We test the Cannondale Motera Neo Carbon LT 2: pure power
Cannondale's Moterra Neo family has established itself as one of the references in the ever-growing market of electric mountain bikes. And at the most radical extreme of the range we find the LT version. A real beast for the wildest use.
Long travel, mullet configuration, spring shock absorber and a bombproof setup. All together with the Bosch Performance Line CX motor.
One of the most powerful bikes, in every way, that has passed through our hands. Here we tell you about our experience.
Cannondale Moterra Neo LT: breaking boundaries
RECOMENDADO
A few months ago Cannondale's Moterra range was completely renovated, improving the features and updating the geometry.
The new range is available in three versions: Moterra Neo Carbon, Moterra Neo Alloy and Moterra Neo LT (long travel).
The latter is the one we have been testing for several weeks and here we tell you all about it in detail.
With the Moterra LT, Cannondale is clear that limitations cannot exist. And they have started by designing a frame whose front triangle is made of carbon fiber but prioritizing resistance above all.
With 170mm of travel at the front and 165mm at the rear, plus a mullet configuration, the Moterra LT can handle anything.
The construction of the frame shows a very well studied design with quality details and good finishes. A closer look reveals the complex shapes of the main triangle, with edges on almost all the tubes, in order to optimize the weight-stiffness ratio.
At the front of the frame there are no holes for the cables, as they are routed underneath the stem, in a very clean and aesthetic design.
The down tube is generously sized to house the 750Wh Bosch PowerTube battery. This tube has a protection at the front that can be removed without tools and shows an opening to remove the battery, as this can be charged separately from the bike, if preferred.
In the lower part of the frame there are over-dimensioned areas that allow the battery to be placed as low as possible and thus lower the centre of gravity. In this area there is also a very solid aluminium cover that protects the engine and battery from any impact.
The top tube has a flat but wider section, in search of that robustness that a bike like the Moterra Neo LT requires. The swingarm, also very solid looking, is built in aluminum and its configuration is of the 4 Bar type. It connects to the shock via a double linkage that provides 165mm of rear travel. Despite mounting a piggyback shock, there is room on the frame to carry a water bottle.
And as we have already said, they have taken care of all the details, and as proof of this we find a charging port with a very practical design, but at the same time watertight and reliable. A generously sized chainstay protector with pronounced grooves to reduce chain slap is also included.
And one detail we liked is the standard installation of integrated mudguards which, without attracting too much attention, do their job very effectively.
Moving on to the geometry. The priorities are clear when it comes to a true long-travel enduro. The aim is to be as capable as possible of tackling the most difficult and challenging downhills, giving the bike as much poise and stability as possible without compromising handling.
This is where the mullet configuration comes into play, as that 27.5" rear wheel will give us a plus of agility that is not a bad thing in a bike with these characteristics.
Cannondale continues its "Proportional Response" technology in this model, and adapts the suspension kinematics to each size, changing shock, linkage and pivot point location. This results in optimal bike performance in all sizes and for all sizes of riders.
Focusing on the measurements of our test bike, we found a head angle of 64º, a very generous launch which, together with the poise that, due to its weight and characteristics, this type of bike has, announces a great stability at high speeds. The down tube has an effective angle of 76.5º, which places us in an optimal position for pedaling uphill.
The reach in size M is 446mm, which is in line with trends but not exaggerated. And having a 27.5" rear wheel allows for relatively short chainstays at 452mm.
With these measurements, the length between axles is 1242mm, which is ample but not exorbitant.
Bosch Smart System: a safe bet
The assistance of the Cannondale Moterra LT is entrusted to the best of Bosch. The Bosch Performance Line CX motor, together with the elements that make up the Bosch Smart System, give the Moterra great power and autonomy. It also has several customization options and, thanks to the display and the LED Remote control, the information is very visual.
Starting with the motor, the Bosch Performance Line CX offers 85Nm of maximum torque and up to 340% assistance.
The assistance can be adjusted between four different modes, the first is the ECO mode, which is designed to obtain maximum autonomy, offering minimal assistance, but sufficient to compensate for the extra weight of an eBike like this. This mode is configurable in terms of assistance level, response speed, maximum speed and maximum torque.
The next two modes are TOUR+ and eMTB. These two modes are dynamic or progressive, i.e. they vary the level of assistance depending on the power we exert. They reduce the need to vary the assistance depending on the terrain, as it adapts to the conditions we encounter.
On top we have the TURBO mode which, like the ECO mode, is configurable and can offer us those 85Nm and 340% assistance, so that there is no challenge impossible to face.
