Bike models › Hybrid
Cannondale Treadwell 3: specs, upgrades and what fits
A low-standover aluminum city bike on fat 650b x 47mm tires, with a steel fork, a 1x7 microSHIFT drivetrain, mechanical disc brakes and wide swept bars. Best for: Relaxed rides around town and on bike paths.
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My take, from the specs
Made for relaxed rides around town: low standover, wide swept bars and 47 mm 650b tires that smooth out rough pavement. The 1x7 microSHIFT drivetrain with an 11-34 cassette is simple and has a usable low gear, and the 160 mm mechanical discs keep working in the wet. The steel fork and 7-speed gearing keep it basic, so it is not the bike for long fast rides.
Sizes: SM: 4′11″–5′6″ (150–168 cm) · MD: 5′4″–6′0″ (163–183 cm) · LG: 5′10″–6′5″ (178–196 cm)
Stock specs
| Type | Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Year | 2024 |
| Price when new | $675 |
| Sold at | Cannondale dealers / cannondale.com |
| Wheels | 650b × 47 mm tires |
| Gears | 1×7 · 38T · 11–34T |
| Brakes | Promax Mechanical disc, flat mount, 160mm |
| Fork | Cannondale Steel blades, 1-1/8 steerer, OutFront offset, flat-mount disc, mid-blade rack/fender mounts, QR |
| Rear derailleur | microSHIFT RD-M26CL, 7-speed |
| Shifter | microSHIFT 7-speed trigger |
| Crank | Prowheel Alloy, 38T |
| Bottom bracket | Generic Cartridge, square taper |
| Axles | Quick release |
| Seatpost | 31.6 mm |
| Sizes | SM, MD, LG |
| Stock colors | Black, Gunmetal Green |
Upgrade limits
How far each part can go on this frame, and why. Measure your own bike to confirm the estimated ones.
| Part | Limit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Widest tire (current wheel size) | 47 mm | Unknown until measured. Your 19 mm internal rims suit roughly 28–49 mm tires. |
| Tubeless | Not recommended | Tubeless needs a rim built to seal (bead hook + channel) and tubeless-ready tires. |
| Valve type | Unknown | Decides which tubes and pump heads fit. Presta tubes fit Schrader rims with a grommet; not the other way. |
| Replacement wheels | Quick release · 100/135 mm · 6-bolt disc | Any wheel matching axle type, spacing and brake mount fits. Rear also needs the right freehub. |
| Biggest rear cog | 34T (now 34T) | Set by the rear derailleur (microSHIFT RD-M26CL): max low sprocket 34T, total capacity ?T. A hanger extender can add a few teeth (hit-or-miss on non-Shadow derailleurs); a new derailleur is the reliable way to get more. |
| Front gears | 1x (38T) | One ring, no front derailleur. Adding a front derailleur needs a mount on the seat tube and a 2x crankset, so most riders change the ring size or cassette instead. |
| Chainring size | Unknown (now 38T) | Estimated from similar frames. Measure the chainring-to-chainstay gap to confirm. Check whether your ring is bolted or riveted. Spindle length (? mm) sets chainline; a big change in ring size may need a different BB spindle. |
| Gear count upgrades | 7 → 9 or 10 speed | Shimano HG 8/9/10-speed freehub: takes 8, 9 or 10-speed cassettes, Shimano 11-speed MTB and CUES/LinkGlide cassettes (7-speed needs a 4.5 mm spacer; most 11/12-speed road cassettes need an 11-speed road freehub, though the 11-34 HG700/HG800 fit). Shifter,… |
| Cranks & bottom bracket | Square taper · 68 mm shell · ? mm spindle | Any square-taper crankset fits with the right spindle length. Upgrading to Hollowtech II needs a new BB (same threaded shell). |
| Pedal thread | 9/16" × 20 | Every adult multi-piece crank uses 9/16". One-piece kids/cruiser cranks use 1/2". |
| Brake pads | AVID BB5 | Disc pads only fit calipers with the matching shape. |
| Rotor size | 160/160 mm now · front 160 (flat mount: check fork) | 6-bolt rotors. Going bigger needs a caliper adapter: flat-mount adapter, and many flat-mount forks are rated 160 mm max. Most steel forks allow 180 mm; check the fork if a max rotor is printed on it. |
| Caliper upgrades | Long-pull (MTB) mechanical | Your levers pull a lot of cable, so upgrade calipers must be long-pull (MTB) versions: TRP Spyke, Juin Tech M1, Avid BB7 MTB. Road calipers (TRP Spyre, BB7 Road) would feel mushy. |
| Stems & bars | 1-1/8 steerer · 31.8 mm bar clamp | Any stem for a 1-1/8 steerer with a 31.8 mm clamp fits. You can cut a bar narrower but not wider. |
| Drop-bar conversion | Possible with mods | Needs road brake/shift levers (microSHIFT R8 makes 8-speed ones that pull Shimano 8-speed cable correctly), a drop bar, tape, and road-pull brake calipers because road levers pull less cable. Usually $250+. |
| Seatposts | 31.6 mm | Buy posts in exactly this diameter. |
| Racks, fenders, bottles | Rack ✓ · Fender ✓ · 0 bottle · Fork cargo ✓ | Threaded eyelets at the dropouts and seat stays take a rack and fenders. Fork leg mounts take cargo cages. |
| Max load (rider + cargo) | Unknown | Wheels are usually the weak point under heavy loads. Stay under this with rider plus luggage. |
Best upgrades by area
Three options that fit the Cannondale Treadwell 3 as-is in each area, from budget to best. ★ marks the one most worth the money. How we pick. Typical US prices, checked October 2026. They change often: check the price at the store.
