Rear-hub based motor and down-tube-integrated battery cut bulk and improve looks, according to the brand

By Jack Evans

Published: Tuesday, 03 October 2023 at 13:00 PM

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Cannondale has launched the Mavaro Neo SL, an urban electric bike equipped with a Bafang motor that can carry up to 18kg.

Designed for urban commutes, shopping trips and errands, the Mavaro Neo SL is available with a sloping top tube or step-through frame.

Both builds in the range have a Microshift drivetrain: the £2,400/€2,499 top-tier Mavaro Neo SL 1 eight-speed and the £2,200/€2,299 Mavaro Neo SL 2 has seven gears.

Integrated motor and battery

The Mavaro Neo SL is a svelter, more powerful version of Cannondale’s existing Mavaro Neo, which uses the 250W Bosch Performance Line CX motor.

The G020 Bafang electric bike motor provides 350W and 45Nm of assistance up to 25kph to comply with electric bike laws in EU countries and the UK.

A handlebar remote displays ride information and changes between the three assist modes. The additional walk mode helps you push the loaded bike.

Cannondale

Cannondale says the motor is integrated into the rear hub to save weight and the Darfon 360Wh battery hidden in the down tube for a sleek look.

The claimed 108km range is substantially less than the Mavaro Neo’s claimed 175km (from a 750Wh battery).

But Cannondale says you can fit a secondary battery to the Mavaro Neo SL to double the range.

50mm front travel

Cannondale

Among urban electric bikes, the Cannondale Mavaro Neo SL is not alone in having a suspension fork: in its case, the SR Suntour NEX.

As on the Rad Power RadRunner 3, its 50mm travel is intended to increase comfort on poor-quality urban roads rather than to add off-road capability.

Cannondale Mavaro Neo SL frame and geometry

Cannondale

The Cannondale Mavaro Neo SL 1 and 2 are each available in three different shapes of frame.

The Standard version has a more traditional, sloping top tube with a 75.8cm standover height.

Cannondale says the lower standover height of the StepThru (68cm) and Low StepThru (44.7cm) frames makes mounting accessories and stepping on and off the bike easier.

Cannondale Mavaro Neo SL specifications and models

Cannondale

All Cannondale Mavaro Neo SL models share a motor, battery and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm rotors.

The 1x drivetrain is seven-speed on the Mavaro Neo SL 2 and eight-speed on the Mavaro Neo SL 1.

By contrast, the Mavaro Neo drivetrain comprises a Gates belt drive and Enviolo internal hub gears.

Cannondale

The Standard and StepThru frames are specced with 700c wheels and 50mm tyres while the Low StepThru rolls on 27.5in wheels, a mountain bike wheel standard.

Commuting accessories such as full-length mudguards, integrated front and rear lights, bike lock and an 18kg-capacity rear rack, compatible with a wide range of pannier bags, are sold separately. 

Cannondale Mavaro Neo SL 1

Cannondale

• Frame: SmartForm C3 Alloy, integrated down tube battery, internal cable routing, tapered head tube, 18mm two-bolt kickstand mount
• Fork: SR Suntour NEX custom crown, DS, 50 mm travel
• Motor: Bafang G020 Hub, 350W
• Battery: Darfon, 360Wh
• Display: Kingmeter YKPP01
• Charger: Darfon, 36V 4A
• Wheels: Shining, 36 hole
• Hubs:  (F) Formula / (R) Bafang G020 350W hub motor
• Tyres: Schwalbe Big Ben, 700x50c
• Pedals: Cannondale Urban
• Chainring: SamoxCSamox, 38T
• Bottom bracket: Darfon Cadence Sensor 73-122MM
• Chain: KMC X8, eight-speed
• Cassette: Microshift, 12-42t, eight-speed
• Rear Derailleur: Microshift Acolyte
• Shifters: Microshift Acolyte, eight-speed
• Handlebar: Cannondale Riser, 6061 Alloy, 8° sweep, 4° rise, 680mm
• Grips: Ergon GP1
• Stem: Cannondale Intellimount, 31.8
• Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8 to 1.5″
• Brakes: Tektro HD-275 hydraulic disc, 160/160mm rotors
• Brake levers: Tektro hydraulic disc
• Saddle: Selle Royal Lookin Trekking
• Seatpost: Cannondale 3, 6061 Alloy, 31.6x350mm