As a company, Cannondale is well-versed at making outstanding e-bikes. Their Moterra Neo 1, 2 and 3 carbon rides are among the best on the market and the Moterra Neo 5 is one of the very best in the aluminium e-bike sector.
When they brought out those beauties, many scratched their heads as to why they released a 5 before a 3, but the answer came not long later. The Cannondale Moterra 4 is a half-way house between those excellent carbon e-bikes and the cheaper, very good aluminium bike.
But how does it differ and what does it offer?
Our Verdict
Another Cannondale beauty. This is as good as it gets for serious amateur eMTB riders. It’s seriously tough and provides a comfortable ride, but it is nimble on those tricky downhill trails and twisty sections. It’s fast, has a decent range and can take on most things you can throw at it.
It’s particularly geared up for all-trail and enduro riding, but can take on most types of trails – it’s versatile and the price isn’t eye-watering, either. The Moterra Neo 4 is a winner.
Peaks
- Robust
- Manoeuvrable
- Price
- Centre of gravity
Troughs
- Travel may not suit elite riders
- It isn’t carbon-fibre
- Charge time
Cannondale Moterra Neo 4
Price: $5,368
Weight/Frame
Like the Moterra Neo 5 frame, the Moterra Neo 4 is made out of aluminium and weighs 25.9kg. This makes it quite a heavy bike, but it’s kitted out elsewhere to make that weight appear seamless. It’s largely marketed at trail and enduro riders and is kitted out for some chunky days on some pretty gnarly trails.
It’s a good bet for serious amateur riders, with its sturdy aluminium frame making it feel robust on the challenging downhills, whilst it also picks up speed really well. It’s surprisingly agile, in spite of its weight, and handles really well in the corners and on those twisty sections thanks to a wide handlebar set up.
It feels super stable on pretty much every terrain and it’s a comfortable ride – a very good start, indeed!
Battery
The Moterra Neo 4 has a chunky 630Wh battery, with a stated range by the manufacturer of 125km (75 miles). Decent going indeed, but if you’re using the electric assist on lots of chunky climbs, then it may not last quite as long.
However, that extra wattage will come in handy and give you a really decent boost up the hills when needed. The bike will reach speeds of 32km/h (20mph), impressive when you consider the bike’s weight and chunky battery. The battery charges up to 50% in around two and a half hours, with a full charge achieved in just six hours.
Both the battery and the motor are low and central in the frame, which creates an ideal centre of gravity for a nice, flowy ride through the trails and it means the bike can be thrown around comfortably.
Motor
Now let’s look at the motor on the Moterra Neo 4. It comes with a 250W Shimano EP8 motor, which gives you a hefty punch as you ride. That beast produces 85Nm of torque – that’s sure to leave some of your riding buddies behind you from a standing start.
From the outside, it’s actually quite hard to tell that the Moterra Neo 4 is an e-bike; the motor and battery are both compact and tucked well away in the down tube. So much so, that some folk might think you’re leaving them for dead on a standard two-wheeler!
The motor has three settings: Eco, Trail and Boost. You can flit between these with a remote on the left-hand handlebar. This means you don’t end up rinsing the battery when you don’t need to be going full blast.
Suspension
The Moterra Neo 4 handles such a wide variety of terrain thanks to its full suspension set up, with 150mm of travel at both the front and the rear. It’s geared up with RockShox 35 Silver R Solo Air forks at the front, and a Deluxe Select R DebonAir rear shock.
That means it’s completely set-up to handle really aggressive riding, such as those big downhill sections and jump lines. This bike manages to be a true beast without breaking the bank and whilst also suiting most riders, the kind who don’t need the most premier specifications. It’s only really the elite and very serious riders amongst us who would be looking for a little more from a bike.
Brakes
The Cannondale Moterra Neo 4 comes with TRP Slate G4 4 Piston hydraulic disc brakes. What does that mean? Well, it means they can take a real beating, but respond sharply at pace and under real strain.
Just what you need as you’re flying down a steep section and negotiating some really tricky and treacherous lines. These give you more confidence whilst riding so that you know you can push it and still have a fail-safe plan.
Tyres
The Neo 4 is well-kitted out to take on a lot of pressure, without making you buck or bounce around too much. The bike comes with 29-inch Maxxis Reckon tyres, which are 2.6 inches wide. That means you’re going to feel pretty comfortable and reassured up there, whatever you throw at it.