Upgrades that fit as-is
Comfort
- Ergon GP1 ergonomic grips, $$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- Budget ergonomic lock-on grips, $. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- 35° rise 60 mm stem, $. 1-1/8" steerer matches · Get the 31.8 mm clamp version for your bar
- WTB Volt saddle, $$. Medium-width shape that suits most riders. Measure sit bones if comfort is the goal.
- Race Face Chester riser bar 31.8 x 740 mm, 25 mm rise, $$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- Brooks C17 All Weather saddle, $$$. Vulcanized rubber top that flexes like a hammock, and this All Weather version is fully waterproof. No break-in like leather. Firm, not padded: made for long…
- Bikeroo oversized comfort saddle, $. Wide, soft and sprung for short upright rides on cruisers and hybrids. On rides over an hour wide padding can chafe; a firmer saddle that fits your sit bones…
- Ergon GA3 lock-on grips, $$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- Selle Royal Respiro Moderate saddle, $$$. Made for a 60° "moderate" back angle (most flat-bar hybrids). Very upright cruisers suit the wider Respiro Relaxed. Standard round steel rails.
- Fizik Terra Argo X5 saddle (150 or 160 mm), $$$. Pick 150 mm for narrower sit bones, 160 mm for wider. Round 7 mm alloy rails fit every standard clamp.
- Ergon SR Allroad Core Comp saddle (men's or women's), $$$. Comes in S/M and M/L widths (measure your sit bones) and men's and women's shapes. Round CroMo rails; 120 kg rider limit.
- Ergon GP5 ergonomic grips with built-in bar ends (S or L), $$$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- SR Suntour NCX suspension seatpost 31.6 x 350 mm, $$$. 31.6 mm post ↔ your 31.6 mm seat tube
- Redshift ShockStop Endurance suspension seatpost 31.6 mm, $$$$. 31.6 mm post ↔ your 31.6 mm seat tube
- Cirrus Kinekt 2.1 Aluminum suspension seatpost 31.6 mm (LR or XR spring), $$$$. 31.6 mm post ↔ your 31.6 mm seat tube
- Race Face Ride riser bar 31.8 x 710 mm, 25 mm rise, $$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- SQlab 30X alloy riser bar 31.8 x 780 mm, 12° backsweep, $$$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- Redshift ShockStop suspension stem 31.8 (±6° or +30°), $$$. 1-1/8" steerer matches · Threadless stem ↔ your threadless steerer
- Redshift ShockStop PRO suspension stem 31.8 (±6°), $$$$. 1-1/8" steerer matches · Threadless stem ↔ your threadless steerer
Control
- Race Face Chester composite flat pedals, $$. Big platform with pins. Feet stay put on bumps and in rain. Install with an 8 mm hex key (no wrench flats).
- ROCKBROS aluminum flat pedals, $$. Budget metal platform with pins. A big step up from stock plastic.
- Shimano PD-M520 SPD clipless pedals (cleats included), $$. Nearly indestructible two-sided SPD pedals. You also need SPD (2-bolt) shoes, about $60–100 more. Set the release tension low and practice unclipping before…
- Crankbrothers Stamp 2 aluminum flat pedals (small or large), $$$. Sized by shoe: small for US men's 5–10, large for 10 and up. Grease the threads and tighten to about 35 Nm.
