Cannondale Topstone Carbon 3 L Bike
The best gravel bike for anything from dirt roads to singletrack trails, the Cannondale Topstone Carbon 3 L bike delivers the grip and comfort of the Kingpin suspension—nothing is off-limits.
Key Details


- Equipped with the Shimano GRX 800/600 11-speed gravel group
- Kingpin suspension delivers a smooth ride without the added weight and complexity of a shock and links
- Low-friction bushings on the Kingpin thru axle offer smooth action, maintenance-free reliability and over 100 g of weight savings versus conventional cartridge bearings
- Dropped chainstay design lets you run big volume tires—up to 700c x 45 mm or 2.75 x 2.1 in. with 6 mm of mud-shedding clearance on each side
- Features WTB ST i23 TCS rims and 700c x 45 mm WTB Riddler TCS Light tires
- Standard dish rear wheel allows for easy interchangeability
- Proportional Response size-specific construction creates optimal frame stiffness and compliance for each frame size so every rider has the ideal ride and comfort of Kingpin
- SmartSense system of intelligent lights (and optional rear-facing radar) increases your visibility out on the open road and makes it easy to ride smart
- SmartSense is powered by a single power source for total convenience
- OutFront steering geometry features an extra-long fork offset paired with a slack head angle to keep the steering light and lively
- Integrated wheel sensor delivers accurate speed, route and distance info; it also registers your bike and reminds you of needed service through the free Cannondale app
- Built to accept an internally routed 27.2 mm dropper seatpost
- Equipped with a removable fender bridge and multiple gear/bottle mounts
- Pedals not included
- NOTE: Specs and images are subject to change based on component availability
Imported.
- 1 year of free adjustments (see more below)
- In-store bike assembly
- Pickup in store or curbside
- Bike experts available at 170+ bike shops
- 20% off shop services
- Free tubes with purchase of flat tire repair (Co-op Cycles brand tubes only; tube must be installed at time of purchase)
New bikes go through a normal break-in period, after which they should be readjusted. All bicycles sold at REI include free adjustments for one year after purchase date—as many times as you need. Included: derailleur and brake adjustments, lateral wheel truing, hub and headset bearing adjustments, tire inflation and chain lubrication. Not included: replacement or installation of new components or accessories, any other services. Call your local REI Co-op Bike Shop for more information.
Best Use | Gravel Cycling |
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Frame | Topstone Carbon, Kingpin suspension system, Proportional Response construction, 12 x 142 mm thru axle, DirectLine internal cable routing, removable fender bridge, multiple gear/bottle mounts |
Fork | 1-1/8 to 1.5 in. steerer, 55 mm OutFront offset, flat mount disc, internal routing, 12 x 100 thru axle, triple bottle/gear mounts, fender mounts |
Bike Suspension | Rear Suspension |
Crankset | Shimano GRX 600, 46/30 |
Bottom Bracket | Shimano BSA 68 mm |
Shifters | Shimano GRX 600, 11-speed |
Front Derailleur | Shimano GRX 810, braze-on |
Rear Derailleur | Shimano GRX 810, Shadow RD+ |
Rear Cogs | Shimano HG700, 11-34T, 11-speed |
Number of Gears | 22 gear(s) |
Brake Type | Hydraulic Disc Brake |
Brakes | Shimano GRX 600 hydraulic disc, 160/160 mm RT64 rotors |
Brake Levers | Shimano GRX 600 hydraulic disc |
Rims | WTB ST i23 TCS, 700c, 28-hole, tubeless ready |
Front Hub | Formula cartridge bearing, 12 x 100 mm, centerlock |
Rear Hub | Formula cartridge bearing, 12 x 142 mm, centerlock |
Wheel Size | 700c |
Tires | WTB Riddler TCS Light, 700c x 45 mm, tubeless ready |
Tire Width | 45 millimeters |
Handlebar Shape | Drop Bar |
Handlebar | Cannondale 3, butted 6061 Alloy, 16 degree flare drop |
Stem | Cannondale 3, 6061 Alloy, 31.8, 7 degree |
Seat Post | Cannondale 3 SmartSense, 6061 Alloy, 27.2 x 350 mm |
Saddle | Fizik Aliante Delta, S-alloy rails |
Pedals | Not included |
Headset | 1-1/8 to 1-1/2 in. |
Chain | Shimano HG601, 11-speed |
Weight | 20 lbs. 13 oz. |
Bike Weight | Bike weight is based on median size, as sold, or the average of two median sizes. |
Gender | Unisex |
XS | S | M | L | XL | |
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Height Range | 4'10" - 5'5" | 5'3" - 5'9" | 5'7" - 6'1" | 5'10" - 6'4" | 6'0" - 6'8" |
Reach | 37.1 | 37.7 | 38.3 | 39.0 | 39.7 |
Stack | 53.4 | 55.1 | 57.4 | 60.0 | 62.4 |
Effective Top Tube | 53.3 | 54.4 | 55.7 | 57.2 | 58.7 |
Seat Tube Center-Top | 41.0 | 45.8 | 50.5 | 55.3 | 59.0 |
Standover Height | 70.4 | 74.5 | 78.5 | 82.3 | 85.7 |
Head Tube Length | 10.5 | 12.3 | 15.0 | 17.7 | 20.5 |
Head Tube Angle (degrees) | 70.0 | 71.2 | 71.2 | 71.2 | 71.2 |
Seat Tube Angle (degrees) | 71.4 | 71.6 | 71.8 | 71.9 | 72.1 |
Bottom Bracket Height | 27.8 | 28.3 | 28.5 | 28.5 | 28.8 |
Wheelbase | 101.0 | 101.3 | 102.9 | 104.4 | 106.1 |
Chainstay | 42.0 | 42.0 | 42.0 | 42.0 | 42.0 |
Fork Offset | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
Sizing Notes
Measurements are stated in centimeters unless otherwise indicated.
