High-speed stability
49
Composed enough for fast trails (1219mm, 62.5°) without feeling like a barge.
Cannondale
Moterra SL 2025
Current✎Full Power · TrailAgeing · 4.7/10iFreshness 4.7/10
How current the bike is — newer chassis, motor and battery score higher. 10 = brand-new, 0 = legacy.
How current the bike is — newer chassis, motor and battery score higher. 10 = brand-new, 0 = legacy.
Motor
Shimano EP801 · 85Nm · 600W↗
Battery
Cannondale 601Wh
Travel F/R
160/150mm
Wheels
MX (29F / 27.5R)✎
Frame
Full carbon✎
Weight
—
Price
£11,000
From £11,000
EMTB Forums verdict
The Moterra SL is Cannondale's lightweight take on the full-power eMTB, built around a custom-tuned Shimano EP801 motor (85Nm) and a compact 601Wh battery in a full-carbon FlexPivot frame with 150mm rear and 160mm front travel. It runs an MX mullet wheel setup as standard, with a flip chip to switch to dual 29in and an Acros angle-adjust headset offering a 1.2 degree range from a notably slack 62.5 degrees out to 63.7 degrees.
Three builds were offered for 2025. The SL 1 (11,549 USD) pairs full Fox Factory suspension with SRAM XO AXS wireless shifting, Magura MT7 brakes and Reserve 30 HD AL wheels. The SL 2 (7,699 USD) is the value pick, dropping to a Fox Performance 36, Fox Float X Performance Elite shock, mechanical Shimano XT 12-speed and Magura MT5 brakes while keeping the same frame, motor and battery. The flagship LAB71 (11,000 GBP / 14,000 USD) adds SRAM XX AXS, Code Ultimate brakes, DT Swiss XMC 1501 carbon wheels and a RockShox Reverb AXS post.
Geometry is consistent across the four sizes, with reach growing from 420mm on the S to 505mm on the XL and chainstays lengthening proportionally from 449mm to 458mm. The 62.5 degree head angle is slacker than most trail eMTBs and the effective seat angle sits at 77 degrees, pointing the SL toward steep, technical descending as much as flowing trail use.
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Cannondale Moterra 1,2,3 and SE
127 replies · 56.9k views · last reply 3 months ago
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“Moterra 3 with a bit of bling. Fully sic bike ?? I bought the base model because they all share the same frame, considerably cheaper, I prefer a lighter 500whr battery, and I had the Fox 36’s from my previous emtb. Absolutely love it,…”
— Davemtb · ♥ 6 · most-liked post
Geometry · hover a row to highlight the measurement on the bike
| S | M | L | XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | 420 mm | 445 mm | 470 mm | 505 mm |
| Stack | 630 mm | 639 mm | 648 mm | 657 mm |
| Seattube | 380 mm | 400 mm | 445 mm | 490 mm |
| Chainstay | 449 mm | 449 mm | 453 mm | 458 mm |
| Headtube Angle | 62.5° | 62.5° | 62.5° | 62.5° |
| Seattube Angle (eff) | 77° | 77° | 77° | 77° |
| Wheelbase | 1219 mm | 1248 mm | 1283 mm | 1327 mm |
| Headtube | 115 mm | 125 mm | 135 mm | 145 mm |
| BB Height | 335 mm | 335 mm | 335 mm | 335 mm |
| Standover | 738 mm | 737 mm | 737 mm | 742 mm |
| Front Centre | 770 mm* | 799 mm* | 830 mm* | 869 mm* |
| FC:RC | 1.71 | 1.78 | 1.83 | 1.90 |
Geometry read
What the numbers mean on the trail
Computed from this bike's geometry and spec — reach, wheelbase, chainstay, head and seat angles, travel, motor, battery and weight — and worked out per size, because a fixed chainstay can make an S and an XL feel very different.
Size
Playfulness
60
A fair bit of pop, but happiest on flowing trail rather than trials moves.
Size balance
85
Rear-long with a planted front in S (FC:RC 1.71) — easy to weight the front and quick to turn, though it can feel light at the back at real speed.
