I’ve been using a Boardman cx bike to commute and go exploring bike packing and road riding for the last 3yrs. It’s done a grand job covering 10000km with little to no maintenance. However I’ve been wanting something a little more comfortable and nicer for a while now. After a few beers with my local bike shop I ordered a bike. Shop owner forgot exactly which one I wanted and ordered the one that looked best. When I saw it i was instant yup that’s the bike I didn’t know i wanted.
The colour and the mini dropper sold it. Simply the nicest bike I’ve ever owned.
I’m not sold on the tan wall tyres but everything else looks great - especially the colour!
What is it, a Caad X?
Love it!
#SealOfApproval
It’s a topstone I wasn’t sure on the tan walls but in the flesh they’re rather nice.
Nice.
proper nice.
Aaarrgh! I'm torn at the moment between the Topstone, Caad12 or CAADX.
I reckon I'd probably have a lot of fun on a Topstone for the type of riding I do now but I really want a fast road bike for some longer rides which can keep up with the dedicated roadies at work, but the roads here a dire and I like a cheeky shortcut which would probably suit the CAADX, but the Topstone would probably suit my commute, but CAAD12 would be good for short triathlons, but, but....
How does it ride??
It’s quick enough on road with a set of slicks it would only be limited by the gearing for keeping up with a full roadie. Off road and on rough roads it just glides along the dropper is a surprisingly useful addition on road for fast descents. In general it just feels stable no matter what surface your on. The flared drops are mega comfy as-wel. The finish on the frame and forks is superb with lots of handy mounting points for guards bottles and bags.
I’ve got the caad 12 disc - really quick bike. It’s not too punishing on bad roads (Better than the carbon framed Boardman Team Carbon I had before) but I don’t think I’d want to go gravel fireroad bashing on it.
What’s the difference in the topstone and caadx?
keV Clews? Give him a kick in the nuts from me
Joebristol Topstone has more tyre clearance and bosses for stuff and more relaxed geometry I believe.
You know Kev cyni-al? Small world
They get a lot of love on FB groups. I also read somewhere they are on course to be the best selling bike in the UK.
Got one myself just road it in battle on the beach and I was amazed how well it handled on the singletrack I was beating a lot of people on mountain bikes through them sections and I am a pretty slow rider.
Probably my favourite bike and I also have a shiny santa cruz mtb. Just love the versatility of it. Great on the road as well!
I don’t normally like Cannondale bikes, but that is lovely looking OP. Have fun
Anyone thinking of a caadx I can recommend it. Use it for roads/tracks/all sorts. It’s amazing what it will take - I’m a rubbish rider but (mostly) cleared some of the lakes finest southern bridal ways recently. Even passing an ebike going up iron keld.
It’s quick enough on road with a set of slicks it would only be limited by the gearing for keeping up with a full roadie
What gearing is it? My Diverge has 48x11 and I have never been dropped on road due to lack of gears. The more upright position is the biggest issue. Unless you are out right some proper Cat 1 or 2 roadies you should be fine on a gravel bike with slicks.
Got one myself just road it in battle on the beach and I was amazed how well it handled on the singletrack I was beating a lot of people on mountain bikes through them sections and I am a pretty slow rider.
Tbh that’s because a lot of riders in BotB are rubbish at riding the single track in Pembrey. Enter a cross race there, on pretty much the same tracks, and you’ll find a different standard of rider, almost all riding very quickly on cross bikes.
11-42 out back 40 up front only the fast descents spin out before roadies.
11-42 out back 40 up front only the fast descents spin out before roadies.
Fair enough. I think 2x is the way to go still for a true all-around bike. Road rides, gravel rides and loaded gravel requires a pretty big range.
