Whether it's the Lefty fork with just one leg, a downhill bike with two shocks or special asymmetric wheels - Cannondale rightly has a reputation for being unconventional. Compared to this, the American company's e-bikes have so far been surprisingly ordinary (To the test: Cannondale Moterra Neo LT and Cannondale Moterra Neo). But with the Moterra SL, Cannondale once again provides a little surprise. Instead of the expected Bosch SX, there is the new Shimano EP801 motor. And instead of a mini battery, it has 600 watt hours. At less than 20 kilos, the bike should still ride like a real light eMTB, just with more motor oomph so that the fun doesn't come up short on the climbs.
We wanted a light-footed ride, but we didn't want to miss out on fun on the climbs - Roland Czuday, Cannondale
The details of the bike are less obvious than the choice of drive system. With rather long chainstays, the Moterra SL also focuses on uphill capabilities, while the head angle is super slack despite moderate travel of 160/150 millimetres. 62.5 degrees! So far, we've only seen dimensions like this from real extremos like Red Deer R.G 375 and the new eFanes from Alutech. Also unusual: Cannondale has dispensed with the Horst link bearing in the rear triangle of the Moterra SL and instead uses a system with flexing chainstays. This has been known in the mountain bike business for some time - but until now it has been used more on cross-country bikes with short suspension travel.
The facts about the Cannondale Moterra SL
- Motor: Shimano EP801, 85 Nm max. torque
- Battery: Darfon, 600 Wh (permanently installed)
- Frame material: Carbon
- Suspension travel: 160 / 150 mm with Flexpivot rear triangle
- Wheel size: Mullet (29 / 27.5 inch)
- Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Three models between 7999 and 13,999 euros
- Weight: between 19.5 and 20.6 kg depending on the model (manufacturer's specification, size M)
- Permissible total weight: 130 kg (wheels; chassis approved for up to 150 kg)
- Special features: Semi-Light attachment, Flexpivot rear triangle, flip chip in the rear for 29-inch rear wheel, two cable routing options
Shimano EP801 and its own Darfon battery: the e-bike motor in the Moterra SL
Contrary to what the SL in the name suggests: The Moterra SL is not a classic light motor à la TQ, Fazua or Bosch SX. At least the last two options would be obvious. Since Porsche bought Fazua, Cannondale and the Bavarian motor manufacturer have virtually belonged to the same group of companies (Read more about Porsche's involvement in the e-bike business here). And Cannondale has always enjoyed a close partnership with Bosch.
There are several reasons why the Shimano EP801 was chosen for the Moterra SL. Firstly, the bike should offer a lot of torque at a low cadence so as not to restrict the uphill capabilities. As the lightest motor in the classic power league, the Shimano is predestined for this, real light motors are at a disadvantage here. One argument, which we already know from the light bikes from Rotwild with Shimano EP8 and from Giants Trance Elite model know. Since the update to the new EP801, the Shimano also offers more power and almost equals the Bosch CX with up to 600 watts of peak power.
The option of third-party batteries was also an argument in favour of Shimano for the Moterra SL. Together with Darfon, Cannondale has developed its own, particularly slim battery especially for the Moterra SL, which is permanently installed in the frame for weight reasons. With 600 watt hours, it offers more capacity than classic light solutions. However, at 3.1 kilograms, the weight remains within reasonable limits. For comparison: Shimano and Bosch's 625 watt-hour batteries weigh around 3.6 kilograms. There is no range extender, but the Darfon charger is quite fast and could well serve as a range extender in practice.
The Shimano system is operated via the sporty EM800 remote and the associated display including Bluetooth function. For example, the support can be fine-tuned via the E-Tube app. Unlike other systems, the Moterra SL offers four instead of three preconfigured support levels. In theory, you can activate up to 15 levels in the E-Tube app. This is the first time we have seen the SD300 LED display in the top tube on a production bike. This is where the system is switched on and off, and LEDs are used to display the battery status and the U-level. Theoretically, you can even use the bike with just this on/off switch for a particularly clean look. Without the EM800 display, however, there is no Bluetooth function for pairing with the smartphone.
