Name: Cannondale Mavaro Performance Review
Item: Cannondale Mavaro Performance
Author: Court Rye

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Cannondale Mavaro Performance Review

Cannondale Mavaro Performance Electric Bike Review

Cannondale Mavaro Performance Bosch Performance Centerdrive

Cannondale Mavaro Performance Bosch Rear Rack Mounted Powerpack 400

Cannondale Mavaro Performance Ergonomic Grips Bosch Intuvia Display Adjustable Angle Stem

Cannondale Mavaro Performance H Diver Led Light Alloy Fenders Headshock Fatty

Cannondale Mavaro Performance Adjustable Kickstand And Trelock Cafe Lock

Cannondale Mavaro Performance 10 Speed Shimano Deore

Cannondale Mavaro Performance 4 Amp Bosch Charger

An electric bike that blends in while offering a lot of utility as a commuter or even trekking touring platform, sturdy integrated rack, tight and extra long fenders with mud flaps
Available in five frame sizes across two styles (traditional diamond high-step and lower step-thru), adjustable angle stem and swept back handle bar further improve fit and comfort
High end Shimano drivetrain, Magura brakes and Bosch drive system ensure performance and longevity, Cannondale is known for their advanced Aluminum engineering
Rear mounted battery raises weight and these Bosch Powerpacks aren't as common or plentiful in the US if you want a second one to go further, missed opportunity for second bottle mount, neat head shock but it's not adjustable and doesn't offer lock out

Make:

Cannondale

Model:

Movaro Performance

Price:

$4,460

Body Position:

Forward

Suggested Use:

Urban, Commuting, Touring

Electric Bike Class:

Pedal Assist (Class 1)

Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

2 Year Comprehensive, 3 Year Frame

Availability:

United States

Model Year:

2017

Total Weight:

49.5 lbs (22.45 kg)

Battery Weight:

5.7 lbs (2.58 kg)

Motor Weight:

8.8 lbs (3.99 kg)

Frame Material:

Aluminum Alloy

Frame Sizes:

16 in (40.64 cm)18 in (45.72 cm)20.47 in (51.99 cm)22.05 in (56 cm)24.2 in (61.46 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

33" to 35" Stand Over Height on High-Step

Frame Types:

Step-Thru, High-Step

Frame Colors:

Silver, Metallic Grey

Frame Fork Details:

Headshock Fatty DL50, 50 mm Travel, Isolated Damper Technology, OPI, 9 mm Quick Release Skewer

Frame Rear Details:

9 mm Skewer with Quick Release

Attachment Points:

Bottle Cage Bosses, Rear Rack Bosses, Fender Bosses

Gearing Details:

10 Speed 1x10 Shimano Deore, 11-38T

Shifter Details:

Shimano Deore Triggers on Right

Cranks:

FSA Metropolis Alloy 170 mm Crank Arms, 18T Chainring

Pedals:

QUICK Reinforced Resin Platform wtith Non-Skid Rubber

Headset:

Oversized Tange Seiki

Stem:

Cannondale 6061 T6 Aluminum, Adjustable Angle, 94 mm Length

Handlebar:

Cannondale 6061 T6 Aluminum, Swept Back, 25.5" Length

Brake Details:

Magura MT4 Hydraulic Disc with 180 mm Front Rotor and 160 mm Rear Rotor, Magura MT4 Levers with Adjustable Reach

Grips:

Rubber, Ergonomic

Saddle:

Selle Royal ARjEL

Seat Post:

Aluminum Alloy

Seat Post Length:

300 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

27.2 mm

Rims:

E-DISC Maddux, Mid-Dish, 6061 T6 Alloy, Double Wall 700x16C, 32H

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, 14 Gauge, Black

Tire Brand:

Schwalbe Little Big Ben, 28" x 1.5"

Wheel Sizes:

28 in (71.12cm)

Tire Details:

Performance Line RaceGuard, LiteSkin, Reflective Sidewall Stripe

Tube Details:

Presta Valve

Accessories:

Trelock RS 450 Protect-O-Connect Cafe Lock, Alloy Coated Plastic Chain Cover, Thin Alloy Fenders, Integrated H Diver LED Headlight, Rack-Integrated LED Backlight, Welded Touring Rack 25 kg (55 lb) Max Load with Pannier Rails and RackTime Integration, Cannondale Adjustable Length Kickstand

Other:

