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CANNONDALE MOTERRA SL – PRODUCT LAUNCH

 

High on power, low on weight! THIS is the all-new Cannondale Moterra SL e-mountain bike.

Until today, mountain bikers needed to make a tough decision . Choose a full-power, big range e-MTB to conquer any incline and take on epic all-day rides, but accept a heavier overall weight and compromised agility out on the trail. Alternatively choose a lightweight e-MTB for a playful more natural-feeling ride but know that you’re going to have less power and less range, leaving you guessing if you’ll be able to match your full-power ride buddies. That was the quandary, until today! Introducing the all-new Cannondale Moterra SL, the lightest full-power e-mountain bike ever*.

*eMTB with drive unit capable of at least 85Nm of torque and battery capacity of at least 600Wh.

 

Yes, the designers at Cannondale have been able to create the first 150mm trail bike to pack 85Nm of torque, 600W+ of peak output, and 601Wh of power into an e-mountain bike weighing as little as 19.3kg / 42.5lbs. With the Moterra SL you can finally have your cake and eat it; enjoy a confidence-inspiring full-power ride matched with lightweight agility out on the trails.

 

It’s important to reinforce the point – this was a TOUGH brief for the Cannondale designers and engineers. There’s a good reason why the market isn’t already flooded with lightweight full-power e-mountain bikes, hitting that sweet spot required Cannondale to work closely with motor manufacturers Shimano to custom tune the lightweight EP801 motor as well as tapping in to their own design and production expertise gained over decades.

 

Cannondale have blended their superlight carbon technology from the Scalpel XC race bikes with the suspension kinematics and agile trail geometry of rowdy trail bikes like their Habit and Jekyll. They’ve married that frame up with a sensitively custom-tuned Shimano motor and a whole new custom internal battery that packs more watts per kilo than any other e-MTB on the market. The unmatched power-to-weight ratio of the all-new Moterra SL is what makes the ride so much fun!

 

Moterra SL Fast Facts:

  • DRIVE UNIT: Specially Tuned Shimano EP801
  • BATTERY: Custom High-Energy Density Internal 601Wh
  • RANGE: Up to 70km (43mi)
  • WHEEL / TIRE SIZE: (F) 29×2.5″ / (R) 27.5×2.4″
  • TRAVEL: (F) 160mm, (R) 150mm

 

We Love it Because…

It’s got ‘Full Boost’ capability:

Some lightweight e-MTB’s on the market have had to compromise their full-power capability. Not so with the Moterra SL thanks to their custom-tuned version of Shimano’s EP801 drive unit – the lightest motor on the market which is able to produce those BIG watts we’re all looking for. With 85Nm of torque and 600+ watts of max output the Moterra SL brings full boost to the lightweight e-mountain bikes for the first time.

 

The motor ride modes give a more authentic ride experience:

By custom tuning the Shimano EP801 motor Cannondale have been able to create an e-mtb that amplifies your pedaling input in a more natural feeling way, closer replicating an analogue non-e-mountain bike. The four different levels of boost let you choose between maximum efficiency and range, instantaneous power, or a magic blend of both.

 

It’s more agile and handles like a traditional trail bike:

That magic mix of the lightweight, custom-tuned drive system, carbon frame and modern trail geometry gives a sublime, confidence-inspiring ride quality. With an adjustable head angle that’s slack enough for a DH bike, a long reach and a steep seat angle the Moterra SL rides more like Cannondale’s Habit or Jekyll analogue mountain bikes than what you’d typically expect from an e-MTB.

 

Key Features:

Shimano EP801 Drive Unit:

Shimano’s premium e-MTB system is lightweight, durable, and powerful. The motor produces 85Nm of torque and 600 watts of max power, with custom-engineered ride modes for rider-friendly versatility.

Custom Cannondale 601Wh Battery: 

This compact, custom battery features special cells which store more power per kilo than comparative-sized batteries, packing 601 watt-hours into an internal battery weighing just 3.1kg including the internal wiring harness.

Custom-Tuned Ride Modes:

Cannondale have custom-tuned the Shimano EP801 motor with specially designed assist modes to suit the demands of contemporary trail riding. Choose ECO mode for efficient assistance during all-day adventures, TRAIL mode for mid-power input that matches your friend group on lightweight e-bikes, BOOST mode for shredding trails with full-power e-bikes fans and TURBO mode for straight-up rowdy full-power fun.

Proportional Response

The ‘Proportional Response’ design principal seen on other bikes in the Cannondale range features here on the all-new Moterra SL too. Important aspects such as suspension layout, geometry and even the length of the chain stays are all customised to fit the overall proportion of each bike’s size; this means that regardless of the size of your bike the handling and suspension performance remain the same.

