Cannondale enters the cargo e-bike market with two new bikes

Cannondale has extended its large selection of urban e-bikes with the new Cargowagen Neo and Wonderwagen Neo ranges, the American brand’s first ever foray into the cargo e-bike market.

Both bikes are designed to be do-it-all urban machines, providing a more environmentally friendly alternative to cars and a “fun-loving solution to so many of life’s challenges: parking, polluting, packing”.

They add to the brand’s existing urban options which includes the Adventure, Compact, Quick, Mavaro, Tesoro and Treadwell ranges. These aren’t all available worldwide and Cannondale has followed a similar approach with the Wonderwagen which is dropping exclusively in Europe. The Cargowagen will arrive in Europe first before becoming available in the US later this year.

Prices start from £4,500 in Europe or $4,300 in the US for the Cargowagen, while the Wonderwagen is a little more expensive at £6,000.

Read More: How to replace your car with an e-bike

Cannondale Cargowagen Neo

© Cannondale

The Cargowagen Neo is available in both the US and Europe

Cargo bikes come in all shapes and sizes and the Cargowagen is a long-tailed version with a rear rack that can carry two children or up to 80kg of cargo. A seat pad isn’t included in that price and is available separately, along with a range of other accessories including a pannier bag and protection rail.

Having additional cargo weight can destabilise a bike but Cannondale has combated this with a low step-through frame which lowers the centre of gravity to improve stability, while also making it easier to get on the bike. To make the low profile of the frame possible, Cannondale had to opt for small 20-inch tyres which it says are more durable.

Two models of the bike are available, either the Neo 1 or Neo 2, and both benefit from Bosch’s Cargo motor. Powering the motor for the Neo 1 is a Bosch PowerPack 725Wh battery, slightly larger than the 545Kh version used on the Neo 2, one of the main reasons for the bike’s additional price.

The bikes also use different internal gear hubs, with the Neo 1 specced with the Enviolo HD CV Transmission while the Neo 2 has Shimano Deore LinkGlide shifting.

Only the Neo 2 is available in the USA, marketed as the Cargowagen Neo, while both versions are available in Europe.

Read More: Brighton, UK using e-cargo bikes to collect city centre recycling

Cannondale Wonderwagen Neo

© Cannondale

The Cannondale Wonderwagen Neo can carry up to three children

Available exclusively in Europe, the Wonderwagen has a completely different design to the Cargowagen and is optimised for carrying children.

Its large front cabin has two seats with adjustable five-point harnesses and headrests, or can be used to carry a maximum of 100kg of cargo. It provides children with a front-row seat, although they may not be so happy if any rain starts falling. Luckily Cannondale has a solution for this, selling a rain cover separately.

There’s additional space for 27kg of storage on the rear rack or an additional compatible seat for a third child.

Like the Cargowagen, there are two models available, the Neo 1 or Neo 2. Both use Bosch’s Cargo line motor combined with the Enviolo HD CV Transmission or Shimano Deore shifting, respectively. Mirroring the Cargowagen, the Neo 1 packs more battery power through a 725Wh battery, compared to a 545Kh option for the Neo 2.

Learn more about both bikes over on Cannondale’s website.

Keep up-to-date with the latest tech news over in our tech section, linked here.

Cannondale

Cannondale is a bicycle manufacturer based in Connecticut, USA. From road, gravel, electric and mountain bikes to equipment, clothing and components, the company produces a host of products for almost every type of cyclist.