Locking Removable Battery Pack, 1.7 lb 4 Amp Charger

Motor Brand:

Bosch

Motor Type:

Mid-Mounted Geared Motor

Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

350 watts

Motor Peak Output:

570 watts

Motor Torque:

63 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Samsung

Battery Voltage:

36 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

11 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

396 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

3.5 hours

Estimated Min Range:

30 miles (48 km)

Estimated Max Range:

70 miles (113 km)

Display Type:

Intuvia, Removable, Adjustable Angle, Grayscale, Backlit LCD

Readouts:

Speed, Assist Level (Eco, Tour, Sport, Turbo), Battery Level (1-5), Odometer, Trip Distance, Estimated Range, Clock, Max Speed, Average Speed, Trip Time, Shift Assist Recommendation

Display Accessories:

Independent Button Pad with Tactile Feedback on Left, 6 Volt Micro USB Port on Display

Drive Mode:

Advanced Pedal Assist (Measures Wheel Speed, Pedal Cadence and Pedal Torque, Power Output Relative to Pedal Input: Eco 50%, Tour 120%, Sport 190%, Turbo 275%)

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)(15 mph in Some Markets)

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Make or Model

Model Year

Body Position

Suggested Use

Frame Type

Drive Mode

Availability

Price Range

$0 (0 €)$18,000 (16,920 €)

Total Weight

0 lbs (0 kg)227 lbs (103 kg)

Top Speed

0 mph (0.0 km/hr)50 mph (80.5 km/hr)

Battery Watt Hrs

0 watt3,456 watt

Frame Size

0 in (0.00 cm)432 in (1,097.28 cm)

Motor Power

0 Newton meters250 Nm

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Honestly, the first time I saw the Cannondale Mavaro Performance electric bike I didn’t feel or think a lot. It just looked like a regular bike with a nice cargo rack on the back… and that’s the beauty here, this is a mainstream electric bicycle from a company that many people in the United States already know and trust. The motor, battery, control unit, display panel and accompanying wires don’t stand out. Everything has its place and match the professional silver and gray color schemes well. Upon closer inspection, the carry rack becomes a stand-out features because it has RackTime compatible slots, extended pannier rails and bungee clip loops. Of course, the rack is also where the Bosch Powerpack 400 battery pack mounts and this is where we start to see some mixed results.

Instead of positioning battery weight low and center with the more popular downtube mounted Bosch Powerpack battery, this one is mounted up high. It increases frame flex BUT frees up the main triangle for adding bottle cage bosses. Only, for some reason, Cannondale opted for just one pair of bosses on the downtube when there seems like plenty of room for a second pair on the seat tube. Furthermore, I cannot say whether the step-thru frame has bottle cage bosses at all. At least you’ll have an opportunity for gear with a trunk bag and won’t hear the ratting of a bolt-on rack, but for me this is an area that could have been done better. For those who plan to ride further or live in a hot region where multiple bottles are a necessity, consider a clamp adapter like this. If you do opt for panniers, the battery will be mostly obscured and the bike will look even more bike-like.

Adding to the utility of the rack are full length, almost extra-long fenders that are tight and light weight. The front fender doesn’t get in the way as much when you turn and pedal simultaneously and it extends lower than average so your shoes and shins should stay dry and clean. You get integrated LED lights, an adjustable angle stem, comfortable swept back handle bars and a decent saddle with this bike. And you pay for all of that, coming in at $4,460 this is a more expensive commuter electric bike. But for all of that money you do get something lighter and more durable, something with a dash of added comfort (a 50 mm head shock integrated into the fork) and the option for front racks using the fork bosses. This could clearly become a touring or trekking bike but you might want an extra battery in that case, and it might not be easy to find. As mentioned earlier, the downtube Bosch Powerpack batteries are much more popular in the US than the rear rack ones.

A lot of what you’re paying for with this bike is the premium Bosch drive system. It’s compact, efficient and very responsive. I’ve tested the same motor on e-mountain bikes and had great success climbing mountain trails but it does require some shifting. The motor relies on your bike speed, pedal speed and pedal force to activate and de-activate and it measures these signals up to 1,000 times per second. Once the battery is mounted to the rack, press the power button there if it hasn’t been used for a while. Otherwise, you only have to press a power button on the Intuvia display panel to get it started. This display is large, easy to read, adjustable (angle wise to reduce glare) and it even has a Micro USB charging port on the right side so you can keep your phone topped off. Near the left grip, a control pad lets you cycle through menu readouts like average speed, top speed and range. Range is cool because it gives you much better feedback than the five bar battery level info-graphic. It dynamically adjusts depending on your last five miles of riding, the chosen level of assist (of which there are four) and the remaining battery capacity.

