Test: With a main frame made of carbon, a new Bosch CX motor and an integrated battery, the new edition of the Cannondale Moterra wants to build on the success of its predecessor. The top version of the Cannondale Moterra Neo, which costs almost 8.000 euros, is particularly pleasing in the test due to its versatility.
Cannondale Moterra Neo 1: The Facts
Suspension travel: 160 / 160mm
wheel size: 29 inch
Drive: Bosch Performance CX 4th gen
Display / control unit: Bosch Kiox
Battery capacity (test bike): 625Wh
Frame material: Carbon main frame / aluminum rear triangle
Weight complete bike (size L without pedals): 24,22kg
Maximum weight allowed: 150kg
A separate test video is currently being produced for each E-MTB test 2020 and will be added here in the coming days and weeks
When Cannondale presented the Moterra, the first E-MTB in its portfolio, in 2016, the bike provoked mixed reactions: while test riders, fans and the press unanimously welcomed the low center of gravity, which made for an extraordinarily rich riding experience, not everyone was comfortable with the the resulting look, which takes some getting used to. Last year, the Moterra received its successor: The Moterra Neo is based on the new 4th generation Bosch CX motor with an integrated Powertube battery and a main frame made of carbon. These innovations allowed the US manufacturer to reconcile the pleasingly deep, central center of gravity with a much more pleasing look.
This year Cannondale also added two variants with an aluminum frame and Shimano Steps motor, the Moterra Neo 5 and Neo 5+, both of which are significantly more affordable at less than 4.000 euros than the noble Bosch carbon versions of the Cannondale E-MTB.
Cannondale Moterra Neo 5 and 5+: The new eSportsman from Cannondale
E-Performance: The new Cannondale models Moterra Neo 5 and Moterra Neo 5+ are sporty and agile all-rounders that not only make the descent fun, but also make the climb child's play. It doesn't matter whether it's rough and steep or fast and flowing. The fully integrated e-bike brings fun and freedom. Highlights The Smart Form C2 aluminum […]
Sophisticated features and robust attachments
For testing we had the Cannondale Moterra Neo 1, the top model of the series. As in all other equipment variants with a Bosch CX motor, the main frame is made of carbon, while aluminum is used for the rear triangle. At just over 24kg, the E-MTB, which costs almost 8.000 euros, is not a lightweight - but it doesn't want to be that either. Cannondale, for example, promises a very robust frame and hasn't fussed with the features, components or attachments - performance and durability were clearly the focus here. You can see that, for example, in the generous down tube protection and the powerful skidplate under the motor, as well as in the wide 2,6″ tires with thick Exo+ carcass.
The Bosch CX motor, which is placed noticeably low and quite far forward, is powered by a 625Wh battery in the down tube and is operated by the Kiox remote and display. The latter is mounted on the Ahead cap. Due to the damper being placed close to the top tube, the frame triangle offers more than enough space to mount a fully grown bottle cage and the corresponding bottle.
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Balanced geometry and individual kinematics
The Cannondale Moterra Neo, available in four sizes, relies on a modern but not too extreme geometry. The steering angle is quite moderate at 67°, as is the not too long main frame, which with its approx. 450mm reach in size L ensures a very good balance with the 457mm long chainstays. In combination with the low bottom bracket, you sit in the center of the bike, which promises a balanced performance and a short adjustment period.
Geometry Cannondale Moterra Neo 1
SM | MD | LG | XL | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
seat tube (in mm) | 400 | 440 | 480 | 520 | |
Top tube horizontal (in mm) | 574 | 601 | 631 | 658 | |
head tube (in mm) | 110 | 122 | 134 | 134 | |
chainstay (in mm) | 457 | 457 | 457 | 457 | |
Wheelbase (in mm) | 1170 | 1191 | 1216 | 1245 | |
Steering angle (in °) | 66,5 | 67 | 67 | 67 | |
Seat angle (in °) | 74,8 | 73,9 | 73,9 | 73,9 | |
Reach (mm) | 414 | 425 | 452 | 479 | |
Stacks (in mm) | 598 | 612 | 623 | 623 |
Speaking of frame sizes: A special feature of the new Moterra that is worth mentioning is the so-called Proportional Response: Not only do the dimensions of the frame change with each size, but also the pivot points of the rear triangle. In this way, each size gets its individual kinematics in order to be able to respond to the different body weights to be expected.
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Sophisticated equipment with powerful brakes and top chassis
The Cannondale guys and gals made no mistakes when it came to the equipment package for their top model. Shifting is done by a mix of components from Sram consisting of the X01 Eagle rear derailleur, GX shifter and NX cassette. With its 11-50 teeth, the latter has a slightly smaller range than the 10-50 cassettes of the X01 or XX1 series, but is currently the only 12-speed cassette from Sram that is approved for E-MTBs. With a spread of almost 480%, you can actually find the right gear for every terrain.
frame | Moterra Carbon |
suspension fork | Fox Float Factory 36 |
Power Type | Bosch Performance Line CX 250W |
Battery | Bosch PowerTube, 625Wh |
Suspension shocks | Fox Float Factory DPX2 EVOL |
Wheels | Hubs: Sram 746 / Rims: Stan's NoTubes Flow MK3 |
Tire VR | Maxxis Minion DHF, 3C EXO+ 2,6" |
Tire HR | Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C EXO+ 2,6" |
derailleur | Sram X01 Eagle |
Gear levers | Sram GX Eagle |
Crank | Bosch Gen4 w/ custom Ai offset, 34T |
Front derailleur | ohne |
Brake | Magura MT7 |
Brake discs | 220 / 203mm eStop |
Seat post | Cannondale DownLow Dropper |
Saddle | Fabric Scoop Shallow Elite |
Stem | Cannondale 1 |
Links | Cannondale 3 risers |
With the Magura MT7, one of the most powerful brakes currently on the market is installed on the Moterra, which, thanks to the generously dimensioned eStop discs measuring 223mm at the front and 203mm at the rear, also has the appropriate stability for long descents.
