Cannondale Moterra SL 1 Review - '24 eMTB Shootout - Genre Blender

[@mrfaffer-c3q]

I’ve been ripping one around the SL2 build for a few weeks. I’m in love. It’s so dam light and fun to rip. It doesn’t feel like you are trying to flat corner a 60lb hog. It nips around. I can pull gaps and pump down. It’s basically like riding a heavy enduro bike. My trails are fairly steep and fast. 100% get one fun value is insane.

[@zaclakritz]

Just demo’d this bike yesterday, by far the most playful, best jumping ebike I’ve ever ridden. The weight is great and the slack head angle didn’t bother me one bit. If you’re looking to jib this is your bike. The front wheel easily pops up for manuals and corners super well. Going to order one very very soon

[@TheLoamWolf]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@livingstonest]

Have you demoed the levo sl? If so how does it compare?

[@Nomad-MTB]

I have the SL 1 Version of this bike with 500 miles on it. I weigh 200 lbs and never had a problem with the battery life. And honestly once you get used to the slack head tube angle you don't even think about it. I ride pretty aggressive desert terrain and this bike has taken everything, jumps, drops, chunk, speed, berms, all of it. It's a very fast bike. The two drawbacks I see is that you will strike at the mullet set up on something. It has a low BB. I flipped it to the 29er set up and the bike clears everything. The other thing is that I was considering putting on a 38 on this. I'm still on the fence about that. I did put on TRP Evo Brakes on this along with the SC Reserve 30 SL Rims. With pedals and downhill tires the bike weighs 46.1 pounds. If I add the 38 it will add on 8 oz but that is nothing with an ebike. If you race ebikes, you'll get beat by the Levo or the Orbea Wild on the uphills. Downhill and flats those bikes won't be able to keep up with the Moterra SL. So it depends on your course.

[@Sc0ttishking]

Those 2 bikes won't touch it on the uphills because the levo has a lower powered motor and the orbea is a fair chunk heavier.

[@khodges3333]

As the new owner of the SL2 spec, I think you guys nailed the review. I wanted a lighter full power bike that didn't cause range anxiety, and this is exactly what I wanted. My size L is eight pounds lighter than my Rail 7.

[@TheLoamWolf]

That's awesome to hear. Thanks for sharing and glad you are enjoying it.

[@WireWorldWide]

What is the weight of the sl2? Have you done a range test?

[@khodges3333]

It weighs 47 lbs w/pedals setup tubeless. No range testing quite yet, but it seems to be pretty close to my Bosch with a 625 battery. I am going to try the full 29 setup soon.

[@khodges3333]

The trail rider recommendation fits my needs perfectly, as you all know from riding here in Knoxville, TN, there is a lot of traversing to get to the good stuff.

[@EvanShowsMTB]

@@WireWorldWide my medium SL2 weighed 44 pounds on the dot with plastic pedals when I rolled it out the shop. They shaved weight in a few spots like exo+ tires, no chain guide or bash guard, a tiny little fizik saddle, so it’ll probably be heavier once I swap those. I got 37 miles and ~1500 ft of climbing in strictly modes 3&4 (max power) on the first charge and had a little juice left (the display estimated 6 miles left in boost). 15 miles were on pavement to and from the trails so not a true off-road range test but I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the battery capacity so far. I have no complaints yet

[@Bench_mark_113]

I wonder if mullet was after thought for this frame, and was changed last minute. Putting a bigger rear wheel would bring the headset up and make the bike feel more centered.

[@hobblyjig]

Y’all should add a ringer to the shootout like the Crestline RS 180. Just to have a high end benchmark to compare to.

[@jeanmarc_in_Hudson]

I like this bike, great review thanks! 👍

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thanks for watching!

[@Bench_mark_113]

Looks awesome. Too bad rise wasn't out when you filmed, be curious as they are pretty much exact competitors.

[@bearjewmtb4827]

As a giant trance x adv elite e+0 owner this is exactly what I was looking for. But as the one guy said the 600 battery is perfect but as a taller/heavier rider at 73” 215lbs a 170/165 version would be epic for me. Constantly bottoming out my 150/149 giant

[@ChrisMoore-nb8gj]

Curious about your comment of the 470 reach and suggesting you would prefer it a bit longer, yet the 487 reach on the rail you had previously said was too much? I would think +/- 8mm isn't going to make a huge difference. Were there other geo aspects between the two that contributed to the disparity between your review on these bikes? Cheers and great video 👍

[@mitchtolhurst2213]

Surely the kenevo SL will be included this year ?