They’re made to soak up pressure and be able to take a beating so that you won’t be left feeling battered and bruised. The 29er means you won’t be quite as agile as a 27.5-inch tyre, but the difference is made up elsewhere on the bike.
Price: $5,368
This price is around the mid-range for a decent e-bike. It certainly isn’t at the budget end, however, that’s not surprising given the full-suspension, powerful battery and motor that this bike sports.
Cannondale has produced far more expensive bikes – such as their Neo 1 – as well as cheaper bikes, too, like the Neo 5, so the Moterra Neo 4 sits in the middle.
It’s a step up from the Neo 5, but not quite the hardcore, elite ride like the Neo 1. It’s certainly a very good bike and you won’t find many which are this good at this price.
Moterra NEO 4 Facts and figures
Now let’s look at the nitty gritty.
| S | M | L | XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Tube Length (cm) | 43.0 | 45.0 | 48.0 | 51.0 |
| Top Tube Horizontal (cm) | 57.9 | 60.4 | 62.9 | 65.6 |
| Top Tube Actual (cm) | 53.9 | 56.2 | 58.8 | 61.7 |
| Head Tube Angle | 65.0 | 65.0 | 65.0 | 65.0 |
| Seat Tube Angle Effective | 76.0° | 76.0° | 76.0° | 76.0° |
| Seat Tube Angle | 71.0° | 71.0° | 71.0° | 71.0° |
| Standover (cm) | 72.7 | 73.5 | 74.5 | 77.0 |
| Head Tube Length (cm) | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 12.4 |
| Wheelbase (cm) | 120.9 | 123.4 | 125.9 | 128.8 |
| Front Center (cm) | 75.6 | 78.1 | 80.6 | 83.5 |
| Chain Stay Length (cm) | 45.5 | 45.5 | 45.5 | 45.5 |
| Bottom Bracket Drop (cm) | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Bottom Bracket Height (cm) | 35.0 | 35.0 | 35.0 | 35.0 |
| Fork Rake (cm) | 5.1 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Trail (cm) | 12.1 | 12.1 | 12.1 | 12.1 |
| Stack (cm) | 61.7 | 61.7 | 61.7 | 62.6 |
| Reach (cm) | 42.5 | 45.0 | 47.5 | 50.0 |
Full Specs
| DETAILS | |
|---|---|
| Platform | Moterra Neo |
| Model Name | Moterra Neo 4 |
| Model Code | C65411U |
| FRAMESET | |
|---|---|
| Frame | 150mm travel, SmartForm C2 Alloy, Cannondale Tuned Suspension, removable downtube battery, internal cable routing, 148x12mm thru-axle, post mount brake, tapered headtube |
| Fork | RockShox 35 Silver R, 150mm, Solo Air, 15x110mm stealth thru-axle, tapered steerer, 51mm offset |
| Headset | Integrated Sealed Bearing, Tapered |
| Rear Shock | RockShox Deluxe Select R, DebonAir |
| E-SYSTEM | |
|---|---|
| Drive Unit | Shimano EP8 |
| Battery | Shimano BT-E8036, 630Wh |
| Charger | Shimano Battery Charger 2A |
| Display | Shimano SC-EM800, Bluetooth enabled |
| DRIVETRAIN | |
|---|---|
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM SX Eagle |
| Front Derailleur | N/A |
| Shifters | SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed |
| Chain | SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed |
| Crank | FSA E-Bike, 165mm, SRAM Eagle, 34T Steel |
| Rear Cogs | SRAM PG-1210, SX Eagle, 11-50, 12-speed |
| BRAKES | |
|---|---|
| Brakes | TRP Slate G4 4 Piston hydraulic disc, 200/200mm rotors |
| Brake Levers | TRP hydraulic disc |
| WHEELS | |
|---|---|
| Rims | WTB STX i25 TCS, 32h, tubeless ready |
| Spokes | Stainless Steel, 14g |
| Tires | Maxxis Rekon, 29 x 2.6″, 60TPI Exo |
| Tire Size | 2.6 |
| Wheel Size | 29 |
| Hubs | (F) Shimano MT400, 15x110mm thru-axle / (R) Shimano MT400, 12x148mm thru-axle |