- OneUp Components Aluminum flat pedals, $$$. Bearings and bushings can be serviced with a cheap kit instead of replacing the pedal. Grease the threads and tighten to about 35 Nm.
- Shimano PD-EH500 dual-sided SPD / flat pedals (cleats included), $$$. Comes with SM-SH56 multi-release cleats, which are easier to get out of in a panic. You still need 2-bolt SPD shoes to clip in.
- Shimano Deore XT PD-M8100 SPD pedals (cleats included), $$$. Cup-and-cone bearings are fully serviceable and last for years. Shoes with a 2-bolt SPD cleat sold separately.
- KS eTen-R external dropper 31.6 mm, 100 mm drop + KS Southpaw remote, $$$. 31.6 mm post ↔ your 31.6 mm seat tube
- TranzX YSP22 external dropper 31.6 x 450 mm, 125 mm drop, remote included, $$$. 31.6 mm post ↔ your 31.6 mm seat tube
- KS LEV external dropper 31.6 mm (100–150 mm drop) + KS Southpaw remote, $$$$. 31.6 mm post ↔ your 31.6 mm seat tube
Utility
- Topeak Explorer rear rack (disc mount), $$. Uses your frame's rack mounts
- USB rechargeable front + rear light set, $$. Daytime flashing lights cut collisions. Required by law at night.
- Pletscher adjustable kickstand, $$. Handy for errands. Check it clears the rotor and chainstay.
- Lisen clamp-style handlebar phone mount, $. Cheap and tool-free for maps on paved rides. On rough gravel or trails a locking mount (Quad Lock or Peak Design, about $45–70 plus a case) is much safer.
- Topeak TopLoader top tube bag (0.75 L), $$. Keeps snacks, keys and a multi-tool within reach. Straps on, with a rain cover. Check your knees do not rub it when you stand up.
- Knog Oi Classic bell, $. Slim ring bell that wraps the bar. Large fits 23.8–31.8 mm bars; Small fits 22.2 mm kids and BMX bars. Required by law in some places.
- Wald 137 front basket, $$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- Planet Bike Beamer 200 + Blinky Squared USB light set, $$. USB rechargeable, tool-free mounts. Use flash mode in daylight. Rear light is 30 lumens: good for town, modest on fast roads.
- Cygolite Metro Plus 800 + Hotshot Pro 150 USB light set, $$$. Nine headlight modes including a daytime flash. Aim the beam slightly down so you do not blind oncoming riders.
- Trek (Bontrager) Ion Pro RT + Flare RT light set, $$$. Daytime-running flash modes on both lights. ANT+ lets a Garmin or Wahoo show battery and switch them. Full power runs about 1.5 hours; medium lasts much longer.
- Topeak Super Tourist DX Tubular rear rack (disc), $$$. Uses your frame's rack mounts
- Tubus Disco steel rear rack for disc brakes (26" or 28"/700c), $$$. Uses your frame's rack mounts
Wheels
- 650b × 47 conversion: disc wheelset (QR 100/135, 6-bolt, HG) + WTB Horizon 47 tires, $$$$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · 47 mm tire ↔ your ~47 mm clearance
Drivetrain
- KMC X8 8-speed chain with Missing Link, $. 6/7/8-speed chain ↔ your 7-speed drivetrain
- KMC Z7 6/7-speed chain (116 links), $. 6/7-speed chain ↔ your 7-speed drivetrain
- KMC Z8.3 6/7/8-speed chain (116 links), $. 6/7/8-speed chain ↔ your 7-speed drivetrain
- KMC X8 EPT 6/7/8-speed anti-rust chain with Missing Link, $$. 6/7/8-speed chain ↔ your 7-speed drivetrain
Brakes
- Jagwire Mountain Pro brake cable kit (Kevlar KEB-SL housing), $$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- Jagwire Sport Organic disc pads, Avid BB5 / Promax Render (2 pairs), $. Avid BB5 pad shape ↔ your calipers
- Kool-Stop D280 semi-metallic disc pads, Avid BB5 (2 pairs), $$. Avid BB5 pad shape ↔ your calipers