The remote control with which we will operate the motor is the LED Remote which, on the one hand, is responsible for the connectivity with the eBIKE Flow application, with which we can configure all the options of the motor and from which we receive the updates.
The control, in addition to allowing us to vary the assistance modes and interact with the display, offers us, through a very intuitive LED light code, the information of the selected mode, the battery level and possible system errors.
The display is the Kiox 300, which gives us complete information through several customizable screens, and does so with a clarity that makes it easy to see at a glance even in broad daylight.
The PowerTube 750 battery completes the Bosch Smart System and makes autonomy a priority.
Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon LT 2: a set-up with no weak points
An eBike of this caliber has to be built with components that will stand up to the toughest treatment, and Cannondale has not speculated on that.
The suspensions of this model are entrusted to Rock Shox. At the front we have the Rock Shox ZEB Select fork that, with its 38mm bars and robust chassis, guarantees high stiffness.
Being the basic model, the adjustments are simple but sufficient to make the fork work according to our preferences.
The shock is the Rock Shox Deluxe Select+ Coil, which will offer that tremendous sensitivity of a spring shock, with rebound adjustment and a lever to close the compression and minimize movement in pedaling sections.
Shimano is in charge of the drivetrain, with a combination of XT rear derailleur and SLX cassette, shifter and chain. The cranks are FSA with 160mm, usual measure in this type of eBikes.
The brakes, although the specifications indicate Magura MT5 brakes, on our test bike we found very powerful Sram Code R brakes.
The wheels combine robust 32-spoke WTB ST i30 rims with a Formula front hub and a Shimano rear hub.
On these are mounted, on the front wheel, a 29x2.6" Maxxis Assegai tyre, with EXO+ casing and 3C compound. On the rear is a 27.5x2.6" Maxxis Minion DHR2 tyre with the same casing and compound.
The cockpit consists of a Cannondale handlebar and stem made of aluminum and of very good workmanship, highlighting the cable routing through the stem itself.
Also with a very good design and great performance we have a Cannondale DownLow seatpost whose travel varies depending on the size of the bike, being in size M of 150mm. A Fabric Scoop saddle is mounted on it.
Enjoying the Moterra Neo LT 2
The truth is that we were looking forward to receiving Cannondale's most powerful eBike, and we were not disappointed. The bike exudes robustness and strength wherever you look at it, but at the same time does not present more complications than necessary in its design, being its main lines quite simple.
As always, the first thing we did was put it on our scales before attaching the pedals. It came in at 26.34 kg, which makes it one of the heaviest bikes we've tested, but this is not a surprise because, considering its characteristics, we expected a high figure.
We made the settings of measurements and pressures to go out to test it. At this point we realized that the spring was a bit hard for our weight. This is a small disadvantage compared to an air shock, in which the pressure varies and adapts to any rider. Even so there was no problem as the difference was minimal compared to what we would have put on.
It was time to get going. The posture we adopted is common to most eBikes of last generation, with saddle angle well forward and a reach that already seems normal when approaching 45cm. We did notice that we were quite upright, since its front travel implies a high Stack, and we had some spacers under the stem. Overall we found it to be a very comfortable position to face the pedaling sections and the climbs to reach the trails, which is what it's all about with a bike like the Cannondale Moterra LT.
In the assistance section there is little to say that we have not commented on in so many other tests with the Bosch Smart System. It is for many the best eBike motor on the market and, with the adjustment options it offers, the excellent Kiox 300 display and its LED Remote control, we find it difficult to improve.
The pedaling is very natural and as for the noise, without being the most silent, it is quite discreet. Only in demanding moments the buzzing noise is more noticeable. We did find that a bike as heavy as the Cannondale Moterra LT is quite demanding of assistance, although thanks to the 750Wh battery this is not a problem. As Cannondale says, battery life anxiety is a thing of the past.
Here we have set the ECO mode just to see that it works and the TOUR+ at specific times on flat terrain. 90% of the time we have used the eMTB, which we think is a marvel, as it almost completely eliminates the need to switch between modes, as it adapts very well to your assistance needs.
TURBO mode is good for those hard climbs when you're already tired and want the bike to do almost everything for you.
The LED Remote with its light code gives you the information you need at a quick glance, without the need to take your attention away from the trails, and only to see something more detailed is it necessary to look at the display.
There is only one detail that has been difficult to adapt to, and that is the extreme sensitivity of the buttons. In some moments when we wanted to change mode when we were already going down a trail, we have made double presses involuntarily. Or looking for the right button with the thumb, we have pressed the other one because of the movement of the bike. No doubt it is something to get used to and that once adapted will not be a problem.
