Do you want a full-power ebike, or something lighter? Cannondale says ‘why not both?’ with their newest eMTB, the all-new Moterra SL. Claiming to be the lightest full-power ebike ever, the Moterra SL looks to be packed with potential.
What does full-power mean?
Cannondale is clearly making a bold claim here, so they clarify it in the press release with an asterisk. Specifically, they’re saying this is the lightest e-bike with at least 85nm of torque and a battery capacity of at least 600Wh.
That battery is a big part of what makes the Moterra SL as light as it is. Cannondale claims to be using “special cells that store more power per kilo than ever before”, which allows them to create a 601Wh battery that weighs just 3.1kg including the wiring harness. This battery it said to provide up to 43miles of range.
Just how light is the “lightest full-power eMTB”? Cannondale states the Moterra SL is as light as 19.5kg / 43lbs for the LAB71 build. The SL1 complete weight is listed as 19.7kg / 43.43lb while the SL2 is listed as 20.6kg /45.41lb.
Shimano Motor
That battery is paired with a Shimano EP801 drive unit which offers 85nm of torque and 600 watts of max power with custom-tuned ride modes. Cannondale claims that the Trail mode is now ideal for riding with friends on lightweight e-bikes, while Boost mode ramps up the power for riding with other full-power e-bikes. There are also Eco and Turbo modes that expand that range even further. The motor is controlled through a button on the top tube, and a Shimano display is included on the bars.
Flex Stays and Wild Geometry
The frame is also a big part of the low system weight, with Cannondale borrowing carbon tech from the Scalpel and blending it with suspension kinematics and geo from their trail bikes. The 150mm travel carbon fiber frame is built around mixed wheel sizes (29 F, 27.5 R) with a 160mm travel fork, and employs a FlexPivot system to reduce weight. Cannondale says this FlexPivot acts as a Horst pivot which makes the suspension act like a four-bar system with less weight and maintenance.
Even though the bike ships with MX wheels, it includes a flip chip that allows you to run it 29/29″ if you want. Additionally, there is an adjustable headset cup design that allows for 1.2º of adjustment to the head tube angle. The frame already has a very slack 62.5º head tube angle, so it can get crazy slack with the adjustment. Cannondale says this all sounds a bit crazy with a HTA of a DH bike, but it all works given the speed of the bike and what it’s capable of.
Moterra SL Geometry
Offered in four sizes, the frame includes a 77º effective seat tube angle, size-specific chainstay lengths, and fairly standard reach numbers. Cannondale’s ‘Proportional Response’ design ensures that all sizes ride similarly with bespoke suspension kinematics and geometry.
Additional Frame Details
Additional frame details include the option to run cable through the headset or through the frame for Model 1 and 2 bikes. There’s also an integrated bashguard for the motor to keep impacts at bay.
Pricing & Availability
In order to get that lightest Moterra SL, you’ll have to pay for it – $14,000 to be exact. The SL 1 and 2 are more approachable at $8,750 and $7,000 respectively, but still pricey. The bikes are available now including a limited run of LAB71 versions.
