Cannondale has been at the forefront of the best electronic mountain bikes for the past few years – the Neo1 is their latest release and promises to offer an intelligent interface with an impressive range at an affordable price point.
At the heart of the Cannondale Neo1’s Smartform C1 aluminum frame is Bosch’s latest CX drive unit. It's their most powerful system to date and promises to sport an impressive 85nm of torque, which Cannondale states when paired with the impressive 750wh PowerTube battery leads to effortless speed and endless fun. According to Cannondale, it’s possible to ride up to 175km on one single charge, an impressive number, even by today's standards.
It's not just the power and range that’s impressive either, and the fact both the drive system can be tuned and customized through Bosch’s all-new eBike Flow app means your ideal ride experience is only a tap away.
The size small Neo1 sees 27.5in wheels front and rear, while the larger sizes come with a full 29in setup with the aim of providing a fast and fun fit for every rider. Regardless of size, all bikes get Maxxis Rekon tires front and rear, which should offer a great balance of rolling speed and traction on a variety of terrain.
The Neo1’s geometry numbers echo stability and confidence with the highlights being the 68-degree head angle and 65mm bottom bracket drop. The large frame gets a 433mm reach, which is on the shorter side of what we’d expect from a bike launched in 2022.
With a bike that’s been designed with multi-purpose use in mind being visible is important, to ensure riders can be seen day or night Cannondale has integrated a light into that Neo1’s head tube. And if you need more illumination, there’s pre-wiring up front for more lighting that can run off the bike's battery.
Currently, there’s only one specification model available, but with components like Shimano’s Deore 12-speed drivetrain and four-piston brakes from Tektro, it makes the £4,300 price tag seem pretty reasonable, especially since its a bike that can be bought from an actual brick and mortar store.
All in all Cannondale’s new Neo1 looks to be a great option for anyone wanting the latest motor and battery technology in a package that can rip everything from the local trails to the daily urban commute.
