CannondaleAdventure
Origin
The Cannondale Adventure is the brand's no-fuss comfort hybrid — a bike built for the rider who wants to roll along a rail-trail, a city path or a stretch of gravel without folding into a road-bike crouch. Its formula has stayed remarkably consistent for over a decade: an aluminium SmartForm C3 low step-thru frame, a tall swept-back riser bar, a plush Ergo Comfort saddle, a short-travel coil fork, and a suspension seatpost to soak up the rough stuff. Modern Adventure 1 and 2 trims run smaller, cushier 650b×2.0" wheels with disc brakes and microSHIFT 1×7/1×8 drivetrains, while older Adventure 3 models used 700c wheels, triple cranksets and V-brakes. It sits squarely at the friendly, accessible end of Cannondale's range — easy to mount, easy to ride, rack- and fender-ready, and priced to be a sensible first comfort bike rather than a performance machine.
Specifications
- Frame
- SmartForm C3 Alloy (aluminium), SAVE, low step-thru, tapered head tube, Straightshot hidden cable routing, rack/fender mounts
- Weight
- kg
- Drivetrain
- Shimano Acera/Alivio 1x9 to Deore 1x10 (electric variants)
- Brakes
- Tektro M275 hydraulic disc, 160/160 mm (Adventure 1); Tektro mechanical disc 160/160 mm (Adventure 2); V-brake on older Adventure 3
- Wheels
- 650b (27.5"), Cannondale Disc double-wall rims w/ eyelet, 32h, Formula QR hubs (Adventure 1/2)
The verdict
- Genuinely comfortable: upright posture, plush Ergo saddle, coil fork and suspension seatpost smooth out rough city streets and gravel.
- Very accessible low step-thru frame — easy to mount for riders with limited mobility or anyone who dislikes swinging a leg over.
- Solid, well-finished aluminium build with clean Straightshot hidden cable routing and rack/fender mounts ready to go.
- Top trims get hydraulic disc brakes (Tektro M275) for reliable, low-effort stopping in all conditions.
- Lightweight for a comfort hybrid (~13.9 kg / 30.6 lb), making it easy to handle and reasonably quick on pavement.
- Limited gear range — only 7 or 8 speeds (1×7 / 1×8) means it struggles on steeper or longer climbs.
- Comfort geometry (~69° head angle) and the suspension parts trade away top-end speed and sharp, sporty handling.
- Entry-level components: microSHIFT/Tektro/Prowheel parts work fine but feel basic and are less refined than mid-tier Shimano.
- Coil fork and suspension seatpost add weight and bob, and aren't suited to anything beyond light trails.
- Some older versions lacked a quick-release rear skewer, making tyre/wheel removal awkward without tools.
Who it’s for
Want one?
Find this bike on the marketplace, or compare notes with riders already on one.