Technical climbing
51
Climbs well — a 77° seat keeps the front planted, with 85Nm on tap.
No single standout trait — a balanced, versatile bike.
The numbers are well balanced for its category.
High-speed stability
57
Composed enough for fast trails (1248mm, 62.5°) without feeling like a barge.
Playfulness
54
A fair bit of pop, but happiest on flowing trail rather than trials moves.
Size balance
98
Rear-long with a planted front in M (FC:RC 1.78) — easy to weight the front and quick to turn, though it can feel light at the back at real speed.
Technical climbing
48
Climbs well — a 77° seat keeps the front planted, with 85Nm on tap.
No single standout trait — a balanced, versatile bike.
The numbers are well balanced for its category.
High-speed stability
66
Composed enough for fast trails (1283mm, 62.5°) without feeling like a barge.
Playfulness
41
More planted than poppy — better on steep terrain than tight, fiddly singletrack.
Size balance
88
Balanced front-to-rear in L (FC:RC 1.83) — weight sits evenly between the wheels.
Technical climbing
44
A workmanlike climber — expect to put in more rider effort on the steep stuff.
No single standout trait — a balanced, versatile bike.
Lower torque or a slacker seat angle — fine, just don't expect a winch.
High-speed stability
75
Long 1327mm wheelbase, slack 62.5° head angle and 150mm travel — it should only get calmer the faster you push.
Playfulness
26
More planted than poppy — better on steep terrain than tight, fiddly singletrack.
Size balance
74
Front-long in XL: 869mm front centre on 458mm stays (FC:RC 1.90). Planted and composed; rewards a forward, attacking stance.
Technical climbing
40
A workmanlike climber — expect to put in more rider effort on the steep stuff.
Rewards commitment; it should feel calmer as the speed rises.
Brilliant on fast, rough, steep terrain; less fun on tight, mellow trails.
How it stacks up vs other Full Power · Trail bikes (from 216 bikes in the database)
Battery601 Wh104 Wh less than most
Motor torque85 Nm13 Nm below average
Value for money5/100from £11,000 · most Shimano EP801 bikes ~£6,499
⚙️ Adjustable geometry: this frame has a high/low setting — low drops the BB and slackens the head angle for more descending stability; high lifts the BB and steepens slightly for clearance and a perkier, more playful feel.
Computed from geometry + spec, not a paid review. Scores are guidance, not gospel.
Trims · 3
LAB71 £11,000 | 1 | 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motor | Shimano EP801 · 85 Nm · all trims | ||
| Battery | Cannondale 601Wh · 601 Wh · all trims | ||
| Travel F/R | 160/150 mm · all trims | ||
| Frame | Carbon · all trims | ||
| Fork | Fox Float Factory 36, 160mm travel, Grip2 Damper, Kashima coating, 15x110mm Kabolt thru-axle, tapered steerer, 44mm offset | Fox Float Factory 36, 160mm travel, Grip X2 Damper, Kashima coating, 15x110mm Kabolt thru-axle, tapered steerer, 44mm offset | Fox Performance 36, 160mm travel, Grip Damper, 3-position adjust, 15x110mm Kabolt thru-axle, tapered steerer, 44mm offset |
