Lava

Not the person you asked, but I test rode a medium a month ago and felt it was a "big" medium. I'm 5'11", and don't think I would fit on a large at all given my fit on the medium.

I'm planning on heading to a shop tomorrow to see if they can change the stem to fine tune the fit, and if they're agreeable I'll hopefully be able to report back on what I think about the Topstone in even more depth! The model seems to be sprinkled out there, but I still haven't seen a ton of first-hand opinions about it.

shoota 

Thanks dude, super helpful. I'm looking into finding a local shop that carries them. I have a buddy bike shop owner in Florida that said he'd put me on a medium given I ride a 56cm SuperSix at 6'. The stack and reach looks about right.

Lava

Yeah, that seems right. This comparison between the Caad12 & Topstone might be helpful too. I don't know how the SuperSix compares to the Caad12, but it was helpful seeing the stack/reach diagrammed this way.

shoota 

Holy buckets, what a great diagram. Yeah, I'm definitely a Medium Topstone. now I have to 1) find a frameset, and 2) convince myself to ride a 22lbs gravel bike again.

gus6464

If Cannondale used C1 Premium alloy for the Topstone it would be a sub 20lbs bike easy. The Slate frame is incredibly light because of it. I wonder why only the CAAD12 and Slate get the high-end aluminum treatment. There isn't even a version of the Synapse alloy that has the super bling aluminum.

shoota 

Bummer huh? It's probably a price point thing.

redlude97

because a carbon version is coming. Just like the CAADX being C2, there's no reason for a C1 version when there's the superx. The CAAD12 in C1 makes sense because its competition is the allez spring and emonda alr and plenty of people build them up for crit racing as easily replaceable crash consumables.

shoota 

OMG I just bought an early Graphite with Ultegra. That happened way faster than I was planning on.

HarborBandS

shoota 

Good to hear, that's the size I went with.

Lava

That's what I ended up with too! It has 105 shifters though, so way to go lucking out with those Ultegras! The shop took their time to fit me to the bike, including shortening the stem for a better fit, and setting the tires up tubeless from the get-go. I was really happy with that service, and definitely sold on the value. Fenders and an eventual rack for commuting/light touring duty, and it seems like this bike will be able to do it all!

I'm not sure how I feel about the WTB Nanos at this point. I've never ridden bigger tires than 25mm, so don't have a good feel for what's normal. They don't feel like they're slowing me down much, but they do hum at higher speeds, and I'm wondering whether Gravelking slicks will be noticeably faster. The Fabric Saddle seems nice, but not revolutionary. A little uncomfortable without a chamois, but not the worst I've felt. New 105 components feel pristine and wonderful to shift, and I'm really happy with the braking power coming from 10-year-old rim brakes that are probably pretty worn out.

shoota 

Looking good! I'm not gonna lie I'm already having buyer's remorse and I haven't even received it yet. I'm worried about its weight and how snappy it will feel. And I'm not a black bike or Shimano kind of guy. I'm a blue bike and Sram guy. wtf did I do lol.

Lava

Oh no, I'm sure you're aware that there is a blue/SRAM Topstone!

I'm really loving the snappiness of it so far: that's what sold me on it over a heavier steel bike with higher trails. I definitely wanted a 2x drivetrain for versatility, too, so it was a pretty straightforward choice for me in the end.

shoota 

Yeah..I know and I wish I could have had that one but I'm not sold on 1X either. I was initially hesitant but when I saw the Ultegra bits and the price I was sold. Maybe a little of an impulse buy but I guess I can always swap out the components if I need to.

Metieval

If you want tubeless then GK slicks.

Otherwise you could drop Panaracer Pasela 700x38 on there too... some puncture protect. and either would be way faster than the Nano's

Lava

Yeah, I've been happy with the GK slicks as a narrow winter tire on my beater bike, so I may go that route eventually. I've never worked with tubeless setups before, so there's a little bit of a mental hurdle I have to get over first when deciding to swap them!

itskohler

For what it's worth, if anyone looking for advice on sizing later - I'm 6'1" and found the Large to feel better than the Medium. I have a 34" inseam and a pretty long wingspan to boot.

Now to my question for you all... How heavy are the stock wheels? Are they worth replacing with some Hunt 4 Seasons?

shoota 

Stock wheels on which build? All three are different.

With that being said, I will know the wheelset weight of the 105 build this weekend. I'll post that.

And with that being said, I can GUARANTEE you that putting a set of Hunts on there is worth it.

shoota 

Setting up tubeless is really not that difficult. Either watch a couple videos or have a shop do it. Once you go tubeless you'll wonder why you waited so long.

itskohler

Sora, so bottom tier but far better than any other non-mtb I've owned. Mostly going to be used for commuting, and I'm already buying used Rival/Apex parts on the cheap to replace once the groupset is complete.

Good to hear about the Hunts though. Would you say the weight savings is the benefit, or just a better all around wheel?

shoota 

In literally every single way will the Hunts be better. Lighter, more aero, better hubs/bearings, tubeless (your wheels aren't), and looks. Which Hunt wheelset are you looking at specifically?

itskohler

The MASON x HUNT 4 Season. I'm open to other cheap, but better-than-stock wheelsets though.

shoota 

That's gonna be a pretty tough value to beat.

itskohler

Glad to hear it. I'll spend hours looking for deals on one specific part or piece, Hunt just happened to show up on Instagram as an ad.

shoota 

Just be aware of their weight limit. Lightweight, cheap wheels don't come without their compromises.