Cannondale has been into gravel cycling pretty much since its onset in the mid-2010s. During that time, the brand has offered some unique solutions to the demands of gravel, such as the Slate with its 650b wheels and Lefty single leg suspension fork.
Its Topstone gravel bike is on its second iteration and is available in both carbon and alloy, with the latter filling the entry-level gravel bike niche. It too has a 650b/Lefty fork option in the range.
But as with other brands, such as Specialized with its Diverge and Crux and Canyon with its Grizl and Grail, Cannondale now offers two distinct flavours of gravel bike.
The world of gravel is becoming increasingly differentiated. So while the Topstone covers the range of uses from general gravel riding to backwoods adventures and bikepacking, the SuperSix Evo SE is oriented towards gravel racing and cyclocross use, borrowing frame design and aero features from the (previous generation) SuperSix Evo road race bike.
Here, we’ll run through the main features of the Topstone and the SuperSix Evo SE, highlighting how the two Cannondale gravel bikes are different. We’ll then set out the different specs available for each and their prices, before finally making some suggestions to help you to choose the best Cannondale gravel bike for you.
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Cannondale Topstone vs SuperSix Evo SE: Key features at a glance
Cannondale Topstone
- Carbon frame with rear suspension
- Alloy frame option with carbon fork
- 45mm 700c tyre clearance, 650b compatible
- One spec with Lefty Oliver 30mm travel fork
Cannondale SuperSix Evo SE
- Based on previous generation SuperSix Evo road race bike
- Aero tube profiles
- 45mm 700c tyre clearance
- Gravel race and cyclocross configurations available
Cannondale Topstone vs SuperSix Evo SE: suspension
A key differentiator between the Topstone Carbon and the SuperSix Evo SE is in the presence or absence of active suspension. While the SuperSix Evo SE has aero tube profiles similar to the road-going SuperSix Evo and limited mounts, the Topstone carbon has more differentiated gravel bike design features, such as the dropped drive side chainstay and a full set of mounts. The Topstone alloy is somewhat in between, with all the mounts of the carbon model, but without suspension features.
The Topstone Carbon includes Cannondale’s low mass, low maintenance KingPin rear suspension system. This provides 30mm of travel at the seatpost and 10mm at the rear axle via flex zones in the carbon layup and a bushing in the seatstay-to-seatpost junction. Cannondale says that this provides additional traction over a conventional rear axle design.
When he reviewed the Topstone Carbon 2 in 2022, Cyclist tech editor Sam Challis said, ‘The Topstone positively glides over broken ground and provides considerably more traction on loose tracks than more conventional rigid bikes. The Kingpin pivot design is excellent. It provides much of the benefit of proper suspension without the usual downsides of increased maintenance and heavier weight.’
He did note some bobbing when riding on tarmac, however, due to the undamped travel.
There’s just one spec of the Topstone Carbon available with the single leg Lefty Oliver suspension fork. This provides 30mm of front suspension. In addition, this spec is equipped with a dropper post with between 60mm and 100mm of travel.
All other specs are equipped with a standard carbon fork with gear mounts.
In common with many competing gravel race bikes, such as the Specialized Crux and the BMC Kaius, the SuperSix Evo SE foregoes active suspension features in favour of lighter weight and mechanical simplicity. Instead, it relies on the tyres’ volume to cushion its rider from the trails.
Cannondale Topstone vs SuperSix Evo SE: geometry
| Topstone Carbon | Topstone alloy | SuperSix Evo SE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frame size | LG | LG | 56 |
| Seat tube length | 553 | 553 | 546 |
| Seat tube angle | 73.1° | 73.1° | 72.7° |
| Head tube length | 177 | 180 | 153 |
| Head tube angle | 71.2° | 71.0° | 71.0° |
| Effective top tube length | 572 | 572 | 555 |
| Bottom bracket drop | 67 | 75 | 69 |
| Chainstay length | 420 | 435 | 422 |
| Frame reach | 390 | 394 | 385 |
| Frame stack | 600 | 610 | 575 |
| Wheelbase | 1044 | 1065 | 1034 |
| Trail | 62 | 65 | 62 |
| Front centre | 633 | 641 | 621 |
All dimensions in millimetres except frame angles
The Topstone and the SuperSix Evo SE have different geometries, reflecting their different expected usage.
There are some differences in geometry between the Topstone Carbon and the alloy Topstone too. The alloy bike has a longer wheelbase, longer front centre, longer frame reach and longer chainstays than the carbon Topstone. There’s a significantly larger bottom bracket drop, which should, along with the other differences, favour stability.
In contrast, the SuperSix Evo SE has a racier geometry, with a shorter wheelbase, shorter headtube length and lower frame stack.
