Suspension/Chassis/Detail

This is the first time a shock with a piggyback reservoir has been fitted into the Cube Hybrid frame set and it’s likely that it’ll need it given the hammering that the bike is likely to endure given its attacking geometry. The unstoppable Fox 36 Float takes care of matters head on up front with a Float X with Evol chamber out back both in Kashima. We’re interested to see how the standard width fork shapes up to other Boost built e-mtb’s and the performance of the rear damper.

Rolling on a 148x12mm Boost rear wheel, Super Gravity Hans Damf tyres from Schwalbe the Cube uses a DT CSW EM wheelset with 28 spokes which raised an eyebrow or two being on the lighter end of the scale. We’re big fans of the MT7 brakes by Magura and the bike comes with 200/180mm disc set up. Overall it’s all about lightweight, fast speed.

Gearing is 15T up front with 11-42T rear gearing (compared with 17T 11-36 on Scott/15T and EX1 on Trek). Cabling is a mix of internal and external and the overall build and look of the bike is very well presented. Anodized custom parts. Sensible chain strike protection, decent bar and stem combination, Reverb Stealth the bike is pretty much good to go.

Limitations

The bike carries a fair amount of rattle and the gearing needs to be lower because when you attempt steeper terrain the bike isn’t so happy with the forces working on the cranks. The rear damper was pitiful, something we have experienced with Cube bikes in the past and they really need to work on a more substantial tune here.

The bike had to be ridden in lock-out mode for much of the time. In fact it doesn’t get anywhere near locking out hence our ability to use this option. This has the added effect of pushing the rider rearwards on climbs which messes with technique. A cluttered cockpit of cables and displays needs tidying, the Bosch Purion system might be better.