A Tinkerer’s Tale

Photography & Video by: The Community Project

Hands On, Heart In: Ian Moore Gets Creative with His Moterra SL.

A Tinkerer’s Tale | Moterra SL

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Ian Moore isn’t your stereotypical Texan—he’s not a rancher, a cowboy, or drilling for oil. Instead, he’s a long-time bike industry veteran, living the dream in Denton, Texas, and working as a product manager for Cannondale, a Connecticut-based company. Remote work isn’t the norm in this industry, especially for someone based in Texas, but Ian has never been one for conventions. He’s chosen Denton not only as his home but also as the place to bring to life his unique vision for a dream bike build of the Moterra SL.

Originally from Southern California, Ian’s appearance hints at his roots—gauged ears and a punk rock vibe reminiscent of Social Distortion—but Texas has undeniably become his home. His love for bikes began at a young age, driving him to chase his dream job and now, his "dream build."

The Moterra SL Ian is building isn’t your typical dream bike—and was most definitely not built to bait the trolls on Pinkbike. It’s Ian’s vision, meticulously crafted for the fast, sandy terrain around Denton. The goal? To keep the bike as lightweight as possible without sacrificing its aggressive capabilities. Most of the components are readily available to any enthusiast, with one major exception: the "Lefty." This long-travel version of Cannondale’s iconic single-sided suspension fork, dubbed the “Extreme Lefty”. It’s a perk of the job that won't be available commercially anytime soon.

The build process is as precise as you’d expect from someone with Ian’s background. His garage is immaculate—meticulously organized with jerseys, frames, and mementos from the teams he’s worked with, alongside accolades from his wife, a world champion track cyclist. Each piece tells a story, reflecting Ian’s deep connection to the sport and his relentless pursuit of perfection. Ian can explain every component choice with the enthusiasm of someone who truly loves his job.

Sure, there’s the occasional complaint about spreadsheets and the less glamorous side of the job, but for Ian, sharing the build experience—and more importantly, the ride—is what fuels his passion.

This joy of the ride is at the heart of everything Ian touches, and he hopes that every Cannondale bike rolling through streets and trails worldwide carries that same spirit. After all, for Ian, bikes are more than machines—they’re a tool for freedom.