To mark Cannondale’s entry into the e-bike market, I had the opportunity to design a fully functional concept bike around Bosch’s first-generation mid-drive system. Our team worked closely with Bosch during the development of this new technology, which would go on to transform the bicycle industry.

The goal was to explore how the Bosch system could become distinctly Cannondale through system integration rather than appearing as an add-on. The concept was organized around a central power unit within the seat tube. A specially configured battery slid into the oversized seat tube and connected directly to the motor, concentrating the weight low and centrally for a more natural ride feel.

This motor-and-battery architecture was conceived as a flexible platform that could be adapted across different bicycle categories while maintaining a consistent riding experience. At a time when most e-bikes relied on externally mounted batteries and hub motors, the concept offered a forward-looking vision of how electric components could become an integral part of the frame.

Rather than using conventional tube construction, the frame was formed from sheet metal using a press brake and welded at Cannondale’s factory in Bedford, Pennsylvania. It became the final bicycle frame welded at the historic facility. The custom battery layout developed for the concept also anticipated the in-tube format that Bosch would later adopt as a production standard.