Cube are revamping its ebike portfolio and giving the Reaction Hybrid, Stereo Hybrid 120, 140 and 160 eMTBs the new Bosch Performance Line CX Smart System update and the new 750 Wh battery. We have collected all the information on the Cube ebikes for you.

Cube have quite a number of innovations on the agenda for 2022. All Cube ebikes will be equipped with the new Bosch Performance Line CX Smart System. This means that both the Reaction Hybrid hardtail and the three full suspension bikes, Stereo Hybrid 120, Stereo Hybrid 140 and Stereo Hybrid 160, have been revised to fit the new motor system.

No Bosch Smart System for smaller ebikers

Not all new Cube eMTBs get the new Bosch Performance Line CX Smart System. The new Bosch system is only available in combination with a 750 Wh battery and is not backwards compatible with the previous 625 Wh battery. The XS and S frame sizes have to do without the new Bosch system because of limited space and therefore remain unchanged from the 2021 models. Cube will continue to install the shorter 625 Wh battery in them, together with the familiar handlebar remotes and Bosch displays such as the Purion or the first-generation Kiox display. This is not necessarily a disadvantage, as smaller riders usually also weigh less and can achieve comparable ranges with less battery power. If you went along with a battery capacity of 625 Wh, you will get a noticeably lighter eMTB that also costs € 200 less than the new models with the new Bosch Smart System and 750 Wh battery. In return, however, you have to do without the other innovations on the frame and motor integration of the Cube 2022 models.

The new 750 Wh battery is an integral part of the new Bosch Smart System. However, it is only available in the new Cube ebikes from size M upwards. Riders on smaller frame sizes still have to make do with the old Bosch system and 625 Wh battery.

Since the Bosch Smart System is only available in combination with the new long 750 Wh battery, the frames and down tubes had to be redesigned to make room for it. In addition, the four eMTBs will be equipped with the new Bosch LED Remote and the new Bosch Kiox 300 display, which brings a few interesting features. For example, the Kiox 300 display has an improved mount, can be connected to more third-party devices than before and has new gauges. If you want to ride without any display at all, the LED Remote can take over all essential tasks such as displaying the battery status, and the kiox 300 display can also simply be unplugged.

All Cube ebikes with the new Bosch Smart System are equipped with the new Kiox 300 display. If you don’t need the information on the display, it can also be unplugged.
Cube have installed the new Bosch LED Remote. With its colour LED bars, it provides the rider with all the essential motor data such as battery status and support level.

To ensure that the new Bosch Kiox 300 display and LED Remote not only make a functional but also a good visual impression, Cube have revised the cable management. They already had several eMTBs in its portfolio where all the electrical cables and wires ran through an Acros headset in the frame. Now, Cube is also consistently doing away with the cable ports behind the head tube on all the carbon bikes and the top aluminium models. The charging port has also been redesigned. Cube have developed its own plastic cover that swivels to the side. In the open and closed position, it has a clearly defined locking point.

Cube uses an Acros headset to route all cables and wires into the frame.
Without cable ports behind the head tube, the frame looks very clean.
Cube give the new charging port a new cover. It opens to the side and snaps neatly into the open and closed position.

In addition to the obvious changes, Cube have also incorporated several inconspicuous novelties in their ebikes that can easily go unnoticed. For 2022, all eMTBs will have an invisible mount for a flat-mount kickstand in the chainstay. The Bosch speed sensor is now nicely integrated in the dropout of all Cube eMTBs and the magnet is attached to the rotor. Pull off the seatpost clamp lever to discover a 5 and 6 Allen key. For the derailleur hanger, Cube use SRAM’s UDH standard for the latest generation of eMTBs, which makes it easier to find a replacement derailleur hanger. Cube’s production lines for the new models have already started turning, so you should be able to put the first new eMTB under the Christmas tree in 2021.

Farewell, spoke magnet! For the 2022 models, the speed sensor magnet is attached exclusively to the rotor.
The chain guide swivels up for easy servicing of the chain. This makes it easy to mount the chain on the chainring.
An inconspicuous detail: from model year 2022, Cube will rely on the widely used UDH derailleur hanger from SRAM. If you need a replacement derailleur hanger, you no longer have to rummage through catalogues to find the right one.

The Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC Actionteam 750 with new Bosch Smart System motor

Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC Actionteam 750 | Bosch Performance Line CX Smart System/750 Wh | 170/160 mm (f/r) | 24.3 kg (Manufactuer’s info) | € 6,399 | Manufacturer’s website

The Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC Actionteam 750 is intended to take on the role of the most potent eMTB in the Cube portfolio for demanding descents and difficult terrain. It has a carbon main frame and an aluminium rear triangle with 170 mm travel at the front and 160 mm at the rear and still rolls on 27.5″ wheels. By staying faithful to the small wheels, Cube want to create an agile and playful character of the Stereo Hybrid 160. It will be launched in sizes M to XL and cost € 6,399. In frame size S it remains unchanged from last year’s model and comes with the Bosch Performance Line CX motor without the Smart System and with the shorter 625 Wh battery for € 6,199. We had the predecessor in our big eMTB comparison test, but it failed to convince us with its trail performance. With the new Bosch Performance Line CX Smart System, a frame redesign was due anyway to accommodate the longer 750 Wh battery. Cube took this as an opportunity to address our criticisms of the predecessor. The rear suspension has become more progressive and the geometry has also been revised. While the predecessor had a compact frame for its intended use as a downhill rig, the 2022 model is larger overall and now has significantly more reach, higher stack and longer wheelbase. The seat tube, on the other hand, has been shortened by 10 mm in size L and by as much as 30 mm in XL, but unfortunately, not to the benefit of the insertion depth. Cube use droppers with only 150 mm travel in sizes M and L, and 175 mm in XL and larger.

According to Cube, the Stereo Hybrid 160 should have more progression in the rear suspension.

The specs of the Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC Actionteam 750

The new Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC Actionteam is priced below the top model HPC SLT at € 6,399. The suspension comes from FOX, with a FOX 38 Factory fork with 170 mm travel at the front. Instead of the more tunable Grip 2 cartridge, however, it only has the simpler FIT4 cartridge. The new FOX FLOAT X Factory shock is used as the rear shock. Cube also relies on Fox for the seatpost and uses the Transfer Factory Dropper with 150 mm travel in sizes M and L, and 175 mm in XL. The 12-speed drivetrain and the four-piston brakes with 200 mm rotors come from the Shimano XT group. The eMTB rolls on 27.5″ Newmen Evolution SL E.G.30 aluminium wheels and is steered via a Newmen Advanced SL carbon handlebar. A Schwalbe Magic Mary tyre in the Super Trail casing is fitted at the front, and the Schwalbe Big Betty in the robust Super Gravity casing at the rear. Cube offer the Stereo Hybrid 160 as an entry-level HPC SL model with a 750 Wh battery and lower specs for € 4,799. The top model HPC SLT with SRAM AXS shifting will be sold for € 8,299.

Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC Actionteam 750

€ 6,399

Specifications

Motor Bosch Performance Line CX Smart System 85 Nm
Battery Bosch PowerTube 750 Wh
Display Bosch Kiox 300
Fork FOX 38 Factory Fit4 170 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X Factory 160 mm
Seatpost Fox Transfer Factory 150–175 mm
Brakes Shimano XT M8120 200/200 mm
Drivetrain Shimano XT 1x12
Stem Cube Performance Stem mm
Handlebar Newmen Advanced Carbon 780 mm
Wheelset Newmen Evolution SL E.G.30 27.5"
Tires Schwalbe Magic Mary / Big Betty 2.4"

Technical Data

Size M L XL
Weight 24.3 kg
Perm. total weight 135 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 110 kg
Kickstand mount yes

Size M L XL
Top tube 600 mm 630 mm 660 mm
Seat tube 420 mm 460 mm 490 mm
Head tube 120 mm 132 mm 150 mm
Head angle 65° 65° 65°
Seat angle 76° 76° 76°
Chainstays 442 mm 442 mm 442 mm
BB Drop 12.5 mm 12.5 mm 12.5 mm
Wheelbase 1,225 mm 1,256 mm 1,288 mm
Reach 453 mm 480 mm 505 mm
Stack 616 mm 627 mm 643 mm

The new Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC TM 750 29” with the Bosch Smart System

Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HCP TM 750 | Bosch Performance Line CX Smart System/750 Wh | 150/140 mm (f/r) | 24.6 kg (Manufacturer’s info) | € 5,299 | Manufacturer’s website

The Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 is supposed to be a particularly versatile eMTB in the Cube portfolio that is intended for both sporty touring and trail use. We put the predecessor through its paces in our big eMTB comparison test and it was able to convince us with good touring qualities of the eMTB with 29″ wheels. From 2022, it will be available in sizes M to XL. The new 750 Wh battery and the new LED Remote as well as the Kiox 300 display are used. The Stereo Hybrid 140 has a carbon main frame and an aluminium rear triangle with 150 mm travel at the front and 140 mm travel at the rear. The geometry has been adapted for this season. The new Stereo Hybrid 140 has grown and has more reach, stack and an extended wheelbase. The tube diameters have also been adjusted, so the frame is not only a little slimmer, but it is also 14% lighter, according to Cube.

The specs of the Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 TM 750 29″

For € 5,299, the Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 comes with the FOX performance suspension. A FOX 36 fork generates 150 mm travel at the front and a FOX FLOAT X shock delivers 140 mm travel at the rear. The bike is equipped with SRAM GX-Eagle 12-speed drivetrain and comes to a halt thanks to Magura MT7 four-piston brakes with 200 mm rotors at the front and rear. A Maxxis Assegai tyre in EXO+ casing is mounted on the Newmen Performance aluminium wheelset at the front, and a Maxxis Minion DHR II in the robust DoubleDown casing at the rear. The entry-level Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC SL with the new Bosch Performance Line CX Smart System and 750 Wh battery is available from Cube for € 4,799, while the top model Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC SLT with the high-quality SRAM AXS groupset costs € 8,299.

Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HCP TM 750

€ 5,299

Specifications

Motor Bosch Performance Line CX Smart System 85 Nm
Battery Bosch PowerTube 750 Wh
Display Bosch Kiox 300
Fork FOX 36 Performance 150 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X Factory 140 mm
Seatpost Cube Dropper Post 125–150 mm
Brakes Magura MT7 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM GX/NX Eagle 1x12
Stem Cube Performance Stem mm
Handlebar Newmen Evolution SL 800 mm
Wheelset Newmen Performance 30 29"
Tires Maxxis Assegai/Minion DHR II 2.5"/2.4"

Technical Data

Size M L XL
Weight 24.6 kg
Perm. total weight 135 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 110 kg
Kickstand mount yes

Size M L XL
Top tube 600 mm 630 mm 660 mm
Seat tube 420 mm 460 mm 490 mm
Head tube 108 mm 120 mm 138 mm
Head angle 66° 66° 66°
Seat angle 75.5° 75.5° 75.5°
Chainstays 457 mm 457 mm 457 mm
BB Drop 36 mm 36 mm 36 mm
Wheelbase 1,220 mm 1,252 mm 1,283 mm
Reach 447 mm 473 mm 497 mm
Stack 626 mm 637 mm 653 mm

The new Stereo Hybrid 120 SLT 750 29″ with the Bosch Smart System

Cube Stereo Hybrid 120 SLT 750 | Bosch Performance Line CX Smart System/750 Wh | 130/120 mm (f/r) | 25 kg | € 5,099 | Manufacturer’s website

The Cube Stereo Hybrid 120 SLT 750 29″ is intended to be a comfortable tourer that also fits the bill for light trail use. The eMTB with aluminium frame is offered in sizes M to XL. It has 130 mm travel at the front and 120 mm at the rear. The Stereo Hybrid 120 SLT 750 29″ will be available in late 2021 for € 5,099.

