Cube e-bike innovations 2023: Updates for Reaction Hybrid and Stereo Hybrid
Marc Strucken
· 12.01.2023
The Cube Reaction and the Fully Stereo are already true classics with a long-standing, almost decades-long standing in mountain bike history. And the electrified versions labelled Hybrid are also "old hands" in the e-bike sector. Cube regularly maintains these two e-bike model families with more or less major updates - including for the upcoming 2023 season.
In this article, we provide a brief preview of the new Cube Reaction Hybrid and Stereo Hybrid E-MTB models. The news from the area of non-motorised MTBs will be shown in a separate article. As soon as Cube Bikes reveals the still secret information on further news, we will provide an update.
+++ UPDATE +++ UPDATE +++UPDATE +++
In addition to the Reaction Hybrid and Stereo Hybrid models described here, Cube has now also introduced variants with the ABS braking system from Bosch/Magura. All information can be found in the article "ABS FOR E-BIKE: Cube Reaction Hybrid and Stereo Hybrid with anti-lock braking system".
You can find all of Cube's innovations for the 2023 season here:
What's new with the Cube Reaction Hybrid for 2023
For the 2023 bike season, Cube is once again presenting different versions of the Reaction Hybrid e-bike hardtail. The affordable Performance 625 is more for commuters and weekend riders - the SLT 750 is aimed at sporty, ambitious bikers. Both e-bikes are available in a version with a lowered top tube.
Reaction Hybrid Performance 625
As an entry-level version, the Reaction Hybrid Performance 625 offers an aluminium frame, a 100 mm Suntour suspension fork and the Bosch Performance Gen. 3 e-bike motor with a 625 watt-hour battery. A display - as on the SLT 750 - is not installed, only the remote switch for the motor control. Cube equips the e-MTB with both a classic diamond frame and a trapezoidal frame for a higher standover height. The Cube Reaction Performance 625 costs 2749 euros in both frame shapes and is said to weigh 23.9 kilos.
Details of the Cube Reaction Performance 625
- Frame: Aluminium
- Suspension fork: SR Suntour NVX30 Coil, 100 mm travel
- Motor: Bosch Performance Generation 3 (75 Nm, 250 watts), Smart System
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 625
- Remote: Bosch LED Remote
- Brakes: Shimano Hydraulic Disc Brake, 180/180 mm Disc
- Rear derailleur: Shimano 9-speed
- Tyres: Schwalbe Smart Sam 2.35 inch
- Sizes:
- Diamond frame 27.5 inch: XS (14"), S (16") // 29 inch: M (18"), L (20"), XL (22"), XXL (24")
- Trapeze frame: 27.5 inch: XS (14"), S (16") // 29: M (18"), L (20"), XL (22")
Cube Reaction Hybrid SLT 750
The Cube Reaction Hybrid SLT 750 will soon be available for more ambitious e-bikers in the bike shops. The e-hardtail is equipped with a fourth-generation Bosch CX motor including Smart System and is powered by a significantly larger 750 Powertube battery. The system data for this model is also shown on the convenient Kiox 300 display. Shimano XT equipment throughout shines with the familiar performance: both with the 12-speed gears and the disc brakes with four-piston design. A Fox 34 Float suspension fork with 120 millimetres of travel paves the way over rough terrain. This also impressed our testers on the predecessor of the new Reaction Hybrid SLT this summer. In addition to the diamond frame, the SLT 750 E-Hardtail is also available as an "Easy Entry" version, i.e. as a step-through model, for 4399 euros each.
Details of the Cube Reaction Hybrid SLT 750
- Frame: Aluminium
- Suspension fork: Fox 34 Float AWL, E-Bike Optimised, 120 mm travel
- Motor: Bosch Performance CX Generation 4 (85 Nm, 250 watts), Smart System
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 750
- Remote: Bosch Kiox 300
- Brakes: Shimano XT, 4-piston, 203/203 mm discs
- Rear derailleur: Shimano XT, ShadowPlus, 12-speed
- Wheelset: Newmen Performance 30, tubeless ready
- Tyres: Schwalbe Smart Sam, Performance, Double Defense, 2.6
- Sizes:
- Diamond frame 27.5 inch: S (15") // 29 inch: M (17"), L (19"), XL (21"), XXL (23")
- Easy Entry: 27.5 inch: S (16"), M (18"), L (20"), XL (22") - Weight: 23.4 kg / 23.8 kg (Easy Entry)
What's new on the Cube Stereo Hybrid in 2023
The second evergreen from Cube, the Cube Stereo Hybrid e-MTB fully, also has new features. Revised versions of the Stereo Hybrid 120, 140 and 160 are available for 2023, with more models to follow soon according to the manufacturer.
Cube Stereo Hybrid 120 SLX 750
The most affordable version of the E-MTB is the Cube Stereo Hybrid 120 SLX 750, with an aluminium frame weighing in at 25.9 kilos and a price of 4699 euros. However, a Fox 34 Float suspension fork with 120 millimetres of travel and a Fox Float DPS shock are already installed. The E-Fully also comes with a 4th generation Bosch Performance CX motor with 85 Nm torque, including a 750 Powertube, Kiox display and Smart System. The Newmen Performance 30 wheels, which are fitted with 2.6-inch Schwalbe Smart Sam tyres, also ensure good propulsion. Cube's own Vario seatpost is also fitted to the 120 SLX 750. Compared to the e-bike hardtails, the sizes have been tightened up a little: XXL is not available.