Cannondale emphasises its OutFront geometry on its gravel bikes. This lowers the head tube angle and increases the fork rake to reduce the front wheel trail, which Cannondale says makes for stability at speed along with agility.
In reality, Cannondale’s numbers are in the mid-range for front end geometry for gravel bikes. Some, such as the Argonaut Supernaut GR3 go significantly slacker.
Cannondale Topstone vs SuperSix Evo SE: standards
Cannondale has a history of using less common set-ups on its bikes. It was the originator of the PressFit bottom bracket, for example. But the latest generation of its bikes largely follows a more traditional set-up. The Topstone Carbon and alloy bikes follow this trend, while the SuperSix Evo SE still exhibits some of Cannondale’s older design features.
So Cannondale has reverted to a standard BSA threaded bottom bracket on the Topstone Carbon and alloy Topstone. In contrast, while the road-going Gen 4 SuperSix Evo has a BSA bottom bracket, the SuperSix Evo SE frameset continues to be equipped with a PressFit 30A bottom bracket shell.
The latest generation of the Topstone has a standard rear wheel geometry, in place of the previous generation bike’s Ai asymmetric bottom bracket design.
The SuperSix Evo SE still uses an Ai bottom bracket shell. This increases tyre clearance, but requires a symmetrically dished rear wheel, rather than the more normal asymmetric dishing, limiting aftermarket options and usually requiring rear wheel realignment – there are few wheelsets offered out of the box with symmetric dishing.
Another less common component that Cannondale has retained on the SuperSix Evo SE, but ceased to use on its newer bikes, is Mavic Speed Release front and rear thru-axles. The Topstone uses standard thru-axles.
The Topstone Carbon frame is compatible with Cannondale’s SmartSense lighting and radar system, powered by a single central battery and the two top specs come with the system ready-fitted. Again, it’s a feature on which the verdict is still out. It adds around 500g of weight, but does mean that you don’t need to purchase lights or a rearview radar separately. On the other hand, be-seen lights are likely to be less useful on a gravel bike than a road bike.
Cannondale Topstone vs SuperSix Evo SE: groupsets
Cannondale specs a range of different groupsets across its Topstone range, reflecting the wide range of price points at which the bike is sold.
Higher specs are equipped with SRAM AXS Wide 2x12 electronic groupsets. Moving down the specs, there are 11-speed GRX 1x and 2x options.
Switch to the lower priced alloy Topstones and mechanical SRAM Apex XPLR and Shimano GRX 11-speed and 10-speed feature. The two lower specs have Shimano Sora 9-speed and finally Microshift Advent X, the latter with a wide range 11-48t 10-speed cassette.
The SuperSix Evo SE’s groupsets are similarly diverse, with SRAM Rival AXS 2x12-speed, SRAM Force 1 11-speed mechanical and Shimano GRX 2x11-speed options.
Cannondale continues its practice of equipping several bikes in both the Topstone alloy and SuperSix Evo SE ranges with non-series cranksets, although all the Topstone Carbon bikes have in-series cranks.
Cannondale Topstone vs SuperSix Evo SE: sizing
Cannondale sizes the Topstone Carbon and alloy bikes from XS to XL, rather than by frame size number. It states that riders from 147cm to 203cm tall should find a suitable bike size.
The SuperSix Evo SE is available in sizes 46, 51, 54, 56 and 58. Cannondale says that these will cover riders from 152cm to 193cm tall.
Cannondale Topstone vs SuperSix Evo SE: wheels and tyres
As you’d expect, there’s a range of wheelsets specced as you go through the specs and pricepoints for the Topstone. It’s only the top spec Topstone Carbon 1 that gets carbon wheels though, with other specs including alloy rims; DT Swiss and WTB feature at the mid-range.
All SuperSix Evo SE specs are equipped with low profile DT Swiss alloy rims on Formula hubs. Bear in mind that the Ai rear wheel dishing may limit options to upgrade.
In the US, Cannondale specs WTB gravel bike tyres across much of its range, while in Europe they are replaced by Vittoria Terreno Dry tyres in many specs of both the Topstone and the SuperSix Evo SE.
There’s a range of tyre widths on display – everything from 45mm to 37mm. In general, the latter is a little narrow by modern gravel bike standards. There are also a couple of outliers; the Topstone Carbon 3 650b has 47mm tyres, while the SuperSix Evo CX has UCI-compliant 33mm.
Cannondale Topstone vs SuperSix Evo SE: ranges compared
Next, we’ll run through the entire UK ranges for each of Cannondale’s gravel bikes, from the most expensive to the entry spec for each, with a brief spec run-down including frame, groupset and wheelset.
Cannondale doesn’t quote weights for its bikes, but we weighed the Topstone Carbon 2, including its SmartSense system, at 9.6kg for a size M.
