Cannondale Topstone NEO SL 1

A do-it-all e-bike that is just as capable of commuting all week as it is of going on adventures at weekends

In the ever- evolving world of cycling, gravel bikes are the latest must- have. They range in style from aero-focussed road bikes with clearance for larger tyres all the way through to machines that look like mountain bikes with drop handlebars. Given Cannondale’s mountain bike heritage, it is no surprise that its e- bike gravel offering, the Topstone NEO SL 1, veers toward the more dirt- oriented end of the scale.

Cannondale was a pioneer of using oversized aluminium tubes for bike frames in its early mountain biking days, and that legacy is put to good use here in housing the Mahle Ebikemotion X35 battery within the chunky down tube. To keep things matching, the rear wheel is built around a

Mahle Ebikemotion X35+ 250W hub motor. However, to add to the versatility of the bike the wheel also carries an 11- speed Shimano SLX cassette with a wide 11- 42t range. Shimano is also responsible for the gears and brakes, which come from its gravel- specific GRX groupset and offer mechanical shifting and hydraulic disc brakes at both wheels.

The tyre choice fitted to the Topstone NEO SL 1’s wheels once again reflects Cannondale’s off- road background, being from fellow MTB stalwart WTB. The 42c profile provides both grip and comfort for moderate off- road use but still provides enough agility for road riding to not be too much of a drag (literally).

That mix of on- and off- road adaptability continues with other component choices on the Topstone. For instance, the handlebars when viewed from the side look like regular road bike drop bars, but from the rider’s point of view, the way they flare out at the ends provides a wider option to give more control when the going gets rough off- road.

► £3,200 cannondale.com