My first Mid Drive

usclassic

Active Member
Region
USA
With my Radwagon 5 set up perfectly now I have been wanting to try a middrive ebike to gain some experience. Don't ask me why. Also looked a Gazelle, Tern and others for about a week. Then I came across this deal for the Cannondale which has many things I like. Good front suspension fork, Bosch speed motor for 28 mph, included Abus wheel lock, Schwalb tire I have wanted to try, a dropper seat post with remote I want to try, Deore groupset, .....

well here is the whole list


  • A total capacity of 200kg(441lbs) lets you carry 2 kids and lots of stuff with ease
  • Bosch Performance Speed motor has the power to move any load, all the way to 28 mph
  • 545Wh battery for plenty of range
  • Shimano Deore LinkGlide 10-speed gearing for smooth, durable shifting
SPECS:

Frame:
SmartForm C2 Alloy step-thru frame, integrated rear cargo rack (80kg), integrated headtube rack mounts, dual battery ready, internal cable routing, disc brake, tapered headtube, center console storage
Fork: SR Suntour Mobie 34 Cargo, BOOST DS, tapered, 80mm travel
Headset: Acros Blocklock w/ steering stop, semi-integrated
Rims: Heavy Duty, Alloy, double wall, 36 hole, 35mm internal width, disc-specific
Spokes: DT Swiss Champion, 13g
Wheel Size: 20" with Schwalbe Pick-Up tires- Front 20"x 2.6", Rear 20"x 2.15"
Handlebar: Cannondale Cruise Control Hi-Rise, 6061 Alloy, 31.8mm, 15° back, 740mm
Stem: Alloy,Adjustable angle, 31.8
Grips:Cannondale Ergo Lock-on
Saddle:Cannondale Comfort
Seatpost:TranzX Suspension dropper post, 31.6, 70mm drop
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore 5130, 10-speed
Shifters: Shimano Deore, 10-speed
Chain: KMC EGlide
Crank: Samox, 52T
Rear Cogs: Shimano CUES CS-LG300, 11-41, 10-speed

Brakes: Tektro HD-T5040, 4-piston hydraulic disc, 203/180mm rotors
Brake Levers: Tektro HD-T5040, hydraulic disc

Drive Unit: Bosch Performance Speed, 28 mph
Battery: Bosch PowerPack, 545Wh
Charger: Bosch 4A
Display: Bosch Kiox 300 w/ LED Remote
Battery Certifications: UL 2849

Extras: Cannondale heavy-duty center stand, fenders, high visibility LED headlight, Lezyne Super Bright rear light, running boards, Abus ring lock, Schwalbe Air Plus high retention inner tubes

So I just couldn't pass up this deal

Screenshot_8-2-2026_212854_www.ebay.com.jpeg


I like the storage console for my tool bag so I may run this with no front box and just add a rear tote for shopping. So I'll have fun fun fun til my .......lol
 
usclassic, we (mostly I) want a FULL honest review of this ebike after some miles. I considered one of those NEO's but no dealer even bothers to carry one in my area. I have a "No test ride/no buy" policy after buying a ebike based on a review and found it to be a slow unresponsive turd. It's usclassic's job to give a honest review so I might be inclined to do the drive far away to actually see/try one.

I did do a trade awhile back and ended up with a Cannondale Treadwell and hated it. It rode like a horse cart, and the ergonomics didn't agree with my wrist. And to think I owned a Cannondale road bike in my youth that I liked. I'm still trying to find a quality replacement for my Lectric Xpedition that can haul to adults around my city.
 
usclassic, we (mostly I) want a FULL honest review of this ebike after some miles. I considered one of those NEO's but no dealer even bothers to carry one in my area. I have a "No test ride/no buy" policy after buying a ebike based on a review and found it to be a slow unresponsive turd. It's usclassic's job to give a honest review so I might be inclined to do the drive far away to actually see/try one.

I did do a trade awhile back and ended up with a Cannondale Treadwell and hated it. It rode like a horse cart, and the ergonomics didn't agree with my wrist. And to think I owned a Cannondale road bike in my youth that I liked. I'm still trying to find a quality replacement for my Lectric Xpedition that can haul to adults around my city.
I watched some YouTube videos and had it in cart then out of cart several times but when comparing to other ebikes with similar specs the value was unbeatable. I will post my experience.