Full carbon and Flexpivot: frame and kinematics of the Cannondale Moterra SL
The Moterra SL is Cannondale's first E-MTB with a full carbon frame. It should only weigh 2400 grams including bearings and axles, but without the shock - this puts Cannondale pretty much on a par with the factory specification for other high-end E-MTBs with a permanently installed battery, such as the Wild from Orbea. (Test the Orbea Wild). The permissible system weight is a whopping 150 kilograms, the frame is even approved for a payload of up to 138 kilograms plus bike weight (158 kilograms in total). However, the wheels from DT Swiss' XM series limit the total DT Swiss approval to 130 kilograms. Nevertheless, heavier riders can easily upgrade the bike to 150 kilograms with other wheels.
The rear triangle squeezes 150 millimetres of travel out of a supposedly classic four-link design. However, instead of a Horst link pivot point at the dropout, the Moterra SL uses flexing chainstays. This should make the frame stiffer and lighter and at the same time reduce maintenance costs. From cross-country bikes and also some short-stroke E-MTBs We have been familiar with this type of design for some time, but the Moterra SL is the first all-mountain e-bike to utilise this technology. The narrow section of the chainstay works like a leaf spring and allows the "joint" to rotate by eight degrees. Exciting: When stationary, the flexing strut is slightly preloaded and only fully relieved when the bike is in SAG. This means that the design should have no negative impact on the bike's kinematics. With so much suspension travel we know This technology has so far only been available from Last and their super-light Enduro Tarvo - which, however, comes without an engine.
For professionals: the geometry of the Moterra SL
With the Moterra SL, Cannondale is targeting professional riders and ambitious amateurs. The steering angle therefore measures an extreme 62.5 degrees in the slack setting. However, the steering angle can be increased by +1.2 degrees to a slightly less extreme 63.7 degrees using the Acros angled headset. Even for an E-Enduro, however, this is still a very slack value and requires an active riding position with a lot of pressure on the front.
The reach of the bike, on the other hand, is not as extreme, Cannondale keeps the chainstays rather long. This should ensure a good balance and prevent the front end from rising too early on climbs. The seat angle is steep and the bottom bracket is rather low in favour of cornering. A special feature of the high-end American bikes: in addition to the main frame, the rear triangle also grows with the frame size. This means that even riders of very small or very large bikes should not have to do without a balanced geometry. The bike comes from the factory with a mullet wheel mix, but the small 27.5-inch rear wheel can be swapped for a 29-inch rear wheel. In this case, a flip chip in the seat stay lowers the bottom bracket so that the original geometry is retained.
Overview of geometry data (manufacturer's specifications, size L)
- Seat tube length: 445 mm (380 - 490 mm; S - XL)
- Wheelbase: 1283 mm
- Reach: 470 mm (420 - 505 mm; S - XL)
- Stack: 648 mm (630 - 657; S - XL)
- Steering angle: 62.5 degrees (optional 63.7 degrees)
- Seat angle: 77 degrees
- Chainstay length: 453 mm (449 - 458; S - XL)
- Bottom bracket height: 335 mm (30 mm BB drop in relation to 29 inch)
From 8000 Euro - Cannondale Moterra SL: Models and equipment
With the Moterra SL, Cannondale claims to be targeting demanding riders who don't want to be held back by simple equipment. Accordingly, all three models come with fully adjustable suspension from the Fox Performance Elite or even Factory series and full carbon frames. For weight reasons, Cannondale relies on wheels from the DT-Swiss All Mountain XM series instead of the super-stable HX version for e-bikes. All bikes come with Cannondale's Garmin-compatible wheel sensor and are therefore also compatible with the Cannondale app. Prices start at an ambitious 7999 euros.
Cannondale Moterra SL Lab 71 - 13,999 euros
Tuned to the limit ex works? Carbon as far as the eye can see? Cannondale has recently added the Lab 71 suffix to these models, which is no longer just about function, but also about maximum glamour factor. To achieve this, it has its own paint job with a bronze-gold top tube and seat stays, as well as everything that is good and expensive: Srams XX Eagle transmission, Fox Factory suspension, the wireless AXS Reverb dropper post, Code Ultimate Stealth brakes and XMC 1501 carbon wheels from DT Swiss. The Lab71 is the only model without the option of classic cable routing.
