Cannondale Brings Lefty to Gravel - Again
Today Cannondale released the Topstone Carbon Lefty available in three versions, including one women-specific model, with their new Lefty Oliver Fork technology. The new suspension fork now compliments Cannondale’s existing rear suspension KingPin for a fully suspended gravel bike setup.
Lefty Oliver
Cannondale’s Lefty Oliver is a single-crown suspension fork, built specifically for gravel riding. It has 30mm of travel that rolls on the same type of needle bearing internals as its burlier XC racing cousin, Lefty Ocho. Lefty Oliver’s new Chamber damper was also designed to minimize bobbing or diving for a super-efficient and smooth feel on or off-road. For maximum efficiency, it features an easy-to-use lockout with a blow-off circuit, so it can still absorb impacts even when locked, keeping riders in control. And, for ease of use, Lefty Oliver features a new, tool-free, StopLock brake mount, designed for flat-mount calipers, that makes removing the front wheel fast and easy.
Lefty Oliver Fork Specs
Travel 30mm
Weight 1340g
Size 1 1/8” - 1.5” tapered w/ 36° crown race
Hub Lefty 50
Brake Flat mount 10mm rear
Tire Clearance 650b x 47mm or 700x45
All three models, including the Lefty 1, Lefty 3 and Women’s Lefty 3, come with the 650b wheel size and interestingly a mix of two WTB gravel tires - Rear WTB Byway 47mm, Front Venture 47mm. At the top end of the lineup is the Lefty 1, equipped with the Sram AXS Eagle/Force mullet drivetrain, full spec details below.
Topstone Carbon Lefty 1 Photos
Lefty 1 Specs
Frame BallisTec Carbon Frame, Kingpin suspension system, 12x142 Speed Release thru-axle, dropper post compatible, direct line cable routing
Fork All-New Lefty Oliver Carbon, 30mm travel, Chamber Damper w/ All-Over tune, ISO High-Ride air spring, tapered steerer, 650b, 55mm offset
Rims HollowGram 23, Superlight Hi-Impact Carbon, 28h, 23mm IW, tubeless-ready
Hubs (F) Lefty 50, 6-bolt / (R) HollowGram 12x142mm centerlock w/ DT Swiss 370 Internals
Spokes HollowGram 2.0/1.8/2.0
Tires WTB Venture (F), Byway (R), TCS Light, 650 x 47c, tubeless-ready
Crank SRAM Force AXS 1x Crankset, DUB Spindle, 40T
Bottom Bracket SRAM DUB BB30 83-A
Chain SRAM X01 Eagle, 12-speed
Rear Cogs SRAM PG-1295, X01 Eagle, 10-50, 12-speed
Rear Derailleur SRAM X01 Eagle eTap AXS
Shifters SRAM Force eTap AXS HRD, 12-speed
Handlebar HollowGram SAVE SystemBar, Carbon, 8 deg. pitch adjust
Grips Cannondale Bar Tape, 3.5mm
Stem HollowGram SAVE, Alloy, -6°
Headset Integrated, 1-1/8" - 1-1/2"
Brakes SRAM Force eTap AXS, 160/160mm Centerlock rotors
Brake Levers SRAM Force AXS
Saddle Fabric Scoop Shallow Race, ti rails
Seatpost HollowGram SAVE Carbon, 27.2 x 350mm
Color Chameleon
The Slate Reborn?
You may recall the Cannondale Slate, the brand’s first attempt at a gravel bike that came with a Lefty fork first released in 2015. Looking closer at the two bikes geometries via bikeinsights.com they have clearly moved from a more traditional cyclocross to modern gravel geometry. Seen here are the two bikes in size medium, the Slate in black outline and Topstone Lefty in white. Most noticeably, the Topstone Lefty has a 34mm longer wheelbase and 10mm longer chainstay length compared to the Topstone, providing a more stable ride. The headtube also sits up higher, designed for more comfort over the long haul.
Cannondale Topstone Lefty vs Cannondale Slate
The Cannondale Carbon Lefty 3 is the more affordable build at $3750, compared to the Lefty 1 at $7500, and comes in either a Mantis or Stealth Grey colorway. The Lefty 3 also comes in a women’s specific model that differs only in sizing availability and saddle. Cannondale equipped these bikes with its own branded components to bring the price down, including its own crank, bottom bracket, handlebar, stem and seatpost. Below we take a closer look at the women’s specific model, photos and specs.
Topstone Carbon Women’s Lefty 3 Photos
Women’s Lefty 3 Specs
Frame BallisTec Carbon Frame, Kingpin suspension system, Speed Release thru-axle, dropper post compatible, direct line cable routing
Fork All-New Lefty Oliver, 30mm travel, Chamber Damper w/ All-Over tune, ISO High-Ride air spring, tapered steerer, 650b, 55mm offset
Rims WTB ST i23 TCS, 28h, tubeless-ready
Hubs (F) Lefty 50, 6-bolt / (R) Formula DHT-142, 12x142mm centerlock
Spokes Stainless Steel, 14g
Tires WTB Venture TCS Light, Byway (R), 650 x 47c, tubeless-ready
Crank Cannondale 1, BB30a, OPI SpideRing, 40T
Bottom Bracket Cannondale BB30
Chain Shimano HG601, 11-speed
Rear Cogs Shimano SLX, 11-42, 11-speed
Rear Derailleur Shimano GRX 812, Shadow RD+
Shifters Shimano GRX 600, 11-speed
Handlebar Cannondale 3, butted 6061 alloy, 16 deg flare drop
Grips Cannondale Bar Tape, 3.5mm
Stem Cannondale 2, 6061 Alloy, 31.8, 7°
Headset Integrated, 1-1/8" - 1-1/2"
Brakes Shimano GRX 400 hydraulic disc, 160/160mm RT76 rotors
Brake Levers Shimano GRX 600 hydraulic disc
Saddle Fabric Scoop Flat Elite, cro-mo rails
Seatpost Cannondale 2, UD Carbon, 27.2 x 350mm
Color Alpine
Topstone Carbon Dimensions
Pricing
Topstone Carbon Lefty 1 - $7500
Topstone Carbon Lefty 3 - $3750
Topstone Carbon Women’s Lefty 3 - $3750
For more information on the all-new Topstone, visit www.cannondale.com.
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