While the Cannondale Mavaro is not the most flashy electric bike, it blends in and delivers an excellent riding experience. With Little Big Ben premium tires (capable of lower PSI riding for comfort), an integrated shock absorber, adjustable stem and relaxed bars it’s a step above many other city style ebikes. Electric bike shops frequently tell me that their customers ride more frequently and for longer distances than non electric cyclists. It’s easy to jump into an affordable bike only to realize later that suspension would have been nice… or that it’s time to get a different stem so you’re not bent so far over. The Mavaro incorporates high quality versions of each of these minor upgrades and it is reflected in the price, but it looks a long nicer and works seamlessly this way. The fact that you can get this in two styles and five frame sizes means it’s great for a his and hers setup. I enjoyed riding the bike and was impressed with the extra large frame size because frequently people comment here about being over six feet tall and needing a larger electric bike, one meant for tall people. The Mavaro Performance isn’t specifically made for tall people but it’s one of the better options out there that works because of the sizing. I only wish they would have made better use of the triangle space there with extra bosses.

Pros:

This bike high quality extras that are important for commuting by bike including bottle cage bosses, light weight fenders and chain guard that don’t rattle, a sturdy integrated rack, an integrated cafe lock, compact flick style bell and integrated LED lights that run off the main battery
In addition to having LED lights, the tires on the Mavaro are upgraded with reflective sidewall tape to keep you visible from the sides, they also have puncture protective lining
I love that the rear rack has pannier support rails and a clip bar towards the bottom, it should work well with trunk bags and a wide range of panniers… the fork has bosses for adding a rack or additional commuter racks and accessories
Sometimes it feels like the efficient commuter and touring bikes sacrifice comfort but the Cannondale Mavaro has a suspension element in the fork, swept back bars with ergonomic grips, an adjustable stem and a premium gel saddle that make it enjoyable to ride for longer distances
High quality Magura hydraulic disc brakes are sized correctly 180/160 and work well, the levers offer adjustable reach so people with different hand sizes or preferences can use them comfortably
This e-bike is available in five frame sizes across two frame styles… high-step for stiffness and easier rack mounting and step-thru for easier rider mounting and confidence
I’m a huge fan of the Bosch mid-drive system because it keeps weight low and center while delivering efficiency as you shift gears, the software utilizes shift detection to reduce wear
The fenders hug the wheels very tightly so you don’t kick or bump them as easily, the front fender extends far down to keep your feet and shins dry and clean as you ride, they also have flexible mud flaps
Cannondale did a great job routing shifter, brake and electronic wires through the frame vs. tacking them on as an afterthought, this keeps them safer and improves the look… especially the rear LED light wires that go through the carry rack
I love that it has a kickstand, that it’s adjustable length and rear mounted so you can do drivetrain maintenance without it getting in the way, I also love that both wheels have quick release for easier access on the road and faster stowing
The cafe lock which secures the rear wheel for quick errands, utilizes the same key as the battery pack! This is super convenient as you don’t need to deal with clutter and confusion in a hurry, it stays in the lock until you secure the bike so you’ve always got it handy :)
The display panel and battery pack are quick and easy to remove so they don’t get scuffed up at the rack, you can charge the battery on or off the frame and the 4 Amp charger is pretty quick

Cons:

The rack mounted battery positions some weight high and towards the back compromising frame stiffness and balance a little but blends in nicely with the rack and frees up space for bags and bottle cages on the downtube
I see a lot more mid-frame mounted Bosch Powerpack batteries and know for sure that they are being offered in the US with the higher 500 watt hour capacity… if you are a touring or trekking cyclist and want that larger battery it might be difficult to find in the rear rack style, even a secondary rear rack battery could be harder to find and seems to take more space and weight than the downtube ones
At nearly $4,500 this is not an affordable electric bike and to some the higher end components (including Shimano Deore drivetrain, Metropolis cranks, Magura brakes) might not be worth it… conversely, I’m surprised they didn’t go with locking grips considering how much the bike costs, the ones you get are okay but could spin easier when really bearing down
The head shock isn’t adjustable and does not offer lockout, I saw some indication that it might on the Cannondale website but in person the shock appeared to be set
I could be wrong about this (because I wasn’t able to locate a step-thru Mavaro) but it appears from images that it does not have bottle cage bosses like the high-step
Many non-electric commuter bikes I see have two bottle cage mounting points (downtube and seat tube) and even though there is plenty of room for that on the high-step frame of the Mavaro they just didn’t include bosses on the seat tube… kind of a bummer for those who aren’t carrying a bag all the time but want to bring a folding lock, mini pump or just extra water :(

