Both my wife and I have each had a Cannondale Lefty since they first came out decades ago. We love our bikes and still ride them as much as we can. No maintenance issues other than worn out tires.
It’s easier to choose & buy a new car then it is to choose a bike because you are the engine responsible for propelling the bike. Comfort, stability and liveliness are tricky factors to balance. That’s partly why a lot of us own more than 1 bike. Just depends what I’m in the mood for before I ride.
I have the Topstone Lefty. Amazed by it's performance and comfort. Gravel roads. Single track. Mountain bike park. Uphill or downhill it is a dream to ride. My only change has been to replace the WTB tires with Panaracer Gravel Kings. A very good revision and one I seriously recommend.
Thanks for this. I've recently watched 30 or 40 gravel bike review videos, comparisons of gravel bikes and XS mountain bikes, read countless articles on gravel bike suspension vs. rigid forks all the while looking for a clear reason to buy my favorite gravel bike based on visceral feelings: the Topstone Lefty. This video pushed me over the top. While understanding that the Lefty fork is not everybody's cup of tea, I love the thing. To have a side by side comparison with another highly reputable gravel bike and have the Topstone prove to be the better all around machine has decided me for certain. Now if Cannondale would only get in some inventory!
@@BicyclingMag Hi, just saw this. The Topstone Carbon Lefty 3 was in short supply nationwide so I ended up buying a Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 Driftless. Love it. Then about a year later an ebike reseller named Upway was selling the Topstone Neo Carbon Lefty 3 at a significant discount and I bought it though I wasn't necessarily sold on the ebike idea. I was wrong. The Neo Carbon Lefty 3 is an extraordinary bicycle. 40 lbs but so well-designed, so well built that I ride it on the flat with the pedal assist turned off. Don't think I need to get a conventional Carbon Lefty now.
I believe, your statement on Salsa’s poor responsiveness on road is easy to mistake for “poor preferences”. The Salsa is, Indeed, a less responsive steerer, but that is not to say it isn’t fast. Of all the bikes I have (and have had), the Salsa WarBird (my favourite) is the fastest. Yet, it is true that it does not steer fast by any measure. Two very different things. That the TopStone with a Lefty fork steers faster - is more or less a given, as is the added comfort of the front and rear suspension. The Salsa, while it steers considerably slower, is a faster bike on tarmac. The Salsa will struggle to steer fast enough on very steep serpentines at speed. But on long tarmac roads it’s faster than most gravel bikes. Compare a mountain bike to a road bike. The latter is much faster, but the former is more nimble. Among the reasons I love the Salsa WarBird more than more or less any other production bike, are: - Its visuals. Fine lines all over (especially the rear end, the aesthetic Achilles heel of most bikes today): fine, thin and lateral very slightly arching (non-dropped, thank Goodness!) seat stays, beautiful elegant chain stays, a sloping (not too much and not too little) top tube... - The comfort. Of all my current bikes (that happen to be among my favourites as well, just a smidgen below the 2019 & newer WarBird), the WarBird is the most comfortable, if by a tiny margin. Followed by the Genesis Datum, then the Norco Search XR. - Clearly the slowest steerer (i.e., the least nimble of the lot), it is the fastest on the tarmac.
I have a love-hate relationship with the Lefty. Love for its looks and feel, its light weight (compared to traditional suspension fork designs). Hate for its incompatibility with proper, full-coverage, low-set mudguards, hub dynamos, dynamo headlights.
let's see the salsa war road next! I bought one before off season last year and would love to see a review that actually features the 700c wheelset for us gravel ADJACENT folks.
I am personally drawn to the Warbird as a better all around performance gravel bike, but this video would urge me to test ride a Topstone too, especially if I tended to the gnarlier side of gravel.
He had it backwards: Topstone, despite the weight penalty, will be much better for long days in the saddle and rougher trails. Warbird obviously will be better on roads.
As someone who owns a FS XC bike and a road race bike, I feel like the space between is better occupied by something like the War Road than the Topstone with suspension. Am awaiting the arrival of a Norco Search XR A1. Which should give me a good idea of what I want to do with a gravel bike and what will make sense for me when I look to purchase a higher end carbon gravel bike in a few years.
