Best Cannondale Road and Gravel E-Bikes
Written by: Rémy Rossi | January 17, 2024 | Time to read 4 min
I used to ride a Cannondale road bike. I’ve since hopped onto a different set of wheels, but the Cannondale electric bikes below are making me feel quite a bit of bike envy.
More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.
Cannondale has always been a brand that’s fixed on the future of cycling so it makes sense that it boasts a full line-up of road and gravel e-Bikes. The American outfit was a pioneer back in the days when aluminum and carbon-fiber manufacturing was controversial— when the “steel is real” adage was the norm, not the exception. They even disrupted the suspension game with single-sided forks, the well-known Lefty system (that still makes our brains misfire a bit when we see it). I recently pitted Cannondale versus Specialized to compare their e-Bikes— hint: both brands are a sure bet.
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Cannondale’s Fleet of Road & Gravel E-Bikes
The brand’s current road e-Bike family runs the gamut and includes versatile all-road and gravel models. What is the best electric bike from Cannondale? I’ll drop summaries of each model to help you choose the right electric bike for your needs. And I’m not careful, I may end up buying one of these boosted Cannondale machines myself.
SuperSix EVO Neo
The SuperSix EVO Neo is the electrified version of Cannondale’s signature race bike (Neo indicates electric bike on all of Cannondale’s models). It’s a carbon fiber road machine that’s just as premium as the acoustic model, only with a sleek, virtually hidden motor. Some e-Bikes compromise on performance or top specs since nobody can legally use them in a race— this high-end model simply gives you the best because it can.
There’s an aerodynamic carbon frameset and some of the higher-spec models have electronic shifting— can you tell I’m drooling already? The boost comes from the light and powerful Mahle rear-hub drive system. The X35 250W motor hooks up to a 250Wh battery and Cannondale rates it for 62 miles of maximum range. That ultra-compact motor is used on many of Bianchi’s best road e-Bikes, too. If you’re looking for a road e-Bike that could dominate races even without its mighty motor, the SuperSix EVO Neo delivers on all fronts.
Synapse Neo
The Synapse Neo brings an electric boost to Cannondale’s flagship endurance road bike. I know the standard Synapse model well since my dad rides one, and this evolution boasts a powerful Bosch drive system. Unlike the racier SuperSix EVO Neo, this model opts for a mid-drive motor between the cranks. The Synapse follows suit with the carbon frameset, though. Its endurance geometry provides a touch more comfort on those long rides.
The Bosch Performance Line SX motor delivers 55Nm of torque and up to 600 watts of output (that’s a lot). It links to a larger 400Wh battery for big range, letting you ride even farther. Cannondale did an impressive job keeping the bottom bracket area and downtube nice and slim, especially considering it’s a mid-drive unit. It’s still quite a race-inspired and efficient setup, so can enjoy a zippy ride that feels crisp and natural. If you stick to paved routes and smooth roads, this e-Bike offers a sleek boost.
The Bosch Performance Line SX motor delivers 55Nm of torque and up to 600 watts of output (that’s a lot). It links to a larger 400Wh battery for big range, letting you ride even farther. Cannondale did an impressive job keeping the bottom bracket area and downtube nice and slim, especially considering it’s a mid-drive unit. It’s still quite a race-inspired and efficient setup, so can enjoy a zippy ride that feels crisp and natural. If you stick to paved routes and smooth roads, this e-Bike offers a sleek boost.
Synapse Neo Allroad
This adventurous model shares a lot with the standard Synapse Neo, but comes with more rugged components to handle any road. It shared the endurance carbon frame and Bosch motor but swaps out the drivetrain for gravel-rated gearing, including the option for a 1x system. There are 700x40c gravel endurance tires for grip on various riding surfaces and flared drop handlebars for additional comfort. If you’re taking frequent detours off-road or bumping around on cobbles and gravel, this allroad e-Bike ticks all the boxes.
Topstone Neo
Gravel enthusiasts will recognize the Topstone model, Cannondale’s dedicated gravel bike. This Neo version bumps it up a few notches with the powerful rear hub motor and massive tire clearance. It opts for a durable SmartForm C2 Alloy frame with a carbon fork and a Shimano GRX gravel-specific groupset. There’s also a version with Cannondale’s innovative Lefty suspension fork if you’re chasing a unique electric off-road bike.
The Topstone Neo is a super versatile gravel e-Bike and comes with tons of frame mounts for when bikepacking or extended adventures are on the schedule. It’s pushed along by a Mahle X35+ 250W rear hub motor that’s impressively compact, maxing out at 20 mph of pedal assist. From gravel roads to forest trails and bumpy hills, this e-Bike can take it on with speed.
The Topstone Neo is a super versatile gravel e-Bike and comes with tons of frame mounts for when bikepacking or extended adventures are on the schedule. It’s pushed along by a Mahle X35+ 250W rear hub motor that’s impressively compact, maxing out at 20 mph of pedal assist. From gravel roads to forest trails and bumpy hills, this e-Bike can take it on with speed.
Key Takeways
- Versatile Lineup: From race-focused to adventure-ready, Cannondale offers e-Bikes for every terrain.
- Top Performance: Advanced frames, powerful motors, and premium components define the lineup.
- Terrain-Specific Features: Models like the Topstone Neo excel on gravel, while the SuperSix EVO Neo shines on roads.
