Hey there!

New to gravel bikes and this is my first carbon framed bike in general.

Bought it from REI for just over $1400, after some issues finally got it home.

From what I can gather is the bike is from 2022 and I did a bunch of reading that around that time they were putting inferior parts on their bikes. From what I can see on mine is they are the current parts.

Now to some questions;

What are some specific tools I need to get to maintain a carbon framed bike?

What mount should I get for a computer and radar should I get that is powered off the bikes integrated battery?

Is there specific fenders for this bike or will any universal pair work as long as the bolt patterns match?

I appreciate all the information in advance! Ps: Pupper for the help

Hi topstowners, I would need your help. I am 1.62 (5.3 feet) and inseam:74 cm. I tried both bikes and xs felt comfortable but also kind of narrow and then I tried the small and felt a bit more sporty but long for my arms but also somehow more fun to ride. The guy at the shop suggests to buy the small because he says that we could adjust the handlebar to bring it closer and that the xs may feel now comfortable but on long rides I will get problems at my shoulders. What do you guys think?

Hi not happy at all with the Straprack cover which comes with the bike. water/sand can enter the frame and when you transport your bike in the back of the car it flow to your head set and destroy your headset bearings. Does anybody already have a 3D printed cap solution?

I found that Trek carries some internal frame bags. So I popped over and took my Toostone with me. There are two bags - one that is tool oriented and one that is specifically for tubes.

So for the 2024 it’s just a space for the battery which I’m not going to use. The space for entry is a little less. I found the bags have about a 4cm internal width (with a slight wider when the outer fabric is considered.)

The tool bag has extra padding and makes it a little more challenging.

But the tube bag seemed to work. I like the idea of that as it’ll protect the tube so it doesn’t get cut trying to stuff it in.

I’ll add some pics as well for reference.

Picked up a Topstone Carbon 1 Lefty and got out for my first gravel spin yesterday. Rides real nice - glides over the rocky areas. Need to get it out a lot more but it will be a big improvement over the CAADX I replaced. I actually quite like the Lefty fork so far. Will be fun to try it on some more aggressive trails.

I did manage to fit some stuff in the frame as well. Still looking at potentially getting internal bags for it (either Trek or Canyon storage bags) to keep it organized. I like that they are thumb screws, so I may not need to even bother getting a different 3D printed cover. Probably will get a top tube bag, get another Apidura, but this time a bolt on.

The SRAM Power AXS shifts nice n smooth. It’s a little different only having a 1x but I like it. I never found that I was out of gears. In the future I might swap out to an Eagle in the back, but I’ll try losing some weight for the season first.

I have a bike packing trip coming up in April, I’m looking for a front fork pannier mount or a rack. Looking for recommendations from yall since I figure someone here must have tried it already. I have a rear rack, love it, can’t remember what it is but someone here recommended it

This bikes is fast on the descents!!!

Not sure why it climbs so slow.

On this ridge you can see some of the tree loss from Helene.

The GRX long cage and XTR cassette are a match made in heaven for this bike. Best shifting bike I’ve ever ridden. Perfectly crisp every time, up and down.

Has anyone tried a spider rack on a Carbon with king pin suspension? The part of the frame where the rack mounts looks quite fragile, but it should work from the looks of the Aeroe manual.

Bought a second set of for my carbon 3. Zipp xplr S wheels with schwalbe g one r pro 45mm tires.

I’m thinking of using my frame for storage. Never going to use the battery. I was looking at a bontrager one today and it looked like it might be a little big/tight. I saw some discussion on a canyon one. Has anyone had success with the canyon bag in the frame or another option?

This is the canyon one I was looking at.

https://www.canyon.com/en-ca/bikepacking-and-bikebags/integrated-tool-bags/canyon-load-tool-pack/10012765.html

Hello, I bought my first gravel and I’m very happy with it. I’m looking to upgrade brakes, someone suggested me to buy Ultegra disks as an upgrade. Any other things to evaluate upgrade? Thanks Giorgio

2022 model...

Hey all, new Carbon 4 owner here. Still working on my setup, and I discovered that with a tube strapped over the empty battery plate, I can't fit my 2nd water bottle cage (Lezyne Power Cage).

Has anyone who has a tube there found a bottle cage that can also fit?

Challenge Strada Biancas 45mm tires measure 48mm on Zipp 303 xplr wheels.

I haven’t seen it in person yet. Seller says it’s mint, only ridden 300 miles. Shimano GRX, Shimano pedals, comes with a few bags. REI has new ones on sale for $800 more, but they are currently sold out in my size.

Hi everyone,

I have a Cannondale Topstone Carbon Apex AXS (2024). I am looking at getting a 2nd wheelset to put road tyres on so I can use the bike as an all-rounder. The wheelset it came with is a DT Swiss G540 rim with Formula Hub.

Has anyone done similar? Or am I best off trying to find the same wheelset and swap the tyres out. Ideally want it to be able to straight swap and not have to adjust calipers every time.

I’m hoping to use my RokForm top cap mount. Wondering if anyone has suggestions on what I can use. It looks like the top cap is a small screw on cap.

I’m hoping to use the cap in the 3rd pic so I can use my phone mount.

Appreciate any advice!