There is just as little to complain about when it comes to the choice of chassis: The Fox 36 fork at the front and the DPX2 shock absorber at the rear – both in factory design – are still among the best you can currently get in the MTB sector and can be tuned quite intuitively , but at the same time offer numerous options to enable chassis experts to fine-tune them.
The aforementioned Maxxis tires sit on the almost 30mm wide Stan's Flow MK3 rims: With a width of 2,6″ and the robust Exo+ carcass, they also ensure that the wheels are a bit heavier overall than comparable wheels in this price range. On the plus side, the 29er tires can not only boast the pleasant self-damping of the carcass, but also plenty of grip - the combination of DHF at the front and DHRII at the rear is not one of the most popular tire combinations in the Enduro segment for nothing.
The other components and attachments are inconspicuous and mostly come from the company: The DownLow dropper post comes with an ergonomically successful lever and offers 150mm travel in sizes L and XL, the cockpit with a 50mm stem and 780mm wide riser handlebar is in the class of the bike appropriate.
A special feature of the Moterra Neo is the standard lighting at the front: the M99 headlight from Supernova is not only useful in everyday life or on the way home from the trail, but also provides illumination when the tour lasts a little longer.
The Cannondale Moterra Neo 1 on the trail
The new Moterra is a lot of fun with its noble equipment in the top version. The chassis setup with the Fox Factory components and Grip2 dampers needs some experience and patience until you have found your personal tuning, but then you will be pleased with a very successful performance. The carbon E-MTB benefits enormously, especially in rough terrain, and the rich riding experience is a lot of fun for experienced pilots and beginners alike. In addition to the great Fox components, the reason for this is certainly the very low center of gravity of the bike.
A lot of smooth running and grandiose brakes
The fact that the Moterra Neo can fully exploit its 160mm suspension travel even in really demanding terrain is also due to the successful choice of tires: The very good enduro combination from Maxxis of DHF at the front and DHRII at the rear is very good with a width of 2,6 inches and the robust Exo+ carcass good choise. As usual, the 29-inch wheels roll well over larger obstacles - especially once you've picked up speed. In any case, the bike can score with a really pleasant running smoothness without making too many compromises in terms of agility.
The brakes are also a real highlight: the combination of the snappy Magura MT7 brakes with the new E-MTB discs with a diameter of 220mm was the best and most powerful brake system in the test for us. Easy to dose, with enormous amounts of power and large fading reserves for long descents. Thumbs up!
Stoic climber with successful ergonomics
The bike with the powerful Bosch CX motor shows its teeth on climbs: The motor pushes hard, scores in E-MTB mode with a lot of dynamics, but is clearly audible, especially at high cadences, even off-road. In technical sections uphill, the Moterra sometimes seemed a little sluggish. This is not necessarily due to the well-chosen chainstay length of 450mm, but rather to the fairly slack real seat tube angle and the mentioned chassis, which is also enormously willing to swallow here - but at the expense of liveliness.
The overall ergonomics of the Cannondale E-MTB is very successful. The geometry is modern with a quite long reach, which, like all other dimensions, is not too extreme. This is how the Americans manage to find a good balance. Experienced riders can actively chase the Moterra over the trails, but the entry hurdle for beginners is not too high.
At first glance, the cockpit looks a bit untidy: the Kiox display is emblazoned on the Ahead cap, which is very easy to see and operate there, but unfortunately has little protection in the event of a fall. There is also an E99 Mini LED headlight from Supernova in front of the stem. Whether you really need this on an E-MTB of this class remains to be seen. On the other hand: It doesn't bother you either and the bright, wide light field reliably illuminates even pitch-dark paths down to the last corner.
The big Velomotion E-MTB test 2020: test fields, individual tests and background information
We set ourselves the daunting task of conscientiously and objectively testing 57 eMTBs. With our two large test fields "Highend" and "Bestseller" we had a huge range of different bikes.
Our test conclusion
E-MTB test 2020: The best e-mountain bikes for every application
E-MTB test 2020: We have examined almost 60 current e-mountain bikes over the past few weeks and months. Depending on the area of application, many of the bikes were convincing. We have summarized our editorial favorites for you depending on the target group or area of application. E-MTB Test 2020: Our test winners In both of our test fields we had a very narrow lead […]
Our test candidates in the High-End category: BH AtomX Carbon Lynx 6 Pro-S | Bull's Sonic EVO EN 2 | Cannondale Moterra Neo 1 | Focus Jam² 9.9 Drifter | Giant Reign E+ 0 Pro | Greyp G6.2 | Haibike XDURO Nduro 10.0 | Husqvarna Mountain Cross 8 | KTM Macina Prowler Prestige | M1 Spitzing Evo Bobby Root | Norco Range VLT C2 | Nox Hybrid Enduro 7.1 | Orange Surge RS | Orbea Wild FS M10 | Santa Cruz Heckler CC X01 RSV | Scott Genius eRide 700 Tuned | Simplon Rapcon Pmax | Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Carbon | Storck e:drenalin GTS 500 | TrekRail 9.9 | YT Decoy Pro Race | YT Decoy Pro 29
You can also find this at the kiosk Velomotion E-MTB test yearbook 2020. There you will find all 57 individual tests of the bikes, exciting stories and advice on everything to do with e-mountain bikes on over 160 pages.
Here you can also order the E-MTB yearbook 2020 directly from us.
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