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The Cannondale Journey Neo Allroad EQ is Cannondale’s newest entry into the under-$2,000 do-it-all e-bike market that had been dominated by direct-to-consumer manufacturers like Aventon and Rad Power for the previous few seasons. Venerable business names like Trek, Specialised and Cannondale initially focused on higher-end choices, however as we’ve seen with Trek’s recent Electra Loft Go!, the large manufacturers can ship a aggressive experience at an affordable value, and with the Journey Neo Allroad Cannondale has entered the fray in an enormous method.
Earlier incarnations of this bike, the Journey Neo, have been extra city-focused, whereas the brand new Allroad fashions — nonetheless metropolis bikes at their core — come outfitted for rougher stuff. The concept is that this can be a bike that doubles as a each day driver and a weekend journey car. With its inflexible fork and chunky construct the EQ mannequin we examined is definitely no mountain bike, but it surely’s a well-appointed trekking bike, with fats tires and durable wheels able to dealing with gravel paths and damaged pavement.
A succesful all-rounder for individuals who wish to take it gradual and benefit from the surroundings; the Allroad EQ will take you from each day commute to weekend rail-trail explorations.
With a relaxed, upright place, a hefty alloy body and fork with Cannondale’s sometimes spot-on development and and overbuilt pair of 36-hole wheels with fats tires, the Journey Neo Allroad supplies a snug luxury-car experience on clean pavement; the laid-back geometry, beefy rack and stable construct imply that loaded panniers don’t have an effect on the dealing with noticeably (possibly not so adventurous, however the Journey Neo Allroad makes a really good grocery getter).
The Bafang drive makes use of a torque sensor (which we’ve been seeing extra on latest sub-$2,000 e-bikes). Theoretically this supplies higher efficiency and faster response to your pedaling enter (because the motor is responding to how laborious you pedal relatively than how briskly you pedal, it supplies energy extra sensibly given circumstances, aiding you whether or not you’re spinning or mashing up a hill relatively than going AWOL simply while you most want it).
Properly outfitted — and with identify model components the place it issues
Whereas it’s frequent to see even big-brand e-bikes kitted out with primarily house-branded or generic parts, it’s good to see a Bafang motor, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes and Kenda tires on the Journey Neo Allroad EQ. It’s not a lot that generic components are unhealthy — simply that when it comes time to exchange disposables like pads or chains or full-on worn-out stuff, it’s much more possible that you simply’ll be capable to discover direct replacements if what you’ve already received is acquainted.
The motor is a 250 Watt mannequin, and supplies sufficient juice to deal with forgiving terrain (extra on this under, however difficult stuff terrain leaves a number of the work to you or provides you a slower paced experience, which is in keeping with the bike’s design). The battery, with 416 Watt hours of capability, is rated at 47 miles vary. It’s straightforward to detach for charging (it’s even received a deal with), and the included energy block juices it up in about 4 hours..
What the Journey Neo Allroad is nicely fitted to is a mixture of on a regular basis use — commuting, purchasing, errand working — and leisure using. The chunky tires and relaxed place are nice for seaside paths, rail-trails, bike paths with hardpack and gravel sectors, possibly some cobbles. You aren’t going to be flying over this type of terrain at excessive speeds, however at a tempo that lets you sit again and benefit from the experience (which is probably going what you purchased this factor for) it’s fairly ready.
It’s price understanding that the Journey Neo Allroad EQ is certainly meant for relaxed cruising relatively than getting you wherever in a rush — as a Class 2 bike, it supplies pedal-assist or throttle-assist as much as 20 miles per hour, although the 250 Watt motor means this isn’t meant for successful any hill-climbing competitions. However let’s put that in context. It’s additionally heavy sufficient that it’s a bit of pokey to experience while you’re on the motor’s restrict.
On our check loop we received most help and have been in a position to cruise with pedal or throttle help at 20 mph on flat floor, however with or with out loaded panniers (a typical grocery run) we didn’t see wherever close to prime pace with both pedal help or throttle help on our native 12% climb — we made our method up slowly however absolutely. Principally as soon as issues get steep the motor kicks in sufficient wattage to ease the work of pushing additional weight of the bike, however you’ll be counting a minimum of considerably in your legs if you wish to do preserve a lot pace (or you possibly can sit again and revel in making your method up inclines at a extra relaxed tempo, which is ok).