Cannondale Topstone bike range
Cannondale Topstone Carbon 1 RLE
- Frame: Topstone Carbon with Kingpin suspension and SmartSense lighting
- Fork: Topstone Carbon
- Handlebars: FSA K-Wing AGX carbon
- Groupset: SRAM Force AXS Wide 43/30t, 10-36t 12-speed
- Wheels: HollowGram G-SL 27 Carbon
- Tyres: WTB Vulpine TCS Light 40mm
- Saddle: Fizik Terra Argo X3
- Price: £8,000
Cannondale Topstone Carbon Rival AXS
- Frame: Topstone Carbon with Kingpin suspension and SmartSense lighting
- Fork: Topstone Carbon
- Handlebars: Cannondale 3 alloy
- Groupset: SRAM Rival AXS Wide 43/30t, 10-36t 12-speed
- Wheels: DT Swiss G540 rims on Formula hubs
- Tyres: Vittoria Mezcal III 44mm
- Saddle: Fizik Aliante Delta
- Price: £4,850
Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 Lefty
- Frame: Topstone Carbon with Kingpin suspension
- Fork: Lefty Oliver 30mm travel
- Handlebars: Cannondale 2 ShortDrop alloy
- Groupset: Shimano GRX RX810 40t, 11-42t 11-speed
- Wheels: WTB KOM rims on Lefty 50/Formula hubs
- Tyres: Vittoria Mezcal III 44mm
- Saddle: Fizik Terra Argo X5
- Price: £4,500
Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 L
- Frame: Topstone Carbon with Kingpin suspension and SmartSense lighting
- Fork: Topstone Carbon
- Handlebars: Cannondale 2 ShortDrop alloy
- Groupset: Shimano GRX RX810 48/31t, 11-34t 11-speed
- Wheels: WTB KOM Light i23 TCS rims on Formula hubs
- Tyres: Vittoria Terreno Dry 38mm
- Saddle: Fizik Terra Argo X5
- Price: £4,500
Cannondale Topstone Carbon Apex AXS
- Frame: Topstone Carbon with Kingpin suspension
- Fork: Topstone Carbon
- Handlebars: Cannondale 3 alloy
- Groupset: SRAM Apex AXS XPLR 40t, 11-44t 12-speed
- Wheels: DT Swiss G540 on Formula hubs
- Tyres: WTB Riddler TCS Light 45mm
- Saddle: Fizik Aliante R5
- Price: £3,750
Cannondale Topstone Carbon 3 650b
- Frame: Topstone Carbon with Kingpin suspension
- Fork: Topstone Carbon
- Handlebars: Cannondale 2 ShortDrop alloy
- Groupset: Shimano GRX RX810 46/30t, 11-34t 11-speed
- Wheels: WTB ST i25 TCS 650b rims on Formula hubs
- Tyres: Vittoria Terreno Dry 650x47mm
- Saddle: Fizik Aliante Delta
- Price: £3,200
Cannondale Topstone Carbon 3
- Frame: Topstone Carbon with Kingpin suspension
- Fork: Topstone Carbon
- Handlebars: Cannondale 3 alloy
- Groupset: Shimano GRX RX810 46/30t, 11-34t 11-speed
- Wheels: WTB ST i25 TCS rims on Formula hubs
- Tyres: Vittoria Terreno Dry 38mm
- Saddle: Fizik Aliante Delta
- Price: £3,200
Cannondale Topstone Carbon 4
- Frame: Topstone Carbon with Kingpin suspension
- Fork: Topstone Carbon
- Handlebars: Cannondale 3 alloy
- Groupset: Shimano GRX RX400 46/30t, 11-36t 10-speed
- Wheels: WTB ST i25 TCS rims on Formula hubs
- Tyres: Vittoria Terreno Dry 40mm
- Saddle: Fizik Aliante Delta
- Price: £2,800
Cannondale Topstone 1
- Frame: Topstone SmartForm C2 alloy
- Fork: Topstone Carbon
- Handlebars: Cannondale 3 alloy
- Groupset: Shimano GRX RX810 46/30t, 11-34t 11-speed
- Wheels: WTB ST i23 TCS rims on Formula hubs
- Tyres: Vittoria Terreno Dry 35mm
- Saddle: Fizik Aliante Delta
- Price: £2,200
Cannondale Topstone Apex 1
- Frame: Topstone SmartForm C2 alloy
- Fork: Topstone Carbon
- Handlebars: Cannondale 3 alloy
- Groupset: SRAM Apex XPLR mechanical 40t, 11-44t 12-speed
- Wheels: GXD 1.0 on Formula hubs
- Tyres: Vittoria Terreno Dry 38mm
- Saddle: Fizik Aliante Delta
- Price: £2,200
Cannondale Topstone 2
- Frame: Topstone SmartForm C2 alloy
- Fork: Topstone Carbon
- Handlebars: Cannondale 3 alloy
- Groupset: Shimano GRX RX400 46/30t, 11-34t 10-speed
- Wheels: WTB ST i23 TCS rims on Formula hubs
- Tyres: Vittoria Terreno Dry 37mm
- Saddle: Fizik Aliante Delta
- Price: £1,800
Cannondale Topstone 3
- Frame: Topstone SmartForm C2 alloy
