Neo X 2 E-Bike Is Step-Through Goodness With a Kick: Urban Mobility With Off-Road Spunk

If you've been keeping your eye on cycling trends lately, I'm sure you've spotted an ongoing trend, beefed-up e-bikes with step-through frames. Well, Cannondale couldn't be too far behind either and has recently unveiled the Tesoro Neo X 2 Low Step Thru e-bike, a city-destined machine with the abilities needed to replace your car, if only for some activities. However, this beauty has been designed to go a bit above and beyond the confines of city life. In short, Cannondale states that this bugger is "off-road ready." Time to find out what that really means.

Now, just a few years ago, step-through bikes would typically be seen in the hands of the elderly or Europeans, but with the electrification of everything, we're starting to see this sort of frame style being used by riders of all backgrounds and ages. Even I have a step-through e-bike in my living room. One of the main reasons is that they're much safer and more comfortable to ride than traditional bicycles with a top tube.

But this isn't the first time that Cannondale has unveiled a step-through frame e-bike. The previous model and the one to define this class is the Tesoro Neo X 1, but that machine seems to have been much bulkier than the new model, mainly in that BB (Bottom Bracket) area. Yet, the newer version seems to have seen some rather sleek design improvements.

For example, that massive BB is no longer in place and has been fine-tuned to include a Bosch Performance Line motor running with 250 W of power. Sure, it's not some massive unit to help you hit car-worthy speeds, but with a speed cap of 15.5 mph (25 kph), it's more than enough to help you safely and quickly maneuver through traffic-congested streets. A less bulky unit also means a lighter bike, which is always a welcome trait of any vehicle.

As for just how much range you can achieve with X 2, it depends on the sort of road conditions that you encounter over the course of your rides. However, Cannondale does mention that with the 625 Wh removable battery integrated into the frame, up to 140 km (87 mi) of range is possible. That's nearly three times the distance the average American travels in a day with a car!

Why so much range? Well, aside from helping you forget all about recharging, the X 2 is also aimed at taking you far. In short, Cannondale seems to have imbued this e-bike with trekking capabilities. Not only does this range help you reach out-of-town areas, but you'll need it to unlock the 2's other ability, cargo carrying.

You may have noticed the cargo rack sitting over the rear wheel. Well, with this feature, you can throw on a pair of bags, carry your laptop to work, and bring home groceries, but come the weekend, this area can be loaded up with the essentials you need to enjoy the greater outdoors. Throw on some bags with food and drink, a quick-release tent, and maybe even an extra battery. Once you've made it to your destination, unload your bike and set up camp for the night.

Now, to get you up to the top of whatever ridge you have in mind and to do so comfortably, several other goodies are in store on the X 2. This includes a pair of fenders to keep your frame and you mess-free, 29 in tires to ride over obstacles with ease, and above all, the presence of a suspension fork with lockout. The latter is essential for offering a smooth riding experience.

As for the rest of the Step Thru, guess who has their fingers in the drivetrain pie? If you answered Shimano, you're completely right. Overall, a Deore setup brings just ten speeds to work with, so hard, arduous climbs may be out of the question, especially since there's only a range of 11-42T. For braking, Shimano takes over yet again with 180 mm (7.1 in) rotors, which should be enough to slow this bugger down safely. The rest of X 2 is completed with an Intuvia display from Bosch, and a whole bunch of in-house goods like the grips, stem, and handlebar. The seat is from Selle Royal.

So, how much is all this going to run you and me? It all really depends on the dealership you use. I say this because I've found these babies going for as little as $3,350 (€3,000 at current exchange rates) all the way up to over $4,500. However, some differences show up in the shape of different drivetrains and other small details. Nonetheless, if you're looking for a comfortable city bike with which you can do a bit more than go to work, the Tesoro Neo X 2 Low Step Thru may be the car replacer for you.