Moterra Neo LT 2023

The Moterra Neo LT was Cannondale's long-travel (LT = Long Travel) take on its Moterra Neo platform: a mixed-wheel enduro eMTB with 170mm up front from a RockShox Zeb and 165mm out back via a coil-sprung Deluxe Select+ shock. That is a clear step beyond the 150/150mm air-sprung base Moterra Neo, pushing the LT firmly into burly, descent-focused enduro territory rather than do-it-all trail riding.

Power came from the Bosch Performance Line CX Gen 4 motor (85Nm, up to 340 percent assist) fed by Bosch's largest 750Wh PowerTube, removable for off-bike charging and managed through a Kiox 300 display. The carbon-front, alloy-swingarm chassis used Cannondale's Proportional Response suspension, giving each frame size its own kinematics. Two carbon trims were sold: the Carbon LT 1 (Shimano XT, SRAM Code RSC brakes) and the Carbon LT 2 (XT mech with SLX shifting and Magura MT5 brakes).

Geometry was deliberately middle-of-the-road for the class, with a 64 degree head angle and 76.5 degree effective seat angle, but it stood out for its long 452mm chainstays (constant across all sizes) and a notably tall bottom bracket. That makes it a planted, sure-footed climber and a stable high-speed descender at the expense of playfulness, and the coil-equipped LT 2 was the heaviest bike in some group tests of its era.

The Moterra Neo LT has since been discontinued and superseded by Cannondale's latest Moterra range, which moved to the Bosch Performance Line CX Gen 5 (Smart System) motor. As a used buy it remains a capable long-travel, big-battery mile-cruncher for riders who prioritise stability and range over flickability.