Details of the Cube Stereo Hybrid 120 SLX 750
- Frame: Aluminium
- Suspension fork: Fox 34 Float AWL, E-Bike Optimised, 120 mm travel
- Shock: Fox Float DPS EVOL
- Motor: Bosch Performance CX Generation 4 (85 Nm, 250 watts), Smart System
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 750
- Remote: Bosch Kiox 300
- Brakes: Shimano XT, 4-piston, 203/203 mm discs
- Rear derailleur: Shimano XT, ShadowPlus, 12-speed
- Wheelset: Newmen Performance 30, tubeless ready
- Tyres: Schwalbe Smart Sam, Performance, 2.6 inch
- Sizes: 27.5 inch: S (16") // 29 inch: M (18"), L (20"), XL (22")
- Weight: 25.9 kg
Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Race 750
At 4799 euros, the Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Race 750 is similarly priced to the 120 - but for the same price you get a C:62 carbon main frame with an aluminium rear triangle. The overall package is therefore around one kilo lighter (24.8 kg). The e-bike already caused quite a stir last year: one of the most clicked articles on our website. The 140 Stereo from Cube is also much more geared towards sporty off-road use: A Rockshox 35 Silver suspension fork with 150 millimetres of travel is fitted at the front and a Rockshox Deluxe Select+ shock at the rear. In contrast to the rest of the equipment, the braking system is from Sram (DB8 with 203 mm brake discs). The tyres also have a more off-road feel: Schwalbe's 2.6-inch Nobby Nic tyres offer good grip even on rough trails. For the e-bike motor, Cube also relies on the Bosch Performance CX with the familiar parameters (85 Nm, 750 Wh, Kiox 300 display). The Stereo Hybrid 140 also features Cube's Vario seatpost.
Details of the Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Race 750
- Frame: Carbon/aluminium
- Suspension fork: Rockshox 35 Silver TK Air, 150 mm travel
- Shock: Rockshox Deluxe Select+
- Motor: Bosch Performance CX Generation 4 (85 Nm, 250 watts), Smart System
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 750
- Remote: Bosch Kiox 300
- Brakes: Sram DB8, 203/203 mm discs
- Rear derailleur: Shimano XT, 12-speed
- Rims: Cube EX30, tubeless ready
- Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic, Performance Line, 2.6
- Sizes: 27.5 inch: S (16") // 29 inch: M (18"), L (20"), XL (22")
- Weight: 24.8 kg
Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 SLT 750
The final expansion stage for the upcoming 2023 season is the Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 SLT 750 - an enduro e-bike with real taker qualities. For the price of € 8899, Cube delivers its C:62 carbon frame equipped with the thick Fox 38 Float Factory suspension fork with a whopping 170 millimetres of travel and a Fox Float X Factory shock. And because you can let it fly downhill with so much suspension travel, a sturdy Magura MT7 with 203 mm discs slows things down. As is standard, but already fitted to all other Stereo e-bikes, is a dropper post. On the Stereo Hybrid 160, however, it is a Fox Transfer Factory - matching the Fox suspension. The drivetrain is in no way inferior to other, significantly more expensive e-bikes: Cube relies on the electronic Sram XX1 Eagle AXS and treats the Stereo Hybrid e-bike to a cassette and chain from Sram in the dazzling Rainbow version.
Cube also comes up trumps with the wheels on this E-Enduro, fitting the higher-quality Newmen Advanced SL A.30 wheels on the axles. To prevent the tyres from becoming a weak point, the combination of Schwalbe's Magic Mary (Super Trail, Addix Soft) at the front and Big Betty (Super Trail, Addix Soft) at the rear, both 2.4 inches wide, provide grip. As in previous years, the 160 Stereo runs on 27.5 inch tyresand that from size S (16") to XL (22") - so no size split as with the previously mentioned models. As with all new Cube Stereo Hybrid models, the Bosch Performance CX e-bike motor provides powerful support on the mountain.
Details of the Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC SLT 750
- Frame: Carbon/aluminium
- Suspension fork: Fox 38 Float Factory FIT GRIP2, Kashima Coated, 170 mm travel
- Shock: Fox Float X Factory, Kashima Coated
- Motor: Bosch Performance CX Generation 4 (85 Nm, 250 watts), Smart System
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 750
- Remote: Bosch Kiox 300
- Brakes: Magura MT7, 203/203 mm discs
- Rear derailleur: Sram XX1 Eagle AXS, 12-speed
- Cassette: Sram XG-1299 Eagle Rainbow, 10-52
- Seatpost: Fox Transfer Factory
- Wheel: Newmen Advanced SL A.30, Tubeless Ready
- Front tyre: Schwalbe Magic Mary, Super Trail, Addix Soft, Kevlar, 2.4
- Rear tyre: Schwalbe Big Betty, Super Trail, Addix Soft, Kevlar, 2.4
- Sizes: 27.5 inch: S (16"), M (18"), L (20"), XL (22")
- Weight: 23.9 kg
Marc Strucken
Editor
