2025 Cannondale Topstone Review

The 2025 Cannondale Topstone has been revamped this year to solidify its position as one of the most versatile gravel bikes on the market. It’s always been one of the most popular gravel bikes, and it has a fantastic history, being named after a dirt loop near Cannondale's headquarters in the United States. As this bike is a gravel bike and part of a relatively new genre, the Topstone was launched in 2018 and has grown in popularity since then. Holding a large proportion of the gravel bike market and the electric gravel bike market, with the Cannondale Topstone Electric models.

Seven years in now, the bike has benefited from several changes in 2025, which in this post - we will look at and review in greater detail, These changes are wide-reaching - covering everything from storage to suspension performance.

2025 Cannondale Topstone Suspension Features

One of the most iconic things about a Cannondale bike and a Cannondale Topstone is the use of the Lefty Fork. The lefty fork is only on some of the Topstone range, used on the more premium models that are designed and built to tackle gnarlier terrain. The lefty fork provides 40mm of travel, designed and optimised for gravel bikes. It’s designed for comfort and control, without compromising the performance and sharpness of the bike, the lefty fork to this end, has been designed and manufactured in carbon. For purists who want a rigid fork on their gravel bike, this is also an option.

Bringing up the suspension on the rear of the bike is the Topstone's signature suspension technology, the KingPin. This system is designed to be maintenance-free, using a thru axle pivot built into the seat tube, which allows the frame to flex, providing 30mm of suspension travel, which offers stacks of comfort and compliance, without the bike becoming inefficient.

2025 Cannondale Topstone Tyre Clearance

Tyre Clearance is always an essential factor for Gravel Bikes, and this is one of the biggest and best changes that the 2025 Cannondale has received this year, the frame now allows for 56mm tyres, the rigid fork can accommodate up to 56mm tyres, and the Lefty Fork allows for 47mm tyres - allowing you to match the perfect tyre size to your riding preferences and requirements.

2025 Cannondale Topstone Features

Now that we have covered some of the most essential elements of the 2025 Topstone update, it’s time to take a look at some of the more fun and innovative design changes. The Topstone uses Cannondale's new StashPort storage system - this storage area, in the down tube of the bike adds a space where essentials can be stored out of view, the area is big enough to hold spares such as tyre plugs, CO2 cartridges and even an inner tube - perfect kit to be taking on each and every gravel ride.

As you would also expect, the Topstone in 2025 features a clean and sleek cable routing system. Cannondale now use the Conceal stem, which offers a streamlined appearance which is also suitable for aerodynamics. An added benefit is that it’s a simple system for maintenance. It also suits those riding their bikes over long distances, and it eliminates cable interference and luggage mounting issues.

An added benefit on the 2025 model is the switch to a Universal Derailleur Hanger, also known as a UDH. This ensures that numerous drivetrains are now compatible, including SRAM's T-Type groupsets.

2025 Cannondale Topstone Sizing

There are plenty of sizes to choose from in the 2025 Topstone lineup, so riders of all shapes and sizes can find the right fit for them. The frame sizes range from 47cm to 61cm and there’s also size-specific Proportional Response Construction, which optimises bike handling and suspension performance across all different bike sizes.

2025 Cannondale Topstone Geometry

One of the first impressions this bike gives is of complete control. This is partly due to the lower bottom bracket, which does a great job of adding control and stability over loose terrain. There’s now also a 70.7° head angle across most bike sizes, meaning that there’s agile handling and also a feeling of confidence and stability on high-speed descents. A lot of this geometry is covered under the umbrella of Cannondale's OutFront Steering Geometry, which suits this bike perfectly.

2025 Cannondale Topstone Models

Cannondale offers six different builds, ranging from the entry-level Topstone Carbon 3 GRX (£2,950) to the top-of-the-line Topstone Carbon LTD Di2 (£6,900). Across these builds, you can choose between Shimano GRX and SRAM AXS groupsets, rigid forks or the Lefty Oliver, passive rear suspension, and a variety of wheel and tyre options.

2025 Cannondale Topstone - Hands On

At Westbrook Cycles, we are lucky enough to be sent models that we can get our hands on and use. We took the Topstone Carbon 1 Left AXS out for a few test rides, and rode it across mixed terrain from loose gravel fire roads and tracks, across to singletrack and also some smooth tarmac across the North Yorkshire Moors. The bike did a good job across all this terrain, proving to be very comfortable and capable.

The suspension systems worked well, and importantly, were not too intrusive - the fork and the Kingpin rear suspension do not feel clumsy or overcomplicated, they suit the bike perfectly and only enhance gravel bike performance. The bike felt really comfortable, and we racked up thirty or fourty miles without any complaints.

2025 Cannondale Topstone - Rivals

The Topstone has always held a fantastic market position in the world of gravel bikes, but despite the 2025 update, there’s also competition. Some models include the Colnago G4X GRX, the popular Giant Revolt range, and the Scott Addict.

Cannondale Topstone Online

The Topstone represents a range of gravel bikes that can do it all—it can tackle all sorts of terrain and also multi-day rides. This new bike is not complicated; it remains what a gravel bike should be, with rider-focused features such as innovative suspension and storage options.

Starting at £2,950, it’s an investment and there’s cheaper options out there—but if your riding often takes you off the beaten path, the Topstone's performance and practicality are worth every penny and the quality of the bikes design and materials, means it will stand the test of time.

At Westbrook Cycles, we stock and supply the complete Topstone Range, and also support this range with spares and components, keeping you both on and off the road.