Hey folks, looking for some opinions as I’m a bit stuck choosing a gravel bike.
I’m currently torn between two options: a Pinarello Grevil F5 and a Cannondale Topstone Carbon 1. They’re in a similar price bracket and on paper both seem great, but I’d really value some real-world feedback.
A bit about what I’m after:
• Looks matter to me, i want a bike that i think is good looking
• I don’t mind a more aggressive riding position.
• I’d like to do some bikepacking and longer mixed-terrain rides, whilst still being capable of being fast
• Ideally something that feels fun but still comfortable enough for long days.
If you’ve ridden either (or both), I’d love to hear what you thought — handling, comfort, versatility, anything that stood out good or bad.
Also very open to suggestions for other bikes in the same price range that I should be looking at instead.
Thanks in advance — keen to hear your thoughts.
by jameson_logan
6 Comments
Have you looked at the Ribble Ultra Grit?
I have ridden neither BUT if you want a bike you open the garage door to and want to jump on the pinarello is the bike!
Pina is better.
Not ridden either of those but they’re both good choices. For a similar budget and requirements I ended up with an Argon18 Dark Matter and it’s a great bike. With the Rival spec. I think the only disappointment is the G1800 wheels which are pretty budget (and heavy). That said they make a great set of second wheels for bike packing etc., I got some direct-from-China carbon wheels to use as the main set. Bear in mind though the Rival cassette + a couple of decent rotors is going to set you back £200-250 on top of the wheel cost.
I also changed the cranks, mostly as I wanted shorter than stock (I use 160mm) but figured I may as well upgrade to Force with power at the same time (LBS just charged me the difference in retail cost). Oh I also changed the bars to Deda Zero2 DCR (with Fizik gel pads under the tape) but that’s more just personal preference.
2nd hand and get a top level spec bike.. For that price you’ll get a crazy bike and probably nearly new.
Always before looking at new.. Rival groupsets you can get for under 1k now, so your spending 5k on a frame and wheels? Nah..
Wheels alone are 1.4k or less on sales..
Think what are you actually paying for.
Both bikes have a similar fit and to be honest I think there are better gravel bikes out there. Both have quite a short reach (relative to gravel bikes) which shortens the wheelbase, but only the front center measurement. However the Cannondale has a slacker head angle which helps (but too slack maybe?). Longer wheelbase adds stability on descents. While the Pinarello is an iconic brand and a beautiful bike I would not buy it. The bottom bracket is too high and would have me feeling more perched on top of the bike. A lower bottom bracket again helps with stability and control.
Tire clearance ok for you?
Pinarello is likely to have a harsher ride.