Cannondale Topstone 3 Bike
Built for chasing horizons, exploring routes less traveled or accelerating your commute, the Cannondale Topstone 3 is a lightweight gravel bike crafted from SmartForm C2 alloy with a full carbon fork.
Key Details
- Lightweight SmartForm C2 Alloy frame and full carbon fork
- 9-speed shifting
- Equipped with 700c x 37 mm WTB Riddler Comp tires
- 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 |
---|---|
Frame | SmartForm C2 alloy, 12x142 thru axle, tapered head tube, BSA-threaded BB, flat-mount disc, StraightShot internal cable routing, multiple gear/bottle mounts |
Fork | 1-1/8 to 1.5 in. steerer, 55 mm OutFront offset, flat mount disc, internal routing, 12x100 thru axle, fender/gear mounts |
Bike Suspension | No Suspension |
Crankset | FSA Tempo Adventure, 46/30T |
Bottom Bracket | Cartridge, square taper |
Shifters | 9-speed |
Front Derailleur | Shimano Sora GS |
Rear Derailleur | Shimano Sora GS |
Rear Cogs | 11-34T, 9-speed |
Number of Gears | 18 gear(s) |
Brake Type | Mechanical Disc Brake |
Brakes | Promax Decoder R mechanical disc, 160/160 mm rotors |
Brake Levers | Shimano Sora |
Rims | GXD 1.0, 28h |
Front Hub | Formula alloy, 12x100 mm |
Rear Hub | Formula alloy, 12x142 mm |
Wheel Size | 700c |
Tires | WTB Riddler Comp, 700c x 37 mm |
Tire Width | 37 millimeters |
Handlebar Shape | Drop Bar |
Handlebar | Cannondale 3, butted 6061 alloy, 16 deg. flare drop |
Stem | Cannondale 3, 6061 alloy, 31.8 mm, 7 deg. |
Seat Post | Cannondale 4, 6061 alloy, 27.2 x 350 mm |
Saddle | Fizik Aliante Delta, S-alloy rails |
Pedals | Not included |
Headset | 1-1/8 to 1.5 in. |
Chain | KMC Z9, 9-speed |
Weight | 22 lbs. 15.5 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 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Height Range | 4'10" - 5'5" | 5'3" - 5'9" | 5'7" - 6'1" | 5'10" - 6'4" | 6'0" - 6'8" |
Reach | 36.8 | 37.7 | 38.5 | 39.4 | 40.2 |
Stack | 51.8 | 54.9 | 57.9 | 61 | 64 |
Effective Top Tube | 53.3 | 54.4 | 55.7 | 57.2 | 58.7 |
Seat Tube Center-Top | 41 | 45.8 | 50.5 | 55.3 | 60 |
Standover Height | 70.3 | 74.4 | 78.4 | 82.4 | 86.4 |
Head Tube Length | 8.6 | 11.5 | 14.7 | 18 | 21.2 |
Head Tube Angle (degrees) | 70 | 71 | 71 | 71 | 71 |
Seat Tube Angle (degrees) | 71.8 | 71.8 | 71.8 | 71.8 | 71.8 |
Bottom Bracket Height | 28 | 28.4 | 28.4 | 28.4 | 28 |
Wheelbase | 101.6 | 102.7 | 104.5 | 106.5 | 108.3 |
Chainstay | 43.5 | 43.5 | 43.5 | 43.5 | 43.5 |
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.
Review this Product
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
Customer Images
Much love for my Topstone 3!
Opted for the Topstone 3 (S) given the decent price and my nostalgic affinity for Cannondales that dates back to the mid 1990. Plus, I wanted a bike that is better on the roads than my mtb. Bought the Topstone online through REI. Went with a Small given my below average height and inseam. Got dialed in pretty quickly and find the bike comfortable and compliant. From my non-expert perspective, the fit is as advertised, but ymmv. So far, it has handled the lighter trails as I expected and it's decently fast on paved roads. Given my weight (currently 230) I'm really pleased with how its handled. Same time, I'm currently putting together a second wheelset with proper road tires because my Topstone has become my primary bike for exercise and group road rides, and because I don't want to buy a third bike. Not to mention, I simply want to try out some decent carbon rims to go with the carbon fork. Feeling so-so about the Fizik Aliante Delta saddle, especially when the miles hit north of 15 on a ride. Haven't had any chaffing but my discomfort starts to increase a bit more than I'm accustomed to. I will probably try out a few different saddles in the near future but I'll give it some more time/miles first. The Shimano Sora gearing/FSA Tempo Adventure cranks have been smooth and problem free, and didn't get messed up even when I changed gears on an uphill under pressure. The Promax mechanical brakes are decent enough. They haven't failed and I haven't felt nervous about them at any point However their stopping power is noticeably inferior compared to the Shimano hydraulic brakes on my mtb. Then again, I don't plan on using my Topstone for chunkier, steeper downhill trails near me, at least not regularly, where such a difference would be magnified. Overall, it's a pretty bike to my eyes. I've long opted for more muted colors on my bikes. However the grey paint job seems much darker than depicted in the above picture. I was liking hard on that lighter gray and feel a little disappointed by the difference between what my eyes see in the picture and what I see now. It is what it is. Already over it. Bottom line is that for me, the Topstone is a capable bike on and off road. I'm stoked about it and any upgrades I might make beyond perhaps the saddle, are more about improvements specific to my needs, not about any true deficiencies or limitations of the bike.
