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 |
The Moterra has been part of the Cannondale line-up for motorised fullys for almost ten years - a true classic in the still young e-MTB segment. The Moterra 1, our test bike, is aimed at a broad e-mountainbike community: Bosch drive with removable 800 Wh battery, 29-inch wheels and 160 millimetres of travel at the front and 150 millimetres at the rear may not sound spectacular, but they form the perfect foundation for an uncomplicated e-all-mountain. The motto: more generalist, less specialist. If you are looking for a more sharply defined area of use, you will still find what you are looking for in the Moterra family: The LT version has enduro genes with its mullet set-up and more suspension travel, the SL model is aimed at the light category with a lighter Shimano EP8 and smaller battery, and the EQ-Moterra also caters for commuters with everyday equipment.
This test is part of a large comparison of 7 high-end E-All-Mountains. Here are the other bikes & articles:
- >> Cannondale Moterra 1: Test winner - the best E-MTB 2026!
- >> Canyon Spectral:On CFR on test: Price tip for E-MTB with dream equipment
- >>Crussis e-Full 12.11 Pro test: fun ride with DJI Avinox
- >> Rotwild R.EX Pro: The best bike with DJI Avinox?
- >> Santa Cruz Vala 90: Downhill specialist with all-round qualities?
- >> Stevens E-Inception AM 8.8.1 GTF: Test winner e-bike relaunched
- >> Transition Regulator CX in the test: short range, lots of riding fun
| Category | details |
| Model | Cannondale Moterra 1 |
| Weight | 24.4 kg |
| Suspension travel (v/h) | 160 / 150 mm |
| Wheel size | 29" |
| Price | 8.799 € |
| Frame material | Carbon |
| Battery weight | 3.950 g |
| Impeller weight | 5.996 g |
| Maximum system weight | 150 kg |
| Guarantee | 5 years |
| Special features | None |
Cannondale Moterra 1: self-propelled uphill
But back to the Moterra 1: If you love uphill flow and like to grit your teeth on key sections, you'll hit the bull's eye here. With the longest chainstays and the tallest bottom bracket in the test field, the Cannondale is a cut above the competition on the climbs.
Touching down on off-road edges or a rising front wheel? Not a chance! In combination with the Bosch system, the uphill control clearly deserves benchmark status. Those who prefer to gain metres in altitude in a relaxed manner on the forest road will be pleased with the comfortable riding position: short reach, high front - the pilot sits comfortably behind the control centre. The Cannondale also scores with comfort when it comes to the suspension: sensitive even under chain tension without sagging - bravo!
Focus on the Bosch drive
Since CX generation 5, the Bosch motor has been rattle-free downhill and has also noticeably increased its performance: 750 watts of peak power and 100 Nm of torque are now available. Uphill, the new eMTB+ mode sets the benchmark in our opinion with its extremely sensitive response behaviour and enormous overrun. Although the power unit is no lightweight, it is otherwise hard to beat.
The Bosch system with 800 Wh battery is also unrivalled in terms of range in this comparison. With 2023 metres of climbing in Boost mode and an average speed of 15 km/h, the Cannondale came second in our range test. Only the Stevens made it slightly further - also with an 800 Wh Bosch battery, but without the power update.
Safe and fun downhill
The self-propelled attitude of the Moterra 1 is convincing even when gravity strikes. Behind the high cockpit, you are safely integrated into the bike. Together with the super-long wheelbase and the large 29er rear wheel, the Moterra literally overwhelms beginners and experts alike with confidence. Hold on to it? With pleasure! No matter what gets in the way of the front wheel - the Cannondale is composed and holds the ideal line. The suspension does the rest and skilfully smoothes out bumpy sections. Traction? Comfort? Check! We only liked the Rotwild suspension a little better.
But the enormous riding safety has its downside: In tight, technical sections, the long bike feels like an articulated lorry on the Stelvio - bulky, unwieldy, bogged down. However, if the trail offers enough space for manoeuvring, the Moterra also shows a bit of playfulness. Thanks to the balanced proportions of the front and rear centre, plenty of support at the rear and the central centre of gravity, the bike can be steered surprisingly directly despite its high overall weight. The high front end provides enough leverage to lift the Cannondale onto the rear wheel, despite the long rear end, or to shoot it into flight mode on off-road edges.
Conclusion from Max Fuchs
The Cannondale Moterra 1 is the prototype of a successful all-mountain bike. It carries the rider confidently uphill and provides safe guidance downhill at all times. Comfort, riding safety and range are more pronounced on the Cannondale than on any other bike in the test. The equipment leaves nothing to be desired and the price is fair - the competition often offers less for the same price. - Max Fuchs, test editor and photographer at BIKE
Max Fuchs
Editor
