Cannondale Moterra Neo 3

Full-fat thrills from a big and bouncy bike that’s made for serious playtime

Cannondale has been making aluminiumframed mountain bikes for almost as long as mountain bikes have been a thing, and the Moterra Neo 3 is the latest in that tradition. It’s just that, unlike the company’s first offerings, this model has suspension at both ends plus electric assistance.

As the e-bike market grows and matures, its various segments become more defined. Some manufacturers focus on bikes that offer subtle assistance, low weight and conventional handling, while others opt to go ‘full fat’. Bikes in this style include large-capacity batteries that provide high mileage and fullthroated assistance at the expense of slightly increased weight and less nippy handling.

To provide all-day assistance the Moterra employs a sizable 750Wh Bosch Powertube battery, which lives within the down tube of its aluminium frame. That heavily sculpted frame also houses a Rockshox Deluxe Select shock that offers an impressive 150mm of rear-wheel travel.

Cannondale now uses a system it calls ‘proportional response size-specific design’ to ensure each rider gets the right fit. This means each frame size gets its own unique layout and geometry to make the best use of its suspension. This also sees smaller frames drop their wheel size from 29 to 27.5 inches to keep dimensions in proportion.

At the front end of the bike you’ll find a matching Rockshox Yari RC 150mm suspension fork. That much suspension travel on tap increases the possibility of getting into trouble on the downhills, which Cannondale counters with a set of Shimano MT420 four-piston hydraulic disc brakes.

You’ll probably want to get back up the hill, and your legs will find assistance in the form of a mixed 12-speed Shimano XT/ Deore groupset and Bosch Performance Line CX motor. There’s even a trials bikestyle skid plate to protect the motor from damage if you get really adventurous.

The result is a full-bodied bike that’s ready for almost anything the mountain can throw at it and which packs enough charge to last a full day of up-and-down riding. When it comes to having fun in challenging terrain, the Cannondale is no lightweight.

▶ £5,750

▶ cannondale.com