For more than a decade a bicycle was my main mode of transportation. From single speeds to basket bikes and even a gravel grinder or two, if it made mashing through the city fun and efficient I gave it a go. Then I moved to NYC and began relying on the train, and more recently, a not-so-trusty mid 90s Jeep XJ. What’s made me excited to get back into the grove of daily biking is the all-new Cannondale Treadwell, officially out today, 21 May.
Channeling the fun and functional spirit that’s passed through all my preferred bike styles (plus some BMX and dirt track motorcycle vibes too), the Treadwell aims to bring joy to the act of commuting, running errands, and cruising around town. It’s an EDC bike, if there ever was such a thing.
The lightweight aluminum frame features geometry specially designed to make riding, lifting, or carrying up steps a better experience (very thankful for this design, as it made getting to/from my fourth floor walkup apartment easier than expected), combining low standover height with comfortable handlebar placement and saddle position. A second unisex frame design offers an even lower step-thru style.
I’ve had the pleasure of logging some miles in the saddle in both Los Angeles and NYC, and am happy to report it handles rough asphalt roads, pot holes, cobblestones, sandy bike paths, and congested roads with ease. The EQP edition also comes with sleek fenders and a stylish front rack. And all feature top tube "bumpers" to protect against abrasive bike racks.
As you can see in the photos, I went fender-less, and added a simple platform rack from State Bicycle Co for more carrying options. My only issue is the handlebar width—definitely too wide for NYC commuting—I’ve already got my hack saw ready to take a good few inches off each end.
Also launching today is the Cannondale App, developed in partnership with Garmin, allowing riders to seamlessly pair with an integrated wheel sensor and track rides. A simple spin of the wheel registers your bike, and proceeds to log all future rides, even without your phone present.
The integration is literal—a “Intellimount” stem lets riders mount their phones directly to the Treadwell to use as a live dashboard for viewing speed, GPS and distance, calories burned, and even carbon emissions saved. Personally, I don’t want to be staring at my phone when I’m out riding, but some folks love data, and I won’t deny having the ability to view directions and distances while riding would be helpful in certain situations.
Plus, the app features parts lists and fit measurements, tracks mechanic services and reminds when tune-ups are needed, a dealer locater, and more. Making it useful for casual users and data-driven power users alike.
