Cube AMS Hybrid One44 SLX: How the long-term relationship with the lightweight trail speedster works
Yes, me again. For the first time in my more than 20 years of working for FREERIDE and EMTB, I get to enjoy TWO endurance test bikes. Why? After 4 years of light-assist bikes from Specialised and Red deer I actually only get on the heavy big bikes with fat motors and batteries for short tests. My bunnyhop-influenced riding style calls for lighter, more manoeuvrable bikes downhill. And as I still like to torture myself and am not too heavy (70 kilos), the power and battery size of the Light fraction is easily enough for long day trips uphill.
But the Propain Ekano 2 CF with Sram Powertrain was so exciting that I really wanted to test it. Knowing full well that I would sorely miss a lightweight speedster for my daily trail tours. As a mere mortal, I would now have to make a decision. But I'm lucky and I'm a bike tester. So, what can I say except: Thank you!
Alongside the Propain, which as a full-power bike is more likely to accompany me to the Alps and bike parksthe Cube AMS Hybrid One44 SLX is my companion for quick after-work rides along the Isar. In the first novelty test, we had the somewhat more stable One44 Super TM brother with us. The bike pretty much knocked my socks off back then. In terms of handling, engine power and geo, it met my taste for a nimble trail racer with dynamic but natural engine power pretty much perfectly.
But because even the most spoilt person can't have everything and the Propain already costs 10,000 euros, my light bike was to be the cheapest version of the new Cube range. The SLX costs a relatively modest 5999 euros and is specced with average suspension elements, aluminium parts and XT gears. But the carbon frame and Bosch SX motor are top class. So, long-term tester, what more could you want? Season 2024 - here I come in a double pack!
The CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 SLX: The lightweight trail racer at a glance
- Motor: Bosch SX, 55 Nm max. torque
- Battery: Compact Tube 400, 400 Wh (permanently installed)
- Optional: additional PowerMore 250 battery, 250 Wh
- Frame material: Carbon
- Suspension travel: 140 / 140 mm
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Weight: 17.34 kg (test bike SLX in size M, EMTB measurement, without pedals)
- Permissible total weight: 135 kg (manufacturer's specification)
Cube AMS Hybrid One44 SLX: Trail racer for the home round
The biggest advantage of the pampering programme: I don't misuse the Cube and chase it through nasty bike park tracks and over 5-metre drops. It is allowed to show what it can do in its intended environment and only there. This is how testing makes sense and the result is also the most meaningful for the reader. Of course, you can always complain because the lightweight tyres give up the ghost in nasty rocky deserts. It makes you look critical and competent. But who buys an extra-light trail bike with little suspension travel to use it where it doesn't belong? Exactly.
The SLX is the most affordable bike in the AMS One44 Hybrid range and the second lightest. Only the SLT with high-end parts and lots of carbon in the add-on parts is even lighter at under 17 kilos. In terms of weight, the SLX is on a par with significantly more expensive competitors. And it achieves this with Fox 34 and Float Performance suspension elements, Newmen aluminium wheels and an XT drivetrain. The good weight is probably mainly hidden in the full carbon frame, which has a 400WH battery in the down tube (not removable) to power the Bosch SX motor.
With a 66 mm head angle and moderately long top tube (448 mm in size M), as well as a 450 mm rear triangle, the geometry is not extreme, but balanced. Exciting: By turning the bearing shells in the head tube, you can lower the geo slightly (0.5 degrees). I haven't tested this yet, but I will. All in all, the Cube is in a very good position and leaves little to be desired for less than 6000 euros. Only the tyres, consisting of Schwalbe Nobby Nic and Wicked Will, worry me a little. But that should be enough for the Isar trails, right?
Bosch Performance SX: The best light-assist motor on the market?
The engine has often proven its excellent performance in tests. Although it is not particularly economical and not particularly quiet, it also offers a pretty strong power delivery on request, which allows you to keep up with your big-power colleagues without your heart leaping out of your throat. If you ride it with reduced power, it works sensitively and naturally. I've got so used to the slight downhill rattling that I no longer perceive it as a negative.
It is controlled via a wireless remote control on the handlebars, which can be used to switch between the four modes. These can now be easily fine-tuned in the Bosch app. This can also be done by pressing a button on the LED display on the top tube, where the system is also switched on. The mode is displayed in colour here. You can read the charge level from five small bars, which are first coloured (full), then turn white (half empty) and then go out one after the other. At the penultimate bar, everything changes to orange - as a warning signal. The battery is charged via a port on the bottom bracket. Unfortunately, it is not possible to remove the 400 mm battery - otherwise the low weight could hardly have been realised.
This is how the endurance test goes: The first tours, the first defects?
Firstly, there's almost nothing but good news from the trail front: the AMS Hybrid One44 SLX is an ingenious trail racer with a poppy rear end, not too firm suspension, pleasantly manageable geo and a very direct ride feel. The motor pushes when it should, supports gently when it should and even after 35-kilometre trail laps with 1000 metres of altitude in tour mode, I still have 20% juice in the battery. But there are some initial problems: The remote is a little sensitive, the lightest touch while riding causes a switch to the next lighter or heavier mode. This annoys me and I have therefore removed it. This removes the sliding mode, but I never use it anyway. I rarely change modes anyway and am mainly travelling in blue tour mode. I prefer a quick reach down and press on the top tube display rather than accidentally switching when I don't need to.
Unfortunately, the very thin Wicked Will rear tyre is extremely puncture-prone. After just two tours, I've already squeezed three Maxxsalamis into various cuts. I'll probably have to switch to something more solid, trail tour or not. With almost 18 kilos, tyres are simply put under additional strain. Another thing is noticeable: the very soft rear triangle is great for smooth gliding on the trail, but the tyre obviously rubs more often on the inside of the seat stays. In any case, there are clear signs of rubbing.
I don't notice or hear anything when driving. I'll have to see if it develops into a problem. And the performance cartridge in the Fox fork is a downer for me because it's either too soft or too firm. I can't get a good centre. At the moment I'm running it a bit too firm so that it doesn't dive too far in steps and doesn't hit the block unchecked on landings. I might invest in a cartridge tuning from Anyrace during the test. They offer something for little money - update to follow.