So I uploaded the flow app on my phone in anticipation of unlocking full power

The motor is capable of more power than its default setting, and Bosch provides an official software update via the app to access this.

  • Factory Default: The motor is supplied with a default maximum power of 600 W and maximum torque of 85 Nm. The default maximum support is 340% of rider power.
  • Maximum Potential (via App Update): A free over-the-air update available through the Bosch eBike Flow app allows you to increase the motor's performance values to its hardware limits:
    • Max Power: Up to 750 W.
    • Max Torque: Up to 100 Nm.
    • Max Support: Up to 400%.



Accessing Maximum Power in the App
To access this increased power, you need to use the eBike Flow app:

  1. Check for Updates: Ensure your app and bike's system software are up to date. A notification banner might appear in the app to prompt the update.
  2. Customize Riding Modes: Go to the Settings > My eBike > Custom riding modes section in the app.
  3. Adjust Sliders: Within the customizable modes (like Turbo or Sport), you can use sliders to increase the Maximum power (watts) and Maximum torque (Nm) values up to their full potential of 750 W and 100 Nm respectively.
Bosch notes that while this provides a significant power boost, using higher performance values also means a higher rate of wear on components and a lower battery range.
 
usclassic, we (mostly I) want a FULL honest review of this ebike after some miles. I considered one of those NEO's but no dealer even bothers to carry one in my area. I have a "No test ride/no buy" policy after buying a ebike based on a review and found it to be a slow unresponsive turd. It's usclassic's job to give a honest review so I might be inclined to do the drive far away to actually see/try one.

I did do a trade awhile back and ended up with a Cannondale Treadwell and hated it. It rode like a horse cart, and the ergonomics didn't agree with my wrist. And to think I owned a Cannondale road bike in my youth that I liked. I'm still trying to find a quality replacement for my Lectric Xpedition that can haul to adults around my city.
There is an REI in Virginia Beach, VA are they the ones that don't carry it?

 
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My local REI in Virginia Beach learned it's lesson with a TERN long tail that sat for eternity. Nearest dealer that usually carries one is near Washington DC. I don't mind the drive as long as I add some other stops along the way.
 
My local REI in Virginia Beach learned it's lesson with a TERN long tail that sat for eternity. Nearest dealer that usually carries one is near Washington DC. I don't mind the drive as long as I add some other stops along the way.
They can ship to your local dealer and you can return if you don't like it but I think you will. At least the eBay dealer I bought from accepts returns.
 
I haven't ridden yet but I can see why Cannondale needs a pro bike shop to assemble them. No instructions so I had a lot of trial and error especially with the front fender mounting and lock assembly. Missing clamp for dropper seatpost cable so that is not working yet. Miss mash of hardware in a bag to sort and still have some I have no idea where it goes as well as having to add my own hardware to get things mounted. All the other bikes had hardware stored in the locations where things get mounted. Needed google to get it to power on for the first time as I did not know about the sleeping battery nor how to wake it up. Learned a great deal on this one. I guess with this you are paying more for the Bosch smart system the the overall quality of the bike. Radwagon 5 has that beat in my opinion. Got the Bosch Flow app installed on my phone and was able to pair with the bike and install the latest update. Limited free flow app functions but I did check how much the monthly subscription fee is however they offered a free month of service.
 
I've built a couple of them. The Owner's Manual Supplement is very helpful.
Indeed I should have looked at page 38 lol

First ride impressions very light weight feeling small. Deore shifter needs adjustment but no barrel adjusters.

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Nice that the battery and wheel lock are keyed the same but they only supplied one key with code.
 
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I have built a couple of adult eTrikes that were loose parts in a two-foot by two-foot box that was ten inches thick. No instructions. One woman clicked a box at checkout for in-home assembly. Three guys, three times went out and failed before she called me for a home visit. I have put together five Sr. eTrike riders. I am going out with two of them today. To show them safe routes.
 
Got the derailleur adjusted and found a second key located in the second battery mount. In first Low gear the derailleur idler cage is very close to tire and still takes two clicks to get to second gear.
 
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