Resources:

Official Site: http://www.cannondale.com/
More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/fRvtSkUeDW5gzACJ8

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Ranny

7 years ago

The rack mounted battery on a factory ebike is a deal killer for me. Add rear bags and the bike becomes extremely rear heavy. Even kits can now be had with down tube mounted batteries. Also, 20 MPH is too slow given the price. On the plus side, the weight is low for a fully featured bike. Where I the market for a bike like this, id spend a few extra bucks on the beautifully engineered Kalkhoff speed pedelec.

Court Rye

I year ya, they did a good job keeping this bike light but for commuting it’s nice to have Class 3 speed performance :)

TerryELBY

Hi Court, have you reviewed this bike yet, I can’t find it on your website. It is called ELBY.

Hi Terry! I got to see it at Interbike a couple years ago and then again at a shop called Electric Cyclery in Laguna Beach, CA but they told me not to review it because the unit was not production ready. You can see a video overview of the bike here from the show :)

Heidi

I have the step through model and it is a dream, but it is definitely a LOT of bike with the hydraulic disc brakes, headshok, etc. Nice for longer errands with lots of hills! The battery on the back doesn’t make the bike unstable because it is so well built. I like that the battery comes off so I can easily take it inside for charging. Cannondale recommends that the battery not be left in extreme cold or hot conditions. And love that the battery also operates the lights, though I think the back light could be better. Everything is just beautifully integrated. Is Cannondale marketing the Mavaro in 2017 in the U.S.? It isn’t in their catalog. Mine is the 2016 model, and it was purchased on sale. Made in the Netherlands according to the sticker on it.

Great feedback Heidi, thanks for taking time to share what you like about the bike. I like the style and tight integration of the rear light but see how it could be better (perhaps brighter) if designed differently or just made as a separate component. I’m not sure about 2017 but I’m going to keep an eye out. Hope yours holds up very well and you get to enjoy it for a good long time :)

Chris @ Propel Electric Bikes

I don’t think the Mavaro will be continuing for 2017. They will have two city style bikes, the Contro and the Kinneto and their mountain bike called the Moterra. I agree that the Mavaro is an excellent bike though! It was a little pricey, but it’s definitely high quality.

Thanks for chiming in on this Chris! You’re really knowledgeable and I enjoy your comments :)

Tony Chinn

The current price for the Cannondale Mavaro at REI is $3350.93. The step through version that I test rode had no provision for a water bottle holder. I feel the battery location did not affect the handling. The guy at REI said the 2017 is the same as the 2016 model. The price ending in .93 indicates the item is not eligible for end of the year REI 10 % rebate. I was going to buy it but I like the Bulls Lacuba EVO E8 better with the belt drive, internal 8 speed and higher capacity battery. I enjoy your reviews very much. Thanks for doing it!

Hey Tony! Thanks for sharing your sharp observations (I used to work at REI in the shoe department!!) yeah, Bulls has delivered some awesome ebikes and the Lacuba is an exciting one. Glad the site here has helped you and I appreciate you takign the time to add a comment :)

Pete

I am 6 foot tall and of average proportions. What size of this bike would be a good “rule of thumb” size. I can’t seem to find a local store to try the size out. I’m thinking the 57 would the middle of the road and probably my best bet. Any thoughts on this? Thanks so much!

Hi Pete! I’m not a fitting expert but the 56 cm or 57 cm size sounds close. I’m 5’9″ and usually go for a 54 cm road bike but it really depends on the style of riding and manufacturer. For a true athletic fit I always get the bike adapted to my ride style (I tend to prefer a more upright body position due to some shoulder and back injuries). In the past, I was told that a range of frame sizes would work for me because the saddle, stem and bars can be adjusted. Weight isn’t usually much different between sizes so it comes down to things like reach. I tend to prefer slightly smaller frames as long as my knees don’t feel too squished… remember, I like upright riding so a smaller seat tube (which is the measurement 54 cm) usually comes with a shorter reach and positions me upright. I hope this general feedback helps you but it might be worth visiting a local bike shop. But then again, you could get locked in on a size for one company and end up feeling slightly different on the brand you buy.

