CUBE Stereo Hybrid 160 C:62 SLT 625 27.5 Kiox in review – Small wheels for a nimble character?

The CUBE Stereo Hybrid 160 C:62 SLT 625 27.5 Kiox is the only bike on test that comes with smaller 27.5” wheels front and rear. Does that make it the outsider in our test field or are the smaller wheels an advantage on the trail? Here’s our review of the elegant long-travel CUBE with its high-end complement of components.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2021 – 25 models in review

**CUBE** Stereo Hybrid 160 C:62 SLT 625 27.5 Kiox | Bosch Performance Line CX/625 Wh
170/160 mm (f/r) | 23.30 kg in size L | € 8,549 | Manufacturer’s website

The € 8,549 CUBE Stereo Hybrid 160 C:62 SLT 625 27.5 Kiox strikes with an understated yet elegant look that exudes a sense of quality. The absolute highlight is the high-quality, discreet paintwork which looks inconspicuous at first glance but shines in all colours of the rainbow under direct sunlight. Very cool! CUBE integrate the Bosch Performance Line CX motor better than any other manufacturer in the test. The easy to access magnetic charge port cover, the two speed sensors neatly integrated into the dropout and brake rotor respectively, as well as the chunky TPU cover that protects the 625 Wh battery stand out in particular. The Kiox holder from CUBE’s in-house ACID brand positions the display on the handlebar next to the stem, protecting it against impacts and ensuring a tidy cockpit. Not as tidy is the chunky data cable that connects the remote with the display. This winds itself around the handlebars like a wild vine, spoiling the otherwise clean look. However, this is a problem with the Bosch system and not the Stereo Hybrid 160 itself.

For Stereo Hybrid 160 C:62 SLT 625 27.5 Kiox, CUBE use only the finest components

The spec list of the CUBE Stereo Hybrid 160 C:62 SLT 625 27.5 Kiox looks more like the trump card in eMTB Top Trumps. It includes high-end FOX Factory suspension with a 170 mm FOX 38 GRIP2 fork at the front and FOX DPX2 shock generating 160 mm out back. A wireless SRAM X01 Eagle AXS drivetrain with a huge cassette achieves a gear range of 520%. CUBE also rely on a wireless RockShox Reverb AXS dropper post, which has just 150 mm travel on our size L test bike. German component brand NEWMEN provide the elegant carbon cockpit and the Advanced SL A.30 carbon wheelset. The 27.5 x 2.4″ Schwalbe tires come in the Super Trail casing. For the Big Betty rear tire, the more puncture-resistant Super Gravity carcass would be a more sensible choice and would protect the carbon rim from harsh impacts. Magura MT7 brakes with the heat-resistant MDR-P 200 mm rotors deliver powerful and reliable deceleration. However, Magura’s two-finger levers and Shiftmix clamps left the entire test team scratching their heads. If you end up with this bike, you should definitely swap around the clamps. That’s what we did, but even then, we found it hard to position both the brake lever and shifter within easy reach.

**Problematic**
The shock doesn’t harmonise with the kinematics of the Stereo Hybrid 160. The suspension swallows a lot of the rider’s input and blows through its travel even with small and medium impacts.

**Exemplary**
Despite using the Bosch system, CUBE integrate the speed sensor into the dropout of the Stereo Hybrid 160 and the magnet into the Magura brake rotor, where they’re protected against impacts: now that’s how you do it!

**Not enough drop**
The RockShox Reverb AXS works a lot better than all other mechanical droppers in test but the long seat tube of the size L frame allows for a maximum stroke of 150 mm.

CUBE Stereo Hybrid 160 C:62 SLT 625 27.5 Kiox

€ 8,549

Specifications

Motor Bosch Performance Line CX 85 Nm
Battery Bosch PowerTube 625 Wh
Display Bosch Kiox
Fork FOX 38 Factory GRIP2 170 mm
Rear Shock FOX DPX2 Factory 160 mm
Seatpost RockShox Reverb AXS 100–170 mm
Brakes MAGURA MT7 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM X01 Eagle AXS 1x12
Stem CUBE Performance 50 mm
Handlebar NEWMEN ADVANCED 318.25 780 mm
Wheelset NEWMEN ADVANCED SL A.30 27.5"
Tires Schwalbe Magic Mary/Big Betty ADDIX Soft 2.4"

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 23.30 kg
Perm. total weight 135 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 111 kg
Trailer approval no
Kickstand mount no

**Excellent fork**
The FOX 38 Factory GRIP2 fork has a whopping 170 mm travel and delivers outstanding performance. Unfortunately, it doesn’t harmonise with the spongy rear end of the CUBE. The imbalance is clearly noticeable on the trail.

**Tidy**
The wireless AXS dropper remote and shifter reduce cable clutter and thus ensure a tidy cockpit. The remaining cables run from the headset directly into the frame. Only the chunky cable that connects the Bosch remote with the motor and the redundant cable ports spoil the otherwise elegant and clean look.

