Cannondale Moterra SL: information, models and prices

Cannondale presents the Moterra SL as the electric bike with the highest power-to-weight ratio in its class. The American brand has revamped a model that now comes with a Shimano EP801 motor with 85 Nm, 601 Wh battery, mullet wheels, and 160 mm front and 150 mm rear suspension. The range consists of three models, starting at 7,999 euros and weighing up to 19.5 kg.

Cannondale Moterra SL: a trail bike to expand the family and appeal to everyone

The electric bike market is a continuous factory of new models; demand remains high and the supply keeps its proposals up to date. The Cannondale catalog has a well-regarded family that has been on display for several years: while the Moterra is focused on trail riding, the EQ version adapts to urban needs, and the LT is the enduro variant. Now, the brand is back in the spotlight with a new member.

The Cannondale Moterra SL is an electric trail bike that boasts of having combined two opposing concepts: lightweight and a good dose of autonomy. Thus, the combination of several key elements allows it to be defined as a bike capable of meeting both demands.

The electric assistance is provided by the Shimano EP801 motor with 85 Nm and a maximum power of 600 watts. Lightweight is already one of the most outstanding aspects of the power unit, although the scale also appreciates the 3.1 kg of the 601 Wh battery -the brand has used special cells to make it compact and for great energy storage per kilo-.

With these data, the brand claims it is the e-MTB with at least 85 Nm and at least 600 Wh lighter on the market.

The motor has higher performance than what lightweight electric bikes usually offer; in addition, it has four driving modes: ECO -which allows you to travel about 70 km-, Trail, Boost, and Turbo.

The geometry features a radical 62.5° head angle, 77.6° seat angle, 449 mm chainstays, 639 mm stack, and 445 mm reach. The brand once again bets on Proportional Response; that is, both the geometry and the suspension design and even the seatstays are adapted to each size.

Cannondale has used FlexPivot technology to save weight on the carbon frame -the same practice they use in the Scalpel XC-. 

The Moterra SL comes with 160 mm front suspension travel and 150 mm rear. The brand has opted for a mullet configuration, although the design also allows for a 29" wheel at the rear.

In addition, the headset cups offer a 1.2° adjustment angle and the motor comes with an integrated protector to protect it from impacts.

Cannondale Moterra SL: models, prices, and weights

Below, we detail the range of the Cannondale Moterra SL. The LAB71 model is only available in black, while the SL 1 -carbon gray and jade- and the SL 2 -tiger shark and red- are offered in two colors.

Cannondale Moterra SL LAB71

• Frame: LAB71 Moterra Neo SL, Series 1 Carbon construction
• Fork: Fox Float Factory 36, 160mm travel, Grip2 Damper, Kashima coating, 15x110mm Kabolt thru-axle, tapered steerer, 44mm offset
• Shock: Fox Float X Factory, 2 pos adj, EVOL LV, 210x55mm
• Motor: Shimano EP801, 85Nm, Custom Tuned
• Battery: Custom 601Wh battery
• Derailleur: SRAM XX Eagle AXS, T-Type
• Saddle: Fizik Terra Ridon X1, 145mm, Wingflex, Carbon Mobius rail 7x10mm
• Seatpost: RockShox Reverb AXS, 31.6, 150mm (S), 170mm (M-XL)
• Brakes: SRAM Code Ultimate Stealth, 200mm HS2 rotors
• Tires: (F) Maxxis DHF, 29x2.5 ", 3C, EXO+, tubeless ready / (R) Maxxis Dissector, 27.5x2.4", 3C, EXO+, tubeless ready
• Weight: 19.5 kg
• Price: 13,999 euros

Cannondale Moterra SL 1

• Frame: Moterra Neo SL, Series 1 Carbon construction
• Fork: Fox Float Factory 36, 160mm travel, Grip2 Damper, Kashima coating, 15x110mm Kabolt thru-axle, tapered steerer, 44mm offset
• Shock: Fox Float X Factory, 2 pos adj, EVOL LV, 210x55mm
• Motor: Shimano EP801, 85Nm, Custom Tuned
• Battery: Custom 601Wh battery
• Derailleur: SRAM XO Eagle AXS, T-Type
• Saddle: Fizik Terra Ridon X3, 145mm, Wingflex, K:ium Mobius rail 7x7mm
• Seatpost: Cannondale DownLow Dropper, internal routing, 31.6, 150mm (S), 170mm (M-XL)
• Brakes: Magura MT7 4-piston hydraulic disc w/ Storm HC 203mm, 6-bolt rotors
• Tires: (F) Maxxis DHF, 29x2.5 ", 3C, EXO+, tubeless ready / (R) Maxxis Dissector, 27.5x2.4", 3C, EXO+, tubeless ready
• Weight: 19.7 kg
• Price: 9,999 euros

Cannondale Moterra SL 2

• Frame: Moterra Neo SL, Series 1 Carbon construction
• Fork: Fox Performance 36, 160mm travel, Grip Damper, 3 position adjust, 15x110mm Kabolt thru-axle, tapered steerer, 44mm offset
• Shock: Fox Float X Performance Elite, 2 pos adj, EVOL LV, 210x55mm
• Motor: Shimano EP801, 85Nm, Custom Tuned
• Battery: Custom 601Wh battery
• Derailleur: Shimano XT
• Saddle: Fizik Terra Ridon X5, 145mm, Wingflex, S-Alloy Mobius rail 7x7mm
• Seatpost: Cannondale DownLow Dropper, internal routing, 31.6, 150mm (S), 170mm (M-XL)
• Brakes: Magura MT5 4-piston hydraulic disc w/ Storm HC 203mm, 6-bolt rotors
• Tires: (F) Maxxis DHF, 29x2.5 ", 2C, EXO, tubeless ready / (R) Maxxis Dissector, 27.5x2.4", 2C, EXO, tubeless ready
• Weight: 20.6 kg
• Price: 7,999 euros

You can find more information on the Cannondale website.