How to Choose Mountain Bikes

Power meets lightweight agility in the Cannondale Moterra SL 2 electric mountain bike. With its carbon fiber frame, custom battery and custom-tuned drive unit, it's ready for high-speed sessions.
Imported.
Best Use | Mountain Biking |
---|---|
E-Bike Classification | Class 1: pedal assist up to 20 mph |
Motor | Custom-tuned Shimano EP801 |
Motor Type | Mid-Drive |
Motor Torque (Nm) | 85 Newton meters |
Battery Type | Lithium Ion |
Battery Capacity (Wh) | 601 watt hours |
Battery Removable | Yes |
Pedal Assist Range | 43 miles |
Mountain Bike Style | Trail |
Frame | Moterra Neo SL, Series 1 Carbon construction |
Bike Suspension | Full Suspension |
Fork | Fox Performance 36, 160 mm travel, Grip Damper, 3-position adjust, 15 x 110 mm Kabolt thru-axle, tapered steerer, 44 mm offset |
Fork Travel | 160 millimeters |
Rear Shock | Fox Float X Performance Elite, 2-pos adj, EVOL LV, 210 x 55 mm |
Crankset | e*thirteen e*spec Plus, 165 mm, 34T |
Shifters | Shimano Deore M6100, 12-speed |
Rear Derailleur | Shimano XT |
Rear Cogs | Shimano Deore 6100, 10-51T, 12-speed |
Number of Gears | 12 gear(s) |
Brake Type | Hydraulic Disc Brake |
Brakes | Shimano XT |
Brake Levers | Shimano Deore hydraulic disc |
Rims | Stans Arch MK4, 32H, tubeless ready |
Front Hub | Formula DC-71132h, 15 x 110 mm |
Rear Hub | DT Swiss 370 Hybrid, 32h, 12 x 148 mm |
Wheel Size | 27.5 inches 29 inches |
Tires | Front: Maxxis DHF, 29 x 2.5 in., 2C, EXO, tubeless ready; rear: Maxxis Dissector, 27.5 x 2.4 in., 2C, EXO, tubeless ready |
Tire Width | 2.5 inches 2.4 inches |
Handlebar Shape | Riser Bar |
Handlebar | Cannondale 3 Riser, 6061 Alloy, 15 mm rise, 8 deg. sweep, 4 deg. rise, 780 mm |
Stem | Cannondale 1, 6061 Alloy, 35.0, 40 mm, 0 deg. |
Seat Post | Cannondale DownLow Dropper, internal routing, 31.6 mm, 150 mm (S), 170 mm (M-XL) |
Dropper Post | Yes |
Saddle | Fizik Terra Ridon X5, 145 mm, Wingflex, S-Alloy Mobius rail 7 x 7 mm |
Pedals | Not included |
Headset | Acros Adjustable Angle (1.2 deg.) |
Chain | Shimano Deore 6100, 12-speed |
Weight | 45 lbs. 6.6 oz. |
Bike Weight | Bike weight is based on median size, as sold, or the average of two median sizes. |
Gender | Unisex |
S | M | L | XL | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Height Range | 5'1" - 5'5" | 5'4" - 5'9" | 5'8" - 6'1" | 6' - 6'5" |
Reach | 42.0 | 44.5 | 47.0 | 50.5 |
Stack | 63.0 | 63.9 | 64.8 | 65.7 |
Effective Top Tube | 56.5 | 59.2 | 61.9 | 65.6 |
Seat Tube Center-Top | 38.0 | 40.0 | 44.5 | 49.0 |
Standover Height | 73.8 | 73.7 | 73.7 | 74.2 |
Head Tube Length | 11.5 | 12.5 | 13.5 | 14.5 |
Head Tube Angle (degrees) | 62.5 | 62.5 | 62.5 | 62.5 |
Seat Tube Angle (degrees) | 70.7 | 71.3 | 72.3 | 73.1 |
Bottom Bracket Height | 33.5 | 33.5 | 33.5 | 33.5 |
Wheelbase | 121.9 | 124.8 | 128.3 | 132.7 |
Chainstay | 44.9 | 44.9 | 45.3 | 45.8 |
Fork Offset | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 |
Measurements are stated in centimeters unless otherwise indicated.
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I was interested in purchasing an eMTB to keep me riding the trails well into my 70's and 80's (hopefully). I reviewed many bikes and landed on the Cannondale Moterra SL2. It was on sale - I would not have spent the money for a full priced version. I bought it sight unseen, as these were not in stores near me. However given REI's return policy I figured I could safely give it a try. The reviews of the bike were generally very positive across many sites. One that I made note of was that, given its geometry and length of the cranks, the pedals sometimes hit the ground on single track turns. I thought it would be no big deal. I took it to the trails the day after I picked it up from REI. The ride was very smooth - the full suspension worked well over rocks and roots. Having 12 gears was a real bonus. The pedal assists were good but the first two levels did not provide much assistance. The problem for me was the pedals did indeed hit the ground on relatively gentle single track turns - 4 times in a 45 minute ride. I decided to return the bike at REI and got an almost full refund. For people looking for s smooth fast ride that do not mind getting jolted by pedals hitting the ground consider this your next eMTB.
I’ve ridden a bunch of emtb. Cannondale SL is the perfect mix between fun and power. Definitely worth the money