[@kostak2171]

Curious what you think about the Moterra SL vs the Transition Relay. It seems like there's a bit of overlap between the two. One seems like a light full power ebike and the other like a heavy, long travel SL ebike. Which would you prefer and why?

[@TheLoamWolf]

Pretty different feel in bikes due to the travel... The Transition does ride a bit lighter than you'd expect, but travel is undeniable. If we were regularly going big, hitting super chunky terrain, or wanted a more comfortable/plush ride, Transition. If we didn't have the terrain that needed that much travel, the Moterra SL. BOTH are rad bikes though.

[@jason5031]

@@TheLoamWolf Very helpful as I'm trying to decide between these two!

[@LakayRicky]

Slack head angle on a trail bike, that's amazing

[@marauder7412]

Great bike, great review as usual. You guys give your honest opinion which is refreshing.. My local shop has one of these as a demo. Can I give them a shout out? Thanks.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thank you so much! We appreciate that and we do our best to give the most honest and useful information we can. Shout outs always welcome.

[@whitest_kyle]

Really would love one of these or the new Rise LT. I'd have to sell my Fuel EXe lol.

[@TheLoamWolf]

May just be worthwhile!

[@Danny2009ie]

Great review per usual. Just wondering how the first bike broke?

[@vert_n_dirt]

Sounds like it strikes a nice balance for the trails i like. I was hoping you'd give more info on the one you broke

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thanks very much. Also, to clarify: We didn't break a Moterra SL, or Cannondale Ebike. We broke a Scalpel, XC race bike, while hitting a large step down and overjumping it to flat. BUT, we do have a video coming out on that with Cannondale's engineers once we wrap up this shootout. They wanted to analyze the frame first and we wanted to wait and do a thorough interview and conversation with them! We have confidence in their equipment, as do they.

[@vert_n_dirt]

@@TheLoamWolf thanks for clarification. I could see that being a possibility on an xc bike pushed much past its intended use. Dorp to fault ftw. Still be interesting to hear the analysis when that vid comes out. Ill put the mottera sl back near tge top of my list. Thanks again

[@spawnrcandbikes]

cannon should use bosch cx in all the bikes...that turbo mode is dope....fast as hell up hills... the bosch display works good and easy to use....

[@rafakwiatkowski7907]

How noticeable is Shimano rattle in this bike?

[@amir_mtb]

Thanks for your awesome emtb reviews (this and the others!). I'm wondering how you think this compares to the Heckler SL, since you didn't have the Moterra SL in last year's shoot out. I'm looking past the power (don't need full) and the battery (hoping Fazua comes out with extender) - but wondering about the descents compared between both bikes.

[@TheLoamWolf]

This bike has a slightly more DH biased feel in the descents. The length and head tube angle along with a slightly more compliant rear suspension platform would have us pick this for DH prowess. The Heckler SL is insanely poppy, playful fun and snappy! We really like it but it’s a bit stiffer out back for super rocky trails that we prefer.

[@amir_mtb]

@@TheLoamWolf thanks so much for the summary! I'm going to demo the Moterra then, sounds like exactly what I'm looking for :)

[@reidcoleman7176]

Im recovering from an injury but picked up the SL2 in the meantime. I've only ridden around my neighborhood so far. But i cant get over the spec of this bike. 7k just to receive shimano deore all around doesn't sit right with me. It's making me considering going for a Decoy Core 4. Better spec and a bigger battery.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thanks for sharing your experience and input.

[@lorenzocastelletti9392]

Seems the right bike for agressive light riders. For riders under 60 kg, 3 or 4 kg of a lighter bike makes quite a difference. And we generally don't need a 750 battery.

[@marauder7412]

If anyone is in Sydney and is keen on a test ride, pop down to Renshaw's Bikes Lithgow. They have a medium SL2. Cheers

[@davidloucks9149]

Did Loam Wolf test it in the slack position? How can you say it is too slack if you didn't try it?

[@TheLoamWolf]

Yes we did. And we didn’t like it as much as the steep.

[@davidgrothen3943]

Awaiting shocked commenters by the fact that an ebike shootout includes ebike content.

[@MTBFlowRider]

😂😂😂😂

[@TheLoamWolf]

Let's hope the two guys who said they were unfollowing us 8 times because of geriatric moped content don't let us down!

