Cube Longtail Hybrid Comfort Family: A cargo bike for families at a bargain price?

Conclusion from the BIKE editorial team

Cube e-bikes are renowned for their unbeatable value for money. The Longtail Hybrid However, compared to other bikes on the market, it doesn’t quite stand out as much as many other models in the Cube range. With its combination of Gates belt drive and Enviolo hub gear system, this cargo bike offers a very high-quality, hassle-free package for everyday family life. The Longtail does, however, do without comfort features such as a suspension fork or a suspension seat post. This design is a top recommendation, particularly for transporting children. For families with two children, it can be a real game-changer in everyday life.

​Anyone who has ever tried out a cargo bike as part of their family’s daily routine will soon find themselves wondering why they didn’t make the switch sooner. With the Longtail Hybrid Family, Cube offers a bike designed to make exactly that transition easier – whilst consistently prioritising everyday practicality, comfort and genuine carrying capacity. We took a closer look at the bike.

A longtail instead of a pet carrier

Unlike traditional cargo bikes with a front carrier, Cube has based the Longtail Hybrid Family on the so-called ‘longtail’ principle: the frame is extended towards the rear, and the real highlight is the robust rear luggage rack system. At first glance, this sounds less spectacular than a large wooden box at the front, but it has tangible advantages: the bike feels noticeably more agile and intuitive to ride than a front-loader, because the weight remains close to the rear wheel and does not affect the steering. So anyone used to riding a standard bike in everyday life will quickly feel at home on the Longtail.

In this link, we explain the ‘longtail’ category of cargo bikes in detail, including all their pros and cons!

Family saloon as standard

Cube offers the Longtail in various basic configurations. In the Family version, the Longtail Hybrid comes fully equipped with everything children need for a safe and comfortable ride: the rear child seat is fitted with footrests, handrails and side guards. In this case, this isn’t an aftermarket accessory, but a standard feature of the bike. Two children can sit here comfortably without you having to worry about whether the setup will stand up to everyday use. However, with a maximum load capacity of 60 kilos, the bench seat is not designed to carry most adults. In this respect, some other longtail bikes offer greater flexibility. Child seats for the youngest children can also be fitted to the rear rack as an option.

Anyone wishing to use the bike for larger shopping trips or to carry luggage can swap the seat for optional accessories, thereby making full use of the carrier’s load area. The maximum system weight of 200 kilograms (with a maximum rider weight of 100 kg and a rear luggage rack load of up to 60 kg) should, of course, be observed.

Drive system: Bosch Cargo Line with an 800 Wh battery

A cargo bike carrying a family needs a motor that doesn’t struggle, even on inclines or when fully loaded. Cube fits the Bosch Cargo Line motor here, which delivers a maximum torque of 85 Newton metres. It does not yet feature the latest generation, which means an upgrade to higher torque is not possible. The latest Cargo Line delivers up to 120 Newton metres. As is typical of Bosch, the motor runs smoothly and provides assistance exactly when it’s needed, without being too aggressive or intrusive.

The drive is powered by a Bosch PowerPack 800 with a capacity of 800 watt-hours. This is one of the largest batteries currently available from Bosch, and this is reflected in the range. Anyone who uses the bike daily for school, shopping and commuting won’t need to charge the battery every evening. Control and navigation are handled by the combination of the Bosch LED Remote and the Kiox 500 display, which is clearly laid out and easy to read even whilst riding.

Gear system and drivetrain: Gates and Enviolo impress

At Cube, the suffix “Comfort” refers to a belt drive. The comfort is particularly evident in the low maintenance requirements. The combination of the Gates CDX belt drive with the Enviolo Heavy Duty hub gear system (controlled via an Enviolo Twist Pro twist grip) eliminates the need to lubricate and maintain the chain and sprocket set. This is particularly important on a cargo bike, as the drivetrain is difficult to access due to the rear fairing. The belt is robust, quiet and low-maintenance – exactly what a family bike used every day needs. The continuously variable Enviolo gear system also allows you to change gears whilst stationary, which is a real convenience, particularly at traffic lights with children on board.