- Fork: Topstone Carbon
- Handlebars: Cannondale 3 alloy
- Groupset: Shimano Sora GS 46/30t, 11-34t 9-speed
- Wheels: GXD 1.0 on Formula hubs
- Tyres: Vittoria Terreno Dry 37mm
- Saddle: Fizik Aliante Delta
- Price: £1,400
Cannondale Topstone 4
- Frame: Topstone SmartForm C2 alloy
- Fork: Topstone Carbon
- Handlebars: Cannondale 3 alloy
- Groupset: Microshift Advent X 40t, 11-48t 10-speed
- Wheels: GXD 1.0 on Formula hubs
- Tyres: Vittoria Terreno Dry 37mm
- Saddle: Cannondale Stage CX
- Price: £1,200
Cannondale Topstone LAB71 frameset
Cannondale also sells a version of its Topstone carbon frameset in its highest LAB71 Series 0 carbon with the Kingpin system. It claims that the LAB71 frame reduces frame weight by 160g over its standard carbon. The frameset is priced at £3,000 including fork and seatpost.
Cannondale SuperSix Evo SE bike range
SuperSix Evo SE
- Frame: SuperSix EVO CX Carbon
- Fork: SuperSix EVO CX Carbon
- Handlebars: Cannondale 2 alloy
- Groupset: SRAM Rival AXS 46/33t, 10-36t 12-speed
- Wheels: DT Swiss G540 rims on Formula hubs
- Tyres: Vittoria Terreno Dry 40mm
- Saddle: Prologo Dimension AGX
- Price: £4,850
SuperSix Evo CX
- Frame: SuperSix EVO CX Carbon
- Fork: SuperSix EVO CX Carbon
- Handlebars: Cannondale 2 alloy
- Groupset: SRAM Force 1 40t, 11-36t 11-speed
- Wheels: DT Swiss R470 rims on Formula hubs
- Tyres: Vittoria Terreno Mix 33mm
- Saddle: Fizik Aliante Delta
- Price: £4,000
SuperSix Evo SE 2
- Frame: SuperSix EVO CX Carbon
- Fork: SuperSix EVO CX Carbon
- Handlebars: Cannondale 2 alloy
- Groupset: Shimano GRX RX810/600 46/30t, 11-34t 11-speed
- Wheels: DT Swiss G540 rims on Formula hubs
- Tyres: Vittoria Terreno Dry 40mm
- Saddle: Prologo Dimension AGX
- Price: £3,400
Cannondale Topstone vs SuperSix Evo SE: which should you choose?
The Topstone and Topstone Carbon are designed to be general use gravel bikes, with a bias towards the more gnarly end of the gravel spectrum. Opt for the Topstone Carbon and you’ll get rear compliance without significant weight. They’re designed to handle bikepacking duties too, while the Topstone Carbon 2 Lefty provides a more extreme gravel set-up.
In contrast, the SuperSix Evo SE is aimed at gravel racers and cyclocross use. It foregoes even the lightweight suspension of the Topstone Carbon in favour of aero tube profiles and reliance on the tyres to provide traction and compliance. If you’re into fast gravel this might be the better choice. The 45mm tyre clearance combined with 33mm tyres means that the SuperSix Evo CX is well equipped to handle muddy cyclocross races as well.
The SuperSix Evo SE’s less standard spec than the Topstone is worth considering if you are looking to upgrade though. It’s unlikely that you’ll ever replace your thru-axles, but a wheelset upgrade or replacement is a more common swap-out, particularly for racing, and the Ai rear wheel geometry may limit your choices.
The Topstone range provides a wider choice of specs too, so if you’re looking for a less expensive gravel bike or added features such as SmartSense, this is the bike to go for. It’s also worth bearing in mind that the SuperSix Evo SE is based on the previous generation road-going SuperSix Evo and so Cannondale may have an update in the works.
Read our Cannondale Topstone Carbon and Cannondale Topstone alloy and Cannondale SuperSix Evo SE launch stories for more details to help you to choose.
Hi, I have a Cannondale SuperSix EVO SE bike, and I am wondering about a new carbon wheelset because I already have FFWD Tyro 1s with 19mm inner width rims (too narrow for gravel and 40mm tires). Could you recommend any carbon wheelsets for this bike? I am thinking about Zipp 303s.