Cannondale Compact Neo
£2,000 A small bike with big ideas
Weight 18kg (one size) Frameset Alloy Gears Microshift 39-8R 8-speed (48t, 11-34t) Brakes Tektro HD-R280 hydraulic disc Wheels Cannondale alloy 20in rims
Motor system Hyena MRC-250 250W rear hub motor, 250Wh battery, LED display Finishing kit Cannondale seatpost, saddle and bar; TranzX folding stem, Kenda K-Rad tyres
The Cannondale Compact Neo has been conceived as a fun, compact and lightweight ebike for round-town riding. With a one-size-fits-all frame, rear-hub motor and small 250Wh hidden battery, it’s all about urban versatility. Its compact shape is enhanced by folding pedals and a quick-release stem to reduce the bike’s footprint when storing. That, plus its relatively low 18kg weight, makes it a great choice for mixed-mode commuters.
The frame’s low stepover height of 59cm makes it easy, even for riders down to 4ft 5in (135cm) to get on and off the bike. At 6ft 2in (180cm), I’m at the other end of the size range, and could get the saddle high enough. Its oversized aluminium front end and slender rear are beautifully finished, and it has bottle cage bosses.
Decent build
The Compact Neo’s build is solid but inexpensive, with Microshift gears that shifted without drama, but were just a bit clunkier than pricier options. The Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with large 160mm rotors front and rear had ample power. The Neo rolls on chunky 20” wheels, as you’d find on a BMX, wrapped in 2.35in tyres with an anti-puncture liner and reflective band around their sidewall. A wide handlebar gives a commanding ride position, while the TransX stem allows you to rotate the bar so it’s in line with the frame for storage.
The Hyena rear hub motor is designed to be lightweight while still delivering up to 40Nm of torque and is controlled by a simple LED display. Bluetooth connectivity allows you to connect to the Ride Assistant app, which includes ride data and mapping (but there’s
no phone mount). You can also connect to the Cannondale app, which gives more accurate speed and distance data, among lots of other info.
Nippy around town
The Compact Neo is very user-friendly: its upright ride position, wide bar, plush saddle and chunky tyres inspire confident handling. Small wheels, well-thought-out gearing and the punchy motor make it nippy and nimble in busy city streets and, although weighty, the Kenda rubber is very tough, grippy on loose surfaces and adds comfort. As for accessories, it comes with integrated front and rear lights, full mudguards, a rear rack and kickstand; it was just missing a chainguard to keep oil from the cuffs of my trousers.
The motor response in all modes is excellent, and there’s a definite difference between the power settings, with the red turbo mode ample for steep ramps. The motor’s power cuts out rather abruptly at the EU’s 15.5mph speed limit, so if you end up hovering around the limit on a slight gradient (as I often did) the motor pulses annoyingly as the motor engages and cuts.
Overall, though, the Compact Neo is very fun to ride and coped with me taking shortcuts onto woodland trails, launching up and off kerbs and even dropping down short flights of steps. The powerful hydraulic brakes also deliver heaps of modulation. The Neo hits all the right notes for helping you navigate a busy city.
It ticks the practicality boxes as well. The folding bits meant I could easily get it onto a crowded train and the small battery helps keep the weight down, making it easier to carry than most of its rivals. I still managed a respectable 34.52km with 262m of ascent on one charge and the charger is an easily portable 145x60x30mm (the battery charges in 3:25hrs). It’s also half the RRP of the similar Tern NBD on test.
Verdict A short-distance commuter that’s not short on fun or about-town practicality
“The Compact Neo is very user-friendly; its upright ride position, wide bar, plush saddle and chunky tyres inspire confident handling”