However, Cube has opted not to include a suspension fork. Instead, the wheels are comparatively large at 26 inches. According to Cube, this is intended to provide the best balance between rolling performance and manoeuvrability for a cargo bike. Other manufacturers opt for smaller wheels, at least at the rear, to keep the centre of gravity low.

Brakes: Magura Gustav Pro ensure riding safety

With a system weight of up to 200 kilograms, good brakes are not an option, but a necessity. Cube has fitted the Longtail Hybrid Family with Magura Gustav Pro disc brakes – hydraulic, with four-piston calipers at the front and rear, each with 203-mm discs. This delivers top-class braking power and instils a sense of confidence even in wet conditions and when fully loaded. The brakes are easy to modulate and offer powerful deceleration – Cube has certainly not skimped here.

One Size: One bike for everyone

The ‘one-size-fits-all’ concept is common for cargo bikes. Thanks to the combination of a seat post that can be adjusted over a wide range using a quick-release mechanism and a height-adjustable Speedlifter stem, the bike can be adapted for riders between 1.60 and 1.90 metres tall – and all in just a few simple steps, without the need for any tools. This is because the front can also be adjusted using a quick-release mechanism. This makes the bike a genuine shared-mobility solution within the family: Mum rides it today, Dad tomorrow, and at the weekend perhaps a friend who wants to give it a go.

The upright riding position, the low step-through frame and the wide handlebars also help to make cycling feel relaxed and natural right from the start – even for people who don’t usually cycle very often.

Features: Thoughtfully designed down to the last detail

As well as its major components, the Longtail Hybrid Family also features small details designed to make a difference in everyday life. One unusual feature is the downtube storage. The down tube houses a large, lockable storage compartment with removable dividers and a weatherproof lid. This is designed to hold items such as a rain jacket, snacks or gloves.

It also features integrated front and rear lights, mudguards and a sturdy centre stand that keeps the loaded bike standing securely – even when children are still sitting on it or are just getting on or off. The wide 2.6-inch Schwalbe tyres round off the comfort package and provide good shock absorption even on uneven terrain. This is essential given the absence of a suspension fork and a suspension seat post.

Facts about the bike

• Price: 4,799 euros >> available here
• Engine: Bosch Cargo Line, 85 Nm
• Battery: Bosch PowerPack 800 (800 Wh)
• Display: Bosch Kiox 500
• Circuit: Enviolo Heavy Duty internal gear hub, continuously variable (Enviolo Twist Pro)
• Powertrain: Gates CDX belt drive, 55T/24T
• Brakes: Magura Gustav PRO, hydraulic, 4-piston calipers front and rear, 203/203 mm discs
• Frame/fork: Aluminium longtail frame, aluminium rigid fork, 26"
• Tyres: Schwalbe, 26 x 2.6 inches
• Rear luggage rack: Max. load capacity: 60 kg
• Optional front luggage rack: Max. load capacity: 20 kg
• Max. rider weight: 100 kg
• Max. system weight: 200 kg
• Adjustment range (ONE SIZE): approx. 1.60–1.90 m in height
• Features: Down tube storage, centre stand, mudguards, integrated lighting, child seat with footrests, side guards and handrails

The Longtail Hybrid is also available with a derailleur gear system for 4,099 euros. If you don’t want to be limited to carrying passengers, you can also buy the bike in a ‘bare’ version – that is, without a seat – and then fit the rear luggage rack with Cube’s own accessories to suit your individual needs.

Strengths and weaknesses

Strengths

• low-maintenance belt drive
• a fair price
• Cockpit height-adjustable without tools

Weaknesses

• no suspension fork
• a moderate payload of 60 kg on the rear luggage rack