Cannondale Tesoro Neo Carbon: Road Cycling in its Genes

Little by little, they are starting to appear – ebikes with the lightest drive from Bosch. So far, the Performance Line SX has mainly been found in e-mountainbikes such as the E-Lyte 150 Works from Whyte, the various models from M1 Sporttechnik, the Fluid VLT from Norco or the No Pogo SL from Centurion. Cannondale, on the other hand, offers a bike that feels much more comfortable on the road than off-road.

The manufacturer typically brings together some of its urban ebikes and trekking ebikes under the name Tesoro. The segment currently includes the Tesoro Neo SL EQ with a rear-wheel drive from Mahle and the Tesoro Neo X with the Bosch Performance Line CX and a suspension fork. Both models are quite contrasting, so there is still plenty of room for manoeuvre between them. This is now filled by the new Cannondale Tesoro Neo Carbon.

In-house inspiration

Interestingly, its concept was inspired by a Cannondale road bike. The Synapse, which is optimised for long distances, not only provided the idea for a carbon frame, but also for the main shapes of the frame. If you take a closer look at the transition from the seat stay to the seat tube, for example, you will realise what is meant. Apart from the basic shape of the frame, details such as the angle at which the top tube slopes towards the seat tube and the length of the head tube are also similar.

Cannondale Synapse

A look at the geometry data confirms Cannondale’s statement. The ratio of reach and stack differs only slightly in the respective frame sizes of the two bikes. Consequently, the position on the bike should actually be quite similar. Compared to the Synapse, however, the Tesoro Neo Carbon has a significantly longer wheelbase and a steeper head angle. In practice, it will react less sensitively and won’t feel quite as agile while riding. Given that the models are intended for completely different applications, this is not really surprising.

The rear carrier integrated into the mudguard can carry a load of eight kilograms.

Not to be underestimated

With a total weight of just 16 kilograms, the Tesoro Neo Carbon is still definitely one of the sportiest urban ebikes on the market. However, to blame the lightweight frame alone for this would do the Bosch ebike system an injustice. After all, the Performance Line SX also plays its part. For example, due to its low system weight of around four kilograms. A good two kilograms of this is accounted for by the Bosch CompactTube battery housed in the down tube. The motor weighs almost the same. Its combination of a torque of 55 Newton metres and a power output that can rocket up to 600 watts at peak times gives you an almost unfair advantage when starting off at the traffic lights. Even those who take it easy don’t need to worry about being left behind in everyday life. Even at cadences of 70 revolutions per minute, the motor is on hand with a maximum output of 400 watts.

Bosch Performance Line SX motor

In keeping with the minimalist design, Cannondale has dispensed with a large display on the ebike. You operate the drive via the interaction between the Bosch Mini Remote on the handlebars and the Bosch System Controller embedded in the top tube. Those who still want a display can of course retrofit one from the Smart System cosmos. The quickest way to do this would be with the Intuvia 100, which communicates wirelessly with the Mini Remote and draws its power autonomously from its own battery.

The Bosch System Controller integrated in the top tube shows the current riding mode and the remaining battery capacity.

Prefer electronic or manual?

The manufacturer handles the scope of the model range in a similarly clear manner. Only two different versions of the Tesoro Neo Carbon are available – the Tesoro Neo Carbon 1 and the Tesoro Neo Carbon 2. The only technical difference between the two is the electronic shifting Sram X1 Eagle AXS on the top model. With the Tesoro Neo Carbon 2, on the other hand, you have to operate the gear lever manually. The cassette comprises twelve sprockets on both models. In terms of price, this is reflected in a difference of 900 euros.

Otherwise, the only difference between the two models is the colour. The Tesoro Neo Carbon 1 comes in Stealth Grey, which looks quite bright in the pictures. The blue colour of the Tesoro Neo Carbon 2, called Storm Cloud, also has a clear pastel hue.

Cannondale Tesoro Neo Carbon at a glance

• Variants: Tesoro Neo Carbon 1, Tesoro Neo Carbon 2
• Frame: Tesoro Neo Carbon, Series 2 Carbon construction
• Fork: Tesoro Neo Carbon, Series 2 Carbon construction
• Motor: Bosch Performance Line SX
• Battery: Bosch Compact Powertube 400 Wh
• Control unit: Bosch System Controller + Bosch Mini Remote
• Drivetrain: Sram X1 Eagle AXS, Sram Apex Eagle
• Brakes: Sram S-300, 160 mm
• Maximum permitted total weight: n.a.
• Colours: Stealth Grey, Storm Cloud
• Price: 5,899 euros / 4,999 euros

Pictures: Cycling Sports Group, Inc.