| Front Tire | Maxxis Rekon, 29 x 2.6″, 60TPI Exo |
| Rear Tire | Maxxis Rekon, 29 x 2.6″, 60TPI Exo |
| COMPONENTS | |
|---|---|
| Handlebar | Cannondale 3 Riser, 6061 Alloy, 15mm rise, 8° sweep, 4° rise, 780mm |
| Stem | Cannondale 3, 3D Forged 6061 Alloy, 1-1/8″, 31.8, 7° |
| Grips | Fabric Funguy |
| Saddle | Cannondale Ergo XC |
| Seatpost | TranzX dropper, internal routing, 31.6, 100mm (S), 120mm (M), 130mm (L-XL) |
Size Guide
| Rider Height (cm) | Rider Height (in) | Frame Size |
|---|---|---|
| 148 cm ~ 158 cm | 4'10” ~ 5'2″ | XS |
| 158 cm ~ 168 cm | 5'2″ ~ 5'6″ | S |
| 168 cm ~ 178 cm | 5'6″ ~ 5'10” | M |
| 178 cm ~ 185 cm | 5'6″ ~ 6'1″ | L |
| 185 cm ~ 193 cm | 6'1″ ~ 6'4″ | XL |
| 193 cm ~ 198 cm | 6'4″ ~ 6'6″ | XXL |
How Does the Cannondale Moterra Neo 4 Compare to the Neo 5 and Neo 3?
We’ve already highlighted that Cannondale created the Moterra Neo 4 to be a half-way mark between the carbon fibre Neo range and the aluminium Neo 5. So how does the Moterra Neo 4 stack up compared to the Moterra Neo 5 and 3?
| Model | Battery Life | Charge Time | Battery Power | Frame | Motor Torque | Weight | Suspension | Top Speed | Gears | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moterra Neo 4 | 125 km | 6 hours | 630 Wh | Aluminium | 85 Nm | 25.9 kg | Full (150 mm travel front & rear) | 32km/h (20 mph) | 10 | $5,368 |
| Moterra Neo 5 | 100 km | 6.5 hours | 504 Wh | Aluminium | 60 Nm | 24 kg | Full (150 mm travel front, 140 mm rear) | 45mh/h (28 mph) | 12 | $4,500 |
| Moterra Neo 3 | 108 km | 4.5 hours | 625 Wh | Carbon Fibre | 85 Nm | 25.89 kg | Full (150 mm travel front & rear) | 32km/h (20 mph) | 12 | $5,800 |
Price comparison via: https://mtbdatabase.com/e-bikes/
Summary
As you can see the Neo 4 sits nicely between the Neo 5 and the Neo 3. You pay extra for the Neo 3 due to its carbon-fibre frame, which will make it lighter than the Neo 4 and more agile.
But you don’t lose out too much in other areas; in fact, the aluminium frame allows for a chunkier battery, which will take you further and the motor will emit the same amount of torque.
That aluminium frame also provides robustness, which can take on big impacts and leave you still feeling fairly comfortable. On the carbon Neo 3, you may feel those impacts a bit more.
Overall, the Neo 4 is a serious rider’s bike and it will take all that you throw at it. It won’t be quite as nimble in certain tricky conditions, but it certainly won’t be cumbersome. All things said and done – it’s a beauty of a bike.
How Does the Moterra Neo 4 Compare to Other Brands?
We’ve established now that the Moterra Neo 4 is clearly a very versatile bike and is the mid-way point in the Moterra range, but how does it line-up against other e-MTBs on the market? Let’s take a look.
Moterra Neo 4 vs Chaser 29
| Model | Battery Life | Charge Time | Battery Power | Frame | Motor Torque | Weight | Suspension | Top Speed | Gears | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moterra Neo 4 | 125 km | 6 hours | 630 Wh | Aluminium | 85 Nm | 25.9 kg | Full (150 mm travel front & rear) | 32km/h (20 mph) | 10 | $5,368 |
| Chaser 29 | 156 km | 3.5 hours | 625 Wh | Aluminium | 75 Nm | 25.1 kg | Full (160 mm travel front, 150 mm rear) | 25km/h (15.60 mph) | 12 | $5,569 |
Price comparison via: https://electricbikesupermarket.co.uk/products/mondraker-chaser-29-e-bike
Summary
These bikes aren’t too dissimilar.
