Cheers mate. This review is very helpful. I find today's gravel bikes stupidly expensive for what they are. I get this is a different group of bikes but for 1K you get a low mid level hardtail with some decent components. This at 1.2k... you basically get the frame with some cheap components. So realistically you're looking into pumping another £500 just to make it ok. Is currently at 30% off and I still think is over priced. Might as well get a Vitus Substance that already comes with Grx and hydraulics
Great video. I've the same model as you and finding the back brake very noisy, assumed the pads needed breaking in but the noise is still here! Not sure what else to do really... Brilliant bike for the price anyhow 😅
Hi! I recently bought a Topstone 4 and I agree with all the thing you said: the gear lever wire looks weird, great wheels, noisy breaks, all of it. I also have this horrible noisy sound from both breaks, I tried everything and still it sounds awful. Have you already upgraded to GRX and/or hydraulic system? Do you think that would be the solution? :( I don't know what else to do. Thank you for your videos!
The incurably noisy brakes is a major disadvantage, and when the bike shop can't solve it then it's a pain. I've never had mechanical discs but they seem to be a Marmite system with most cyclists. The side-exit STi cable wouldn't bother a lot of people, they were standard on Shimano systems until quite recently - I still have them on my pre-2010 bikes. In the old days we'd hold them in an aero tuck :)) I've had a few budget commuting bikes over the years and have collected some horror stories - bottom brackets breaking inside 200 miles, saddles that rip you to pieces, headsets which seize after the first wet ride, wheels which go out of true after the first couple of rides.... it sounds like you've avoided these with the TopStone. Interesting.
Thank you, not many negatives tbf find it ok for what I use it for will be doing a positive video on it too. The wire sticking out is just a personal thing for me, doesn’t effect the ride 😊
The brakes being noisy (and honestly concerningly weak) is my biggest gripe with my topstone 4 as well. Open to suggestions for better mechanical disk brakes if you have any :D
As for noisy brake, it could be the material of braking pads (by default it is sintered), try organics (~10$ avid bb5 pads). But, it is one of the possibles causes, in my opinion! (sorry for my english :))
Agree, I’m old enough to know it’s I just think it looks nicer when there go under the tape plus with it only being one by looks odd being only one coming out and not one the other side. These are just small things that I don’t like and thought I would share. And get everyone’s opinions 😊
You will always find that the cheaper bikes have a lot of similar faults with cheaper components used just to keep the cost at a minimum, so it appeals to people on the fence deciding weather to buy a bike and get into cycling or not
Thanks, good review, very informative!
Thank you James 😊
very nice video..
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you
Cheers mate. This review is very helpful. I find today's gravel bikes stupidly expensive for what they are. I get this is a different group of bikes but for 1K you get a low mid level hardtail with some decent components. This at 1.2k... you basically get the frame with some cheap components. So realistically you're looking into pumping another £500 just to make it ok. Is currently at 30% off and I still think is over priced. Might as well get a Vitus Substance that already comes with Grx and hydraulics
Thank you mate that’s kind of you to say 😊
Great video. I've the same model as you and finding the back brake very noisy, assumed the pads needed breaking in but the noise is still here! Not sure what else to do really... Brilliant bike for the price anyhow 😅
Thank you yes done most things on breaks bar change them. But it’s a bargain I think
Thanks for the review was considering replacing my Mtb with this for my commute, I may look elsewhere now. 👍
Thank you I think a 2 by would be better for commuting I have a few hills. But it’s brilliant off road 😊
Hi! I recently bought a Topstone 4 and I agree with all the thing you said: the gear lever wire looks weird, great wheels, noisy breaks, all of it. I also have this horrible noisy sound from both breaks, I tried everything and still it sounds awful. Have you already upgraded to GRX and/or hydraulic system? Do you think that would be the solution? :( I don't know what else to do.
Thank you for your videos!
Thank you, I haven’t upgraded yet but I will be doing at some point, think it will help if you can find a Grx cheap enough 😊
The incurably noisy brakes is a major disadvantage, and when the bike shop can't solve it then it's a pain. I've never had mechanical discs but they seem to be a Marmite system with most cyclists.
The side-exit STi cable wouldn't bother a lot of people, they were standard on Shimano systems until quite recently - I still have them on my pre-2010 bikes. In the old days we'd hold them in an aero tuck :))
I've had a few budget commuting bikes over the years and have collected some horror stories - bottom brackets breaking inside 200 miles, saddles that rip you to pieces, headsets which seize after the first wet ride, wheels which go out of true after the first couple of rides.... it sounds like you've avoided these with the TopStone.
Interesting.
Thank you, not many negatives tbf find it ok for what I use it for will be doing a positive video on it too. The wire sticking out is just a personal thing for me, doesn’t effect the ride 😊
The brakes being noisy (and honestly concerningly weak) is my biggest gripe with my topstone 4 as well. Open to suggestions for better mechanical disk brakes if you have any :D
I’ve never had a problem with any shimano, the new Cues looks good, I will be upgrading to GRX and going to hydraulic system 😊
Thanks for the review! Same exact break noise on my Topstone 4. Did you change the breaks? What did you go for? Or going for?
Haven’t changed yet but I will be going for a GRX Hydraulic system, thank you for watching 😊
As for noisy brake, it could be the material of braking pads (by default it is sintered), try organics (~10$ avid bb5 pads). But, it is one of the possibles causes, in my opinion! (sorry for my english :))
Thank you agree it’s prob the pads, 😊
Do you have any issue with shift at lowers gears in a little noise and I was wondering what it cost you to upgrade it to hydraulic breaks
No issues you might just need to adjust them a little, only use bike for work so I’ve never upgraded in the end
Thanks for your 3 review comments.
No worries!
There is nothing unusual about the cable exiting from the side of the brake - tnis was the norm a few years ago.
Agree, I’m old enough to know it’s I just think it looks nicer when there go under the tape plus with it only being one by looks odd being only one coming out and not one the other side. These are just small things that I don’t like and thought I would share. And get everyone’s opinions 😊
Got the same problem with my breaks
I just upgraded the pads seems to work ok now
@LakeDistrictcyclist what groupset was you thinking of putting on ?
@reeseprince8 I’ve kept the one that came with it as only use it for commuting but if I was going to upgrade it would put a grx on 😊
@LakeDistrictcyclist yes that's what I'm gonna buy as I'm struggling to keep up with my buddies on roads
@reeseprince8 yes agree the 1 by isn’t very good for roads, recommend getting a 2 by
You will always find that the cheaper bikes have a lot of similar faults with cheaper components used just to keep the cost at a minimum, so it appeals to people on the fence deciding weather to buy a bike and get into cycling or not
Agree Terry I’ve more positives on this bike and negatives which I will be doing soon and big one is the price 😊