Cube Stereo Hybrid 120 SLT 750

€ 5,099

Specifications

Motor Bosch Performance Line CX Smart System 85 Nm
Battery Bosch PowerTube 750 Wh
Display Bosch Kiox 300
Fork FOX 34 Rhythm 130 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT DPS 120 mm
Seatpost Cube Dropper Post 125–150 mm
Brakes Shimano XT M8120 200/200 mm
Drivetrain Shimano XT 1x12
Stem Cube Performance Stem mm
Handlebar Newmen Evolution SL 760 mm
Wheelset Newmen Evolution SL E.G.30 29"
Tires Schwalbe Smart Sam Active 2.6"

Technical Data

Size M L XL
Weight 25 kg
Perm. total weight 135 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 110 kg
Kickstand mount yes

Not only the cable management on the new carbon frames has been revised, but also the aluminium top models like the Stereo Hybrid 120 SLT have been freed from cable ports. All cables run through the headset into the frame.
There is a 5 and 6 Allen tool nicely integrated in the seat post clamp.
Size M L XL
Top tube 610 mm 635 mm 660 mm
Seat tube 420 mm 465 mm 515 mm
Head tube 135 mm 145 mm 160 mm
Head angle 67° 67° 67°
Seat angle 76° 76° 76°
Chainstays 480 mm 480 mm 480 mm
BB Drop 43 mm 43 mm 43 mm
Wheelbase 1,244 mm 1,270 mm 1,297 mm
Reach 454 mm 476 mm 497 mm
Stack 647 mm 656 mm 670 mm

The new Cube Reaction Hybrid SLT 750 29

The Cube Reaction Hybrid platform is Cube’s versatile eMTB hardtail, which is offered as a diamond frame, a trapezoid frame and as a step-through frame. With various equipment packages, it is claimed to be suitable for trekking tours or small detours off the paved paths. Cube offer the Reaction Hybrid models with 500 Wh, 625 Wh batteries paired with the Bosch Performance Line CX motor without the Smart System, as well as with the new 750 Wh battery and the Bosch Smart System motor. The hardtail is also available in different wheel sizes. The new top model in the Reaction Hybrid series, the Cube Reaction Hybrid SLT 750, rolls exclusively on 29″ wheels and is offered either as a diamond frame or as a trapezoid frame with a low down tube. The next time you visit your Cube dealer, you will have to shell out € 4,099. The Cube Reaction Hybrid SLT 750 29″ has 120 mm travel at the front. Cube has installed the new FOX AWL fork with many mounting points for mudguards and accessories. The drivetrain and four-piston brakes come from the Shimano XT group.

Cube Reaction Hybrid SLT 750

€ 4,099

Specifications

Motor Bosch Performance Line CX Smart System 85 Nm
Battery Bosch PowerTube 750 Wh
Display Bosch Kiox 300
Fork FOX AWL 120 mm
Rear Shock mm
Seatpost Cube Performance Post mm
Brakes Shimano XT M8120 200/200 mm
Drivetrain Shimano XT/DEORE 1x12
Stem Cube Performance Stem mm
Handlebar Cube Rise Trail 780 mm
Wheelset Newmen Performance 30 29"
Tires Schwalbe Smart Sam Active 2.6"

Technical Data

Size M L XL XXL
Weight 23.6 kg
Perm. total weight 135 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 111 kg
Kickstand mount yes

Our take on the new Cube eMTBs

Cube have taken the opportunity of the switch to the Bosch Performance Line CX Smart System to add new eMTBs to its range. The frames from size M upwards have been redesigned and equipped with clever details and solutions for motor integration; smaller riders, however, are left empty-handed this model year. Especially the switch to the 750 Wh can have a strong impact on handling. We’ll tell you how the ebikes perform on the trail after our test.

For more information, visit cube.eu.


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Words: Rudolf Fischer Photos: Manne Schmitt

About the author

Rudolf Fischer

In his previous life Rudolf was a dab hand at promoting innovation, putting his brain behind big-ticket patent assessments that easily ran into six-or-seven-plus figures. These days, the self-confessed data nerd’s role as editor at DOWNTOWN and E-MOUNTAINBIKE is no less exciting. Given his specialism in connectivity, Rudolf’s often placed on the front line of future mobility conversations, but he’s also big into testing new bikes–both on the daily as a committed commuter and intensively for our group tests. The business economist graduate is as versatile as a Swiss penknife, and that’s no hyperbole. Away from two wheels, his background in parkour means he’s a master of front, side and backflips, plus he speaks German, English, French, Russian and a touch of Esperanto. Japanese remains woefully unmastered, despite his best home-learning attempts. Good to know: Rudolf’s sharp tongue has made him a figure of fear in the office, where he’s got a reputation for flexing a dry wittiness à la Ricky Gervais... interestingly, he's usually the one laughing hardest.