FIRST LOOK: Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Pro e-bike

The eMTB arms race isn't showing any signs of slowing down, with top dollar bikes pushing a little further towards house deposit levels each year. The upshot of that is the growth tends to be both ways, with some great value options also making up the range for many brands. Even better, the diversification with mid power eMTBs and full power, plus mid to long travel models to boot. There is just so much more choice on the market now than even a few years ago.

Cube are well-known for their high value bikes, and the Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Pro is no exception. Being sold exclusively through 99 Bikes, the 140mm travel 29er eMTB has a retail price of $7499. While that's no small chunk of change, the Cube Stereo 140 (as a nickname) has a full carbon main frame and a top Bosch Performance CX Gen 4 motor with a 625Wh battery and the Purion display. While Bosch have developed their Smart System which is a level above the Performance CX system, it is currently pretty rare and primarily offers changes to tuning, battery size and the head unit. The motor itself is the same, and this is likely the cheapest price point where you can get this quality motor and battery system on a full-suspension eMTB.

Wait, didn't you test this in 2020? Yes, a similar model!
TESTED: Cube Stereo Hybrid HPC 140 Race 625 

The group set is a mix of Shimano Deore 11-speed with a 11-51 cassette, 165mm Truvativ Acis cranks with a 34t ring, plus Magura MT30 brakes with 203mm rotors. Wheels are alloy 30mm rims on Shimano hubs, with Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.6" Performance tyres.

RockShox provide the suspension with an eMTB approved Recon Silver RL 140mm fork with low speed compression to lock out, a Solo Air spring and rebound adjustment. In the back RockShox provide a Deluxe Select rear shock with rebound adjustment.

Cube look after the dropper most and most of the cockpit with a 31.8mm riser bar and stout stem.

All about the Bosch system

The Bosch Performance CX Gen 4 motor has 85Nm of torque, with an average assistance of 250W. You can ride the bike off with minimal drag, there's a walk mode, plus Eco, Tour, eMTB and Boost. The Trek Rail 7 that Will Shaw reviewed earlier this year had the same system but also with Trek's eMTB Lite mode, which is similar to the Tour+ mode that is available from Bosch.

READ: What are all the modes on an eMTB about?

You would need to drop in to a Bosch diagnostic centre for the Tour+ upgrade on the Cube, but it would likely be worthwhile, depending on your riding. More on that when I put a whole review together on the bike.

The geometry on the 140mm travel 29er is just about spot on for a trail bike. a 66 degree head angle is paired with a 51mm offset 140mm travel fork, with a 75 degree seat tube to keep you on top of the pedals with the 165mm cranks spinning.

The reach is 457mm on the Large (20") bike I have on test, which feels a little shorter than what I prefer, but around 460mm reach is popular for a lot of large bikes so this comes down to your fit preferences. The 457mm chain stay has length for stability but matches well to the front end for a balanced feel, with a 1231mm total wheelbase. It's far from a truck!

On the scales, uur test bike weighs 24.3kg without pedals, with tubes.

And it remains with tubes for the test, as the rims don't come with tubeless tape and no tape or valves are provided. I did try getting the wheel setup tubeless, but the rim leaked and the wirebead tyres would not hold air. The Nobby Nic tread pattern has been great in the soft conditions of late, but Cube really need to spec this bike with tyres with an appropriate casing for the intended use – and coming without tubeless tape or valves seems very 2017.

First rides on the Cube Stereo Hybrid 140

Having spent a lot of time recently on the 50Nm Trek Fuel EXe, jumping on board the Cube Stereo Hybrid was a quick reminder of the amount of punch that a full-power eMTB really has!

Even in Tour mode, the Cube surges forward getting you up to speed really quickly. My first ride was at Hidden Vale Adventure Park, where I rode a bunch of trails, including Devine and 500 Above (two of the top 3 trails at HVAP) along with plenty of other favourites.

The mellow climbs showed how easy it is to move the Cube around the trail, and I really like how a few firm pedal strokes into a step up doesn't feel like hitting the brakes once you level the pedals to clear the feature. On the steep climbs (like the shuttle road up to 500 Above) the full force of the 85Nm Bosch motor really is apparent. I think mid-power eMTBs are awesome, and they can have a very dynamic ride feel. But for full support up steep climbs, they're just nothing like a system with 85Nm of torque.

READ: eMTB Suspension Setup Tips from Josh Carlson

The Cube is pretty settled on most flow trail descents but the Recon fork needs a little more pressure than expected, even a bit higher than the RockShox Trailhead setup tool suggests. As a trail bike well over 20kg I think Cube could have popped for a more robust fork. I think the tuning on the Solo Air equipped Recon RL is ok, but the 32mm legs (despite being steel) could use a bit more heft for a surefooted feel on fast descents with repeated rocks and jumps.

I've got some more time to spend on the Cube ahead of reviewing it, but as is it's an incredible 29er trail bike for riders wanting full support for a bike to get out to popular trail centres. I do think for anyone wanting to push their riding more a burlier build kit would be a better fit, and perhaps a bike with more progressive geometry. But I'll ponder that over the coming weeks. Given the bike is currently on sale for $5999 (medium and large only) for Club 99 members, that's a saving well worth the $5 sign up fee. I don't think you can find better value for money for a carbon-framed trail eMTB with a top motor at the moment.