Verdict on the Cannondale Moterra 1 test
The Cannondale Moterra 1 is the epitome of a successful all-mountain bike. It carries the rider with ease uphill and provides a safe ride downhill at all times. Comfort, safety and range are more pronounced on the Cannondale than on any other bike in the test. The spec leaves nothing to be desired, and the price is fair – with the competition, you often get less for the same price.
Test result
| Property | Grade |
|---|---|
| Riding behavior | 2,0 |
| Lab | 2,1 |
| Equipment | 2,0 |
| Motor | 1,5 |
| Final grade | 1,9 |
You can find the full bike rating here
Data and facts about the Cannondale Moterra 1
| Suspension travel | 160 mm |
| Weight | 24.35 kg |
| Motor | Bosch Performance CX |
| Battery | Bosch Power Tube 800 |
| Fork | Fox 38 Float Factory |
| Rear shock | Fox Float X Factory |
| Drivetrain | SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission AXS |
| Front brake | Magura MT7 |
For almost ten years, the Moterra has been part of Cannondale’s range of motorised full-suspension bikes – making it a true classic in the still-young e-MTB segment. The Moterra 1, our test bike, is aimed at a broad e-MTB community: A Bosch drive with a removable 800 Wh battery, 29-inch wheels and 160 millimetres of front suspension travel and 150 millimetres at the rear may not sound particularly spectacular, but they form the perfect foundation for an uncomplicated e-all-mountain bike. The motto: more of a generalist, less of a specialist. However, those looking for a more clearly defined area of use will still find what they’re after in the Moterra range: The LT version, with its mullet setup and increased suspension travel, has enduro DNA; the SL model, with its lighter Shimano EP8 and smaller battery, targets the ‘light’ category; and the EQ Moterra, with its everyday features, also caters for commuters.
This test forms part of a major comparison of seven high-end e-all-mountain bikes. Here are the other bikes and articles:
- >> Cannondale Moterra 1: Test winner – the best e-MTB of 2026!
- >> Canyon Spectral:On CFR review: a top pick for an e-MTB with dream spec
- >> Crussis e-Full 12.11 Pro review: a thrilling ride with DJI Avinox
- >> Rotwild R.EX Pro: The best bike with DJI-Avinox?
- >> Santa Cruz Vala 90: A downhill specialist with all-round capabilities?
- >> Stevens E-Inception AM 8.8.1 GTF: A new edition of the test-winning e-bike
- >> Transition Regulator CX review: limited range, plenty of riding fun
Cannondale Moterra 1: A breeze uphill
But back to the Moterra 1: if you love uphill flow and enjoy really having to work hard on key sections, this bike is right up your street. With the longest chainstays and the highest bottom bracket in the test field, this Cannondale leaves the competition in the dust on the climbs.
Bumping over kerbs or the front wheel lifting? Not a chance! Combined with the Bosch system, its uphill control clearly sets the benchmark. Those who prefer to gain altitude at a leisurely pace on forest tracks will appreciate the comfortable riding position: short reach, high top tube – the rider sits comfortably behind the handlebars. The Cannondale also scores highly in terms of comfort when it comes to the suspension: responsive even under chain pull, without sagging – well done!
Focus on the Bosch drive system
Since the CX Generation 5, the Bosch motor has been rattle-free on descents and has also seen a noticeable boost in performance: 750 watts of peak power and 100 Nm of torque are now available. Uphill, the new eMTB+ mode sets the benchmark, in our view, with its extremely responsive behaviour and tremendous momentum. Whilst the motor isn’t exactly a lightweight, it’s otherwise hard to beat.
In terms of range, too, the Bosch system with its 800 Wh battery remains unrivalled in this comparison. With 2,023 metres of elevation gain in Boost mode and an average speed of 15 km/h, the Cannondale came second in our range test. Only the Stevens managed to go a little further – also fitted with an 800 Wh Bosch battery, though not yet with the Power update.
Safe and fun on the downhill
The Moterra 1’s effortless ride quality remains impressive even when gravity takes its toll. Behind the high cockpit, you feel securely integrated into the bike. Combined with the extra-long wheelbase and the large 29er rear wheel, the Moterra literally fills both beginners and experts with confidence. Keep going? With pleasure! No matter what gets in the front wheel’s way – the Cannondale sits firmly on the ground and holds the ideal line. The suspension does the rest, skilfully smoothing out bumpy sections. Traction? Comfort? Check! Only the Rotwild’s suspension impressed us just a touch more.
However, this exceptional stability comes at a price: on tight, technical sections, the long bike feels like a articulated lorry on the Stelvio – bulky, unwieldy and sluggish. If, on the other hand, the trail offers enough room to manoeuvre, even the Moterra reveals a touch of playfulness. Thanks to the balanced proportions of the front and rear centres, plenty of rear stiffness and the central centre of gravity, the bike handles with surprising directness despite its high overall weight. The high front end generates enough leverage to lift the Cannondale onto its rear wheel – despite the long rear end – or send it into flight mode over terrain edges.
Conclusion by Max Fuchs
The Cannondale Moterra 1 is the epitome of a successful all-mountain bike. It carries the rider with confidence uphill and provides a safe ride downhill at all times. Comfort, safety and range are more pronounced on the Cannondale than on any other bike in the test. The spec leaves nothing to be desired, and the price is fair – with the competition, you often get less for the same price. - Max Fuchs, test editor and photographer at BIKE
Max Fuchs
Editor