Cannondale Quick Neo SL 1 Spec Review – 2024

In-Depth Review

Frame

Whereas many other eBike frames are built purely out of aluminum alloys, the Quick Neo SL 1 is made with a SmartForm C3 alloy instead, relying on aluminum and carbon fiber alloys. The result is that the Quick Neo SL 1 can be counted as one of the lightest eBike models on the market, with an average weight of just 34 pounds across its three frame sizes.

While some cyclists get concerned about durability with lighter frames, carbon fiber is more resilient than aluminum, so your bike can withstand a crash just as well as other eBikes, if not better. With both a step-thru and standover model, almost all adult riders can enjoy the Quick Neo SL 1, especially as you pick between the Small, Medium, or Large sizes.

Motor & Battery

The Cannondale Quick Neo SL 1 is a class-one eBike, providing pedal activated motor assistance up to 20 miles per hour.

The entry-level eBike is a mid-tier bike primarily meant for riding through the city, with an appropriate motor that provides sufficient power without compromising weight.

The motor is a Mahle ebikemotion Technologies X35 located in the rear gear hub, with 250 W / 40 Nm of torque. The eBike is excellent for quickly accelerating up to 20 MPH and can climb most hills without much trouble.

One note we have about the motor is that it’s a rear-gear hub motor, so when it first gets turned on, it can feel jerky, especially at higher pedal assist levels. Just make sure you have a good grip or are already pedaling when you turn on the motor, and you’ll hardly notice the initial kick that comes from the Neo SL 1 eBike motor.

We’re mostly positive when it comes to the Quick Neo SL 1 battery setup. Explicitly paired with the motor, you have a similar Mahle ebikemotion X35 250Wh battery. On a full charge, you can travel over 50 miles with the right riding settings–which should be more than enough for the typical cyclist commuting around the city.

Charging takes just 3 to 4 hours, despite the eBike coming with a 2 amp charger. The charger is lightweight, but you want to be careful since it isn’t as well protected or sturdy as other eBike chargers. The charging cord is highly flexible but somewhat prone to snapping.

We also wish the battery wasn’t integrated. While a more efficient and protected battery, it does mean that you have to take the whole bike inside to charge it. None of these issues are significant concerns, but they are negative aspects we want to note, so you aren’t surprised when you get the Cannondale Quick Neo SL 1 eBike.

Display/Assist Modes

The Cannondale Quick Neo SL 1 has two different ways you can control the pedal assist settings. First, unlike a traditional display, you have a Mahle ebikemotion iWoc ONE controller and button to control the motor, located just below the handlebars. Outside of selecting your assist level, the color-coded button will also tell you how much battery life you have left.

If you want something more informative, a mount built into the handlebars will let you mount many popular smartphone models without needing an additional accessory. With your smartphone app, you can activate the Cannondale app, which allows you to customize further the motor settings along with your preferred riding readouts and metrics. It’s a unique combination, but we do like that the setup gives you options rather than forcing you to use a large, bulky display that you might not need.

The class one eBike has a pedal activated motor that will help you accelerate up to 20 MPH, at which point the engine shuts off automatically. The reason for the speed cap is that it allows you to purchase and ride the Quick Neo SL 1 almost anywhere in the world without needing additional registration or licensing. If you want to go even faster, you can do so by continuing to pedal manually, with the motor kicking on if you drop below 20 MPH.

As with your typical eBike, there are multiple pedal-assist options to choose from as well. Higher pedal-assist levels drain the battery quicker but lead to greater acceleration, while lower pedal assist options provide an excellent riding range but don’t offer as much motor power. Try out each setting, switch between the pedal-assist options on the fly for the best, optimal riding experience!

Handling

• On Streets- Built with street riding in mind, the Quick Neo SL 1 electric bike has fantastic handling when you’re riding on paved city roads. The tall tires help you accelerate quickly, and the lightweight frame means it’s very responsive as you try to keep up with traffic. There is also micro-suspension support on the Neo SL 1, so you can retain control and feel comfortable on the Neo SL 1 even when you hit the occasional rough patch.
• Turn Radius- If you want a city commuter eBike with a very tight turn radius, you have it in the Quick Neo SL 1 electric bike. The 1.5’’ thin tires make it very easy to navigate on the Neo SL 1, whether for trying to get it through a tight alleyway or taking it indoors to charge while you work. Just be aware that due to how thin the tires are, there isn’t as much stability and weight support from the bike, so it’s more tipsy than what you might be used to. If you’re making a tight turn, try not to lean too much, as it is easier to fall over on than your average electric bike.
• Low-Speed Handling- With an average model weight of 34 lbs, you won’t have any trouble handling the Quick Neo SL 1 at low speeds. If you want your motor to help you out, though, you can set your bike to a low pedal assist mode, providing just a small boost of power that will help you focus on your handling instead of pedaling. You can also set the Quick Neo SL 1 to walk mode, helping push your eBike along even when you’re off the bike and on the ground.

Gears/DriveTrain

The Cannondale has a highly responsive drivetrain, made up of a Shimano HG500, 11-42 T Cassette with 38 T Prowheel Chainring connected by a KMC E10T eBike optimized chain. As a 10-speed eBike, you have a substantial number of gearing options to choose from, making it easier to climb up hills or keep up with traffic as you ride.

