At first glance, the Stereo Hybrid appears to be much more of a single piece than its predecessor, on which the motor and battery still looked like foreign bodies. Thanks to the motor being raised by around ten degrees, it forms a line with the down tube. The 500-watt battery also appears somewhat more integrated. Visually, the bike also looks more compact and sportier, which the geometry data actually confirms. Shorter chainstays, a longer top tube and a relatively slack head angle give rise to certain expectations of dynamic handling.

After the usual adjustments to the seat and handlebar position as well as the suspension settings, it's time for the first lap. The track on the program is the one that was ridden at the weekend as the first stage of the Enduro World Series. It is not technically very difficult, but has some nasty corners and is physically very demanding as it is pedal-heavy. We ride up to the start of the stage. At a brisk 20 km/h, the ascent along the main road is no easier, but faster than without a motor. Because if you can ride up the mountain like a moped, it's much better to ride fast. The short detour up the Kirchgasse also flies by at lightning speed. It has to be said that the Cube with the Bosch CX motor rides the same as any other pedelec with the same motor and, due to the power limitations, you can only go faster with pure leg power.

The steep Kirchgasse becomes child's play with the pedelec. Photo ©Ronny Kiaulehn

When it comes to the bike itself, things only get interesting when you turn off-road. The Stereo Hybrid pushes you forward on the flat single trail. Definitely not faster than on an enduro bike, but lighter and still fast enough as you approach the first tight corners. If you misjudge the terrain, there is no time for an emergency stop. However, the Stereo Hybrid is forgiving and reacts surprisingly quickly. It can be maneuvered through the rocky obstacles without getting stuck. Shortening the chainstays has paid off in this case.

The terrain now becomes steeper and a few steep steps, small drops and steep counter-climbs await us and the hybrids. On the steep descents, the bike remains very stable and distributes the weight well over the 27.5-inch wheels. However, when the descents get steep, its 22 kilograms require more effort than a non-motorized bike, as the front wheel is more susceptible to gravity. Where the terrain demands a lot of work to pull up the front and rear wheels, the mass of the bike really does take its toll. However, this should not be blamed on the Cube, as e-mountainbikes are generally not lightweights.

Smooth downhill and smooth around corners - the Stereo Hybrid makes a good trap on the trail. Photos ©Ronny Kiaulehn

Great chassis - good motor
For a pedelec, it's not just the handling of the Cube Stereo Hybrid that is impressive. The suspension also makes a very good impression. The Fox 34 fork and the Fox Float DPS suspension strut are well matched to the extra weight of the bike. The 140 millimeters of suspension travel can thus be used optimally. Both the fork and the shock also impress with good end progression in the last third of the stroke. This gives the Stereo Hybrid enough liveliness to get out of corners with power and momentum.

The engine makes a good impression in this rapidly changing terrain. When it goes straight uphill again from the hollows, it engages powerfully but with good modulation. You only have to shift gears to find the right gear, as the motor is not very efficient if the cadence is too low. It only really develops its power at around 70 pedal revolutions per minute. A sporty cadence therefore also helps to keep the bike going.
The Bosch platform is impressive and the large battery also provides a decent range. In our case, the battery was around 80 percent charged. The board computer indicated a range of 80 kilometers. At the end of the 40-kilometer test tour, during which the "Sport" and "Turbo" modes were used, the display still indicated a range of around 30 percent. With a slightly more economical driving style and mode selection, the specified range should therefore be achievable.

Somewhat questionable, however, is the pushing aid that Bosch has attached to the front of the remote. If you need to push the bike, the push-assist button is difficult to reach. You have to press it with your index finger, although it would make more sense to press it with your thumb when pushing the bike. However, this is a detail and can be labeled as complaining at a high level. After all, you want to ride and not push.

Pulling when pushing: The push aid on the Bosch system's remote control is located at the front and is therefore opposite to the natural movement. Photo ©Ronny Kiaulehn

Conclusion: With the new Stereo-Hybrid, Cube has gone one better than its predecessor. The workmanship, riding performance, range and handling as well as the equipment of this e-mountainbike are top-notch. Apart from the push assist, there is hardly anything to complain about. Even though we personally still prefer non-motorized mountain bikes, it can be said that the stereo hybrid is a lot of fun.

Report on the Stereo Hybrid presentation
www.ride.ch/cube-praesentiert-neue-stereo-hybrid

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