Cannondale Moterra SL

99/100
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Experts (3 reviews)
94
Cannondale Moterra SL
Where to buy
$6,999.99 Mike's Bikes See it $7,000.00 Gravity Coalition See it
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Facts

Gender
Men, Women
Type
Electric, Trail, Enduro, Mountain
Release Year
2024
Brand
Cannondale
Charge Time
4.5 Hours
Maximum Range
43 Miles
Top Speed
20 mph
Watts
250 W
Torque
85 Nm
Volts and Amp Hours
36V 16.71Ah
Class
Class 1
Drive
Mid-Drive
Wheel Size
29"/27.5"
Number of Gears
12 (1x12)
Gearing Type
External Derailleur
Weight
42.99, 43.43, 45.42 lb
Suspension
Full
Brake Type
Disc: Hydraulic
Frame Material
Carbon Fiber

Summary of Reviews

We have read all expert and user reviews on the Cannondale Moterra SL. In summary, this is what cyclists think.

13 reasons to buy

  • Reviewers appreciate the Moterra SL’s combination of low weight and high-power motor assistance.
  • Testers praise the Moterra SL’s agility and confidence-inspiring handling, allowing one to reach lean angles they’ve never achieved before.
  • The top-tier LAB71 build weighs in at an impressively low 43lb.
  • Experts relish the “intuitive” feel of the Shimano EP801 motor’s assistance.
  • The size-specific geometry maintains consistent handling across the four frame sizes.
  • Headset angle can be adjusted through 1.2°, and a flip-chip allows the use of a 29” rear wheel.
  • Reviewers quickly feel at home on the Moterra SL.
  • Experts say the Moterra SL is a “rocket” going downhill.
  • The 85Nm of torque and balanced handling make climbing easy, say testers.
  • Experts praise the SL’s agility and surefootedness through low-speed technical sections.
  • Reviewers agree the combination of electric power and accomplished handling allows experienced riders to enjoy trails they wouldn’t otherwise consider.
  • Testers appreciate the battery's range. After 19 miles and 3,900 feet of elevation, one reviewer is left with two bars out of five.
  • The LAB71 boasts a “stunning” paintjob.

5 reasons not to buy

  • Though the low bottom bracket contributes to stability, it increases the likelihood of pedal strikes. Some experts wish Cannondale fitted shorter cranks.
  • The rear Maxxis Dissector's relatively shallow tread loses grip with little warning, says one tester.
  • An expert says the FOX 36 Factory fork lacks sensitivity and comfort "at times," adding that it could be down to the exceptionally slack 62.5° head angle and their 220lb weight.
  • A tester bemoans the “confusing” color-coding on the display, which makes discerning power modes difficult.
  • A reviewer finds the grips painfully uncomfortable.

Bottom line

The Moterra SL is the new variant of Cannondale's Moterra trail/enduro e-MTB series, with 160mm front and 150mm rear travel. All three builds have 250W Shimano motors and 600Wh batteries. Experts praise the “agile” handling, adroit climbing, “confident” descending, “intuitive” assistance, and good range. The few complaints include the risk of pedal strikes and a head angle that may be too slack. Citing the low weight, punchy performance, excellent handling, and quality components, experts deem the Moterra SL 1 and SL 2 good value, but the LAB71’s price is considered “excessive.”

Expert Reviews

94/100 based on 3 rated expert reviews
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92
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The Loam Wolf
Level 5 expert

Cannondale Moterra SL E-MTB

Level 5 expert

… there was limited cause to complain. Impressively light for a full power bike and packing enough of a punch up and down the hill to put it in contention with the best of them, it’s a very exciting e-bike.

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91
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This review has been given a score. Read more here
Singletrack World
Level 2 expert

Cannondale Moterra Neo SL First Ride: 19.5KG, 85NM, 601WH

Level 2 expert

At 20kg… it’s still a little beyond what my weedy arms can lift that high. However, for now, the Cannondale Moterra NEO SL does deliver on Cannondale’s aim to build ‘The lightest full-power mountain bike ever’.

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100
EMTB-News.de
Level 2 expert

Under 20KG – The Lightest Full-Power E-MTB of All Time? [German]

Level 2 expert

With the Moterra, Cannondale has launched a balanced bike that shines on the trail – and also opened the door to an e-MTB category that will be introduced by many manufacturers in the coming years.