On climbs we tested the Rock Shox Deluxe shock lever and, although on an eBike the oscillation due to pedaling is not as problematic as on a traditional bike, the firm feel of the shock with closed compression is pleasant and allows us to do some standing and thus change posture.
The Cannondale Moterra LT 2 asks for strong emotions
It's time to enjoy what the Moterra LT has to offer when the terrain gets rough.
The first downhills we did on trails without many difficulties and with enough flow. We wanted to see how the Moterra LT behaves in tight and fast curves, which, in principle, should not be its strength, due to the weight and inertias of this bike.
And it is true that the inertias are greater than on other bikes and it is something to get used to, but in terms of agility we were surprised. Its 27.5" rear wheel has a lot to do with it. After several downhills we ended up squeezing in every corner and getting a speed that we did not expect in this type of downhills.
But undoubtedly, its terrain is those risky and broken descents where it is a bit scary to let go of the brakes.
In these circumstances is where the Moterra LT helps us, firstly, with the extreme sensitivity of its spring shock, which makes the rear read the terrain in a way that offers us a lot of security, and on the other hand its geometry and long suspension travel makes everything very easy, allowing us to release the brakes and go down with a confidence that we had not known before.
On the other hand, on descents where the incline is maximum, we find greater ability to lean back and lower our center of gravity thanks to the 27.5" rear wheel.
We also loved the Moterra LT when it came to tackling some jumps, as in this case its inertia works in our favor and the bike is very stable in the air.
As for the performance of the components. The drivetrain behaved extremely accurate and fast at all times.
Sram Code R brakes are simple but very powerful. In that sense, this bike tests any brake like no other, due to its high weight and the speeds it allows us to reach, and they have exceeded it remarkably.
The tyres also gave us the security that corresponds to a bike of this caliber.
And a special mention for the Cannondale DownLow dropper seatpost, which we had already tested, and confirms its good behavior and smoothness, plus its control is very ergonomic and is activated with very little force. On a bike where we reach high speeds in difficult terrain, this makes a difference.
Final conclusions
It is clear that an eBike like the Cannondale Moterra LT has a very specific use. If we are looking for versatility the standard Moterra is a better choice, but if what we want is the bike with which you can get down faster and safer, the Moterra LT is unbeatable.
This does not make the uphill climbs uncomfortable or heavy, since we have the assistance of the Bosch motor and a modern geometry that positions us optimally.
And it is heavier than most, but we were surprised by its handling on the road.
In conclusion, the Moterra LT is the ultimate weapon for those who seek, above all, the thrill of the most aggressive and complicated trails, and are looking for an eBike to push their limits.
Within the Cannondale catalog there are two versions of this model. The Moterra Neo Carbon LT 1 is the top of the range, priced at €8,999. And the one we have tested is the Moterra Neo Carbon LT 2, which can be purchased at a price of €7,499.
In the rest of the Moterra range there are five versions, plus one focused on urban use. The most expensive is the Moterra Neo Carbon 1, priced at €8,499, and the entry model is the Moterra Neo 5, priced at €4,199.
Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon LT 2: specifications, weight and price
- Frame: Moterra Neo Carbon, 165mm
- Fork: Rock Shox ZEB Select, Charger RC, 170mm
- Shock: Rock Shox Deluxe Select+ Coil
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX 250W
- Battery: Bosch PowerTube 750Wh
- Display: Bosch Kiox 300 / LED Remote
- Rear derailleur: Shimano XT
- Shifter: Shimano SLX, 12-speed
- Chain: Shimano SLX, 12-speed
- Cassette: Shimano SLX, 10-51, 12-speed
- Crankset: FSA Bosch E-Bike, 160mm, 34T
- Brakes: Sram Code R, 220/200mm
- Rims: WTB ST i30 TCS, 32h
- Hubs: Formula / Shimano MT410
- Front tyre: Maxxis Assegai, 29x2,6”, 3C, EXO+
- Rear tyre: Maxxis Minion DHR2, 27,5x2,6”, 3C, EXO+
- Handlebar: Cannondale 3 Riser, 25mm rise, 80mm
- Stem: Cannondale 2, 35mm, 0º
- Saddle: Fabric Scoop Shallow Sport
- Seatpost: Cannondale DownLow 31,6, 125mm (S), 150mm (M), 170mm (L/XL)
- Weight: 26,34kg
- Price: €7,499
También puede interesarte
Training
What is heart rate variability and how does it affect the cyclist?
Training
How does age affect performance and recovery?
Road
Easy to apply tips for riding faster
Training
7 tips for cycling in the rain
Training
Important keys to make your training work
Road