Review - Cannondale Cargowagen Neo

• Posted on 8 July 2024
• Posted in Cannondale, Cargo Bike, Cargowagen Neo, Electric Cargo Bike
• 0

Electric cargo bikes are ideal car-replacement vehicles for many households and businesses. Got two cars? Replace one with an e-cargo bike! Or save money and time sitting in traffic by freeing yourself from car-dependency entirely. Councils and businesses are also onboard with saving money and reducing their carbon footprint by changing their staff and business vehicles to e-bikes.

This demand for e-bikes, particularly e-cargo bikes, is why we're stoked to introduce the Cannondale Cargowagen Neo to our range here at Velo Cycles. And now that we’ve had a chance to test ride it for ourselves, we though we’d share our thoughts on this lesser-known e-cargo bike option:

Nick (Mechanic)

The Cargowagen Neo handles well and has good weight distribution. Handy built in storage, sturdy frame, and the Shimano hydraulic brakes (more affordable than Magura brakes to service).  

Tom (Mechanic)

Comfy, particularly at cruising speeds. Durable. Brakes feel solid; not over- or under-powered. Ridden with weight (Nick on the back, as pictured above) it’s a little trickier to handle at lower speeds, but still feels great cruising along. Auto level of assist is really good. The Bosch Cargo Line motor performs quietly thanks to the Bosch Smart System. The Bosch Smart System also teams up with the Bosch Flow App enabling easier communication between owners and mechanics pre-, during and post- bike servicing.

Dayna (Brompton Specialist)

The Cargowagen Neo handles well; I was surprised at how maneuverable it was when ridden given how cumbersome e-cargo bikes are to handle on the floor. Auto level of assist is perfect, particularly combined with the Kiox display. Using the Kiox display is like upgrading from a Nokia 3310 to a smartphone. Colour screen, easy to read, positioned in the middle of the handlebars - and it has even prompts you when to shift down if you’re putting down too much torque. Quiet, comfortable, stable when loading cargo (two large bags of clothes to be donated). The built-in 'glovebox' is handy, but as a first time user it's easy to forget that you’ve left something behind IN the bike! The handlebar height is adjustable but requires some tools and a few minutes to do so. I would upgrade the bell.

If you haven't yet, check out our short videos shared to Instagram of Tom riding the Cargowagen Neo with Nick on the back (click here). 

SPECIFICATIONS

The Cargowagen Neo comes well spec’d with a heavy duty kickstand, wheel covers, chain guard, running boards, fenders, lights, and lock. A wide range of other accessories are available to suit your needs, too: front rack options, plus rear deck add-ons like a cushion, cargo box, and more. The trailer mounting point fits most trailer types, as well. Able to accommodate riders from 149cm-190cm.

COMPONENTS

Smart engineering doesn’t mean much if a bike’s not also comfortable to ride. Aside from a low centre of gravity to assist with maneuvering, the Cargowagen is designed with grippy grips, supportive saddles, and natural, upright seating positions.

• Frame

Light but tough, the “Smartform” C2 alloy step-thru frame makes the Cargowagen easy to ride even when loaded up to its 200kg max capacity. The integrated rear cargo rack supports up to 80kg. Integrated headtube rack mounts for front luggage.

• Handlebar / Stem / Grips

Handlebar: Cannondale Cruise Control Hi-Rise, 6061 Alloy, 31.8mm, 15° back, 740mm.

Stem: Alloy, Adjustable angle, 31.8

Grips: Cannondale Ergo Lock-on

• Fork

Cushion your cargo and yourself with Cargowagen’s smooth-riding suspension fork up front making rough roads and uneven paths buttery-smooth.
SR Suntour Mobie 34 Cargo, BOOST DS, tapered, 80mm travel 

E-SYSTEM

• Drive Unit

Bosch Cargo Line motor, pedal assist up to 25 km/hr

• Battery

Comes with one Bosch PowerPack, 545Wh but if you need to go further, your Cargowagen Neo has two battery mounts. Both are connected to the same convenient charging port on the frame, making it easy to double your range. 4A charger supplied.

• Display

Keep track of range, battery power, boost levels, speed and more with Cargowagen Neo’s easy-to-read Kiox 300 display (with LED remote), mounted right up front on the handlebar.

• Saddle & Seatpost

Cannondale Comfort saddle on a TranzX Suspension dropper post, 31.6, 70mm drop

• Wheels

20” wheels fitted with Schwalbe Pick-Up tyres: (F) 20x2.6" (65-406) / (R) 20x2.15" (55-406).

Hubs: (F) Formula, cartridge sealed bearings, 15x110mm, centerlock / (R) Formula, cartridge sealed bearings, 12x148mm, centerlock.

• Drivetrain

Shimano Deore 10-speed Shifters and Derailleur (5130). Shimano CUES 10-speed CS-LG300, 11-41T cassette.

• Brakes

Tektro HD-T5040, 4-piston hydraulic disc, 203/180mm rotors

• Extras

Cannondale heavy-duty center stand, fenders, high visibility LED headlight, Lezyne Super Bright rear light, running boards, Abus ring lock, Schwalbe Air Plus high retention inner tubes