- Shimano SM-RT56 160 mm 6-bolt rotor (1 rotor), $. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · 160 mm rotor ↔ your 160 mm front rotor
- Galfer Wave 160 mm 6-bolt rotor, 1.8 mm (1 rotor), $$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · 160 mm rotor ↔ your 160 mm front rotor
- Shimano SM-RT86 Ice-Tech 160 mm 6-bolt rotor (1 rotor), $$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · 160 mm rotor ↔ your 160 mm front rotor
- Tektro MD-U511 mechanical disc calipers, long pull, flat mount (pair), $$$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · Long-pull caliper ↔ your flat-bar (long-pull) levers
Tires
- WTB Byway 650b x 47 TCS (pair), $$$. 47 mm tire ↔ your ~47 mm clearance
- WTB Horizon 650b x 47 TCS (pair), $$$. 47 mm tire ↔ your ~47 mm clearance
- Teravail Washburn 650b x 47 Light & Supple (pair), $$$. 47 mm tire ↔ your ~47 mm clearance
Gearing
- Shimano CS-HG200-7 7-speed cassette 12–28, $. Cassette ↔ your Shimano HG freehub · 7-speed ↔ your 7-speed drivetrain
- Shimano CS-HG200-7 7-speed cassette 12–32, $. Cassette ↔ your Shimano HG freehub · 7-speed ↔ your 7-speed drivetrain
- SunRace CSM63 7-speed cassette 11–28, $. Cassette ↔ your Shimano HG freehub · 7-speed ↔ your 7-speed drivetrain
- Shimano Acera RD-M3020-8 SGS 7/8-speed rear derailleur (40T max), $$. 7-speed ↔ your 7-speed drivetrain · Shimano cable pull ↔ your shifter
Fits with small changes (34)
- microSHIFT Advent 1x9 kit (shifter, clutch RD, 11–46 cassette) + 9-speed chain, $$$. Installs as a set: shifter, derailleur, cassette and chain together.
- Suspension seatpost 27.2 mm (budget), $$. Your seat tube takes 31.6 mm: needs a 27.2→31.6 shim.
- Redshift ShockStop suspension seatpost 27.2, $$$$. Your seat tube takes 31.6 mm: needs a 27.2→31.6 shim.
- External dropper post 27.2 mm, 100 mm drop + remote, $$$. Your seat tube takes 31.6 mm: needs a 27.2→31.6 shim.
- Shimano CUES U6000 1x11 kit (SL-U6000-11R shifter, RD-U6000 clutch RD, CS-LG400-11 11–50 LinkGlide cassette, chain), $$$$. Installs as a set: shifter, derailleur, cassette and chain together.
- Ritchey Comp 2-Bolt alloy seatpost 27.2 mm, $$. Your seat tube takes 31.6 mm: needs a 27.2→31.6 shim.
- Thomson Elite seatpost 27.2 x 330 mm, $$$. Your seat tube takes 31.6 mm: needs a 27.2→31.6 shim.
- Ergon CF Allroad Pro Carbon flex seatpost 27.2 mm, $$$$. Your seat tube takes 31.6 mm: needs a 27.2→31.6 shim.
- SR Suntour NCX suspension seatpost 30.9 x 350 mm, $$$. Your seat tube takes 31.6 mm: needs a 30.9→31.6 shim.
- Redshift ShockStop Endurance suspension seatpost 30.9 mm, $$$$. Your seat tube takes 31.6 mm: needs a 30.9→31.6 shim.
- Cirrus Kinekt 2.1 Aluminum suspension seatpost 27.2 mm (LR or XR spring), $$$$. Your seat tube takes 31.6 mm: needs a 27.2→31.6 shim.
- Cirrus Kinekt 2.1 Aluminum suspension seatpost 30.9 mm (LR or XR spring), $$$$. Your seat tube takes 31.6 mm: needs a 30.9→31.6 shim.
- KS eTen-R external dropper 27.2 mm, 100 mm drop + KS Southpaw remote, $$$. Your seat tube takes 31.6 mm: needs a 27.2→31.6 shim.
- KS eTen-R external dropper 30.9 mm, 100 mm drop + KS Southpaw remote, $$$. Your seat tube takes 31.6 mm: needs a 30.9→31.6 shim.
- PNW Components Pine external dropper 27.2 mm (90 or 110 mm) + PNW Loam lever, $$$$. Your seat tube takes 31.6 mm: needs a 27.2→31.6 shim.
- TranzX YSP22 external dropper 30.9 x 410 mm, 125 mm drop, remote included, $$$. Your seat tube takes 31.6 mm: needs a 30.9→31.6 shim.
- KS LEV external dropper 30.9 mm (100–150 mm drop) + KS Southpaw remote, $$$$. Your seat tube takes 31.6 mm: needs a 30.9→31.6 shim.
