September 23rd, 2008 by 
brodiegrrl
No issues on the lofting and rocky landings!
Overall Impression:
The Moto does what it is built to do. It will get you to the top of the hill without tiring you out so you are ready to start ripping down. It is a solid climber that rolls over technical terrain. It is plush on the descents, inspires confidence in the corners and chunder and responds predictably in all terrain tested. The fork is a great match for this bike and the specific tuning of the shock to the suspension creates a predictable plush ride. The parts keep the bike light and dependable.
About me:
I am 5′9″, weigh 154lbs. I have been riding for 17 years. As mentioned above I come from an XC hard tail background but have moved with technology and ride a Titus RacerX for XC, a Turner 6 pack for DH and Shore riding and a Norco Team Ti set up for more freeriding/shore/technical XC riding. I also volunteer bike patrol in the Whistler Bike Park where I ride a Norco Atomik. My Bikes!
Summary
Specs: 5/5
Price:4/5
Ride:4/5
Overall: 4.5/5
Pros:-
Stiffness translates to great handling
Great standover
Uncompromised descender, solid climber
Plush suspension
Cons:-
Big chainring
Tough to get onto most traditional car racks
Uncomfortable saddle
Tough to reach valve stems on the DHX4 Air
Rating Guide:
5.0 Outstanding
4.0 Very Good
3.0 Above Average
2.0 Fair
1.0 Poor
Detailed Specifications
The source for this information is Cannondale Suggested Retail of this bike is $4,999US.
Specifications are as follows:
Frame Set - Moto Carbon, 160 mm
Fork - FOX 36 Talas R, 160-130-100 mm
Shock - FOX DHX 4.0 Air
Sizes - S, M, L, XL
Color - Charcoal Gray
Wheelset - DT Swiss E2200
Tires - Kenda Nevegal 2.35
Stem - Cannondale XC3 1.5″, 31.8 mm
Bar - FSA XC-190AOS, 25 mm rise
Post - Thompson
Saddle - Fizi’k Gobi XM w/MG Rails
Headset - Moto 1.5″ Integrated
BrakeSet - Avid Juicy 7 160/160mm
Crankset - Shimano XT, 22/32/44
Rear Cogs - Shimano XT, 11-34
Pedals - Crank Bros. Smarty
Front Derailleur - Shimano LX
Rear Derailleur - Sram X-9
Shifters - Sram X-9 Trigger
Geometry for a Medium Cannondale is as follows:
Standover - 764mm/30in
Head Tube Angle - 67.5
Seat Tube Angle - 72.5
Effective Top Tube Length - 603mm/23.7in
Wheel Base - 1124mm/44in
Bottom Bracket Height - 363mm/14.2in
Chainstay Length - 420mm/16.5in
Weight - Carbon frame with Fox DHX air with alloy links without Maxle weighs approximately 3561g (7.85 lb)
The Bike
The Front
The Rear
The Components
The Ride
Overall
September 24th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Excellent review, Sharon. I always look forward to reviews from you and/or Lee, both of you have great experience, top riding skills, and write very well. Thanks.
September 24th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I love those action shots. Good stuff.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Great review Sharon. I know the air shocks are tailored for the frames, but will a coil shock fit?
September 25th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Hey Barry!
I’m sure the DHX coil will fit, but it won’t be ‘tuned’ for it.
check your pm’s!
September 29th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Such a Sick bike. Handles the big stuff so well and perfect for the diablo freeride park or Northstar Live Wire. Still climbs admirably well. A 30lb bike and you can throw anything at it, sign me up.
October 1st, 2008 at 9:32 pm
sick bike ! is it for sale ?
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:17 am
Just bought my first full suspension bike this august and landed on the Moto 2 and just have to say its great . Easy to drag along anywhere . Easy to handle . Nice equipment , especially the brakes (Magura Louise w/ 8″ rotor in front , they could stop a bus ! Definetly the best 5 grand I´ve ever spent .
October 8th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
hi men!
i am zura from little georgia,i live with downhill.now i have CURTIS dh bike,but i brouk fork…
please help me:i want buy new fork.i realy need from150mm and hight.thank you foward
my skype is dhzura
i hope you can do something
December 19th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
How much exactly does the complete bike weight?
February 11th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
My scale shows 14.45kg for the european Moto Carbon 2, size medium, specced as the one in catalogue, with pedals and everything.
March 18th, 2009 at 4:51 am
i’ve been riding Mtb’s for over twenty years on and off, managed to get my hands on a moto2 large frame…what can i say one of the best bikes i’ve ridden in a long time, going up and down ttf’s like a pro…it’s more bike than me ;-D it’l take a long time for the smiles to disappear