CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 C:68X Super TM 400X 29 – In our huge 2024 e-mountainbike test

With the AMS Hybrid ONE44 C:68X Super TM 400X 29, CUBE are sending into the competition their very first light eMTB. For € 8,999, you’ll get 140 mm of travel and a Bosch Performance Line SX motor with a 400 Wh battery, all packed into a carbon frame. How much riding fun do you get for your money?

**CUBE** AMS Hybrid ONE44 | Bosch Performance Line SX/400 Wh | 140/140 mm (f/r)
18 kg in size L | € 8,999 | Manufacturer’s website

Now that CUBE’s portfolio includes a full power eMTB in nearly every travel category, the German manufacturer launches its first lightweight eMTB. We tested the trail-oriented CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 C:68 Super TM 400X 29 flagship model. Straight away, CUBE secure one award in our 2024 eMTB group test. Congratulations to the first winner of the longest model name in eMTB history award. It reminds us of a printer. The CUBE rolls on 29” wheels and generates 140 mm travel front and rear, tipping the scales at 18 kg, which makes it one of the lighter competitors in this test. Like all CUBE eMTBs, the AMS Hybrid ONE44… relies on a Bosch drive system, with a Performance Line SX motor, which delivers 55 Nm of torque and 600 watts peak power, and draws its power from a 400 Wh battery. For € 8,999, you can expect to get a well-rounded overall package and good trail performance. In our 2024 e-mountainbike group test, we found out how the CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 C:68 Super TM 400X 29 fares against 26 of the hottest eMTBs of the season on the trail – and also against our Epson WorkForce Pro WF-3820DWF printer in the office.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2024 – 27 of the most exciting models in our comparison test

What sets the CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 C:68X Super TM 400X 29 2024 apart from the competition?

At first glance, the CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 C:68 Super TM 400X 29 comes across as a little plain and boring. The full carbon frame relies on a discreet design language, with the shock merging seamlessly into the seat stays and the green paint finish with alternating matt/glossy patches adding an elegant final touch. The model name is written on the down tube – well, as much as would fit, at least.. The clean look is underlined by the tidy cable routing, which routes the cables through the headset directly into the frame, allowing CUBE to dispense with additional cable ports. The internal headset routing ensures a tidy look but makes it significantly harder to service the bike. While the Bosch Performance Line SX motor might not be as slim and discreet-looking as the TQ and FAZUA drives, the integration is elegant and clean. The motor draws its power from a 400 Wh Bosch PowerTube 400 battery, which is permanently integrated into the down tube, meaning that you’ll have to carry your bike into your house for charging if you don’t have a plug in your garage – or you don’t own a garage at all. When embarking on epic weekend expeditions with your mates, you can use the optional 250 Wh range extender, which plugs in directly into the easily accessible charging port above the motor. Unfortunately, there’s only room for one bottle cage in the frame, which means that you’ll have to do without a water bottle when using the extender. CUBE dug deep into their bag of tricks to develop their own charging port, which offers excellent haptics. For the remaining motor hardware, the German manufacturer relies on Bosch’s original parts, choosing them carefully to match the bike’s sporty orientation. Although Bosch’s System Controller in the top tube and Mini Remote on the handlebars only provide basic riding data, they impress with good haptic feel and a clean look, blending in perfectly with CUBE’s stylish One Piece carbon cockpit. Unfortunately, the latter doesn’t allow for fine tuning, except for the stack height, which can be adjusted with spacers.

The Bosch Performance Line SX motor might not be integrated as seamlessly into the frame as other light eMTB drives, but harmonises well with the frame’s overall proportions.

For the charging port, CUBE opted for an in-house solution, which impresses with good haptics. The cover can even be removed, making it easier to connect the range extender.

The in-house one-piece carbon cockpit might look great but doesn’t allow for fine tuning.

For the spec, CUBE rely almost entirely on top-tier components from renowned manufacturers. Particularly striking are the electronic SRAM XX Eagle Transmission drivetrain and FOX Factory suspension. The latter features a fancy Kashima coating, which perfectly matches the golden accents on the frame. The FOX 36 Factory fork relies on a highly adjustable GRIP2 damper and is paired with a FOX FLOAT X Factory air shock, which both deliver a tremendous performance on the trail. For the brakes, CUBE combine a powerful four-piston MAGURA MT Trail carbon brake calliper and big 203 mm rotor at the front, with a two-pot calliper and small 180 mm disc at the rear. Unfortunately, this quickly reaches its limits on long descents, especially with heavy riders. CUBE also rely on high-end components for the wheels, combining a NEWMEN ADVANCED SL A.30 carbon wheelset and MAXXIS tires, with an ASSEGAI at the front and DISSECTOR at the rear, both in the thin EXO+ casing. While this still offers sufficient puncture protection on more moderate trails and with a smooth riding style, rowdy shredders who love to hang out on technical terrain should upgrade to more robust tires with the tougher Doubledown casing.

The FOX Factory suspension delivers an impressive performance on the trail and perfectly matches the look of the frame with its golden accents.

CUBE use a smaller two-piston brake calliper at the rear, which delivers poor braking performance when combined with the small 180 mm rotor.

CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44

€ 8,999

Specifications

Motor Bosch Performance Line SX 55 Nm
Battery Bosch CompactTube 400 Wh
Display Bosch System Controller
Fork FOX 36 Factory GRIP2 140 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X Factory 140 mm
Seatpost FOX Transfer Factory 175 mm
Brakes MAGURA MT Trail C 203/180 mm
Drivetrain SRAM XX Eagle AXS Transmission 1x12
Stem CUBE ICR MTB Carbon Cockpit 50 mm
Handlebar CUBE ICR MTB Carbon Cockpit 780 mm
Wheelset NEWMEN ADVANCED SL A30 29"
Tires MAXXIS ASSEGAI MaxxTerra EXO+/MAXXIS DISSECTOR, MaxxTerra EXO+ 2.5/2.4

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 18 kg
Perm. total weight 135 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 117 kg
Trailer approval nein
Kickstand mount nein

Tuning tip: Bigger 200 mm brake rotor at the rear

What is the 2024 CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 C:68X Super TM 400X 29 capable of on the trail?

As soon as you swing your leg over the saddle, the CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 C:68 Super TM 400X 29 places you in an upright yet slightly sporty pedalling position. When riding on rough fire roads, the comfortable suspension efficiently absorbs small bumps and waves. When the gradient increases, the rear suspension generates good traction and the front wheel always remains planted on the ground despite the high front end, meaning that you don’t have to actively shift your weight around the bike. The Bosch Performance Line SX motor is significantly more powerful than the FAZUA Ride 60 and TQ-HPR50, but requires high pedalling cadences and more input to fully develop its power. If you’re prepared to work a little harder, you could even keep up with the full-power bikes in this test, at least on moderate climbs – but don’t expect to get the shuttle feeling of full-fat drives! If you treat yourself with a slice of cake at the top of the mountain, you can shut off the CUBE’s motor functions using the Bosch eBike Lock functions while you park it outside the refuge.

The comfortable suspension allows sporty riders to embark on longer tours, eagerly absorbing bumps and thus enabling long days in the saddle.

The high front end inspires huge amounts of confidence but at the same time forces you to actively weight the front wheel in wide, open corners.

If you choose the 2024 CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 C:68X Super TM 400X 29 2024 as your WiFi password, you’ll be 100% safe from hackers. On the trail, the CUBE impresses with intuitive handling and inspires huge amounts of confidence.

Once you down the last drop of cappuccino and begin your descent back down into the valley, the CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 C:68 Super TM 400X 29 impresses with intuitive handling, making you feel at ease from the get-go. Simply put, whether you’re a beginner or a more experienced rider, it’s incredibly easy to ride, and even forgives the odd riding mistake. The high front end inspires huge amounts of confidence on steep, technical trails with nasty drops, but requires you to actively weight the front wheel to keep it tracking in wide, open corners. The CUBE has more plush suspension than its direct Bosch Performance Line SX competitors, and as such provides slightly less feedback from the ground. That said, the suspension still offers plenty of reserves and doesn’t rush through its travel when ploughing through nasty rock gardens and root carpets. In tight trail sections, the AMS Hybrid requires more physical effort and falls behind the more manoeuvrable KTM Macina Scarp SX. Above all, the CUBE scores with good-natured handling and strikes an excellent balance between composure and agility.

The CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 looks understated at first glance and lets the high-end components speak for themselves.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Top tube	575 mm	598 mm	625 mm	658 mm
Seat tube	370 mm	405 mm	420 mm	470 mm
Head tube	102 mm	112 mm	122 mm	142 mm
Head angle	65.4°	65.4°	65.4°	65.4°
Seat angle	76.6°	76.6°	76.6°	76.6°
Chainstay	450 mm	450 mm	450 mm	450 mm
BB Drop	33.5 mm	33.5 mm	33.5 mm	33.5 mm
Wheelbase	1,193 mm	1,217 mm	1,246 mm	1,281 mm
Reach	429 mm	449 mm	474 mm	501 mm
Stack	615 mm	624 mm	633 mm	652 mm

**Helmet** Sweet Protection Trailblazer | **Glasses** NAKED Optics The VOLT | **Hip Pack** EVOC HIP PACK 3 | **Jersey** Monserat F02 | **Pants** ION MTB Tech Logo | **Shoes** Five Ten Freerider Pro | **Socks** Fox Ranger Sock | **Gloves** Troy Lee Designs Flowline

Who should take a closer look at the 2024 CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 C:68X Super TM 400X 29, and who should look elsewhere?

The CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 C:68X Super TM 400X 29 is a trail bike wearing a light eMTB dress that feels at home on a wide range of different types of trails. The intuitive handling makes it suitable for both beginners and experienced riders, and sporty riders will get their money’s worth too, even on longer rides. However, if you’re looking for a powerful shuttle replacement, you should look at some of the full-fat competitors.

Riding Characteristics

DESIGN

unbalanced
coherent

USER FRIENDLINESS

cumbersome
clever

VALUE FOR MONEY

flop
top

TREKKING & COMMUTING SUITABILITY

low
high

HANDLING

demanding
intuitive

FUN FACTOR

boring
lively

Intended Use

Gravel roads

Technical climbs

Flowtrail descents

Technical descents

Our conclusions about the 2024 CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 C:68X Super TM 400X 29

The CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 C:68 Super TM 400X 29 takes on the competition with a high-quality spec. And although discreetly understated at first glance, the CUBE is packed with trail performance and makes you feel at ease from the get go with its intuitive handling and confidence inspiring front end, regardless of whether you’re a newbie or seasoned trail veteran. However, CUBE’s very first light eMTB doesn’t shy away from longer tours and sporty trail sessions either, where it impresses with its comfortable rear suspension. The CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 does everything well but doesn’t excel at anything in particular.

Tops

High-quality spec at a fair price
Good motor integration
Intuitive handling

Flops

Small two-pot brake calliper and small rotor at the rear
High front end results in slightly unbalanced handling

For more information, visit focus-bikes.com

The test field