Shimano makes some of the most popular drivetrain components globally, and with a tight setup, you’ll very rarely suffer a chain drop on the Quick Neo SL 1. The one thing we recommend adding to the bike is some fenders because while the frame is built with fender mounts, no fenders are included with the bike. Fenders help keep your drivetrain clean and free from debris, which in turn further reduces the risk of a chain drop while also protecting your drivetrain from rocks, sticks, and other objects that might damage it.

Brakes

Another great aspect about the Neo SL 1 eBike is the Shimano UR300 Hydraulic Disc Brakes setup, with 160 mm rotors in both the front and back of the bicycle. The 160 mm rotors are powerful enough to help you come to a quick and steady stop even when riding downhill, though you’ll want to be riding on a paved road due to the nature of the tires.

Hydraulic disc brakes are also our preferred braking setup over mechanical disc brakes since they last longer and are less likely to shatter if you do suffer a rough crash. Lastly, hydraulic disc brakes provide you with more flexible braking options, so you don’t have to pull as tightly on the levers to apply the brakes with the Neo SL 1 eBike.

Suspension

Cannondale has included what they call a ‘micro-suspension’ system. The front fork is an almost entirely carbon fiber component instead of a carbon and aluminum combination like the rest of the eBike. As it is, the suspension fork provides some fundamental shock absorption, so you can ride over cobblestone, gravel, or the occasional pothole without it feeling too bumpy or uncomfortable.

However, it’s not great suspension, so you’re going to have difficulty riding over loose dirt or other uneven surfaces, primarily due to the frame and tire build. Stick to city riding, and you’ll have a blast with the Quick Neo SL 1, but consider a different bike if you do want something you can use in and out of the city with ease.

Pedals

One of the few major areas where we would like to see significant improvement on the Cannondale Quick Neo SL 1 are the plastic comfort platform pedals instead of the premium aluminum alternative. The plastic pedals have small nubs and taping for added traction support, but it still won’t be as grippy as real aluminum pedals. The pedals won’t withstand a crash as well as aluminum pedals, and it can struggle with stability and weight more too.

Lastly, while the eBike has outstanding reflective options as a whole, the actual reflectors in the pedals are smaller than we expected. While the Quick Neo SL 1 eBike is excellent as a whole, we would recommend swapping out the pedals as soon as you can for an improved and safer riding experience.

Grips and Saddle

While we find the pedals lacking, the other components that make up the Neo SL 1 are built for comfort. The saddle is a Cannondale Fitness Ergo seat with double foam density, providing an ultra cushy saddle that even large, heavy cyclists can find snug and enjoyable to sit on.

The ergonomic Cannondale dual-density grips are just as comfortable to hold, with ergonomic design work that will let you grasp the grips for hours without irritating your hands or fingers. The riser handlebar is a bit on the heavier side, made with 6061 aluminum instead of the aluminum/carbon combination like the rest of the eBike. However, the handlebars are positioned to help you have balanced performance, allowing you to ride low enough for greater speed and efficiency while still being easy on your lower back and other weak joints. If you want an eBike that will help you commute to work in style and comfort, the Neo Sl 1 is definitely an option worth considering.

Wheels and Tires

Tire wise, you can expect Schwalbe Energizer Plus, 27.5’’ x 1.5’’ tires, with shining ultra-reflective double-wall aluminum 32 hole rims. Stainless steel spokes are used for the front and rear tire, with 14 gauge spokes on the front and 13 gauge spokes in the back.

The 27.5’’ height helps the Quick Neo SL 1 accelerate quickly, while the 1.5’’ width maintains a tight turn radius on the city commuter. Puncture protection for city bikes is essential because while you might not run over sharp rocks, it helps you lower the risk of suffering a blow out with the electric bike. Highly reflective, the tires are easy to spot during the day or while riding at night, further reducing the risk of suffering a collision.

Accessories/Upgrades

The Cannondale Quick Neo SL 1 eBike has extensive safety features, with an integrated headlight, tail light, reflective tires, and reflector pedals that all make it easier to spot the bike rider. For the most part, you won’t need to do much upgrading, though fenders, aluminum pedals, and a bell are a few of our top recommendations for a fully fleshed out biking setup.

With a kickstand already included, there aren’t any official accessories from Cannondale we think are critically important either. However, the gripper bottle is excellent for helping you stay hydrated while you ride.

Recommendation

The Cannondale Quick Neo SL 1 is a mid-tier electric bike built for those who want to get to work quickly and in comfort. There are three frame sizes, with both a standover and step-thru style to choose from, with an average weight of just 32 lbs across each of the size options due to the SmartForm C3 alloy frame construction. Not only is the eBike lightweight, but it has a good range as well, with a Mahle ebikemotion X35 40 Nm motor and 250 Wh battery, able to help you travel over 50 miles on a single charge. This is a 10-speed eBike, so you have gear options to help you climb hills or pedal faster, so you have an easier time keeping up with traffic. If you find yourself riding downhill in the city, the hydraulic disc brakes have sufficient stopping power to slow you down gently.

The great Schwalbe Energizer Plus tires and carbon fiber micro-suspension make every ride smoother as well.

An adjustable kickstand, premium ergonomic grips, the headlight/tail light system, double density saddle, and tough aluminum handlebars are all worth highlighting as well when it comes to the bike’s overall value. If you’ve been looking for an electric bike that will help you get to work quicker, with a fantastic range than your typical commuter bike, check out the Cannondale Quick Neo SL 1 electric bike!

Thank you for reading our review of the Cannondale Quick Neo SL 1 eBike! Be sure to leave a comment below if you would like to see a full performance or video review from our team here at Best Electric Bikes!