Good bike
This is a great bike, the ride is comfortable and the bike is solid. Good stuff
Inferior components, brakes, drivetrain, wheels
I love the geometry of this frame, the handlebars are great. However, the brakes are known lemons that need replacing, cost of at least $250. The Sora derailleur set is hard to adjust, not fitted to the FSA crank, etc. Replacing the drivetrain is a huge expense, between that and the brakes you are already better off buying a topstone 1 or 2. I regret buying this.
Exactly what I was looking for
A solid bike for road touring. It has all the braze ons for low rider front panniers, rear rack, etc. It had enough room to have a Kryptonite cable lock on the seat tube without a 3rd water bottle cage. If I do a rail trail, I'd put back the original tires. Road tires in 30mm width are more appropriate for road touring. There's road and sugar sand around here, nothing between. Hammonton, N.J. 6 foot, this is a large frame, rideable due to the sloping top tube. A bit short in the legs 31" inseam at 6 foot, but long in the trunk and arms. I was impressed by how softly and smoothly this one rides, and I've got the more durable aluminum version. This one is great for riding in a straight line which is what you need for a touring bike. The chainstays are long which provides good heel clearance for rear panniers, and like nobody seems to realize, straighter chainlines if crosschaining. No interferance problems with toes and front wheel due to that long front center on the large size! Cannondale is famous for proprietary components and quirky designs. They definitely stuck to widely available solid components on this one. No need to stockpile components since parts will be available 5 to 10 years from now. The gearing selection is well chosen in general, but with the 11-34 cassette and a heavy touring load, I'd be coasting before using that huge gear. I ordered a 12-36 which offers a lower ratio and a lower 2nd largest cog. The 36 is pushing it a bit on capacity, but this is known to work. This isn't a crit racer afterall! Assembly was near perfect. I checked all the bolt torques, took out the bottom bracket to check if the threads were greased as I've seen unprepped ones with out of square bottom bracket shells from the factory. ( Another brand) The preload on the front hub was a bit excessive. An easy fix, but most low end hubs have similar issues. The wheels are true and round, with even spoke tension. Still is true after 150 miles. Perhaps I'll build a 32 spoke rear wheel for it this winter. Until then I'll be carrying the Stein cassette tool , a correct spoke taped to the front rack, and a spoke key. In reality, with one broken spoke and that wheel/ frame clearance, it'd ride ok like that awhile. At least they chose to build the wheels cross 3 spoke pattern. Durability with what stresses disk brakes put on spokes, is a big priority. Cross 2 with radial spokes on the other side ,24 spokes would be a really dumb choice here. Again, this is no crit racer! If this one breaks down on tour, a good shop will have all you need. I'm very pleased to have been able to test ride 2 frame sizes before buying. Some shops have limited stock.
The bike that replaced my car
From someone hopping from a cheep fixie that I never used, to the bike that's also replacing my car as my daily use vehicle. All I can say is that I am having a blast! this is my first multi-speed bike. After getting assistance at a local REI on how gearing works when purchasing the bike, watching videos on proper maintenance. This bike has been a dream. Sure 25 miles is the furthest I've went in one trip but I want to keep pushing further and further. This bike really got me into cycling and I love it. Money well spent!
Cannondale has gone downhill
Literal trash bike. Terrible brakes, very poor factory quality, low end components for a four digit price.
Garbage
I weigh 250 pounds. Apparently I put too much pressure on the crank so it bends and the chain rubs making a ton of noise. This bike I garbage, just buy a 100 dollar Walmart bike, it will work better.