| Shock | Fox Float X Factory, 2 pos adj, EVOL LV, 210x55mm | Fox Float X Factory, 2 pos adj, EVOL LV, 210x55mm | Fox Float X Performance Elite, 2 pos adj, EVOL LV, 210x55mm |
| Headset | Acros Adjustable Angle (1.2 degrees) · all trims | ||
| Stem | OneUp Stem, 6061 Alloy, 1-1/8", 35mm, 0 deg | Cannondale 1, 7075 Alloy, 1-1/8", 35mm, 0 deg | Cannondale 1, 7075 Alloy, 1-1/8", 35mm, 0 deg |
| Handlebar | OneUp Carbon Ebar, 35mm clamp, 35mm rise, 8 deg sweep, 5 deg rise, 780mm | HollowGram SAVE riser bar, Carbon, 35mm clamp, 30mm rise, 8 deg sweep, 5 deg rise, 780mm | Cannondale 3 Riser, 6061 Alloy, 25mm rise, 8 deg sweep, 5 deg rise, 800mm |
| Grips | Cannondale TaperRidge · all trims | ||
| Saddle | Fizik Terra Ridon X1, 145mm, Wingflex, Carbon Mobius rail 7x10mm | Fizik Terra Ridon X3, Mobius Kium alloy rail | Fizik Terra Ridon X5, Mobius S alloy rail |
| Seatpost | RockShox Reverb AXS, 31.6, 150mm (S), 170mm (M-XL) | OneUp V3, internal routing, 31.6, 180mm (S), 210mm (M/L), 240mm (XL) | Cannondale DownLow Dropper, internal routing, 31.6, 150mm (S), 170mm (M-L), 200mm (XL) |
| Brakes | SRAM Code Ultimate Stealth, 4-piston hydraulic disc, 200mm HS2 rotors | Magura MT7 4-piston hydraulic disc, 203/203mm Storm HC 6-bolt rotors; Magura MT7 HCW levers | Magura MT5 4-piston hydraulic disc, 203/203mm Storm HC 6-bolt rotors; Magura MT5 levers |
| Rear derailleur | SRAM XX Eagle AXS, T-Type | SRAM XO Eagle AXS, T-Type | Shimano XT |
| Crank | e*thirteen e*spec Race Carbon - Gen 4, 165mm, 34T | e*thirteen e*spec Plus, 160mm (S/M), 165mm (L/XL), 34T | e*thirteen e*spec Plus, 160mm (S/M), 165mm (L/XL), 34T |
| Shifters | SRAM Eagle AXS T-Type Ultimate Pod Controller | SRAM AXS POD Controller | Shimano XT, 12-speed |
| Cassette | SRAM XX Eagle, T-Type, 10-52, 12-speed | SRAM XO Eagle, 10-52, T-Type, 12-speed | Shimano XT, 10-51, 12-speed |
| Chain | SRAM XX Eagle, T-Type, Flattop | SRAM XO Eagle, T-Type, 12-speed | Shimano XT, 12-speed |
| Drivetrain | SRAM XX Eagle AXS, T-Type; e*thirteen e*spec Race Carbon - Gen 4, 165mm, 34T; SRAM Eagle AXS T-Type Ultimate Pod Controller; SRAM XX Eagle, T-Type, 10-52, 12-speed; SRAM XX Eagle, T-Type, Flattop | SRAM XO Eagle AXS, T-Type; e*thirteen e*spec Plus, 160mm (S/M), 165mm (L/XL), 34T; SRAM AXS POD Controller; SRAM XO Eagle, 10-52, T-Type, 12-speed; SRAM XO Eagle, T-Type, 12-speed | Shimano XT; e*thirteen e*spec Plus, 160mm (S/M), 165mm (L/XL), 34T; Shimano XT, 12-speed; Shimano XT, 10-51, 12-speed; Shimano XT, 12-speed |
| Wheels | DT Swiss XMC 1501, carbon, 30mm inner width, hookless, tubeless ready; DT Swiss Competition Race spokes; hubs (F) DT Swiss 240, (R) DT Swiss 240 Ratchet EXP 36 | Reserve 30 HD AL, 30mm inner width, 28h, tubeless ready; Sapim D-Light spokes; hubs (F) DT Swiss 350, (R) DT Swiss 350 Ratchet System 36 SL | WTB KOM Trail i30, 30mm inner width, TCS tubeless ready; DT Swiss Champion spokes; hubs (F) Formula DC-71, (R) DT Swiss 370 Hybrid LN Ratchet System |
| Tyres | (F) Maxxis DHF, 29x2.5", 3C, EXO+, TR / (R) Maxxis Dissector, 27.5x2.4", 3C, EXO+, TR · all trims | ||
| Price | £11,000 | — | — |
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