Looking for my first gravel bike.
08-18-22, 01:55 PM
#26
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Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Scotland
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My bad, I thought I'd picked the mens version but I only have high-school German from 20 years ago so foolishly though Herren was womens. That'll teach me to be a smart-ass and link you to the German version of the page! 
It's a great bike from everything I've seen. The only reason I didn't buy one was because there was none in stock and I didn't want to wait (I was taking advantage of a work tax scheme that had a pretty narrow window).
It's a great bike from everything I've seen. The only reason I didn't buy one was because there was none in stock and I didn't want to wait (I was taking advantage of a work tax scheme that had a pretty narrow window).
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08-18-22, 06:47 PM
#27
Full Member
I'm a BIG fan of 1X drivetrains, but if you're going to do any loaded touring or backpacking, I think a double is the way to go. Might be true for distance riding as well, depending on the terrain you're covering. That said, I recently built a Ritchey Ascent with Sram 1 X 12 that has an 11-50T cassette, and the range is pretty impressive. Bottom line: 1X can be pretty great, but I don't think you'd regret having a 2X set-up.
With the right tire choice, I think either of those bikes would be perfectly capable for the kind of riding you're planning to do. I'd give the nod to the Marin, just because I prefer steel (this, after telling you to ignore frame material lol), but the Topstone is a very popular bike, for good reason. Hard to go wrong with either.
With the right tire choice, I think either of those bikes would be perfectly capable for the kind of riding you're planning to do. I'd give the nod to the Marin, just because I prefer steel (this, after telling you to ignore frame material lol), but the Topstone is a very popular bike, for good reason. Hard to go wrong with either.
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08-22-22, 07:45 PM
#28
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Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: SW WI
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Bikes: Cannondale Topstone, Trek Dual Sport, State Bicycle Klunker
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I’m sure there are many options, but I spent 6 months muddling through info until analysis paralysis sent in. Traveling miles to look at different bikes and ride them, trying to find 2 or e of the top contenders in the same shop to ride and that never happened.
walked into a small shop not thinking this guy had anything good, and discovered he was a cannondale dealer. In the end bought the Topstone Ally 1, and absolutely love it.
walked into a small shop not thinking this guy had anything good, and discovered he was a cannondale dealer. In the end bought the Topstone Ally 1, and absolutely love it.
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08-23-22, 08:58 PM
#29
Newbie
I’m sure there are many options, but I spent 6 months muddling through info until analysis paralysis sent in. Traveling miles to look at different bikes and ride them, trying to find 2 or e of the top contenders in the same shop to ride and that never happened.
walked into a small shop not thinking this guy had anything good, and discovered he was a cannondale dealer. In the end bought the Topstone Ally 1, and absolutely love it.
walked into a small shop not thinking this guy had anything good, and discovered he was a cannondale dealer. In the end bought the Topstone Ally 1, and absolutely love it.
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