Another Gravel bike...
 

Another Gravel bike question - Cannondale

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Noticed this Cannondale Topstone 4.
Crazy price!
Other than the 'suspect' callipers, no dropper (and giving money to that Ashley bloke) is there a reason not to get this?
I have a Hope V-Twin cable/hydraulic set up I can swap the brakes for, so that's one issue sorted.
Dropper ready - also have a 27.2 dropper in the spares box - another issue sorted.

 
Posted : 15/07/2022 5:19 pm
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A good price. The brakes will also be fine for gravel riding and if you need a dropper you are riding the wrong sort of bike.

 
Posted : 15/07/2022 5:21 pm
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Looks great - lash those brakes into the outer darkness and you are all set.

Wheels are bad but you cannot expect anything there at this price - replace at your leisure. They'll be fine for just bashing around the bws but they can be hit and miss tubeless. Don't think they are officially TLR but you might get them set up OK.

 
Posted : 15/07/2022 5:40 pm
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I've heard good things about Microshift Advent X.

 
Posted : 15/07/2022 5:43 pm
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Thanks all.
@finbar that was one of the main reasons I looked at it.

 
Posted : 15/07/2022 6:15 pm
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Looks great value!

NB I have a friend with a dropper post on his gravel bike (Sonder Camino), but never felt the need on mine (On-one Free Ranger).

 
Posted : 15/07/2022 6:42 pm
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Thanks all.
As I didn't want to give Ashley any money Start Fitness price matched and also free delivery.
Will report what it's like when I get it.

 
Posted : 15/07/2022 7:22 pm
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I'd Definitely pick that with the Microshift over the more expensive Sora version.

Good price. Enjoy!

 
Posted : 15/07/2022 8:14 pm
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if you need a dropper you are riding the wrong sort of bike.

Nobody [i]needs[/i] a dropper

 
Posted : 15/07/2022 8:26 pm
 Robz
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I need a dropper on my bike mountain bike. My frame would not allow a traditional post to get the correct leg extension for pedalling and drop it low enough for the type of riding I do.

I also have a dropper on my gravel bike and it is handy but it’s definitely not as vital as it is on a mountain bike.

That Cannondale looks great value.

 
Posted : 15/07/2022 9:37 pm
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f you need a dropper you are riding the wrong sort of bike.

Or you're out exploring, don't know the trail and dropping the saddle out of the way will give you that little bit of confidence to carry on. Dropper posts are great for unknown trails

 
Posted : 15/07/2022 10:34 pm
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I was tempted by this a full price on C2W as our choice was v limited (due to a crappy restrictive C2W scheme) and that was the nearest I could get to what I actually wanted. Decided against it, but I'd definitely bite at C2W for that price, alas I don't think they price match and I can't get it from Evans on the scheme. Shame.

EDIT: But those callipers would need to go. Immediately.

 
Posted : 16/07/2022 12:09 am
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@Garry_Lager

Looks great – lash those brakes into the outer darkness and you are all set.

Wheels are bad but you cannot expect anything there at this price – replace at your leisure. They’ll be fine for just bashing around the bws but they can be hit and miss tubeless. Don’t think they are officially TLR but you might get them set up OK.

Thanks.
Brakes I have a Hope V-Twin set up I can put on.
Will try the wheels/tyres tubeless but I also have a spare set of 650b's that I can put on once I work out tyre clearance.

 
Posted : 16/07/2022 12:13 pm
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650x47 fit fine.

 
Posted : 16/07/2022 1:11 pm
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I need a dropper on my bike mountain bike.

So you didn't ride mountain bikes before the dropper was invented? That's all I meant - we want them, we like them, they are amazingly useful, but we can do without them.

 
Posted : 16/07/2022 2:04 pm
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@chrisdw thanks!
Any recommendations?

 
Posted : 16/07/2022 2:48 pm
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BSA threaded BB? I’d do, I would. Have they abandoned BB30 yet? I have a caad8 frame that has never ceased to creak.

 
Posted : 16/07/2022 3:37 pm
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@TiRed not sure.....
If it is I'll probably swap at some point to the Hope/Wheels one.

 
Posted : 16/07/2022 4:20 pm
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@dirkpitt74

Using the Halo GXC on there currently. They seem good. Not the most aggressive tread, but seem quite quick and setup tubeless fine.

 
Posted : 16/07/2022 5:05 pm