Anyone seen the new Moterra SL ?

scrufy

Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2024
Messages
32
Reaction score
20
Location
So Cal
It's supposedly the lightest "full power" emtb. Maybe competition for Levo.
 
⚡ EMTB Pro Go Pro — exclusive discounts & ad-free Peaty's 25% off & more · Ad-free browsing · Pro badge See the deals →
600wh battery….. I have never been a fan of flex stays. They are ok for xc race bikes where you expect to get your backside beat up, but pivots provide less feed back into the frame imo.
 
It's not the flex stays that would put me off this, the flex bit is at the horst link which probably only sees a couple of degrees of rotation anyway.

The main downside of this bike is the shimano motor imo
 
Well time will tell if it's good or not, as with all new stuff these days, don't be the beta tester.
 
Good looking Emtb - why no Transfer dropper? (Kashima)
Screenshot 2024-02-24 at 7.49.07 AM.png
 
This bike caught my eye also... I agree there is not much movement at the flex stay point so not really an issue (I think). Not sure about Canondale's warranty support. The bike looks awesome.
 
600wh battery….. I have never been a fan of flex stays. They are ok for xc race bikes where you expect to get your backside beat up, but pivots provide less feed back into the frame imo.
I'm surprised that none of the bike manufacturers have made a 'proper' job of flex blades. High end single-seater racing cars have had titanium blade 'pivots' for years now. With some clever design on bikes they could even perform the job of the spring as well as locating the wheel.
 
I'm actually really happy with my 6 month old Moterra Carbon One but I'm curious how this will compare. Mines heavy.
 
Does look nice, do wonder what it weighs in the larger sizes. I ride xls and find most the claimed weights are for mediums with light weight components/tyres
 
Test rode one yesterday SL 2 weighed 49lbs with cheap plastic pedals. Bike felt good though but that build will be over 50lbs ready to ride.
So this was the large SL 2 weighs 49lbs? I saw a YouTube review and they weighed a large Moterra SL 1 with no pedals and it was a little over ~46+lbs.
 
So this was the large SL 2 weighs 49lbs? I saw a YouTube review and they weighed a large Moterra SL 1 with no pedals and it was a little over ~46+lbs.
Large SL2 with plastic pedals. 49.05lbs.
 
I just purchased a SL2 after an amazing demo ride. Size L setup tubeless, bone stock w/ aluminum flat pedals it weighed 47 lbs. That's 8 lbs less than my Rail 7 with the same pedals.
 
I just purchased a SL2 after an amazing demo ride. Size L setup tubeless, bone stock w/ aluminum flat pedals it weighed 47 lbs. That's 8 lbs less than my Rail 7 with the same pedals.
The Moterra SL is pretty hard to find around me, wish I could see it in person. How long have you had it? How do you like it coming from a Trek Rail?

I had a Trek Rail and other than the weight, it was my favorite e-mtb of all time but I am currently riding a Trance X Advanced E+ Elite (Giant's full power SL e-mtb) and have it setup with Fox factory suspension and it currently weighs about 47lbs, but the down side is the 400wh battery. Love the bike, but the Moterra SL has my attention.
 
My Rail was great other than the weight. I put 1500 miles on it.

Unfortunately I have only had my bike a few days now. The demo was a SL1 that I rode 15 miles on trail. I purchased the SL2, and rode it 16.5 miles yesterday. For me it rode every bit as well as the SL1, and I seem to be getting about the same battery usage as the Trek w/625 battery.
I do however have the dreaded Shimano brake pad rattle with the lower spec bike.

I was originally looking at SL bikes, but I worried about range anxiety for there 400ish batteries. I'm a heavy guy at 260lbs, and I like to have around at least a 30 mile range(tour/emtb on the Bosch).

I do like the smoother Shimano power delivery over the Bosch, but I had the old system not the smart system. I hope you can find one to ride. The geometry looks pretty wild, but I like the way it feels on trails both xc and Enduro.
 
Yeah the only thing about the SL2 I didnt like was the Shimano stuff. I wish the SL2 had a SRAM GX/NX option instead of Shimano. I would have no issue with the SL2 Fox Performance suspension.
Some reviewers say the Shimano EP801 is loud? How loud do you think it is compared to your Rail's Bosch motor? I rode a Kona e-mtb rental with a Shimano motor a few years ago and didnt notice it being that loud.
 
To be honest, I think they are pretty close. The noise is a different pitch. My Bosch seems more high pitched. My Bosch is louder in low assist levels, and my Shimano is louder in high assist. Descending they seem to equal.

My Bosch does seem louder than my wife's in her Orbea. It's funny how different frames resonate sound differently.
 
I just purchased a SL2 after an amazing demo ride. Size L setup tubeless, bone stock w/ aluminum flat pedals it weighed 47 lbs. That's 8 lbs less than my Rail 7 with the same pedals.
Someone‘s scales are out…..I’m looking at one of these, but it will be the SL2 and the headline grabbing weight seems to be the top spec. Seems impossible to get a consistent reported weight for the sl2 in stock form.
 
Keep reading
    Browse all

    Similar Threads

    Community Stats

    Since 2018
    670K
    Messages
    41,062
    Members
    Join 30,000+ Riders, it's free!
    Back
    Top