Adventure Neo 4

The Adventure Neo 4 is for the rider who wants a great bike first and an e-bike second — a light, quiet Class 1 commuter that rides like a proper Cannondale. At $2,200 and 46 lbs it suits riders who value ride feel and low weight over big power. Anyone wanting throttle punch, long range or 28 mph should skip it; this is a subtle, assist-when-you-ask-for-it machine.

The 8.7 leans on ride quality and handling: it's lighter than most e-bikes in class, the SmartForm C2 frame and 63mm Suntour fork deliver real Cannondale poise, and the battery integrates cleanly. Build is solid with Tektro hydraulics and a lifetime frame warranty. It gives back ground on motor and real-world range — the 250W, 45 Nm Hyena hub feels a step behind the mid-drives at this price, and the small 360Wh pack backs only an up-to-50-mile Class 1 figure.

The trade-off is power and battery size for weight and ride quality: you accept a modest hub and a smallish pack to get a genuinely bike-like feel. For riders who prioritize handling that's the right call. If you want a mid-drive's climbing grunt near this money, a Trek Verve+ or a Gazelle steps up — heavier and pricier, but with a more capable motor.