For some multitude , a bicycle provide nothing more than a casual cruise on a indolent Sunday good afternoon . For others , it ’s a reliable casual commuter , and a bicycle can even be a great agency to stay in form and throw a few pounds . Cannondale ’s new Treadwell EQ makes a strong case that a bike can be all three of those thing , and at a price that does n’t make you find like you should be competing in the Tour de France to free what you spent .
Cannondale Treadwell EQ
WHAT IS IT ?
Gif: Andrew Liszewski (Gizmodo)
A bike design for casual riders who still want to track their performance .
PRICE
$ 635 to $ 950 , depending on size of it and accessory .
It looks a little like the bike your dad grew up with, but the Treadwell EQ’s design brings a lot of well thought out functionality to your ride.Photo: Andrew Liszewski (Gizmodo)
LIKE
An extremely well-to-do ride and flowing stat trailing .
disfavour
It looks a little like the bike your dad grew up with, but the Treadwell EQ’s design brings a lot of well thought out functionality to your ride.Photo: Andrew Liszewski (Gizmodo)
A challenge to gather and the app could practice some culture .
After a recent transition to suburb I assay out a new bike this preceding summer to aid get my bottom off the sofa . Wandering through my local cycle shop I ’ll allow in I was painfully tempted by the sleek and impossibly lightweight carbon character creations of Cannondale , one of the few wheel stigma I actually recognize . But as a novice bicyclist , I could n’t bring myself to committing thousands of dollars on a bike designed for competitive and dedicated athletes .
But Cannondale does n’t only make motorcycle destined for Olympian velodromes any more . The company ’s fresh Treadwell contrast , which starts at $ 635 , is target at those who use bike for everything but determine course records and bring home the bacon medals . With retro styling that ’s resonant of a ‘ L geological era Schwinn , the Treadwell EQ ( the version we tested ) looks unintimidating and approachable . It ’s designed for casual bicyclist , and to that end Cannondale has included a gang of hardheaded feature that make the EQ comfortable to ride and easy to maintain . It also cater to the app addicted generation with built - in sensors for stat tracking that even your parent could easily use to keep tabs on all the calories they burn .
Photo: Andrew Liszewski (Gizmodo)
I have to admit that at first glance I was n’t the biggest fan of the Treadwell ’s retro blueprint , but after really riding it for a few weeks , I ’ve come to realise the functionality of the intent is the real appeal here , and more often than not I ’ve found myself choosing the Treadwell EQ over my Trek bike for everything but more postulate off - road drive .
I ’ll also admit that I never see myself as someone who ’d ride a bike with a handbasket on the front ( an selection included on the higher end EQ mannequin ) but a handful of run to the market entrepot proved it ’s an accoutrement that I ’m not indisputable I can subsist without now . It definitely beats attempt to bone grocery into a backpack , and with enough bungee straps to keep everything safe , the basketful essentially becomes your bicycle ’s proboscis .
There are lots of subtle intention choice on the Treadwell EQ that only make themselves known as you ride the motorcycle , but presently become appreciated . The bicycle ’s “ crooked ” cross bar create it easier to throw your pegleg over . cable for the platter Pteridium aquilinum and gear mechanism fault are routed inside the bike ’s chassis so they never take in on loose clothing or exit a grease smear . The tires are thicker than what you ’ll bump on most road cycle , but allow for lots of grip , even in the rain , and do a good caper at absorbing bumps . gum elastic strips along the crossbar allow for you to run it against a wall without damaging the key finish . rather of clips or serrate teeth , the EQ ’s pedals have traction tape so regular shoes wo n’t slip off . And the wide , padded bicycle seat might be the most comfortable bike ass I ’ve ever used .
Photo: Andrew Liszewski (Gizmodo)
It ’s definitely a bike for the free-and-easy rider , but novice plausibly wo n’t be able to assemble it themselves . Unlike the bikes you ’ll find in a big box store , oreven Ikea , you ’ll want to regain a cycle shop to put the Treadwell together for you . Mine did n’t include a printed assembly manual , and while I got some division of the bike together on my own ( jazz on the pedal was an soft step ) others necessitate special pecker , like torsion pull , so jailor and bolt are in good order tightened without damaging the frame . It cost me about $ 50 to have my local bike workshop assemble and rubber check the Treadwell EQ for me , which is an extra expense I highly recommend . ( elucidation : After publication Cannondale noted to Gizmodo that motorcycle should arrive at wheel shop pre - assembled . )
But founder who Cannondale is targeting with the Treadwell line , I was also surprised to regain it did n’t include a kickstand ( most higher death bikes do n’t ) and came with just basic reflecting telescope . Tossing in a pair of LED safety light and a kickstand would credibly be very much apprize by the type of passenger who ’d be interested in the Treadwells : as I doubt they ’d realize ahead of time that neither would be included .