Run the Moterra SL in Mullet or full 29er configuration:

The Moterra’s ‘Flip Chip’ allows you to choose between running your bike as a ‘mullet’ with the 29 inch front/27.5-inch-rear wheel setup, for an agile and playful ride quality, or with 29-inch wheels at both ends, for maximum traction and rolling efficiency. All Moterra SL models come in the mullet configuration as standard.

FlexPivot:

Cannondale’s popular ‘Flexpivot’ rear triangle configuration, seen on many of their full suspension bikes feature on the Moterra SL too. These carbon flex points positioned on the chainstays just in front of the rear axle reduce overall weight, eliminate maintenance and help to facilitate the Moterra’s four-bar suspension design which provides enhanced traction and control on the trail.

Adjustable Headset:

The Moterra SL’s adjustable headset cups facilitate a 1.2-degree range of angle adjustment at the headtube. Go slack for increased stability at speed or set it steeper for enhanced agility on technical terrain.

 

Moterra SL LAB71

Full Specification:

  • Frame: LAB71 Moterra Neo SL, Series 1 Carbon construction, 150mm travel, Proportional Response Tuned Suspension, FlexPivot Chainstay, direct mount internal battery, engineered plastic skid plate, 55mm chainline, DirectLine internal cable routing, 29” FlipChip, 148x12mm Maxle thru-axle, UDH hanger, 200mm native post mount brake, tapered headtube, angle adjust headset
  • Fork: Fox Float Factory 36, 160mm travel, Grip2 Damper, Kashima coating, 15x110mm Kabolt thru-axle, tapered steerer, 44mm offset
  • Headset: Acros Adjustable Angle (1.2°)
  • Rear Shock: Fox Float X Factory, 2 pos adj, EVOL LV, 210x55mm
  • Drive Unit: Shimano EP801, 85Nm, Custom Tuned, Walk, Eco, Trail, Boost and Turbo Modes
  • Battery: Custom 601Wh battery
  • Display: Shimano SC-EM800 Cycle Computer, Bluetooth LE Compatible
  • Charger: Custom 4A
  • Rear Derailleur: SRAM XX Eagle AXS, T-Type
  • Shifters: SRAM Eagle AXS T-Type Ultimate Pod Controller
  • Chain: SRAM XX Eagle, T-Type, Flattop
  • Crank: e*thirteen e*spec Race Carbon – Gen 4, 165mm, 34T
  • Rear Cassette: SRAM XX Eagle, T-Type, 10-52, 12-speed
  • Brakes: SRAM Code Ultimate Stealth, 200mm HS2 rotors
  • Brake Levers: SRAM Code Ultimate Stealth
  • Hubs: (F) DT Swiss 240, 15x110mm / (R) DT Swiss 240 Ratchet EXP 36, 12x148mm
  • Rims: DT Swiss XMC 1501, carbon, 30mm inner width, hookless, TSS tubeless ready
  • Spokes: DT Swiss Competition Race
  • Tyres: (F) Maxxis DHF, 29×2.5 “, 3C, EXO+, tubeless ready / (R) Maxxis Dissector, 27.5×2.4”, 3C, EXO+, tubeless ready
  • Handlebar: OneUp Carbon Ebar, 35mm clamp, 35mm Rise, 8° sweep, 5° rise, 780mm
  • Grips: Cannondale TaperRidge
  • Stem: OneUp Stem, 6061 Alloy, 1-1/8″, 35mm, 0°
  • Saddle: Fizik Terra Ridon X1, 145mm, Wingflex, Carbon Mobius rail 7x10mm
  • Seatpost: RockShox Reverb AXS, 31.6, 150mm (S), 170mm (M-XL)
  • Sizes SM, MD, LG, XL

 

Moterra SL 1

Full Specification:

  • Frame: Moterra Neo SL, Series 1 Carbon construction, 150mm travel, Proportional Response Tuned Suspension, FlexPivot Chainstay, direct mount internal battery, engineered plastic skid plate, 55mm chainline, DirectLine internal cable routing, 29” FlipChip, 148x12mm Maxle thru-axle, UDH hanger, 200mm native post mount brake, tapered headtube, angle adjust headset
  • Fork: Fox Float Factory 36, 160mm travel, Grip2 Damper, Kashima coating, 15x110mm Kabolt thru-axle, tapered steerer, 44mm offse
  • Headset: Acros Adjustable Angle (1.2°)
  • Rear Shock: Fox Float X Factory, 2 pos adj, EVOL LV, 210x55mm
  • Drive Unit: Shimano EP801, 85Nm, Custom Tuned, Walk, Eco, Trail, Boost and Turbo Modes
  • Battery: Custom 601Wh battery
  • Display: Shimano SC-EM800 Cycle Computer, Bluetooth LE Compatible
  • Charger: Custom 4A
  • Rear Derailleur: SRAM XO Eagle AXS, T-Type
  • Shifters: SRAM AXS T-Type POD Controller
  • Chain: SRAM XO Eagle, T-Type, Flattop
  • Crank: e*thirteen e*spec Plus, 165mm, 34T
  • Rear Cassette: SRAM XO Eagle, 10-52, T-Type
  • Brakes: SRAM Code Silver Stealth, 200mm HS2 rotors
  • Brake Levers: SRAM Code Silver Stealth
  • Hubs: (F) DT Swiss 350, 15x110mm / (R) DT Swiss 350 Ratchet System 36 SL, 12x148mm
  • Rims: DT Swiss XM 1700 Spline, 30mm inner width, TC tubeless ready
  • Spokes: DT Swiss Competition, straight pull
  • Tyres: (F) Maxxis DHF, 29×2.5 “, 3C, EXO+, tubeless ready / (R) Maxxis Dissector, 27.5×2.4”, 3C, EXO+, tubeless ready
  • Handlebar: HollowGram SAVE riser bar, Carbon, 35mm clamp, 30mm rise, 8° sweep, 5° rise, 780mm
  • Grips: Cannondale TaperRidge
  • Stem: Cannondale 1, 7075 Alloy, 1-1/8″, 35mm, 0°
  • Saddle: Fizik Terra Ridon, 145mm, Wingflex, K:ium Mobius rail 7x7mm
  • Seatpost: Cannondale DownLow Dropper, internal routing, 31.6, 150mm (S), 170mm (M-XL)
  • Sizes SM, MD, LG, XL

 

Moterra SL 2

Full Specification:

  • Frame : Moterra Neo SL, Series 1 Carbon construction, 150mm travel, Proportional Response Tuned Suspension, FlexPivot Chainstay, direct mount internal battery, engineered plastic skid plate, 55mm chainline, DirectLine internal cable routing, 29” FlipChip, 148x12mm Maxle thru-axle, UDH hanger, 200mm native post mount brake, 1-1/8” – 1.5” tapered headtube, angle adjust headset
  • Fork: Fox Performance 36, 160mm travel, Grip Damper, 3-position adjust, 15x110mm Kabolt thru-axle, tapered steerer, 44mm offset
  • Headset: Acros Adjustable Angle (1.2°)
  • Rear Shock: Fox Float X Performance Elite, 2 pos adj, EVOL LV, 210x55mm
  • Drive Unit: Shimano EP801, 85Nm, Custom Tuned, Walk, Eco, Trail, Boost and Turbo Modes
  • Battery: Custom 601Wh battery
  • Display: Shimano SC-EM800 Cycle Computer, Bluetooth LE Compatible
  • Charger: Custom 4A
  • Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT
  • Shifters: Shimano Deore M6100, 12-speed
  • Chain: Shimano Deore 6100, 12-speed
  • Crank: e*thirteen e*spec Plus, 165mm, 34T
  • Rear Cassette: Shimano Deore 6100, 10-51, 12-speed
  • Brakes: Shimano Deore 6120 4-piston hydraulic disc, 180/180mm RT64 rotors
  • Brake Levers: Shimano Deore hydraulic disc
  • Hubs: (F) Formula DC-71132h, 15x110mm / (R) DT Swiss 370 Hybrid, 32h, 12x148mm
  • Rims: Stans Arch MK4, 32H, tubeless ready
  • Spokes: DT Swiss Champion
  • Tyres: (F) Maxxis DHF, 29×2.5 “, 2C, EXO, tubeless ready / (R) Maxxis Dissector, 27.5×2.4”, 2C, EXO, tubeless ready
  • Handlebar: Cannondale 3 Riser, 6061 Alloy, 15mm rise, 8° sweep, 4° rise, 780mm
  • Grips: Cannondale TaperRidge
  • Stem: Cannondale 1, 6061 Alloy, 35.0, 40mm, 0°
  • Saddle: Fizik Terra Ridon X5, 145mm, Wingflex, S-Alloy Mobius rail 7x7mm
  • Seatpost: Cannondale DownLow Dropper, internal routing, 31.6, 150mm (S), 170mm (M-XL)
  • Sizes SM, MD, LG, XL

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos Cannondale’s own

 

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