. But a TT bike doesn't work that welll off-road 😄
3500 quid. Simply bonkers. Insane money for a bicycle.
carbon sucks! be man ride steel !
It would be great if the reviewer didn't have such a heavy accent, he was very hard to understand!
I love turning on Closed Captioning (CC) and watching how the text generator tries to discern what's being said. Sometimes it's a hoot.
That's a pretty strange request to be honest. He's an English fella speaking English in an English video. I can suggest less trash American TV and more proper English stuff and you won't struggle with it.
@@keinpietz7697 well I'm an Italian guy that learned most of the English words pronounciations from American sources (mainly UA-cam and movies ofc) and I have 0 troubles understanding him, his accent isn't too heavy at all
@@keinpietz7697 He's the one slurring words, lisping, and stuff. My English is proper, and I doubt any amount of watching awful English television will aid that.
Leonard W haha, he’s one of more clearly speaking Brits. You need to pull your head out of your ass and smell the coffee, your English ain’t shit homie.