- Fork / shock: Fox 36 Factory Grip 2 / Float X Factory
- Gear system: Sram XX Transmission
- Brakes: Sram Code Ultimate Stealth
- Wheels: DT Swiss XMC 1501 Spline
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5" / Dissector 2.4", Maxxterra Exo+
Cannondale Moterra SL 1 - 9999 Euro
The SL1 is the top model for the sensible, so to speak. It has Fox Factory suspension and an X0 transmission from Sram, powerful MT7 stoppers from Magura and high-quality aluminium wheels from DT Swiss. Carbon cranks and handlebars keep the weight down. At 19.7 kilograms in size M, the SL1 should therefore only be 200 grams heavier than the top model Lab71.
- Fork / shock: Fox 36 Factory Grip 2 / Float X Factory
- Gear system: Sram X0 Transmission
- Brakes: Magura MT7
- Wheels: DT Swiss XM1700 Spline
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5" / Dissector 2.4", Maxxterra Exo+
Cannondale Moterra SL 2 - 7999 Euro
The "entry-level model" Moterra SL 2 already comes with Fox Performance Elite suspension with the high-quality Grip2 damper in the fork and the Float X in the rear with adjustable compression damping. The Shimano twelve-speed drivetrain (Deore/XT), which should also deliver proven performance, has been spared. MT5 brakes and Stan's rims with Formula hubs at the front and DT Swiss 370 Hybrid at the rear are a little less glamorous than on the SL1, but functionally top-notch.
- Fork / Shock: Fox 36 Performance Elite Grip2 / Fox Float X Performance Elite
- Gear system: Shimano Deore / XT twelve-speed
- Brakes: Magura MT5
- Wheels: Stans Arch MK4 rims with Formula/DT Swiss hubs
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5" / Dissector 2.4", Maxxterra Exo+
Practical test: How the Cannondale Moterra SL rides
At the launch of the bike on the trails around Braga in Portugal, we were able to get a first impression of the new Cannondale Moterra SL - but so far only in the (super!) slack head angle setting. Uphill, the new bike places you pleasantly front-wheel orientated. This makes it easy to find an active riding position on steep climbs. However: Like the previous Cannondale e-bikes, the Moterra SL also reacts strongly to the saddle extension. Due to the kink in the seat tube, riders with a lot of extension are positioned much further back than riders with less saddle extension. For riders with long legs, this results in a slightly rear-heavy riding position.
On the climbs, the firm suspension isn't overly comfortable, and the front end tends to tip over with the slack steering angle and needs to be consciously controlled. However, the traction of the bike was excellent on the rocky uphills in Portugal, the defined suspension doesn't get rattled by compressions on the climbs and ensures excellent control of the chassis. Especially when standing, the Moterra SL with its Shimano motor shoots up even demanding passages with ease. Special praise also goes to the coordination of the support levels. Instead of one, the Moterra SL has two trail modes that impress with harmonious progression. If you pedal harder, you get more, which was previously the exception with Shimano and is reminiscent of the great dynamic Tour+ and EMTB support levels from Bosch. Despite the low bottom bracket, cranksets were rarely a problem.
Precise and defined: The Moterra SL downhill
The firm bike with the powerful motor already makes a dynamic impression on the climbs, and the Moterra SL mutates into a racer on the descents: the bike always needs a certain amount of speed, which is certainly also due to the extremely slack head angle. But the faster and steeper the trails get, the more comfortable you feel on the new Cannondale. You're nicely integrated into the bike and let the bumps pelt the suspension mercilessly. However, the bike feels very stiff on transverse roots and acknowledges riding errors with a significant loss of direction. At low speeds, the suspension feels very firm, while the slack steering angle and stiff chassis make it more challenging to ride on poorly visible trails or ruts.
However, the high rigidity and defined suspension also pay off in a positive way. The Moterra SL is extremely direct and precise in berms and when turning, and the bike is easy to pull into the air even on small jumps. Changing direction is also easy despite the long chainstays. And this despite the fact that we have only been able to ride the bike with the slack head angle so far. The steep setting certainly provides even more agility and more error-tolerant handling. For a full-power e-bike, the Moterra SL also feels very light-footed and, for a bike of this calibre, is surprisingly good in the bunny hop or on the rear wheel. As good as a radical light bike à la Fuel EXe from Trek or Levo SL from Specialized? Probably not. However, the compromise between full motor power, fun on the climbs and light-footed handling convinced us during our first test.
