September 10, 2020 - For those looking for an eMTB that features amazing handling and a confidence-inspiring level of capability, Cannondale’s Moterra Neo 2 hits home as a long travel 29er that’s built to pack a punch.
Our test ground was the infamous North Shore in BC, and the technical terrain of Mt. Fromme and Mt. Seymour proved to be no match for the burly build that the Moterra Neo 2 has to offer. Slotting in next to Cannondale’s Habit eMTB and the Cujo eMTB, the Moterra Neo 2 is designed to be their biggest and most capable mountain bike in their electric lineup, which was definitely evident when throwing a leg over the saddle.
Right out of the gate, the first noticeable feature was just how powerful the Generation 4 Bosch Performance Line CX motor proved to be. With the ability to easily choose from five levels of power-assist on the display unit, I was able to tackle new, and more technical, climbing lines, while the bike’s surprising maneuverability made for a much more engaging climb up the mountain than expected.
Featuring 160mm of travel with the front and rear suspension turned out to be the perfect match for a bike of this nature. Built with a RockShox Lyrik Select Charger RC front fork and a RockShox Deluxe Select+ RT rear shock, when descending, the bike never felt like it was under-gunned even with the additional weight of the motor and battery. Cannondale also spec’d this bike with top-of-the-line Magura MT5 Trail 4 piston brakes, and the ability to stop on a dime was a stand-out feature that helped build confidence on technical terrain even with a heavier bike.
The bike’s geometry provides a slackened, snappy, and stable frame design to help it charge through straight technical sections and also rail tight and twisty corners. A mix between a carbon front triangle and SmartForm C1 Aluminum rear, the 66 degree head angle and 47 cm reach (on a large) delivers a planted feeling when tackling steep terrain. The 75 degree seat angle feels evenly matched for a suitable climbing position. For additional stability, the frame was designed to accommodate 29 or 27.5+ wheelsets, and Cannondale has spec’d the bike with a 2.6 Maxxis DHF front tire and 2.6 Maxxis DHR tire for additional grip, which I was definitely thankful for.
The North Shore has been a proving ground for riders and mountain bikes alike, and it was interesting terrain to put an eMTB to the test. With the option of riding either the climb trail or the gravel forest road up the mountain, the pedal-assist paired with the 1×12 mixed SRAM NX and GX drivetrain on the Moterra Neo 2 allowed me to do more laps of both than I’d ever been able to before, which was awesome.
The 36 V Bosch PowerTube 625w battery provides 3-5 hours of charge depending on the assist mode, which is a solid amount of battery life for an all-day adventure on the trails. It was usually my arms that gave out more than my legs. Neatly tucked away in the downtube the battery was easy to charge, or remove, after a long day on the trails, and its low center of gravity felt well-balanced to match the frame’s geometry.
All in all, Cannondale’s Moterra Neo 2 is a burly built bike ready to shred the descents and pin it on the climbs. The bike’s handling ability was really a stand out factor and with a comfortable amount of suspension, planted geometry, and easy maneuverability, this bike was a blast to take to the trails.
Having proved itself on the technical gnar of the North Shore, Cannondale has truly designed a one-stop eMTB that’s ready to tackle just about anything thrown its way.
The Moterra Neo 2 MSRP is $8,750 – for more information visit here.