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Revolution MTB
Level 2 expert

Review : Cannondale Moterra SL 2024 : How Does It Ride?

Level 2 expert

So, yeah, first impressions of the bike: super capable… This thing absolutely rips.

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E-MOUNTAINBIKE
Level 3 expert

First Ride Review of the 2024 Cannondale Moterra SL1 – When Is a Light E-MTB a Light E-MTB?

Level 3 expert

The Moterra SL is a successful debut in a sector that isn’t yet clearly defined…. a versatile and powerful eMTB for riders who like tackling fast, technically demanding trails, and where minimal weight can make all the difference.

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Pinkbike
Level 5 expert

First Ride: Cannondale Moterra SL E-MTB – Full Power Without the Weight

Level 5 expert

An e-MTB with all the range and all the power at a reasonable weight seems like the ultimate goal, and the Moterra SL is a great example of what’s possible.

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BikeRadar
Level 5 expert

Cannondale Moterra SL E-MTB Blends Sub-20KG Weight With Full-Powered Fun

Level 5 expert

The lighter-weight battery of the Moterra SL contributes to this effectively full-power e-bike feeling more sprightly and agile than you’d expect from one that still packs a proper punch on the climbs.

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MTB MAG
Level 4 expert

[First Ride] Cannondale Moterra SL

Level 4 expert

Hard in fact to call it “light,” for me it goes more between the two categories, taking the best of both.

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RIDER'S
Level 1 expert

Bike Ridden Before Its Release! – Cannondale Moterra Neo SL 1 [French]

Level 1 expert

No, honestly, it’s a beautiful bike. It’s magnificent. It’s well equipped, it’s light, everything you can look for in a bike.

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Bikeworld
Level 3 expert

First Ride: New Cannondale Moterra SL – Lightweight E-MTB With Full Power! (2024) [Polish]

Level 3 expert

[This] is a great electric bike for real trail fun which will appeal to experienced trail riders expecting support to tackle trails they hadn’t even considered before.

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ESMTB.com
Level 2 expert

Cannondale Moterra SL: Full Power and Lightweight With Scalpel-Like Carbon Flex [Spanish with English Video Subtitles]

Level 2 expert

… the result is a bike with a balance between weight and range, a focus on enjoying descending, and capabilities much greater than you might expect given the suspension travel or the Scalpel-inspired suspension design.

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MtbCult
Level 2 expert

Test – Cannondale Moterra SL 1: Here’s Why It Excited Me [Italian]

Level 2 expert

Not an e-MTB for everyone, it’s most suited to those who know how to use an e-MTB well, are skilled at tuning assistance through the app, are moderately fit, and weigh no more than 70-75 kg.

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VTTAE
Level 1 expert

Cannondale Moterra Neo LAB71 Tested [French]

Level 1 expert

So, if, like me, you are curious by nature, I strongly advise you to try this little jewel at your favorite dealer… Because even in a version lower down the range, the main qualities of the Moterra remain the same.

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Solo Bici
Level 3 expert

New Cannondale Moterra SL, We Tested the Lightest Full-Power E-Bike in the World [Spanish]

Level 3 expert

The Connecticut firm has managed to bring together the best of two worlds, a priori opposites, with the new Cannondale Moterra SL, an e-bike of great power and range that weighs less than 20 kg.

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BikeX
Level 3 expert

Lightweight Despite Full-Power Drive [German]

Level 3 expert

Cannondale has succeeded in creating a fine e-MTB that is very easy. Downside: so much high-tech unfortunately has its high price.

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Fiets
Level 4 expert

New: Cannondale Moterra SL, The Lightest Full-Power E-Mountain Bike [Dutch]

Level 4 expert

The weight of the bicycle never really feels present here, but the wide range of possibilities offered by the overall design does.

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User Ratings

0/100 based on 0 ratings
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Rankings

Compared to other bikes
#14 Best Electric
Top 5%
#2 Best Enduro
Top 10%
#3 Best Cannondale Bike
Top 20%
#34 Best of All Bikes
Top 5%

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Bike Comparison

Cannondale Moterra SL in comparison to averages
Cannondale Moterra SL
99
Average All Bikes
86
Average Cannondale Bike
90
Average Electric Bike
88

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