[@Roaming50]

@@TheLoamWolf

[@Louskunt1]

Fave comment, lol!

[@jlh530i1]

Would love an sl/midweight 165 or 170 e-bike

[@kostak2171]

Transition Relay!

[@Cassienope]

How do you set the headset into its steeper setting? I just got this bike, but it came with overall a woeful lack of information.

[@reidcoleman7176]

Me neither. I've looked online and can't find anything

[@khodges3333]

The specific manual can be found on the website showing all the adjustments.

[@Cassienope]

​@@khodges3333it wasnt there originally. It was updated when I asked for it.

[@khodges3333]

@@Cassienope Glad you got it sorted. Mine came with a manual for the other Moterra model. Have you swapped the head angle yet? I flipped the seat stay adjustment and have been riding in full 29er mode. I like it so far, and it seems to have helped a little with the pedal strikes.

[@Cassienope]

​@@khodges3333yep, my trails are pretty tight, flipped it before I rode it. Next up is full 29er. I haven't spent any time on a mullet and was curious. I also put on Shimano 160mm crank arms to help reduce pedal strikes.

[@EvanShowsMTB]

I got mine last week. It’s my first e bike but holy shi this thing is playful. I got 37 miles in strictly trail/boost on the first charge (15 miles were on pavement to/from the trails but still). Thing fukn rips. I swapped it to the neutral head angle position and that made a huge difference for me

[@TheLoamWolf]

Heck yeah that's awesome to hear and congratulations. It's a sweet rig for sure.

[@approots]

I think some of the criticims can rest if this is classified as an enduro bike albeit with less travel. Less travel for less weight is a legitimate trade-off. Perfect bike for some.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Definitely has its pros and cons. With the stable geometry, we wonder why there's not a touch more travel and a burlier fork...

[@blakkpatron]

Propain sresh part of the shootout?

[@SwimmingBird846]

I don't think that bike is shipping for a few months.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Propain Ekano. BUT, hopefully have the Sresh for the SL shootout later this summer.

Very low bottom bracket height on this bike, not my style...waiting for the Pole Sonni review. Also, you should check out a new freeride bike from Scor, with 180/190 travel, Bosch motor and 750 battery, long travel bikes all the way!

[@dirtsurfernz]

Pole is dead

@@dirtsurfernz I know, I hope someone appears and saves the Brand

[@Manu_Air228]

Seems like a really nice bike, only shame is the "oldschool" geometry with rather short reach and longer seat tube, so not a bike for the short legged like me

[@AndreasScharl]

Great review! Wonder how it stacks up against the shuttle lt and wild. Shame the new rise lt is not in the shootout. Probably even better than the moterra sl?!

[@TheLoamWolf]

Wait for our SL Shootout coming later this summer!

[@goldphish606]

long chainstays on long reaches are the truth

[@TheLoamWolf]

Definitely nice for the balance of the bike.

[@allthepizzainmybelly1302]

man I wish we could get some better motor options

[@MANUELCOSTARODRIGUEZ]

Better go with 63,7 head Angle On it. 62,5 is too much for a trail ebike.

[@The-Jokes-on-You]

Curse you investment group brand! -shakes fist defiantly -

[@EyemBobbyMom]

Y’all look super uncomfortable and need to figure out what to do with your hands. Maybe Ricky Bobby it.

[@graham2167]

The fact that they mention that they broke one and had to get a replacement very early in the video makes me think that it’s just not that good

[@TheLoamWolf]

Accidents happen, especially to rear wheels. The replacement held up just fine.

[@marauder7412]

It was the rear wheel not the whole bike

[@danielpatino81]

as soon as I see Shimano motor, I am not interested anymore. 👎👎👎👎

[@hobblyjig]

I find myself feeling the same way. But I’ve never ridden an eMtb. It the comments from enough reviewers points to other motors being significantly better.

[@hobblyjig]

I find myself feeling the same way. But I’ve never ridden an eMtb. It the comments from enough reviewers points to other motors being significantly better. This is why we need standard motor mounts so we can swap to what we want.

[@danielpatino81]

If you want an excellent experience with an Ebike motor go Bosch, most of my friends are on Bosch power units one of the guys is at 6k miles and the thing keeps on pulling strong and battery range still the same as all others with way less miles than his. 2 guys on Brose already change the motor twice, and the ones on shimano already gave up on those things since they couldn’t trust those motors anymore.