Already at his New introduction in July 2019: the Cannondale Moterra Neo It's clear: only the best is good enough. The sophisticated 29-inch touring enduro bike was presented to us with top equipment and came exclusively with a carbon frame. We searched in vain for a truly price-conscious aluminium version for beginners. Until now. E-bikers now also have a choice of motor.
Moterra 5 and Moterra 5 Plus: entry-level models in aluminium
The Moterra Neo 5 and Moterra Neo 5 Plus models will now complete the lower end of the model range and will be available with aluminium frames, but for less than 4000 euros. The lines of the aluminium models are slightly less curved than the carbon bikes, the bikes rely on Shimano drivetrains instead of Bosch's CX Gen4 and there are also slight changes to the geometry. The head angle of the aluminium model is even slacker at 65 degrees (by one degree), the seat angle is slightly steeper (also by one degree), the chainstays (455 millimetres) and reach (475 millimetres in L) are slightly longer, which means that the bike also has a slightly longer wheelbase overall. This should ensure a smooth ride, but playful riders might find the bike a little too sluggish.
Prices and equipment
In terms of equipment, concessions must of course be made due to the lower entry-level price, and not just in terms of frame material: the fork and shock come from the lower ranges of SR Suntour and X-Fusion (XCR and 02 Pro RL), braking is provided by Shimano's groupless MT400 brakes, while the Shimano Deore ten-speed groupset takes care of sorting the gears. The Plus model for 3999 is powered by Shimano's high-end E8000 drivetrain, while the Neo 5 for 3799 euros uses the slightly cheaper and slimmer E7000. Both have an integrated 504 watt-hour battery.
Our impression: Despite the modern geometry, the bikes don't seem to be built for a fast pace in difficult terrain. However, if you are aware of this, you will get solidly equipped and modern tourers with good motors at a low price.
You can find all information about the new bikes on the Website of the manufacturer.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