With the Chaser 29, you have a far quicker charge time, which has to be a plus, but you’re also paying an extra $300 for that privilege.
The Chaser 29 has 10mm more front travel, which means it’s more geared up for some serious downhill sections and it’s lighter, which makes it slightly more manoeuvrable on those tricky twisty sections.
However, the Moterra Neo 4 leaves the Chaser 29 dead on the line due to its seriously powerful torque and it can keep that speed up, with a higher top speed. The slightly sturdier frame on the Moterra Neo 4 also makes it more robust and it can take a hammering with more ease.
The Moterra Neo 4 comes out as a more comfortable ride, but it all really depends on what you’re riding for.
Both bikes are seriously versatile and it all comes down to whether you want speed and robustness or whether you want great travel range and manoeuvrability. Realistically though, you can’t go wrong with either.
Moterra Neo 4 vs Scott Genius e-ride 930
| Model | Battery Life | Charge Time | Battery Power | Frame | Motor Torque | Weight | Suspension | Top Speed | Gears | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moterra Neo 4 | 125 km | 6 hours | 630 Wh | Aluminium | 85 Nm | 25.9 kg | Full (150 mm travel front & rear) | 32km/h (20 mph) | 10 | $5,368 |
| Scott Genius e-ride 930 | 160 km | 5 hours | 625 Wh (1125 Wh with 500 Wh boost) | Aluminium | 85 Nm | 24.7 kg | Full (160 mm travel front, 150 mm rear) | 25km/h (15.60 mph) | 12 | $4,386 |
Price comparison via: https://mtbdatabase.com/bikes/2021/scott/genius-eride/2021-scott-genius-eride-930/
Summary
The Moterra Neo 4 loses out to the Scott Genius e-ride 930 in quite a few areas here.
The 930 offers a greater range, and quicker charge time, it’s lighter and it has that incredible addition of a 500Wh range booster, which can take you much much further than the Moterra Neo 4.
You can’t ignore the price of the Scott either, nearly $1,000 cheaper than the Moterra Neo 4 – it seems a bargain.
Both are great bikes, which can take on most things you throw at them, but the Moterra Neo 4 just loses out on this occasion.
Moterra Neo 4 vs Overvolt AM 5.6
| Model | Battery Life | Charge Time | Battery Power | Frame | Motor Torque | Weight | Suspension | Top Speed | Gears | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moterra Neo 4 | 125 km | 6 hours | 630 Wh | Aluminium | 85 Nm | 25.9 kg | Full (150 mm travel front & rear) | 32km/h (20 mph) | 10 | $5,368 |
| Overvolt AM 5.6 | 140 km | 4~6 hours | 625 Wh | Aluminium | 85 Nm | 24.3 kg | Full (160 mm travel front & rear) | 25km/h (15.60 mph) | 11 | $5,074 |
Price comparison via: https://mtbdatabase.com/bikes/2022/lapierre/overvolt/2022-lapierre-overvolt-am-5-6/
Summary
These two are really evenly matched.
Both have similar charge times, ranges, motor powers and weights. The Moterra Neo 4 offers a higher top speed, which is one area it consistently cleans the floor with many brands. However, you’re paying nearly $300 more and don’t get the same level of range as the Overvolt AM 5.6, so there is a slight compromise.
Both are real all-rounders and can climb and descend with ease, they’re robust and you can trust them to take you out on those long days out on the trails comfortably. They also both have a low sense of gravity to help you manipulate with ease and tackle those really tricky sections. In short, two stunning bikes.
Final Thoughts
The Moterra Neo 4 is a trail and enduro superstar. It can handle some of the gnarliest ridings most of us could throw at it, and thanks to its robustness, it comes out with flying colours.
This is right up there in the top bracket of e-MTBs for serious amateur mountain bike riders, and it’s only really the elite-level riders who would feel slightly held back by what it has to offer.
It has a chunky range, a seriously robust frame, a solid top speed and is nimble on the descents and twisty trails. You also aren’t breaking the bank here, with the Moterra Neo 4 offering a nice middle ground if you want a bike for serious riding, but don’t want to go for the elite-level rides.
Cannondale has smashed it again with the Moterra Neo 4, but don’t just take our word for it – give it a go yourself, get out there and get peddling.
