A versatile alloy gravel bike for weekday roads and weekend exploring.
The Cannondale Topstone CAAD 2 CUES 1x is a bike for riders who want to mix things up. Its aluminium frame, carbon fork and wide-range Shimano CUES gearing make it a practical choice for gravel roads, commuting, fitness rides and longer adventures.
Finished in Cool Matcha, the Topstone has 45 mm tyres for comfort and grip, along with plenty of mounting points for carrying bottles, bags and other essentials.
Want to compare your options? Browse our gravel bike collection for more complete bikes and framesets.
SmartForm C1 Aluminium Frame
Cannondale has a long history of making aluminium bikes, and the Topstone CAAD puts that experience into a frame built for everyday gravel riding. The SmartForm C1 aluminium frame has clean shaping, internal cable routing and mounts for the gear you need.
A threaded bottom bracket, UDH-compatible rear derailleur mount and standard thru-axles provide practical features for servicing and long-term ownership.
Carbon Fork and Confident Handling
The Topstone’s carbon fork helps keep the front end light and comfortable on rough roads. Cannondale’s OutFront geometry pairs a 55 mm fork offset with a stable steering setup, helping the bike feel settled on loose gravel without making it difficult to manoeuvre.
The frame is also designed to accommodate a compatible suspension fork if you decide to explore that option later. The bike comes with the rigid carbon fork fitted.
Simple Shimano CUES 1 × 11 Gearing
Shimano CUES keeps shifting straightforward with one front chainring and an 11-speed cassette. The 40T chainring and 11–50T cassette give you a useful range for climbing, riding into a headwind and covering ground on flatter roads.
The Shadow RD+ rear derailleur helps manage chain movement on rougher surfaces. With no front derailleur to operate, there is one less thing to think about when the terrain changes.
Control on Mixed Surfaces
WTB Vulpine 700 × 45c tyres provide the volume and grip to handle gravel, hardpack and uneven roads while rolling comfortably on sealed sections. Shimano CUES hydraulic disc brakes add dependable stopping power when the surface is loose or the weather turns wet.
The tyres are tubeless-ready and Cannondale lists tubeless valves with the bike. Talk to our workshop if you would like to discuss a tubeless setup, including whether the rims are prepared and what else is needed.
Room for Wider Tyres
Cannondale lists clearance for tyres up to 52 mm measured width at the frame and 56 mm at the rigid fork. The frame is therefore the limiting point when choosing tyres for both wheels.
Actual tyre width depends on the tyre, rim and pressure. Mudguards and muddy conditions also reduce the space available, so check your setup and allow sufficient clearance before fitting wider tyres.
Ready to Carry More
The frame and fork have mounting points for bottles and gear, making it easy to set the Topstone up for longer rides or a lightweight bikepacking trip. The frame is also rack and mudguard compatible and has a discreet two-bolt kickstand mount.
Internal routing for a dynamo lighting setup is another useful option for riders who plan to use the bike for commuting or longer-distance adventures. Accessories are not included unless stated.
Key Features
- Cannondale SmartForm C1 aluminium frame
- Topstone carbon fork with 55 mm OutFront offset
- Shimano CUES 1 × 11-speed drivetrain
- 40T chainring and 11–50T cassette
- Shimano CUES hydraulic disc brakes
- 160 mm front and rear brake rotors
- WTB Vulpine TCS Light 700 × 45c tyres
- Tyre clearance up to 52 mm at the frame and 56 mm at the rigid fork
- Frame and fork mounts for bottles and gear
- Rack, mudguard and kickstand compatible
- Internal cable and dynamo routing
- UDH-compatible rear derailleur mount
- Cool Matcha finish
Who Is It For?
- Weekend gravel rides and exploring back roads
- Commuting on sealed roads and shared paths
- Fitness riding across mixed surfaces
- Riders wanting a simple single-chainring drivetrain
- Longer rides carrying bottles and extra gear
- Lightweight bikepacking trips
- Riders looking for a versatile aluminium gravel bike
Our Thoughts
The Topstone CAAD 2 is a good choice for someone who wants one bike to do a bit of everything. The 45 mm tyres are wide enough to make gravel roads more comfortable, but the bike still feels at home riding to work or rolling along sealed roads.
