Aluminium gravel from €1,299: the Cannondale Topstone CAAD goes back to its roots

Fancy leaving the tarmac behind and heading onto tracks, but gravel prices are holding you back? The new Cannondale Topstone CAAD arrives with a clear offer: an aluminium frame, six versions and a starting price of €1,299, according to Todo Mountain Bike.

The American brand is bringing back the CAAD name, long associated with its aluminium frames, and applying it to its Topstone gravel family. It's good news if you want a bike for tracks and trails without paying carbon prices.

What the Cannondale Topstone CAAD offers

Based on what we know so far, the range comes down to a few key points worth keeping in mind if you're thinking about your next bike:

• Aluminium frame, with the CAAD heritage as its flagship.
• Six different versions, giving you room to choose by budget and use.
• Shimano GRX drivetrain, the Japanese brand's dedicated gravel groupset.
• Lefty fork option, Cannondale's distinctive single-sided system.
• Price from €1,299 for the entry-level version.

Beyond this, it's worth waiting for the full spec sheet of each build before comparing weights, gearing or tyre clearance, because each version can vary quite a lot.

Why an aluminium gravel bike makes sense

Aluminium isn't the second-best option: it's a forgiving material for gravel. It handles knocks from stones and scrapes from leaning the bike against a fence well, and it usually allows for more reasonable prices than carbon.

If you're going to ride on tracks, broken trails and the odd stretch of tarmac to link them up, a good aluminium frame with a gravel-specific groupset like GRX more than covers what you need. The money you save can go on what makes the biggest difference off-road: good tyres, decent wheels or a proper bike fit.

The Lefty version is the curiosity of the range. A fork with a bit of travel on a gravel bike smooths out vibrations and gives you more control when the track gets tricky, although it adds maintenance. Think about the terrain you really ride before going for it.

What to check before buying your gravel bike

With six versions on the table, the question is which one suits you. A few quick questions to help you get it right:

• Where will you ride most? If it's mostly wide tracks and tarmac, a simple rigid bike is enough. If you head onto singletrack, consider the Lefty.
• How much do you want to spend in total? Add up helmet, pedals, clothing and accessories, not just the bike.
• Would a second-hand one do? A used gravel bike in good condition can get you a better build for the same money.
• Size and geometry: test-ride the bike or check the measurements carefully; no component can fix the wrong size.

And if you already have a gravel bike or are looking for a used one

New releases like the Topstone CAAD tend to move the market: some people make the jump and sell their old bike, so it's a good time to find interesting options. Take a look at the second-hand gravel bikes to compare prices with what a new one costs.

You can also browse all the second-hand bike listings if you're still torn between gravel, road or mountain.

And if the new Topstone has made you look at your current bike differently, you can post your listing for free on bicis.net so your gravel bike keeps clocking up kilometres with someone else while you try out new tracks.