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The Cannondale Adventure Neo 4 step-thru class 1 e-cycle is a model that also carries Bosch tech. Very minimalist.
From my first look, the Neo 4 felt like any other e-bike; however, what made the difference was the responsiveness and smoothness of the entire system at high speed.
This e-bike was loaned by Ivanhoe Cycles for testing purposes, and all the words are my own.
Adventure Neo 4 Specs Summary (basic)
| MODEL: 2022
MOTOR & TOP SPEED
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BATTERY
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RANGE (based on brand information)
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CONTROLLER, RIDING MODES & DISPLAY
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FRAME & COCKPIT
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GEAR SYSTEM
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BRAKING SYSTEM
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Cannondale Adventure Neo 4 WEIGHT
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TYRES & FORK
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SENSORS
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FEATURES
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PRICE
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Riding The Cannondale Adventure Neo 4
Comfort & Maneuverability
– One aspect I was happy about was its stability. I tested it when riding over a speed bump at almost 50km/h, which is quite fast. Simply, I didn’t feel the bike vibrating. It is possible the thick Kendra tyres (27.5 x 2.2) played a big role here.
– I liked the bike came equipped with the Kwick tyre version, which provided low rolling resistance, enhancing battery and motor efficiency.
Motor & Pedal Assist Performance
– I was very content with how strong the 250w Bosch Active Line motor was when taking that steep incline (something around a 30-degree angle). Simply 40Nm torque was enough.
– The smoothness of each PAS was very noticeable. Clearly, there was a big difference between Eco and Turbo. Eco assisted with minimum torque, and turbo gave all the power to get me up the hill.
Controller & Display
– The Bosch Purion was good enough from my perspective. If I compare it with other controllers from the same brand, the Purion does ok, providing enough information for a decent riding experience.
– Another aspect I liked about the display was the easiness to read the stat information, specifically during a bright day.
Braking performance
– The hydraulic braking system was very solid and smooth when, again, stopping from 50 km/h to around 10 km/h. I didn’t feel unsafe. I’m not sure if having different rotor sizes (180 mm front and 160 mm rear) impacts how responsive the system is.
Accessories
– One of the things that I appreciate most when riding a commuter e-bike is having all the accessories for a good experience. Unfortunately, this Adventure Neo 4 step-thru model was equipped only with a kickstand. For a price point, it would be better to count for all the elements.
– Another thing to notice is the location of the battery charging point, which is at the top end of the battery. For those who don’t like the charging port near the crankset, this could be the e-bike for you.
The opportunities
– It would have been good to have the controller provide more readouts, such as the battery range. As a user, I had no way to know the range I could get.
– Looking at my battery guide, the range could be between 50 and 90 km, based on the watts/hr and the motor capacity. Of course, it depends on the riding style and the pedal assist used, so that’ll be my rough estimate.
– The last thing is the weight of the Cannondale Adventure Neo 4. I didn’t have a chance to test it, so my estimate is based on other bikes that I have tested. I think this one would be around 24 kg. What could the weight be, if including all the accessories?
The Adventure Neo 4 Verdict
– I was very content with this bike. When testing out the motor efficiency, I was surprised how easily any of the PAS used tackled that difficult incline.
– It was so interesting to see how stable the bike was when taking a speed bomb at high speed without feeling the frame rattling. This is valuable, as this could be a safety aspect to consider.
– I love the handlebar design with that bird-wing shape—I don’t know what to call it, but I like it. Not only was the shape nice, but also the easiness to reach the leather grips (which also gave it an elegant touch).
– Another point I noticed was how responsive the bike was to sharp corners. In other words, its manoeuvrability was outstanding.
– The Bosch Purion seems to be the right controller for the Adventure Neo 4. It is not one of the latest techs used by Bosch, but it still provides enough for a decent riding experience.
– I like having a battery embedded in the frame. It is important to note that this battery is water resistant only, meaning it will stand some rain, not a monsoon.
Overall, the Cannondale Adventure Neo 4 ranks well within the commuter electric bike category; however, I believe there is still a lot to cut to compete against other big brands offering more and with similar price tags.
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Motor assistance
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Battery range
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Weight
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Responsiveness & Comfort
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Accessories
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Controller & Display
4 Comments
I am interested in getting this bike or similar for commuting about 20km per day in Sweden so it has to be able to deal with cold climates. Which other bikes would you recommend in this price range? Maybe one with a more waterproof battery. I will also be carrying a toddler on the back so I have been recommended to look at bikes with middle motors.
Hi Karen, thank you for the question. The battery is the part that may be affected the most by low temperatures. I’d be inclined to try an e-bike with a battery that can be removed from the frame (water-resistant batteries) so to maintain it at a good room temperature when not in use. The Cannondale Adventure Neo 4 could be a good option in this case. A water-proof would not be ideal as in most cases, as it can’t be removed from the frame. In terms of the toddler, a mid-drive motor is a good option as it provides generally better torque than hub alternatives, and the weight is better distributed in the middle part rather than the rear part of the e-bike (plus a toddler; that is a lot of strain on the spokes).
Cheers,
Felipe.
I’ve had an Adventure Neo 4 for two years. I’ve enjoyed light, flat, paved riding for about 1200 miles without incident. However, my rear wheel suddenly went out of true. I noticed that the rim was developing cracks around the holes where the spokes mount, particularly the spokes on the drive-side of the wheel. I had the wheel trued, but it went out of true almost immediately, and more cracks are visible. Unfortunately, Cannondale only warrants components for one year. So now I’m looking for a strong, well-made replacement. Any suggestions?
Hi John, thanks for your message. It is unlucky the warranty expired before this issue happened. Looks like some spokes might’ve lost tension overtime, making the wheel loose its true, and the rim becoming fatigued. I believe the spokes rating of the Adventure Neo 4 are already high (14g); however, you could find a wheel with spokes rated at 13g, which are thicker (generally for cargo bikes). Make sure the wheel is for an e-bike.
Regards,
Felipe