Now, this can be a bike, in order that’s to be anticipated, and albeit that is acceptable efficiency for the motor equipped with the Journey Neo Allroad — but it surely helps to set expectations, and these rides clearly exhibit the distinction between 250 watt motors (which depart a number of the work to you until you wish to go fairly slowly on throttle help when the street turns up) and bigger motors — within the 750 watt vary you expertise way more moped-like efficiency and might cruise up a hill like a professional bicycle owner, despite the fact that you’re using a heavy utility bike.
Whereas touring and journey bikes aren’t sometimes light-weight, at simply north of 52 kilos as examined, the Journey Neo Allroad EQ is a hefty bike, and when you’re on the limits of the motor it feels a bit of pokey. My guess is that the common buy is searching for a rugged leisure experience with extra consolation on the pavement and is unlikely to take this out on gravel fairly often. That’s effective, however the 2.6-inch Kendas are chunky sufficient that they’re sluggish on the street — they’re soft, however have been I to commit this bike to pavement use I would put slicker rubber on it (because you’re possible to purchase this by way of a store, that needs to be straightforward sufficient at level of buy).
Given the on/off street dual-purpose nature of the bike you additionally get sporty fenders relatively than the total set you may count on on a city bike or long-distance touring rig. You’ll keep away from some spray with these and your butt will keep dry, however you’ll have moist ft must you encounter any heavy climate.
With a 250W motor and 47 miles most vary it’s not totally clear that the Allroad is fitted to long-distance outings until you’re utilizing the motor minimally on flat terrain. The substantial 418 Wh battery takes about 4 hours to cost totally. On condition that, you aren’t more likely to take the Journey Neo Allroad off to factors unknown (until you recognize you’ve received alternatives to cost alongside the best way, which is definitely potential).
In case you’re actually seeking to get off-road repeatedly, you may wish to have a look at the EQ’s huge sibling, the Cannondale Adventure Neo Allroad Speed, which has a suspension fork and a 750 Watt motor with a much bigger battery that provides you 71 miles of vary. It’s a greater guess for the lengthy haul.
Although it’s a extra succesful total chunk, the Cannondale Journey Neo Allroad EQ is analogous in attraction to the Electra Loft Go! — meant for patrons who really feel extra assured selecting up their new experience from a well-known model at a widely known main retailer with brick-and-mortar store help — and that’s completely professional. Construct-it-yourself e-bikes aren’t for everybody. In case you’re unlikely to enterprise onto rail-trails on the weekends, the Electra may swimsuit you higher, however when you’re seeking to get a bit of soiled within the off hours and nonetheless desire a bike that’ll get you dependably to work, faculty and the shop all week, the Journey Neo Allroad EQ is a effective selection.
In case you are searching for one thing that’ll be spending extra break day the overwhelmed path, at this level you do get extra — specifically a much bigger motor and a suspension fork — to your adventure-bike greenback from one thing just like the Ride1 Up Turris. You’ll need to put the Turris collectively your self, and the Cannondale comes higher outfitted and has extra vary, however the direct-to-consumer bike is greater than $500 cheaper and extra highly effective for slogging up lengthy climbs, price contemplating for a motorcycle that’ll see some abuse.
In a method, the strongest competitors for this bike comes from Cannondale itself. The EQ’s greater sibling, the Cannondale Adventure Neo Allroad Speed, provides you much more for less than $200 additional — you get a suspension fork, a extra succesful 750 watt motor, and a much bigger battery with 71 miles of vary. It’s way more aggressive versus equally priced direct-to-consumer bikes as nicely, and positively price a check experience.
The Journey Neo Allroad is greatest considered an SUV — an off road-succesful bike that’s going to get soiled now and again on trip however is pleased spending its time on the street as a each day commuter and enjoyable bike. The Journey Neo Allroad isn’t a city bike like a variety of the competitors; relatively it’s extra of a hybrid (regardless of the inflexible fork) and in character it’ one thing of an SUV — a strong design with some off-pavement capabilities however with out suspension and with an upright using place that’s higher fitted to smoother stuff, utility use and simply knocking round than it’s for lengthy climbs or tough descents.
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