The CUES gearing is simple to use, and the 11–50T cassette gives you a helpful low gear for steep climbs. The rack and mudguard mounts are worth having too, particularly if you want to use the bike through winter or carry more than a couple of bottles.
It comes with a rigid fork and standard seatpost, so riders planning to regularly tackle rough, technical trails may prefer a mountain bike. For gravel roads and mixed-surface adventures, the Topstone is a practical place to start.
Specifications
Frame and Fork
- Frame: Topstone CAAD, SmartForm C1 aluminium, StraightShot internal cable and dynamo routing
- Fork: Topstone Carbon, 1-1/8-inch to 1.5-inch steerer, 55 mm OutFront offset
- Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8-inch to 1.5-inch
- Front axle: 12 × 100 mm thru-axle
- Rear axle: 12 × 142 mm thru-axle
- Derailleur hanger: UDH compatible
- Bottom-bracket shell: 68 mm BSA threaded
- Seatpost compatibility: 27.2 mm, dropper-post compatible
- Mounts: Frame and fork gear mounts, rack and mudguard mounts, 18 mm two-bolt kickstand mount
- Maximum measured tyre clearance: 52 mm frame / 56 mm rigid fork
Drivetrain
- Shifter: Shimano CUES U6000, 11-speed
- Rear derailleur: Shimano CUES U6000 Shadow RD+, 11-speed
- Crankset: Shimano CUES 6030, 40T
- Cassette: Shimano CUES LG400, 11–50T, 11-speed
- Chain: Shimano LG500 LinkGlide, 11-speed
- Bottom bracket: Shimano BSA 68
- Pedals: Not included
Brakes
- Brakes and levers: Shimano CUES U6030 hydraulic disc
- Rotors: Shimano RT30 Centre Lock, 160 mm front and rear
Wheels and Tyres
- Rims: GXD 1.0, 28-hole, 23 mm internal width
- Hubs: Shimano TC500 Centre Lock, 12 × 100 mm front and 12 × 142 mm rear
- Spokes: Stainless steel, 14-gauge
- Tyres: WTB Vulpine TCS Light, 700 × 45c, tubeless-ready
- Extras: Tubeless valves
Cockpit and Contact Points
- Handlebar: Cannondale 3 butted 6061 aluminium, 16-degree flare, 120 mm drop
- Stem: Cannondale 3 6061 aluminium, 31.8 mm clamp, 7-degree rise
- Bar tape: Cannondale KnurlCork, 2.7 mm
- Seatpost: Cannondale 3 6061 aluminium, 27.2 × 350 mm
- Saddle: Selle Royal SRX Open, 145 mm
Size-Specific Components
| Frame size | 47 | 51 | 54 | 56 | 58 | 61 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crank length | 165 mm | 170 mm | 172.5 mm | 172.5 mm | 175 mm | 175 mm |
| Handlebar width | 400 mm | 400 mm | 420 mm | 420 mm | 420 mm | 440 mm |
| Stem length | 70 mm | 70 mm | 80 mm | 90 mm | 90 mm | 100 mm |
Sizes and Colour
- Sizes: 47, 51, 54, 56, 58 and 61 cm
- Colour: Cool Matcha
Size Guide
The best size depends on your height, body proportions and preferred riding position. If you are between sizes or planning to use the Topstone for longer adventures, contact Chain Reaction for personalised sizing advice before ordering.
Why Buy from Chain Reaction?
- Professionally assembled, tuned and safety checked
- Brakes professionally checked and bedded in
- Gears adjusted and drivetrain tuned
- Expert gravel-bike sizing and setup advice
- Help choosing tyres, accessories and bikepacking gear
- Practical maintenance advice at handover
- Finance and WorkRide options available
Visit Chain Reaction at 4/218 Moorhouse Avenue, Christchurch. There are more than 200 free car parks on-site, along with plenty of room to discuss sizing and setup.
Specifications are based on supplier and manufacturer information and may change without notice. Tyre clearance depends on the measured tyre width, rim and setup. Pedals, racks, mudguards, kickstand and lighting are not listed as included.
