Anyone seen the new Moterra SL ?

[scrufy]

It's supposedly the lightest "full power" emtb. Maybe competition for Levo.

Moterra SL

The lightest full-power EMTB ever. Redefining what is possible for an electric trail bike, big range, full-tilt boost and unreal agility.

www.cannondale.com

 

[mustclime]

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.

 

[Doomanic]

I have never been a fan of flex stays.

Yeah, it was looking good up to that point.

 

[Mteam]

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

 

[scrufy]

The Shimano motor is what I didn't like.

 

[emtbeast]

Well time will tell if it's good or not, as with all new stuff these days, don't be the beta tester.

 

[Ride 2d@y]

Good looking Emtb - why no Transfer dropper? (Kashima)

 

[jeanmarc]

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.

 

[uspsa2011]

It does look fantastic and the specs are current. See the 62 deg HTA?!

 

[cappuccino34]

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.

 

[2WHLFUN]

This bike ticks all the boxes for me. It’s 14lbs lighter than what I have. Just have to save up $.

 

[scrufy]

I'm actually really happy with my 6 month old Moterra Carbon One but I'm curious how this will compare. Mines heavy.

 

[GoKart Mozart]

Thus far I have been super impressed with the Moterra SL1.

 

[2WHLFUN]

Thus far I have been super impressed with the Moterra SL1. View attachment 140469

So jealous! We had one come through the shop that I work at and I got to parking lot test it. Swinging it back and forth is night and day easier than my 54lbs bike.

 

[2WHLFUN]

What were you riding before and where are you riding?

 

[jray17]

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.

 

[Ribinrobin]

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

 

[jray17]

I rode a large. That weight and battery size made it less appealing.

 

[Drewf]

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.

 

[jray17]

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.

 

[Boxmonkey]

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.

 

[Drewf]

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.

 

[Boxmonkey]

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.

 

[Drewf]

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.

 

[Boxmonkey]

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.