Cannondale Moterra SL – In our 2024 light eMTB comparison test

The Cannondale Moterra SL comes geared up with a robust Shimano EP801 motor and massive 601 Wh battery. Doesn’t sound significantly like a lightweight eMTB, does it? The Moterra goals to impress with its low system weight and prime path efficiency. However can it maintain its personal in opposition to the remainder of the take a look at subject?

Cannondale jumped on the e-mountainbike wagon a number of years in the past, and now they’ve joined the light-weight eMTB get together too. Nevertheless, the American producer takes a quite completely different method than most of the different opponents on this take a look at. The Cannondale Moterra SL1 depends on a robust 85 Nm Shimano EP801 motor and massive 601 Wh battery, quite than a weak motor and small battery, all packed into a sublime carbon body with 160/150 mm of journey and a blended wheel configuration, with a 29″ wheel on the entrance and 27.5″ wheel on the rear. A flip chip on the shock mount permits you to convert it to a full 29er. Tipping the scales at 20.1 kg in measurement L, it may not be the lightest bike on this take a look at, but it surely’s undoubtedly aggressive. Notably thrilling is the € 9,999 price ticket of the SL1 model, which is slightly below the typical on this take a look at. However is the Cannondale Moterra SL1 price its cash, and the way does it evaluate to the competitors?

Click on right here for an outline of this comparability take a look at: The perfect gentle eMTB of 2024 – 9 of probably the most thrilling bikes in direct comparability.

What units the Cannondale Moterra SL aside from the competitors?

The Moterra SL is distinctly recognisable as a Cannondale, although it’s considerably slimmer than its siblings. The shock merges seamlessly into the seat keep and the rear suspension employs flex stays alongside the shock. In a nutshell, the chainstays taper in direction of the rear axle and grow to be fairly flat, permitting the carbon to flex instead of a traditional pivot. Regardless of the massive battery, which at 601 Wh is without doubt one of the greatest in the whole take a look at subject, the down tube is sweet and slim. Like all the opposite bikes on this take a look at, the battery is completely built-in into the down tube, and might’t be eliminated for charging. The charging port on the seat tube is definitely accessible, however the fiddly cowl makes it a bit of bit finicky to make use of.

The battery feeds an 85 Nm Shimano EP801 motor, which is elegantly built-in into the body and delivers 600 watts of peak energy. The drive is paired with a Shimano EW-SW310 show within the prime tube that exhibits primary system info, and likewise doubles as an influence change. A SC-EM800 LCD color show subsequent to the stem supplies your driving knowledge, reminiscent of velocity, assist mode and battery cost standing. The assist modes will be chosen through the handlebar distant, which is straightforward and intuitive to make use of.

For the spec of the Moterra SL1, Cannondale depend on top-tier elements, together with a FOX 36 Manufacturing facility GRIP2 fork and matching FLOAT X Manufacturing facility air shock. Though FOX have simply launched a newer fork damper, each the fork and shock provide numerous adjustment choices and ship an incredible efficiency on the path. Shifting is taken care of by a wi-fi SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission drivetrain. One small downside: Cannondale’s in-house Down Low dropper put up is without doubt one of the shortest droppers in the whole take a look at subject – at 170 mm, it doesn’t go down significantly low, limiting freedom of motion on the bike. Highly effective MAGURA MT7 four-piston brakes with 203 mm rotors do stopping duties, offering highly effective and dependable deceleration, even on lengthy descents. For the wheels, Cannondale depend on sturdy DT Swiss XM 1700 alloy wheels and MAXXIS tires, combining a Minion DHF on the entrance and DISSECTOR on the rear, each within the laborious MaxxTerra rubber compound and EXO+ casing. If you wish to rip laborious, you must improve to the extra sturdy Doubledown casing on the rear, and to the softer MaxxGrip rubber compound on the entrance for extra traction.

Tuning tip: Improve to the softer MaxxGrip rubber compound on the entrance for extra traction.

Flex it! The Cannondale Moterra SL on the path

There’s one factor the Cannondale Moterra SL1 can do: put a giant grin in your face! Particularly on flowing trails, it delivers insane quantities of driving enjoyable, delivering an analogous joy-factor because the Specialised Turbo Levo SL and Orbea Rise. Need to pop off pure kickers or spontaneously change path? No drawback! Because of the agency suspension, you possibly can generate numerous velocity by pumping by means of rollers and berms.

When the circulation provides method to the tough stuff, the built-in driving place and excessive entrance finish encourage big quantities of confidence, encouraging you to depart your fingers off the brakes in rock gardens, no matter your driving expertise. The flex stays stay as much as their title and supply a nice quantity of compliance, flexing their manner by means of rocky terrain with out passing on harsher impacts to the rider. Nevertheless, the Cannondale doesn’t even come near the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY by way of composure. On prime of that, there’s the annoying metallic clunking noise of the Shimano EP801 motor accompanying you all the best way down the descents.

Uphill, the Shimano EP801 motor packs a punch, making the Cannondale Moterra SL1 one of the vital highly effective eMTBs in the whole take a look at subject, alongside the opposite Shimano bikes and the GIANT Trance X Elite, thus permitting you to succeed in the trailhead with out breaking a sweat. The rear suspension generates ample traction and solely bobs barely, making it straightforward to barter even steep technical climbs on free terrain with nasty roots. The balanced comfy driving place additionally makes the Cannondale a superb companion for lengthy days within the saddle.

Regardless of its highly effective motor and enormous battery, the Cannondale Moterra SL1 manages to pack every thing right into a slim package deal.

Who ought to take a more in-depth have a look at the Cannondale Moterra SL?

The Cannondale Moterra SL is a good selection for those who’re in search of a light-weight e-mountainbike with highly effective motor help. At its finest on flowing trails, the Moterra SL1 is an effective selection for newbies and superior riders who wish to have enjoyable each uphill and downhill. Nevertheless, for those who’re in search of most composure for very technical trails, you’re higher off in search of different bikes, just like the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY.

Our conclusions concerning the Cannondale Moterra SL

The Cannondale Moterra SL1 impresses with a contemporary look, high-quality spec and spectacular path efficiency. The nice-natured dealing with makes it appropriate for riders of all ranges. Because of the highly effective motor and comfy driving place, it’s additionally a wonderful companion for lengthy days within the saddle. Solely the short-travel dropper put up and worsening rattling noise of the motor spoil the general impression barely. The Cannondale is a powerful all-rounder and might sustain with the very best bikes within the take a look at. Nevertheless, it was not fairly stand-out sufficient to win the take a look at.

Tops

• Intuitive dealing with for newbies and superior riders alike
• Nice compliance within the rear triangle
• Enjoyable, participating experience

Flops

• Finicky charging port
• Brief dropper
• Puncture susceptible tires

For extra info, go to cannondale.com

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The take a look at subject

Click on right here for an outline of this comparability take a look at: The perfect gentle eMTB of 2024 – 9 of probably the most thrilling bikes in direct comparability.

All bikes in take a look at: Cannondale Moterra SL1 | GIANT Trance X Superior E+ Elite 0 V2 | Mondraker Dune RR | MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K | Orbea Rise | Santa Cruz Heckler SL XX AXS RSV | SCOTT Voltage eRide 900 Tuned | Specialised S-Works Turbo Levo SL | YT DECOY SN

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Phrases: Mike Starvation Photographs: Peter walker