eMTBs have turned the bicycle world on its head. Previous definitions of categories have had their day. Efficiency is no longer significantly dependent on suspension travel or weight. Do we even need a short travel bike like the CUBE Stereo 120 HPC TM? Or is that what makes this bike so much fun?
With every passing year, CUBE’s product range grows. For the 2019 season, the German brand has 11 full-suspension eMTB models in its portfolio. Based on the amount of travel, the bikes can be divided into three categories (tour, trail, and enduro).
The CUBE Stereo Hybrid 120 models are available in either aluminium or carbon, come with 29″ wheels, and are aimed at touring cyclists who value comfort and rarely venture into demanding terrain. The Stereo Hybrid 120 Trail Motion model we tested, however, has been given a small shot of testosterone.
As comfortable as your favourite armchair – you’ll never want to get off the CUBE!
The CUBE Stereo Hybrid 120 HPC TM 500 Kiox in detail
Compared to the regular Stereo Hybrid 120 models, the Trail Motion comes with a FOX 34 FLOAT fork offering 10 mm more travel (130 mm), more aggressive Schwalbe Hans Dampf tyres and a dropper seat post as standard. CUBE also equipped the €4,599 carbon bike with a Bosch Performance CX motor, a 500 Wh PowerTube battery, a Shimano XT drivetrain and XT brakes (four-piston calliper at the front and two-piston at the rear). The brand new Bosch Kiox colour display on our bike costs an additional € 100. To keep the display out of harm’s way, CUBE has developed its own bracket, positioning it behind the handlebars. Considering the currently available functions, however, we recommend going for the more affordable Purion version.
Fork Fox 34 Float 130 mm
Shock Fox Float DPS EVOL 120 mm
Brakes Shimano XT 203/180
Drivetrain Shimano XT
Battery Bosch PowerTube 500 Wh
Motor Bosch Performance CX
Seatpost CUBE Dropper Post
Handlebar Newmen Evolution 760 mm
Stem Newmen Evolution 31,8 mm
Hubs Shimano XT
Rims CUBE EX30
Tires Schwalbe Hans Dampf 2,60″
Weight 23.18 kg
Price € 4,599
Thanks to the integrated battery, the front triangle can accommodate a large water bottle, and the bike looks super clean. Otherwise, however, the battery offers no advantages and even increases the total weight.
To protect the high-quality Kiox display, CUBE has developed its own bracket. In our opinion, however, the display offers hardly any advantages over the Purion – we recommend foregoing it and saving the money.
Only the Trail Motion comes with a dropper seatpost, but we think that every bike should have one. Besides giving you freedom of movement and making you feel more confident on the trails, it’s useful when stopping at traffic lights in the city too. A real must have!
Instead of 120 mm, the Trail Motion comes 130 mm of travel. CUBE also uses 27.5″ instead of 29″ wheels on the smallest frame size, and increases the travel of the fork to 140 mm.
The rear linkage of the Stereo Hybrid 120 is designed for comfort. Active drivers will want a little more support and should therefore install more volume spacers.
The geometry of the CUBE Stereo Hybrid 120 HPC TM 500 Kiox
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 380 mm | 420 mm | 460 mm | 500 mm |
| Top tube | 573.5 mm | 593 mm | 611 mm | 629 mm |
| Head tube | 105 mm | 110 mm | 120 mm | 140 mm |
| Head angle | 68.5° | 68.0° | 68.0° | 68.0° |
| Seat angle | 73.7° | 73.2° | 73.2° | 73.2° |
| Chainstays | 476.5 mm | 490 mm | 490 mm | 490 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1152 mm | 1193 mm | 1212 mm | 1232 mm |
| Reach | 406 mm | 418 mm | 433 mm | 445 mm |
| Stack | 595 mm | 603 mm | 612 mm | 631 mm |
The CUBE Stereo Hybrid 120 HPC TM 500 Kiox on the trail
As soon as you get on, you’ll notice what the CUBE was designed for: relaxed and comfortable cruising. The Trail Motion version performs that task just as flawlessly. The seating position is well balanced, slightly stretched but by no means overly aggressive. The rider is nicely positioned between the big wheels. Thanks to its sensitive suspension and the 2.6″ wide 29″ tyres, the bike simply glides over small irregularities. The assistance of the Bosch Performance CX motor is as powerful as usual yet easy to regulate, especially in eMTB mode. However, we were annoyed with the clearly audible humming and the resistance we felt above the 25 km/h cut-off, where, riding on flat trails, you get the impression of riding against a strong headwind – there are better, more suitable motors, particularly on a bike that was designed for long rides.
Despite having only 120 mm of travel, it is very capable off-road!
Despite being heavy, the componentry on the CUBE Stereo Hybrid 120 HPC TM is reliable, instilling the rider with confidence and making the bike more versatile. It won’t shy away from trails. Here its balanced handling convinced us, though the bike always remains easy to steer and navigate through tight corners. The suspension feels like it has more than the specified 120 mm of travel, but offers little support for heavier and more active riders. Thanks to their good roll-over characteristics, the large wheels provide a lot of composure on demanding trails. The CUBE will happily roll over roots on which other bikes might get caught up. However, when things get really fast and rough, the Stereo Hybrid 120 Trail Motion soon reaches its limits. If you’re looking for more downhill performance, you’ll be better off going for the 140 or 160 version.
Conclusion
The CUBE Stereo Hybrid 120 is an excellent eMTB for those who don’t spend their weekends on the hunt for the next adrenalin rush. It’s a comfortable touring bike that convinced us with its easy handling, comfort, and stability. The Bosch motor is tried and tested, but despite the new display, it feels a little dated now. Nevertheless, the value for money is good.
Strengths
– very intuitive, simple handling
– 29″ wheels provide a lot of stability and comfort
– aesthetically pleasing
– good value for money
Weaknesses
– suspension offers active riders little support
– Bosch motor is outdated
For more info head to: cube.eu
This article is from E-MOUNTAINBIKE issue #015
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Words: Photos: Moritz Dittmar
