The Lightest Full Power e-Bike- Testing the Cannondale Moterra SL
Words by Mia de Paula:
It’s no secret that when you’re on a bike that gives you confidence your riding shines, and you have way more fun. This was the case for me with the Cannondale Moterra SL. Having demoed and ridden a few e-bikes now, the Moterral SL gave me confidence to tackle anything. I rode it on chunk, loose, rocks, steeps, and at a bike park over the last almost 6 months. In short, this bike gave me confidence, which turned into nothing but fun on the trail!
The full power Cannondale Moterra SL, weighs in at 43lbs/19.5kg. Finally, a full power e-bike that I, and a ton of others, can lift onto the bike rack without the need to ask for help!
Shout out to the Newbury Park Bike shop, who worked with us and Cannondale to receive the bike, and build it for us. If you’re in the Ventura County area, be sure to stop in and check out all the bikes, gear, and service they offer.
First impressions:
- Responsive, maneuverable, fun
- The climbing was very enjoyable
- The descending was playful
- Weighs in at 43lbs/19.5 kilos
- Quick, nimble, snappy
- Top notch components
On the Trail-Southern California
Descending
This bike is built for speed. It’s playful yet stable, agile yet grounded. Whether you’re diving into a corner, popping off a feature, or just letting it rip, it truly comes alive on the descents.
Thanks to its lighter weight compared to most full-power e-bikes, it delivers the same responsive feel as an SL, lightweight e-bike—quick and nimble, never sluggish.
From tight switchbacks to wide, flowy trails, the Moterra SL stays planted and predictable, giving you the confidence to focus on enjoying the ride.
One major standout for me was the ability to navigate tight switchbacks with ease—both on descents and climbs. Many women who are 5’3” or shorter have shared that they struggle to adapt to 29er bikes because they feel too big or long, which affects their confidence, especially on technical switchbacks. I can totally relate to this.
However, with the Moterra SL, this was not an issue at all! The bike’s agility and maneuverability gave me the confidence to tackle every switchback—something I’d normally only feel comfortable doing on analog bikes that are typically more nimble.
It comes equipped with fox shocks (160m front 150m rear) and it handles technical descents like a dream. Rocks, roots, jumps—it soaks them up effortlessly. Combining this with the stable frame geometry and those grippy Maxxis tires, descending on this bike makes for an incredible handling experience.
My confidence was so high, that I bunny hopped over a snake on the trail! Something I’ve dreaded since riding over a rattlesnake last year….
Overall, the Cannondale Moterra LS is a powerhouse of a bike that makes descending an absolute blast.
Climbing
Climbing on the Moterra SL is a surprisingly enjoyable experience. This bike makes even the toughest ascents feel approachable—including those dreaded switchbacks.
The first thing I noticed when climbing on the Moterra SL was the insane traction. Seriously, that rear wheel just sticks to the ground, thanks to the Maxxis tires and Cannondale’s Proportional Response suspension. For someone like me, riding the loose, sandy, and dusty trails of Southern California, this was an absolute game changer. It gave me confidence when climbing those tricky, slippery sections.
And let’s talk about the Cannondale-tuned Shimano motor. The torque is so dialed—it provides just the right amount of assist without overpowering my effort. It feels smooth and natural, so I didn’t feel like I was spinning out or relying on the motor too much.
But what really sealed the deal for me was the geometry. The head tube angle and chainstay length work together perfectly to keep my weight balanced over the pedals. Even when I got out of the saddle to power up a climb, the front wheel stayed planted, and the back wheel just kept driving me forward. This made such a difference on technical climbs.
Personally, tackling steep switchbacks has always been something I tend to avoid. However, with the Moterra SL, it felt effortless. The bike transforms climbing from a chore into an engaging challenge. Switchbacks become less about mere survival and more about testing how smoothly you can navigate them. I found myself practicing uphill switchbacks repeatedly, which provided a significant confidence boost.
Honestly, climbing became fun—like, really fun. Instead of dreading it, I started looking for lines to challenge myself. That’s not something I say often about climbing!
Shimano EP801 Motor, and Battery
The Moterra SL is the first 150mm bike that has 85Nm of torque and a 600Wh battery. Meaning, it has the same power comparable to any other full power e-bike out on the market today, yet, it only weighs 43lbs/19.5 kg. In comparison, other full power ebikes, the weight ranges between 50-57lbs (22-26kg).
The bike has four different levels of boost, easily adjustable on the fly, either on the downtube of the bike, or the handlebars. Helping you choose between maximum range(eco), and full power.
We drained the battery in two days of riding over 55 miles/88km! We truly drained it and made it back to the car with 1% battery! Keep in mind, that battery ranges depends on several factors such as: where you ride/terrain, how much you climb, the setting you ride on (boost, eco), & weight.
Cons 1-loud motor after using it for a long period of time. 2-Slow on climb when battery is below 10%, even on boos
Builds: 3 Different Options
The Moterra SL is offered in 3 different builds, and 5 different colours between them.
- The LAB71 $12,000
Full carbon, top of the line components from SRAM & Fox, including all wireless set up, one colour. - Moterral SL1 $8,000-$9,000
The build we demoed. Carbon frame, cranks, handlebars, Fox Factory shocks, SRAM T-Type XO Transmission, two colour options. - Moterral SL2 $6,300-$7,000
Carbon frame, Fox Factory shocks, Shimano wired transmission, two colour options.
Components-Moterra SL1
- Carbon Frame- Raw, Small Frame
- Travel- 150mm Rear, 160mm Front
- Fox Factory 36 Fork, Fox Factory Float X Rear shock
- Drivetrain- SRAM XO AXS T-Type
- Mullet set up, 27.5″ rear, 29″ Front
- SRAM Code Brakes (Now comes with Magura)
- Cannondale’s DownLow dropper
- Cannondale Stem
- Maxxis DHR/DHF Tires
- DT Swiss Alloy Wheels
- DT Swiss hubs
- Cannondale tuned Shimano EP801 motor & custom, 601Wh internal battery
- Saddle, Fizik Terra Ridon
- Cannondale Grips
- Cannondale’s Hollowgram Handlebar
Geo & FlexPivot frame with Proportional Response suspension kinematics
Geometry
The Moterra SL features a mullet setup—a 29″ front wheel paired with a 27.5″ rear wheel. I demoed the small frame size, which initially felt a bit compact. However, as I spent more time on the bike, it became clear that it was the perfect fit for my preferences. The reach was incredibly comfortable, making both climbing and descending a joy. The standover height was spot on, giving me plenty of confidence on technical sections, and the wheelbase felt just right, providing excellent stability without sacrificing agility.
Standover: 738mm
Reach: 420mm
Wheelbase: 1220mm
Suspension
Cannondale uses a FlexPivot stay, that is more than just weight savings—they’re a key component of Cannondale’s advanced suspension design. Functioning as a Horst pivot, they create a genuine four-bar system, enabling Cannondale engineers to fine-tune suspension performance for every riding input. This results in better traction, reliable braking, and a playful ride-everything we experienced on our rides!
How does a FlexPivot work?
FlexPivots are intensively engineered carbon fiber structures, designed to flex at a given point to mimic the effect of a traditional axle-and-bearing pivot, without all the weight
Pros:
- Amazing on climbs-smooth
- Responsive, Agile, FAST!
- Full Power, yet Lightweight
- Top notch components
- Mullet set up
Cons:
- Motor can get loud after long use
- Saddle was not great
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