- Wald 8095 swept touring handlebar 25.4 mm, $$. Clamp is 25.4 mm; your bike's is 31.8 mm. Needs a shim or a matching stem/bar.
- Sunlite Northroad Touring alloy handlebar 25.4 mm, 3.5" rise, $$. Clamp is 25.4 mm; your bike's is 31.8 mm. Needs a shim or a matching stem/bar.
- Nitto B352AA Albatross handlebar 25.4 mm, 55 cm, $$$. Clamp is 25.4 mm; your bike's is 31.8 mm. Needs a shim or a matching stem/bar.
- Stan's NoTubes tire sealant 16 oz, $. In tubes: needs tubes with removable valve cores (Presta or Schrader to match your rims).
- Orange Seal Endurance tubeless sealant 16 oz, $. In tubes: needs tubes with removable valve cores (Presta or Schrader to match your rims).
- SILCA Ultimate Tubeless Sealant 16 oz, $. In tubes: needs tubes with removable valve cores (Presta or Schrader to match your rims).
- Shimano SM-RT56 180 mm 6-bolt rotor (1 rotor), $. Your front rotor is 160 mm: a 180 mm rotor fits with a post +20 mm caliper adapter (check your fork's max rotor size).
- Galfer Wave 180 mm 6-bolt rotor, 1.8 mm (1 rotor), $$. Your front rotor is 160 mm: a 180 mm rotor fits with a post +20 mm caliper adapter (check your fork's max rotor size).
- Shimano SM-RT86 Ice-Tech 180 mm 6-bolt rotor (1 rotor), $$. Your front rotor is 160 mm: a 180 mm rotor fits with a post +20 mm caliper adapter (check your fork's max rotor size).
- Shimano CUES U4000 1x9 kit (SL-U4000-9R shifter, RD-U4000, CS-LG300-9 11–46, CN-LG500 chain), $$$. Installs as a set: shifter, derailleur, cassette and chain together.
- Shimano Deore M5100 1x11 kit (SL-M5100 shifter, RD-M5100, CS-M5100 11–51, CN-HG601 chain), $$$. Installs as a set: shifter, derailleur, cassette and chain together.
- Shimano Altus BL-MT201 + BR-UR300 flat-mount hydraulic brake set (pair, levers included), $$$. Replaces your brake levers. Your shifter stays.
- Magura MT4 flat-mount 2-piston hydraulic brakes (pair, levers included) + 2 Magura Storm 160 mm 6-bolt rotors, $$$$. Replaces your brake levers. Your shifter stays.
- Hope Tech 4 X2 flat-mount hydraulic brakes (pair, levers included), $$$$. Replaces your brake levers. Your shifter stays.
- Kalloy Uno SP-602 alloy seatpost 25.4 x 350 mm, $. Your seat tube takes 31.6 mm: needs a 25.4→31.6 shim.
- Thomson Elite seatpost 25.4 x 330 mm, $$$. Your seat tube takes 31.6 mm: needs a 25.4→31.6 shim.
- Sunlite adjustable suspension seatpost 25.4 mm, $$. Your seat tube takes 31.6 mm: needs a 25.4→31.6 shim.
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Buying one used? Fair prices
Worked out from the price new ($675), age and condition, not live market data. If it needs tires, a chain or brakes, take off what fixing them would cost.
| Condition | 1 year old | 3 years old | 5 years old |
|---|---|---|---|
| Like new | $380–$500 | $310–$405 | $250–$330 |
| Good | $335–$440 | $270–$360 | $220–$290 |
| Fair | $275–$360 | $220–$295 | $180–$235 |
| Needs work | $210–$275 | $170–$225 | $135–$180 |
See what these really sold for on eBay · Other used bike prices
Geometry (size MD)
| Stack | 580° |
|---|---|
| Reach | 379 mm |
| Head angle | 71° |
| Seat angle | 71° |
| Chainstay | 460° |
| BB drop | 64 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1076 mm |
| Head tube | 165 mm |
| Seat tube | 450 mm |
| Standover | 709° |
Compare with
- Schwinn Discover 2 700c · compare frames side by side
- Kent Ridgeway 700c · compare frames side by side
- Trek FX 2 Gen 4 · compare frames side by side
- Specialized Sirrus 2.0 · compare frames side by side
Sources: Cannondale: Treadwell 3 specs · Cannondale: Treadwell geometry table image · Mike's Bikes: Cannondale Treadwell 3 (US price) · Velomine: SunRace CS-M40 7-speed 11-34 (cog spacing)