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I can’t start to depend the variety of hours I’ve spent in a motorcycle saddle over the previous decade — however I can inform you that my most up-to-date rides have been a complete totally different degree of enjoyable.
It began this spring in Venice, Calif., once I flew out for a media day with Cannondale as they launched their latest bike: The Treadwell.
It’s not a cruiser, and it’s not a roadie. With an excellent light-weight however sturdy body, huge, grippy tires, and 9-speed Shimano shifters, it falls someplace in between.
That’s by design. This bike was created to be the right selection for any day, anyplace, as a part of anybody’s wholesome, energetic life. You’ll be able to take it on a straightforward cruise with a gaggle of pals down the boardwalk to Santa Monica for lunch (which we did), and it’ll provide you with a easy, steady, satisfying trip on all types of terrain. However, if you happen to’re on the lookout for a pony that may actually take you locations — and possibly take the place of your automotive from time to time — it’s completely as much as the duty as a commuter bike that’ll cowl severe floor with velocity and luxury and responsiveness to spare.
And you’ll belief me once I say that, as a result of I’ve been testing out the Treadwell EQ at residence. My plan is to dedicate a month within the close to future to biking relatively than driving, however given the warmth and every day thunderstorms we have now all summer season lengthy right here in Florida, I’ve opted to do this a little bit later within the yr — and if you happen to’re a devoted bike commuter, I’d love and and all ideas you care to share!
However, within the meantime, let me inform you a little bit bit extra concerning the Treadwell, as a result of, you know how it felt to trip a motorcycle while you had been a child? All enjoyable and free and stuffed with risk? That’s what this bike evokes, and I’m loving it.
Light-weight sturdiness: The body is light-weight aluminum, which makes using it up even the steepest hill a breeze, and choosing it up? No drawback in anyway. However you don’t sacrifice a bit of durability for it, so using it on tough surfaces is not any large deal — not one thing I’d say about my street bike.
Straightforward-ride geometry: You understand how some bikes have you ever sitting straight up, whereas others really feel such as you’ve gotta bend approach over? Cannondale took care to mix a low standover peak with a straightforward attain to the handlebars (which have an awesome grip, btw), in order that each new and superior cyclists will really feel comfy hopping on and taking off.
Wheel sensor and Cannondale app: Pay attention up, as a result of that is SUPER cool. The Treadwell comes with a wheel sensor, which tracks each trip robotically. It additionally incorporates a new Intellimount stem as a way to mount your telephone, which, while you join it to the sensor utilizing the Cannondale app, offers you a reside dashboard displaying your velocity, distance, energy burned, and even carbon emissions saved.
However wait — that’s not even my favourite half! The app and sensor additionally work collectively to trace upkeep wants, so when it’s time for a tune up, you’ll get an alert telling you precisely what wants doing. Not solely is that nice by way of serving to you to truly preserve your bike in nice form, however if you happen to’re not utterly comfy with bike lingo, it’ll additionally allow you to enter your native bike store and really feel assured precisely what you want. Plus, it has all of your manuals pre-loaded, together with curated video content material on issues like altering out flat, in addition to a digital instrument to present you extra perception into their tech.
Three fashions, three sizes, two body choices, a great deal of colours: There are three Treadwell choices starting from $635 (for the Treadwell 3) to $735 (for the Treadwell 2) as much as $950 (for the Treadwell EQ, which incorporates extras like alloy fenders and a entrance rack with bamboo deck). I’m using the Treadwell EQ at residence — the fenders are key while you’re in an space that will get as a lot rain as I do, and since I’m utilizing it so usually to commute, having that entrance rack obtainable to carry a few luggage is a big assist. However I bought to expertise the Treadwell 3 in Venice, and I adored it — not solely due to the sparkly purple colour, though which may’ve been an element.
Contemplating most of us want to reside an energetic life whereas doing our half for the setting, doesn’t it make sense to have a motorcycle that makes selecting to cycle as enjoyable (and secure) as doable? I’m the primary to confess that this can be a little bit of a splurge, however after using the Treadwell, I don’t know the way I may return to one thing much less comfy or steady as my go-to commuter. I’m ruined! —Kristen