I found the lack of those basic accessory particularly confusing because Cannondale really let in a wireless performance tracker — created by Garmin — built right into the Treadwell bikes . It ’s an accessory you could get for most in high spirits - end bikes , but Cannondale has made the EQ ’s very easy to use as there ’s no installation or calibration need . But , I will point out that during my initial mental test I had a spate of trouble getting the sensing element to do anything at all , which was implausibly frustrating . Thankfully , after Cannondale free an update to the iOS adaptation of its app I was using for examination , the stat tracking has been very straightforward and reliable .
Photo: Andrew Liszewski (Gizmodo)
Once the front tire start spinning , the Treadwell ’s sensing element immediately begin record performance datum like your speed , space ridden , and how long you ’ve been depend on . synchronize it to the Cannondale app was painless , and after that , the Garmin detector will automatically record your ride , and then synchronize it to your phone whenever it ’s in range again . It all function seamlessly with no intervention required , unlike other cycling apps that require you to manually start and halt stat - trailing for a ride . You do n’t necessarily have to even fetch your smartphone with you , although the Cannondale app will take advantage of its GPS capabilities to also document the path you took .
The app is n’t impressively full-bodied ; hardcore cyclists wo n’t find any ways to do a deep dive on retiring ride compared to the most late . But it provides more than enough item for casual passenger , including how much fuel you ’d redeem over driving in a car . And I care that Cannondale uses the data from the detector to let passenger do it when it ’s time for regular upkeep , like a tyre or brake chip .
Cannondale has even let in anSP Connect mounton the Treadwell EQ ’s handlebar stem turn so you may use your smartphone as a dashboard that displays real - time info about your speed and distance while ride . However , you ’ll have to cough up an extra $ 30 + for a special SP connect smartphone case ( it is n’t included ) and while one was available for my iPhone 8 , my Google Pixel 2 XL was n’t supported . If it ’s a lineament you think you ’d relish , there are lots of other smartphone bike mounting solutions out there .
Photo: Andrew Liszewski (Gizmodo)
you could get a perfectly functional bicycle from a openhanded loge store like Walmart for less than $ 150 , so by comparison , Cannondale ’s Treadwell tune , which costs up to $ 950 for the EQ interpretation we tested , is quite a morsel more of an investiture . But the company has taken its expertise in designing bikes for competitor and created a drive that ’s both accessible to any skill level , and operational for anything other than set Olympic record — although the well-heeled performance trailing makes me bright my Olympic aspiration are n’t dashed yet . ( They are . )
README
It ’s not the bike for competitive riders , but Cannondale ’s Treadwell EQ provide a smooth ride and lots of functionality for the rest of us .
Does n’t do with a kickstand or lead lighting , which would be a welcome comprehension for those Cannondale seems to be targeting .
Unless you ’ve build many bicycle before , you ’ll probably require to devote your local cycle per second shop to properly assemble the Treadwell EQ for you .
Photo: Andrew Liszewski (Gizmodo)
The pre - installed Garmin sensor does an excellent job at automatically tracking your ride , including your swiftness , space , and small calorie burned .
A costless company app from Cannondale gives you accession to all that data , but feels like it could apply a UI polish .
The Cannondale app also permit you know when it ’s prison term to take the EQ in for a tune - up , which is a handy reminder for those who do n’t already know how to by rights maintain a bike .
Photo: Andrew Liszewski (Gizmodo)
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The Treadwell EQ includes a pre-installed sensor for tracking your rides, but you’ll need to supply a mobile device.Photo: Andrew Liszewski (Gizmodo)
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Gif: Andrew Liszewski (Gizmodo)
The built-in SP Connect mount allows you to use your smartphone as the bike’s digital dashboard, assuming you can get a compatible case for your device.Photo: Andrew Liszewski (Gizmodo)
