Something is going down in the picture-perfect town of Waldershof. Giant, black industrial spaces are springing out of the ground. The resident bike brand CUBE are expanding – in a multitude of ways. One of their latest bikes to step up onto the scene is the CUBE Stereo Hybrid 140 SLT; is it going to undergo the same upwards spiral as the brand?

CUBE Stereo Hybrid 140 HPA 27.5 SLT | 5.699 € | 22,03 kg | Bosch
CUBE Stereo Hybrid 140 HPA 27.5 SLT | 5,699 € | 22.03 kg | Bosch

Think of the tale of the ugly duckling that grew into a beautiful swan, and it’s fairly similar to the tale of the CUBE Stereo Hybrid 140, which has been consistently tugged and tummy-tucked over the last few years. It’s still built around an aluminium frame with a four-pivot rear end and 140 mm of travel, but its geometry, tube profile, and cable routing have all been drastically altered. Now the bike strolls in with a clean silhouette, a stylish semi-integrated battery, and a motor cover with a super-cool design. The spec holds true to CUBE’s high standards, boasting robust MAGURA MT7 brakes, FOX Factory suspension, and the SRAM EX1 drivetrain. The Race Face SIXC carbon bars are ultra-wide at 800 mm, but they’re easy to shorten with the right tools. We’d recommend 760–780 mm. The German brand has kept with the proven Bosch Performance CX motor with a 500 Wh battery.

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The CUBE possesses a real knack for climbing with the combination of its powerful motor, the huge gear range of the SRAM EX1 cassette, and long 476.5 mm chainstays. On steep climbs, however, it’s a good idea to activate the platform damping on the FOX FLOAT X or your pedalling might create more bob than a plastic duck in the bath. The rear is at its best when ridden with around 20% sag. The Stereo Hybrid is really comfortable to ride, ironing out the trail and dishing out the travel on mid-sized to big hits. However, if you’re prone to throwing the bike around on the trails and plummeting down descents, then you might want more feedback and support. There’s really balanced weight distribution, so cornering with the Stereo Hybrid 27.5+ won’t cause any complaints.

Helmet Giro Montaro | Jersey Alpinestars Pathfinder | Shorts Alpinestars Drop Shorts | Backpack CamelBak H.A.W.G.
Helmet Specialized Ambush | Jersey ION TEE_HELIX_LS | Shorts ION BIKESHORTS_TRAZE_AMP | Backpack EVOC STAGE 18L

The CUBE Stereo Hybrid 140 HPA SLT 27.5+ in detail

Forks FOX 34 FLOAT Factroy 150 mm
Rear shock FOX FLOAT X Factory 140 mm
Motor / battery Bosch Performance CX 500 Wh
Brakes Magura MT7
Drivetrain SRAM EX1
Seatpost RockShox Reverb Stealth
Stem Race Face Turbine 55mm
Bars Race Face SixC 800 mm
Tires Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2,8″ Apex
Wheels DT Swiss CSW B+

Tidy solution We love the decision to put the RockShox Reverb dropper post’s remote lever under the Purion display, which means both levers are super intuitive to use.
Tidy solution
We love the decision to put the RockShox Reverb dropper post’s remote lever under the Purion display, which means both levers are super intuitive to use.
Anchorage Brakes are a fundamental element on E-MTBs, where performance clearly overshadows weight. CUBE have cottoned on and duly opted for powerful MAGURA MT7 stoppers on the Stereo Hybrid SLT.
Anchorage
Brakes are a fundamental element on E-MTBs, where performance clearly overshadows weight. CUBE have cottoned on and duly opted for powerful MAGURA MT7 stoppers on the Stereo Hybrid SLT.
Gear range, baby! The SRAM EX1 drivetrain and its 11–48 tooth cassette grant a huge gear range, making steep climbs like a stroll in the park.
Gear range, Baby!!
The SRAM EX1 drivetrain and its 11–48 tooth cassette grant a huge gear range, making steep climbs like a stroll in the park.

Super-clean Even with the external battery, CUBE has lent the Stereo Hybrid a super-clean silhouette, partly due to the internally routed cables.
Super-clean
Even with the external battery, CUBE has lent the Stereo Hybrid a super-clean silhouette, partly due to the internally routed cables.
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Conclusion

The CUBE Stereo Hybrid has truly become that swan thanks to its great climbing, stylish finish, and spec that ticks all the boxes. While some more active riders might want more feedback at the rear, the majority will relish the extra comfort from the bike.

Strengths:

– Very comfortable
– A great climber
– Top spec

Weaknesses:

– Rear offers little feedback

For more information head to cube.eu!

For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: What are the most exciting E-MTBs of 2017? 10 bikes in comparison

All bikes in test: Bulls Six50 E FS3 | Cannondale Moterra 1 | MERIDA eONE-TWENTY 900 E | Moustache Samedi 27 Race 9 | ROTWILD R.X+ FS EVO | SCOTT E-Genius 700 Tuned | Specialized Turbo Levo FSR ST Comp 29 | Stevens E-Whaka+ ES | Trek Powerfly 9 FS Plus


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