Court, Thank you so much. I have a Cannondale CAAD 9 56cm and I found it to be a shade too big but it has a longer stem. I think with the geometry of the Mavaro, the 57 would be about right. Thanks!!

Rob

The video shows riding 20 miles per hour in a door zone bike lane. That’s a fatality waiting to happen. Car doors can reach out five feet. You cannot stop if one pops in front of you. If it clips your handlebar you get thrown left down into the traffic lane. Do not ride there.

Thanks for the feedback Rob, I agree that some of the riding we did was dangerous. I do not mean to be a bad example, I do always wear my helmet, and I have taken some hard falls (and even been knocked out) when participating in sports like this in the past.

Tina

6 years ago

Court, I just wanted to thank you very much for this site! I actually purchased the 2017 step-thru model in May. It was a leftover, so it had been marked down quite a bit. It is my first ebike, and without all the information here, I would not have felt comfortable buying it. I felt confident that I made a good purchase and will have a good quality ebike for years to come.

I have put almost 700 miles on it, and absolutely love it! It makes me feel like a kid again! This type of exercising is so much fun, that I have no problem doing it every chance I get. I can ride everywhere, without fear of hills anymore. Riding up hills, rather than pushing a bike up them, is an absolute dream.

A thousand thank you’s for this wonderful site! I hope to purchase a mountain ebike somewhere down the line, and will definitely do my research here. Oh, and I tell everyone who’s looking to purchase an ebike to come here before buying! :)

Court

Hi Tina! What an awesome comment… you made my day! I’m so glad to hear that the site brought you some security and confidence in buying the Mavaro. It sounds like it’s working great and you’re enjoying riding, that’s awesome :D

James Feighny

5 years ago

Was great up to 2500 miles. Then, major interface problem between controller, battery, and motor. Bad news was that NO Cannondale support at all, thanks to Trek, they have the software to troubleshoot. But… at two years and 2500 miles of commuting, this is not what we expected at this bike. Will follow up when I get the final figures. I would recommend that if you are in the market for an ebike, who isn’t, find a local shop and check the wrench benders out to see if they have the required techy stuff to analyze a modern, bike.

Oh man! How disappointing, sorry to hear about this situation James. Hopefully this feedback makes it to Cannondale and can help other customers and shops recognize the good that Trek is doing and the potential issues that might still be there for older Cannondale stuff. Hope things work out alright in the end for you.

Folow up on 2017 Mavaro, Bosch drive issue. Control head would not communicate with motor, would not shift. The local Trek dealer is a Bosch service center and took the bike in for analysis. The Bosch software unit would communicate with the control head, but not get downstream to the motor or to the battery. They dropped the motor and checked for frayed wiring/bad board/shorts… saw nothing. Stumped.

I emailed Trek and told them that we had always found “mounting” the battery in the luggage rack holder to be a fiddling piece of work. After 3 calls to Bosch, the last including the info about our challenges with the battery mount/lock mechanism, the Trek tech & Bosch CSR, decided to clean the attach mechanism/contacts, that seemed to have done the trick. When Trek told Bosch about our mounting issue, he replied “interesting”… We were also informed that Bosch really wanted to run diagnostics every quarter but would settle for 2 x a year… Bosch is interested to track motor & battery performance. They don’t charge unless a software or firmware update is required. They updated our bike with no charge.

I am a little suspect of Bosch CS, as an amateur engineer & a guy who maintains an airplane with finicky electronics, I have a highly developed BS meter; my needle is leaning towards the positive side of the gauge. In the end, the Trek tech (say that fast 3 times) did a great job of sticking with us and working with Bosch. As usual and with all the Tech stuff we work with, if you reach that one CSR that listens to you and understands what you are trying to do, and offers a reasonable solution, go buy a lottery ticket. It is your lucky day. I also see that the new Mavaro bikes have the battery located vertically on the seat post. Interesting…

Cheers and Ride on.

Great update, James! This is one of the reasons that I like Trek. It seems like they have a great dealer network and are committed to ebikes. They use higher end components and drive systems (like Bosch) and actually use similar parts across the entire line so it’s easier to replace/repair/diagnose. I’m so glad you’re back on the road and again, thanks for this update ;)