How we measure bikes
- Standover Height Standover Height is a measurement from the ground to the top of the top tube, measured at the midpoint of the top tube.
- Reach Reach is the horizontal distance from the center of the cranks to the center of the head tube, measured at head tube level.
- Stack Stack is the vertical distance from the center of the cranks to the center of the head tube, measured to the top of the head tube.
- Effective Top Tube Effective top tube is the distance from the center of the head tube to the center of the seat tube/seat post, measured parallel to the ground.
- Seat Tube Center to Top Seat Tube length is the measurement of the seat tube, from the center of the cranks to the top of the seat tube.
- Head Tube Length Head Tube Length is measured from the bottom to the top of the head tube.
- Head Tube Angle Head Tube Angle is the acute angle between the head tube and the ground (measured towards the rear of the bike)
- Seat Tube Angle Seat Tube Angle is the acute angle between the seat tube and the ground (measured towards the rear of the bike).
- Bottom Bracket Height Bottom Bracket Height is a measurement taken vertically from the ground up to the center of the cranks.
- Wheelbase Wheelbase is the measurement from the center of the front axle to the center of the rear axle.
- Chainstay Length Chainstay Length is the measurement from the center of the cranks to the center of the rear axle.
- Fork Offset Fork Offset, or rake, is the distance from the front axle to a line drawn parallel to the center of the head tube or steering axis.
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
Most Helpful Critical Review
Great gravel grinder
I've had this bike now for over a year and I still love it. I mostly ride gravel roads with it and some single track and it does quite well. Washboard you do feel but not as bad as the other gravel bike I had. I do think the kingpin suspension makes a difference and I also added a red shift stem so I've got a little movement in the front as well. My only complaint is it is a little heavy but some of that has to with the fact that the seat I put on it and the stem. I haven't weighed the wheels I suspect they're heavy I convert them to tubeless and run about 20-25 lb in them. I mostly used it by for exercising no bikepacking I would recommend it.
Great bike
I've had this bike for 2 months and put 300 miles and it has worked great without any issues. The rear suspension works as it should. Shifting is positive and braking will stop you quick. Ignore the 1 star reviewer. This is a great bike.
I love this bike
I ride 10-15 hours per week and race bikes. The Topstone 3 L has been perfect for me. I love the design and geometry. The kingpin suspension does seem to improve the ride. When I purchased the bike the pictures showed a GRX crankset, but Cannondale shipped it with a fsa Gossamer Pro. When I brought this to REIs attention they made it right. I think cannondale has since updated the spec sheet. Maybe this isn't important to you, but It's worth checking to make sure you get it as advertised. The smartsense light system is great if you are going to spend any time on the road with this bike. Or for riding at night. There is cannondale app for controlling the lights and the battery will last longer than you will. You can also remove the smartsense system if it doesn't interest you and install a Cannondale "Straprack" for holding tubes/levers/co2s. The 1 star review on here is hilarious to me. I can't imagine hating a bike over something as simple as a spoke breaking. The wheelset on this bike is very sturdy. I would say it's somewhat heavy and over-built. Not some lightweight racing wheelset with thin gauged spokes. The only real complaint I had about the bike was the saddle that came on it. Which I swapped out for one with a center cutout. Anyway. Buy the bike. Buy it with an REI credit card so that you get 5% back.
great bike
Such an awesome bike. Ignore the haters this bike is fantastic.
Cannondale Topstone Carbon bikes are first rate
In an effort to help inform the first-time Cannondale Topstone buyer, let me put in my two cents about these topstone carbon bikes. I don't own the Carbon 3 L, but i do own the 2024 Topstone Carbon 2 Lefty, the Neo Carbon Lefty 3 and the Moterro Carbon 1 (bit of overkill? Not as much as you might think) and I can testify to the high quality of Cannondale carbon bicycles. I have no doubt that the Carbon 3 L achieves this same standard. At the sale price, this bike is a no-brainer. Grab one while you have the opportunity!
Fantastic, well-rounded bike
After a long search I bought this bike through the REI sale, upgrading from a hybrid with a primary goal of improved gearing. I was particularly drawn to the Kingpin suspension in the rear (i.e., not the carbon frame per se). The bike has been outstanding over my first 50 miles! So smooth, feels solid, super quick on pavement, and easily handles bumps and trails with great dampening. For my purposes I like SPD-SL pedals for trails/workouts and use Pedal Plates when looking to wear MTB shoes around dense urban areas. The "carbon" color is black, but in daylight you see a solid band of gray along the central parts of the frame--very slick. The SmartSense lighting system is clever and works as billed. One caution--it came with a crank and bottom bracket from FSA instead of Shimano, and I had seen this mentioned as a risk in online forums and videos (attributed to post-COVID supply chain issues, it seems). It otherwise has full Shimano GRX family components. I am 5'8" and bought the small. I would highly recommend, particularly with the pricing and longer term benefits that REI offers over other bike shops.
Hills, rough trails, switchbacks and road bike
I’ve had this bike for 10 months and it’s working and hitting those hills and trails with a lot of fun and good speed. Fits a 40 rear cassette on the 2x set up. Great speed on road to switchbacks too.
Broken Spokes
the spokes broke on the back wheel within 2 months of owning the bike.