Cannondale Moterra SL: suspension setup & specs
The Cannondale Moterra SL is an e-MTB for trail and touring with 160 mm of fork travel and 150 mm at the rear. It is powered by Shimano EP801. This page lists the 3 current builds with fork, shock and shock size and gives matching starting values for SAG and tyre pressure.
Calculate the setup for your Cannondale Moterra SL →
All builds
Fork, shock, shock size (eye-to-eye length × stroke) and rear travel, motor, weight and price according to the manufacturer. Wheel size: 29.
| Build | Fork | Shock | Shock size | Rear travel | Motor | Weight | RRP | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fox Float Factory 36 (160 mm) | Fox Float X Factory | 210x55 | 150 mm | Shimano EP801 | – | – | Setup → |
| 2 | Fox Performance 36 (160 mm) | Fox Float X Performance Elite | 210x55 | 150 mm | Shimano EP801 | – | – | Setup → |
| LAB71 | Fox Float Factory 36 (160 mm) | Fox Float X Factory | 210x55 | 150 mm | Shimano EP801 | – | – | Setup → |
How it compares
With 160 mm at the fork, the Cannondale Moterra SL sits above average: across the 101 bikes in the “e-MTB for trail and touring” category in our database, the median is 150 mm. The rear offers 150 mm, 10 mm less than the front. On travel, it slots in between the Cannondale Habit Neo and the Cannondale Moterra Neo LT in the Cannondale range. Cannondale builds the frame from carbon.
Cannondale uses FOX suspension throughout. In total, 2 different forks are used, from the Fox Float Factory 36 to the Fox Performance 36. Drive comes from Shimano EP801.
Setup notes for this spec
- Air fork (Fox Float Factory 36): the air valve is on top of the left leg under a cap. Change pressure in small steps (about 5 psi (0.34 bar)) and cycle the fork a few times afterwards so the air chambers can equalise.
- Rebound: turn the red FOX adjuster fully closed first and count clicks from there – that way you can note settings and restore them later.
- Air shock (Fox Float X Factory): measure SAG in your riding position, ideally with a helper holding the bike. Cycle the shock a few times after every pressure change.
- e-MTB: because of the extra weight, start with slightly more tyre pressure – the surcharge is already built into the table below.
Target SAG for the Cannondale Moterra SL
The table converts the recommended SAG percentages into millimetres, so you can check them with the O-ring directly on the stanchion and on the shock shaft. Adjust the air pressure until the value is right. If Cannondale specifies its own target SAG for your model, that takes priority.
160 mm fork, 55.0 mm shock stroke (all builds)
| Riding style | Fork SAG | Shock SAG |
|---|---|---|
| XC / touring | 17 % = 27 mm | 24 % = 13.2 mm on the shock shaft |
| Trail | 20 % = 32 mm | 28 % = 15.4 mm on the shock shaft |
| Enduro / rough | 22 % = 35 mm | 30 % = 16.5 mm on the shock shaft |
| Bike park | 20 % = 32 mm | 27 % = 14.9 mm on the shock shaft |
How to measure SAG is explained in our guide SAG setup.
Tyre pressure starting values
The values apply to 2.50″ wide tubeless tyres with a trail casing, including the e-MTB surcharge. With an inner tube add about 0.2 bar (2.9 psi), with an insert take off about 0.1 bar (1.5 psi). Stock tyres: (F) Maxxis DHF, 29x2.5 ", 2C, EXO, tubeless ready / (R) Maxxis Dissector , 27.5x2.4", 2C, EXO, tubeless ready; (F) Maxxis DHF, 29x2.5 ", 3C, EXO+, tubeless ready / (R) Maxxis Dissector , 27.5x2.4", 3C, EXO+, tubeless ready.
| Ready-to-ride weight | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 1.48 bar (21 psi) | 1.68 bar (24 psi) |
| 70 kg | 1.60 bar (23 psi) | 1.80 bar (26 psi) |
| 80 kg | 1.72 bar (25 psi) | 1.92 bar (28 psi) |
| 90 kg | 1.84 bar (27 psi) | 2.04 bar (30 psi) |
| 100 kg | 1.96 bar (28 psi) | 2.16 bar (31 psi) |
| 110 kg | 2.08 bar (30 psi) | 2.28 bar (33 psi) |
| 120 kg | 2.20 bar (32 psi) | 2.40 bar (35 psi) |
Air pressure in the fork and shock
You will find a guide value for air pressure on the fork sticker (or on the shock) or in the suspension makers’ charts. Our calculator also takes riding style and rebound into account. In the end, measured SAG is what counts.