I think showing us the timed results on the pavement would be the best thing. Feeling is subjective and you initially stated the sections would be timed so that’s what everyone expected. I don’t have a dog in this fight but numbers typically don’t lie unless you’re a politician.
When the bike who's supposed to be better performing on dirt track and lose on tarmac actually performs much better than the other on tarmac, you have a CLEAR winner in the Cannondale.
I love the look of the Lefty! I just don't know if it would work for a big guy like me (317 lbs / 6'1). A lot of the bike market excludes us big people which is a pity... Anyway, awesome bikes and great comparison!
Do you think you might have been 12seconds slower on the climb because it was your second ride up the fire trail? I would be interested to see what it looked like the other way around
It's not inconceivable, but the weight penalty was easy to feel while I was riding the fire road climb, especially on the steepest parts. I also like to flatter myself by thinking I'm fit enough to handle back to back short efforts like that.
That's a fair point. But even if we were working within a controlled environment like an indoor velodrome it would be nearly impossible to recreate the same power output. Essentially, for comparing bikes like this in an environment thats relevant to them it's practically impossible to run a scientifically objective test. But the compliance comparison is relevant here because more compliance, within reason, equals more efficient power transfer on rough roads and trails.
Both my wife and I have each had a Cannondale Lefty since they first came out decades ago. We love our bikes and still ride them as much as we can. No maintenance issues other than worn out tires.
It’s easier to choose & buy a new car then it is to choose a bike because you are the engine responsible for propelling the bike. Comfort, stability and liveliness are tricky factors to balance. That’s partly why a lot of us own more than 1 bike. Just depends what I’m in the mood for before I ride.
Bought Cannondale in December. Absolutely love it. I was also surprised as to how good it is on pavement.
I'm putting finishing touches to my first look video of the Warbird. It's a great bike both on and off road.
I have the Topstone Lefty. Amazed by it's performance and comfort. Gravel roads. Single track. Mountain bike park. Uphill or downhill it is a dream to ride. My only change has been to replace the WTB tires with Panaracer Gravel Kings. A very good revision and one I seriously recommend.
... its* performance (it's = it is) ...
Same. I went with the Specialized Pathfinder Pros though. Such a fast tire. Love the bike so much.
Thanks for this. I've recently watched 30 or 40 gravel bike review videos, comparisons of gravel bikes and XS mountain bikes, read countless articles on gravel bike suspension vs. rigid forks all the while looking for a clear reason to buy my favorite gravel bike based on visceral feelings: the Topstone Lefty. This video pushed me over the top. While understanding that the Lefty fork is not everybody's cup of tea, I love the thing. To have a side by side comparison with another highly reputable gravel bike and have the Topstone prove to be the better all around machine has decided me for certain. Now if Cannondale would only get in some inventory!
We wanted to follow up- how's Lefty holding up? Still loving it?
@@BicyclingMag Hi, just saw this. The Topstone Carbon Lefty 3 was in short supply nationwide so I ended up buying a Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 Driftless. Love it. Then about a year later an ebike reseller named Upway was selling the Topstone Neo Carbon Lefty 3 at a significant discount and I bought it though I wasn't necessarily sold on the ebike idea. I was wrong. The Neo Carbon Lefty 3 is an extraordinary bicycle. 40 lbs but so well-designed, so well built that I ride it on the flat with the pedal assist turned off. Don't think I need to get a conventional Carbon Lefty now.
I believe, your statement on Salsa’s poor responsiveness on road is easy to mistake for “poor preferences”. The Salsa is, Indeed, a less responsive steerer, but that is not to say it isn’t fast. Of all the bikes I have (and have had), the Salsa WarBird (my favourite) is the fastest. Yet, it is true that it does not steer fast by any measure. Two very different things. That the TopStone with a Lefty fork steers faster - is more or less a given, as is the added comfort of the front and rear suspension. The Salsa, while it steers considerably slower, is a faster bike on tarmac.
The Salsa will struggle to steer fast enough on very steep serpentines at speed. But on long tarmac roads it’s faster than most gravel bikes.
Compare a mountain bike to a road bike. The latter is much faster, but the former is more nimble.
