New carbon commuter runs on Bosch drive unit
The Tesoro Neo Carbon is Cannondale’s first electric commuting bike constructed from carbon fibre and it’s modelled on the brand’s endurance road bike, the Synapse.
The Tesoro Neo Carbon’s rear end looks Synapse-like, with its dropped seatstays and round 27.2mm seatpost. The down tube and front end are more bulbous to house the electronics.
The bikes are equipped with Bosch Performance Line SX electric bike motors in European markets and the Performance Line Sprint drive unit in the US.
Integrated into the down tube is a 400Wh battery, and it’s compatible with a 250Wh range extender for longer escapades.
There will be two models in the range – The Tesoro Neo Carbon 1, which retails for €5,899, and the Tesoro Neo Carbon 2 at €4,999. The bikes will not be available in the UK and US pricing is to be confirmed.
Light and fast
Cannondale says the carbon frameset, Bosch unit and parts makes the Tesoro Neo “astonishingly sharp, light and fast”. Cannondale has provided a claimed weight of 16kg, but it hasn’t specified which model or size this is for.
As with many of the best electric hybrid bikes, Cannondale has opted for a flat handlebar to keep you upright.
The front end is fully integrated on the Tesoro Neo Carbon 1, with the hydraulic hoses and cables passing through the upper headset bearing.
The Tesoro Neo Carbon 1 uses a proprietary Delta steerer, which is triangular-shaped. The Delta steerer was first introduced on the SuperSix Evo race bike and at the time, the brand said this was to reduce the size of the head tube.
The Tesoro Neo Carbon 2 forgoes integration and uses a round steerer tube.
Both models rely on SRAM 1x drivetrains. The Tesoro Neo Carbon 2 uses a SRAM Apex Eagle mechanical drivetrain and the Tesoro Neo Carbon 1 has electronic shifting courtesy of SRAM Apex AXS.
Both bikes roll on 700x38mm Vittoria Terreno Zero gravel bike tyres.
They come specced with full-length mudguards and Cannondale says the pannier mounts can hold up to 8kg of cargo per side.
Like the Cannondale Synapse, the Tesoro Neo has in-built bike lights. The Lezyne Hecto E65 headlight is charged off the main battery and a rear light is integrated into the mudguard. The EU models’ headlight is StVZO-compliant.
Cannondale Tesoro Neo Carbon geometry
The Tesoro Neo Carbon will be offered in five sizes, from XS to XL.
The geometry is quite different from the Synapse, with slacker head tube angles, longer 450mm chainstays, a longer reach and a taller stack.
| | XS | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head tube angle (degrees) | 70.2 | 71.1 | 72 | 72 | 72 |
| Head tube length (mm) | 113 | 129 | 159 | 193 | 222 |
| Seat tube angle (degrees) | 73 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 73 |
| Seat tube length (mm) | 407 | 453 | 499 | 544 | 590 |
| Top tube length horizontal (mm) | 549 | 563 | 579 | 595 | 611 |
| Chainstay length (mm) | 450 | 450 | 450 | 450 | 450 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1,049 | 1,055 | 1,065 | 1,083 | 1,100 |
| Reach (mm) | 378 | 386 | 394 | 401 | 409 |
| Stack (mm) | 560 | 578 | 605 | 633 | 660 |
Cannondale Tesoro Neo Carbon range
Cannondale Tesoro Neo Carbon 1
- Frame: Tesoro Neo Carbon, Series 2 carbon construction, 148mm dropout spacing, flat-mount disc, removable kickstand mount (40mm Pletscher)
- Fork: Tesoro Neo Carbon, Series 2 carbon construction, 1 1/8 to 1.5in Delta steerer, flat-mount disc, 12x110mm thru-axle
- Groupset: SRAM Apex AXS 1×12 with FSA crankset, SRAM NX Eagle chain and SRAM GX Eagle controller
- Wheelset: Cannondale GXD10 alloy double-walled 28h rims on Formula sealed cartridge bearing hubs
- Tyres: Vittoria Terreno Zero, 700x38mm
Cannondale Tesoro Neo Carbon 2
- Frame: Tesoro Neo Carbon, Series 2 carbon construction, 148mm dropout spacing, flat-mount disc, removable kickstand mount (40mm Pletscher)
- Fork: Tesoro Neo Carbon, Series 2 carbon construction, 1 1/8 to 1.5 in steerer, flat-mount disc, 12x110mm thru-axle
- Groupset: SRAM Apex Eagle 1×12 with FSA crankset and SRAM NX Eagle shifter and chain
- Wheelset: Cannondale GXD10 alloy double-walled 28h rims on Formula sealed cartridge bearing hubs
- Tyres: Vittoria Terreno Zero, 700x38mm