**A perfect solution**
The special locking system and sealing lip prevent the battery cover from rattling on rough terrain and also protects the battery lock. The CUBE Stereo Hybrid doesn’t have the typical keyhole in the frame.

The CUBE Stereo Hybrid 160 C:62 SLT 625 27.5 Kiox is the only bike in the entire group test that rolls on 27.5” wheels. That’s reflected in its compact geometry. Across all sizes, the 442 mm chainstays are rather short. With its 460 mm reach and 614 mm stack (size L), the frame is very compact, especially considering the intended application of the CUBE. On long tours, the comfortable pedalling position and sensitive chassis provide a glorious sofa-like ride. However, active riders who don’t rely entirely on the motor and put in work themselves uphill will inevitably experience pedal bob. While activating the climb switch will improve things slightly, it will also make the chassis less responsive. Unlike its little brother, the Stereo Hybrid 140, the 160 model presents you with a dilemma: efficiency or comfort?

Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	375 mm	420 mm	470 mm	520 mm
Top tube	568 mm	590 mm	613 mm	638 mm
Head tube	105 mm	112 mm	122 mm	142 mm
Head angle	65.0°	65.0°	65.0°	65.0°
Seat angle	75.5°	75.5°	75.5°	75.5°
Chainstays	442 mm	442 mm	442 mm	442 mm
BB Drop	13 mm	13 mm	13 mm	13 mm
Wheelbase	1,183 mm	1,206 mm	1,230 mm	1,259 mm
Reach	420 mm	440 mm	460 mm	480 mm
Stack	598 mm	605 mm	614 mm	632 mm

**Helmet** POC Axion SPIN | **Glasses** 100% Glendale | **Backpack** EVOC FR TRAIL E-RIDE 20
**Jersey** Leatt MTB 1.0 | **Shorts** Leatt Shorts MTB 3.0 | **Kneepad** Leatt Knee Guard 3DF 5.0
**Shoes** Specialized 2FO Clip 2.0 | **Socks** ION Mid Ace | **Gloves** ION Scrub Amp

Small wheels for a nimble character? – The CUBE Stereo Hybrid 160 C:62 SLT 625 27.5 Kiox on the trail

Despite the powerful 85 Nm Bosch motor and grippy Big Betty rear tire, the CUBE Stereo Hybrid 160 struggles to keep up with the competition in our climbing test. Up steep sections, the rear suspension sags deep into its travel and worsening the already rear-heavy pedalling position even more. As a result, the front wheel wants to lift off the ground and fails to track properly, pushing straight ahead rather than responding to steering input. Understeer can only be prevented by actively loading the front end. The best way to do this is to ride out of the saddle. When climbing over roots and steps, you’ll have to time your pedal strokes carefully to avoid clipping the cranks on obstacles.

CUBE shows us how it’s done! The integration of the Bosch motor system is at the highest level!

Tuning tips: swap the right and left MAGURA Shiftmix clamps (this improves things but doesn’t completely solve the problem) | volume spacer in the shock

If you think that the long-travel CUBE Stereo Hybrid 160 makes up for its poor climbing performance on the descents, you’re wrong. Despite the huge reserves and excellent fork, the compact riding position and low front end make for a nervous ride even at medium speeds. As a result, the CUBE fails to inspire confidence. Even with small drops and consecutive hits, the shock rushes through its entire travel and sometimes even bottoms out harshly and unpredictably. Whether on natural singletrack or challenging downhill trails, you won’t feel comfortable riding fast. While a lack of smoothness is often compensated by an agile character, that’s not the case with the CUBE Stereo Hybrid 160. With an active riding style, the chassis sucks up the rider’s input and glues the 23.30 kg bike to the ground, making spontaneous line changes and playful drifts almost impossible.

Riding Characteristics

Agility

sluggish
playful

Stability

nervous
stable

Handling

demanding
balanced

Riding fun

boring
lively

Motor feeling

digital
natural

Motor power

weak
strong

Value for money

poor
top

Application

Forest road

Flow trail uphill

Flow trail downhill

Technical single trail uphill

Technical single trail downhill

Downhill tracks

Conclusion

Despite the outstanding spec and reasonable price tag, the € 8,549 CUBE Stereo Hybrid 160 C:62 SLT 625 27.5 Kiox offers a poor price/performance ratio. The long-travel Stereo Hybrid is proof that there’s much more to a good eMTB than an impressive spec list. While the frame details, the look and motor integration are at the highest level, the handling on the trail isn’t – at all! As a result, the Stereo Hybrid 160 has to admit defeat to all other bikes on test. However, if you like the look and feel of the CUBE, you should take a closer look at its smaller sibling, the Stereo Hybrid 140.

Tops

exemplary integration of the Bosch system
comfortable pedalling position for long tours
great paint finish

Flops

trail performance up- and downhill
poor rear suspension performance

You can find out more about at cube.eu

The test field