Among the reasons I love the Salsa WarBird more than more or less any other production bike, are:
- Its visuals. Fine lines all over (especially the rear end, the aesthetic Achilles heel of most bikes today): fine, thin and lateral very slightly arching (non-dropped, thank Goodness!) seat stays, beautiful elegant chain stays, a sloping (not too much and not too little) top tube...
- The comfort. Of all my current bikes (that happen to be among my favourites as well, just a smidgen below the 2019 & newer WarBird), the WarBird is the most comfortable, if by a tiny margin. Followed by the Genesis Datum, then the Norco Search XR.
- Clearly the slowest steerer (i.e., the least nimble of the lot), it is the fastest on the tarmac.
There's something about a Lefty that's both attractive and baffling at the same time. Love it!
I have a love-hate relationship with the Lefty. Love for its looks and feel, its light weight (compared to traditional suspension fork designs). Hate for its incompatibility with proper, full-coverage, low-set mudguards, hub dynamos, dynamo headlights.
I have to say the Salsa calls me more. I've ridden both and just didn't like how tight the steering was on the Cannondale.
let's see the salsa war road next! I bought one before off season last year and would love to see a review that actually features the 700c wheelset for us gravel ADJACENT folks.
I am personally drawn to the Warbird as a better all around performance gravel bike, but this video would urge me to test ride a Topstone too, especially if I tended to the gnarlier side of gravel.
He had it backwards: Topstone, despite the weight penalty, will be much better for long days in the saddle and rougher trails. Warbird obviously will be better on roads.
As someone who owns a FS XC bike and a road race bike, I feel like the space between is better occupied by something like the War Road than the Topstone with suspension. Am awaiting the arrival of a Norco Search XR A1. Which should give me a good idea of what I want to do with a gravel bike and what will make sense for me when I look to purchase a higher end carbon gravel bike in a few years.
Can you add front/rear fenders?
solid review. Left Topstone is my choice...just purchased today!
I think showing us the timed results on the pavement would be the best thing. Feeling is subjective and you initially stated the sections would be timed so that’s what everyone expected. I don’t have a dog in this fight but numbers typically don’t lie unless you’re a politician.
Seems to me the Salsa Warbird has a similar design approach to the Canondale Synapse which has a compliant frame and headset. WDYT?
When the bike who's supposed to be better performing on dirt track and lose on tarmac actually performs much better than the other on tarmac, you have a CLEAR winner in the Cannondale.
Do they have the same tire make and size tho?
Warbird is the original gravel gangster! Reliable, comfy, Warbird is king!
I love the look of the Lefty! I just don't know if it would work for a big guy like me (317 lbs / 6'1). A lot of the bike market excludes us big people which is a pity... Anyway, awesome bikes and great comparison!
Dude I'm 210 and even I know how it feels.
Do you think you might have been 12seconds slower on the climb because it was your second ride up the fire trail? I would be interested to see what it looked like the other way around
Also topstone has 650b while warbird is 700?
It's not inconceivable, but the weight penalty was easy to feel while I was riding the fire road climb, especially on the steepest parts. I also like to flatter myself by thinking I'm fit enough to handle back to back short efforts like that.
Own a warbird and put a Lauf fork in it transformed it over rough stuff
Coming from a roadie background , the road (no pun intended ) to the mtb world is fulfilled, in my humble opinion, by the t.s.
Test should have done using a power meter and equalizing for the rider's output
That's a fair point. But even if we were working within a controlled environment like an indoor velodrome it would be nearly impossible to recreate the same power output. Essentially, for comparing bikes like this in an environment thats relevant to them it's practically impossible to run a scientifically objective test. But the compliance comparison is relevant here because more compliance, within reason, equals more efficient power transfer on rough roads and trails.
I'll stick with my 4 pound lighter Topstone Carbon Ultegra non-lefty... At 24 pounds I'd be on a hard-tail for my style of riding...
I bet A good cross country mtb would probably do just as good as that Cannondale.
I like the Warbird, but then I am a Salsa fangirl.
So 12 seconds up when it was the second ride is earth shattering, but over 30 seconds down is nothing
I’ll take the Warbird all day over the Crakendale. They are wrong, suspension is not the future of Gravel riding, that’s what a Mountain Bike is for.
Warbird has the right geometry for gravel war. Topstone not so much
topstone for evere