Strengths
- Very light for a full-power eMTB
- Balanced uphill and downhill characteristics
- Sporty, precise and direct handling
Weaknesses
- No exchangeable battery or range extender
- Not very suitable for beginners due to demanding geometry
The EMTB conclusion on the Cannondale Moterra SL
Fast, direct, sporty, stiff: the Cannondale Moterra SL offers ambitious riders a great mix of low weight and full motor power and also cuts a fine figure on the climbs. Downhill, the steep steering angle needs to be consciously tamed, but the light-footed full-throttle bike offers plenty of reserves. A fun, racy machine for pros! However, for riders of average ability who also want some comfort on tour or an explicitly manoeuvrable bike, the consistent and also expensive carbon sports bike with the fixed battery is not the right choice. - Adrian Kaether, Editor EMTB Magazine
"Targeting the discerning rider": Interview with Roland Czuday from Cannondale
EMTB: With Fazua and TQ, but not least the Bosch SX, light motors are all the rage at the moment. Why did you still decide against such a drive?
Roland Czuday: With analogue bikes, the range of use was roughly determined by the suspension travel. With e-MTBs, the whole thing becomes a matrix due to the motors with different levels of power: There is a lot of power and little suspension travel as well as a lot of suspension travel and little power and everything in between. For us, it was about a very special sweet spot. We want a light-footed riding experience but we also want a lot of power and a lot of torque. Because for us, the uphill is absolutely part of the fun of e-mountain biking. The lightweight but powerful Shimano is the best choice for this.
With 600 watt hours, the battery lies somewhere between the extremes of light and power E-MTBs. How did this come about?
The reasoning behind this is similar. I've found the range of light bikes rather disappointing so far. But I don't need 750 watt hours with a Bosch motor if the bike is going to be so heavy. The 600 battery offers a good range and provides enough energy for the Shimano motor to unleash its full power. At the same time, the bike remains nice and light.
Why doesn't the Moterra SL have a removable battery or at least a range extender?
The removable battery has clear disadvantages in the frame construction, which we did not want to accept on such a performance bike. However, you can easily rotate the motor downwards for servicing and then remove the battery relatively easily and reproducibly in around 10 minutes. This is also important in E-Enduro races. On the subject of range extenders: We conducted extensive surveys with our riders and dealers. Two things emerged from this. Firstly: For many, the water bottle is more important than the extender. And secondly, although many customers are interested in an extender at the dealer, sales figures have been very low so far. We therefore prefer to use a fast charger for long rides. This is also the better option in terms of weight.
So far, we have mainly seen flexing chainstays on cross-country bikes. Is the system also suitable for a rear triangle with 150 millimetres of travel?
With the right damper tune, Flexpivot also harmonises very well with a rear triangle with more travel. The flexing strut even has clearly positive characteristics when bottoming out. In relation to the other forces in the rear triangle, the force required to compress the Flexpivot is relatively low. The kinematics are hardly affected by this. And it is of course a weight issue: we save 150 to 200 grams, have fewer bearings and the system is also slimmer.
Light bikes are also very much about agile handling. Wouldn't a less extreme geometry be advantageous? Keyword: chainstay length and steering angle?
We offer two options for the steering angle via the Acros system. This allows the bike to be easily adapted to extreme or more moderate gradients. The chainstays are all about balance. The front becomes longer and longer due to the longer reach values and slacker head angles. Accordingly, the rear must also grow a little, otherwise the handling becomes unbalanced. The chainstay on the Moterra SL is therefore a moderate 449 to 458 millimetres, depending on the frame size. For us, this is the sweet spot between uphill and downhill and a value that harmonises well with the length of the front.
The Moterra SL is not a cheap entry-level model, the geometry sets exclamation marks. For which type of rider is this bike the right choice?
Until now, we only had an e-MTB for everything in our portfolio. With the Moterra SL, we now want to target the demanding rider. Those who can already ride well and want to develop further, for whom the e-bike is more than just a climbing aid. We want to give them the right tools to really live out their sport. For those who want easier handling and a little more touring and everyday suitability, the classic Moterra is still a good choice.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
