Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 GRX 2x <> Trek checkpoint sl5 AXS gen 3
https://www.cannondale.com/de-de/bikes/road/gravel/topstone-carbon/topstone-carbon-2-grx-2x
Both bikes I can order to a local store. The Cannondale is reduced to €3200 and the Trek is not reduced at €3000.
The bike won’t normally be used for gravel riding, but for city commuting along flat cycle paths and roads. I mention this as the Cannondale with its 2x drivetrain offers tighter gear ratios and may have the advantage here over the Trek. It also has a higher gear ratio: 2x 48-31T chainring and 11-34T cassette. Unlike the Trek, here I have zero concerns about cross chaining whilst crazing at speed. That said the Trek’s 1x 42T chainring and 11-44T cassette electronic shifting looks high-tech.
Is there something here that would simplify my choice but I’m overlooking?
Between these bikes, if you were in my shoes, what’d you go for and why?
Thank you.
by dnmontgomery
20 Comments
Cannondale looks cooler
What’s your opinion about electronic shifting? That could make the difference for me.
Of those two I would pick the checkpoint, but that’s mainly I have ridden Shimano 2x 12s mechanical and quite dislike it. The stock wheels on the checkpoint also seem a bit better.
Have you tried them both? Their sizing is a bit weird from my experience. I have seen that topstone in person, it looks pretty dope. However electronic shifting is probably nice to have also. Personally, after trying both of these bikes and owning the topstone for a few days; i had to return it because the shop lied to me about some damage, i got a crux dsw and It is amazing. I put some elite wheels slr gravel wheels, i got for around 530 euro and some g one r pro tires and its so fun.
Can’t really go wrong here. Both great bikes. Fwiw I use sram apex 1x and for gravel and city commuting you would never run out of gears
Trek wins this by a mile.
1. 1x is much simpler to shift, up or down – no front mech. Also, mechanical shifting is shit under load. If you hit a major hill, you have gear for packing, or you are racing, electronic shifting will be way easier and drop less chains. Also, electronic doesn’t have cable stretch or cable failure – which can be much more reliable in the middle of nowhere.
2. Tire clearance for gravel starts at 45mm for a modern gravel bike. The average bike racing gravel is 50-58mm these days (the fastest/best grip). The trek can fit a 53 ish (50 official) and the Cannondale can do a 45. Why it also matters for reliability, the bigger the tire, the lower the pressure. The lower the pressure, the more comfort. Also, and the biggest point, the lower the pressure, the better sealant works and the less likely chance you get a flat.
4. Grx400 series brakes are not my favourite. I’ve had so many more issues working with these. Sram have been bullet proof in my experience. If you do go with the Cannondale and the GRX400 give you issues, switch to 105 brakes or grx800 (it’s worth the upgrade).
As a mechanic, I’d rather work on electronic shifting, so trek wins.
As a gravel rider, I’d rather have 1x, and bigger tire clearance for packing and/or racing. So trek wins.
If I put my partner on a 20% + grade descent, which I often do, I’d rather them on SRAM apex vs 400 series GRX.
Both bike frames are well made, both companies are good. Neither is “bad” but Trek is much better in this configuration. Good luck.
Whichever colors you like more imo
Personally I think the topstone rides a little nicer. The new topstone clears 50mm tires. I prefer the mechanical drivetrain if I’m commuting.
If you were doing gravel and racing I’d say they’re a little closer, but Cannondale wins out in this use case
I got the trek checkpoint . Love it
I m riding a topstone carbon and it’s just super comfy and fast.
10/10 would recommend
Get an endurance road bike instead like the Trek Domane or similar geometry. It can handle 42mm gravel tires. You will go faster with less effort pedalling with road 32mm GP5000 S TR.
I’d get the Trek as I’ve found the backup from Trek and the dealer network to be outstanding.
Ichcfahre ein cannondale Topstone 3, dieses hat „nur“ eine 1×12. War auch erst zwischen trek und cannondale am Schwanken. Für mich hat das topstone 3 das beste aus beiden Welten deiner Kandidaten. Hauptargument für mich war der relativ hohe Anteil an flacher Strecke, wofür die 12 Gänge locker reichen und es mir auch nicht auf das letzte km/h Highspeed ankommt, was eine 2×12 vielleicht besser liefert.
I owned a 2022 Topstone Carbon and currently have a 2026 Checkpoint SL6. Personally, I think the Kingpin and Isospeed are about the same in added comfort.
I prefer my Checkpoint overall. I’ve had some issues with GRX over the years, I also hate the ergonomics. E1 Axs XPLR is just better overall for me than Shimano GRX or GRX Di2. I also like that Trek thought about the frame bags.
I got the Trek because it has a local store that can help me out if something goes wrong.
Id take grx over apex
Trek as a company is a shit entity so I’d go with the Cannondale.
Trek, at least where I live, is miles ahead of Cannondale in terms of dealer support. I knew when I got my Checkpoint used that I would be well taken care of, and I am.
The 1×12 Apex AXS just works. Its a heavy groupset, but with SRAM you can upgrade part by part down the line. I am eyeing an upgrade to E1 rival shifters for the improved brake feel, because the D1 Apex admittedly are sub par to 105 di2 and miles behind from E1. Maybe Force cranks later for weight savings.
You can swap shifters, chainrings, cassettes, cranks, pretty much as you please if you are going on a particular hilly bikepacking trip or race.
That said I do sometimes wish I had smaller gearing jumps during group road rides. The Cannondale with GRX 2×12 di2 would be an absolute rig, if you can get that build from a reputable LBS.
I’m on my second Topstone, very fun and comfortable bike. I also recently switched (back) to 2x and I like the extended range and smaller jumps between gears. But I wouldn’t really mind 1x either, they’re both fine. Topstone has a bit lower ratio than Trek, it will help with climbs.
Also I just don’t like how the checkpoint looks.
Buy the one that fits better.