This is not my bike - it was a loaner from Cannondale Canada for a 160km Gravel Ride I did this past week on a full-loop Rail Trail that is quickly gaining popularity in our area, as a thing to do.
For Rail Trails with their finer aggregate lime-stone base, I though the Topstone Lefty was a bit over-kill - it has changed my mind about what you need for gravel. Before I thought, ride the narrowest tire you can get away with. Now I'm of the opinion you should ride the widest tire you can (and add suspension). We hit some looser section of gravel, and washboard sections at speed (40 kmh) and I was super happy to be riding the Topstone with these balloon like 47mm tires and of course the front shock!
The bike fits a bit "Big". This was a size Large and I could have probably ridden a Medium. My challenge is that historically on Cannodales they are a bit short in the Reach and top tube for me, and the same was here.
<blockquote class="imgur-embed-pub" lang="en" data-id="a/vVpEEPF" data-context="false" ><a href="//imgur.com/a/vVpEEPF"></a></blockquote><script async src="//s.imgur.com/min/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Have not loaded up a pic here in a LONG time. TinyPic was my go to easy app - it's dead, and I have no clue how to now!! :-(
Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog
For Rail Trails with their finer aggregate lime-stone base, I though the Topstone Lefty was a bit over-kill - it has changed my mind about what you need for gravel. Before I thought, ride the narrowest tire you can get away with. Now I'm of the opinion you should ride the widest tire you can (and add suspension). We hit some looser section of gravel, and washboard sections at speed (40 kmh) and I was super happy to be riding the Topstone with these balloon like 47mm tires and of course the front shock!
The bike fits a bit "Big". This was a size Large and I could have probably ridden a Medium. My challenge is that historically on Cannodales they are a bit short in the Reach and top tube for me, and the same was here.
<blockquote class="imgur-embed-pub" lang="en" data-id="a/vVpEEPF" data-context="false" ><a href="//imgur.com/a/vVpEEPF"></a></blockquote><script async src="//s.imgur.com/min/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Have not loaded up a pic here in a LONG time. TinyPic was my go to easy app - it's dead, and I have no clue how to now!! :-(
Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog