Product News / E-Performance: In times of increasing space, traffic and environmental problems in German metropolitan areas, the bicycle and in particular the e-bike is becoming increasingly important for everyday mobility and transport. With two new bikes - the Cube Cargo Hybrid and the Cube Compact Hybrid - Cube wants to serve exactly this new market for 2020.
Cube Cargo Hybrid: The first Cube cargo bike with Bosch power
Cargo bikes are booming and since the introduction of the Bosch Cargo Line drive at the latest, the topic is likely to outgrow its former niche. This is not surprising, because modern e-cargo bikes provide answers to many urgent mobility questions in modern cities: for many families, they should at least be able to replace the second car without any problems, and in some cases they may even completely replace the car. For 2020, Cube, one of the bicycle giants, is now venturing into the cargo market. Unsurprisingly, people rely on the new Bosch Cargo Line drive and up to 1.000Wh battery capacity.
When it comes to the basic construction, no experiments are dared: single-track, with a relatively wide tub made of EPP foam at the front and with a well-known and proven steering rod. A 20″ wheel is installed at the front and 27,5″ at the rear. Due to its rather slack seat tube angle, the bike can be handled very well by riders of different sizes – good, since only one frame size will be available anyway.
EPP box and various superstructures
Cube relies on an EPP box on the front for transport. Cargo fans may already know a similar material from Urban Arrow, where it has proven itself for many years. Visually, it may lose out compared to a solution made of wood, for example, but in everyday life it has many advantages: the entire tub remains nice and light, and there are no sharp edges that children could injure themselves on. In addition, the material is also completely harmless to health - even if the little ones mistake it for an oversized lollipop. The box is made in Germany and offers space for up to two children. There is, of course, an ergonomically shaped seat with appropriate belts for safe transport of children, and a rain cover will also be available.
If you don't want to transport children, but want to transport shopping or the like, you can also equip the box with a lockable lid. If there is still not enough space, Cube even offers the option of mounting an additional luggage rack at the back.
Models, equipment and prices
We can't yet provide you with pictures of the different equipment variants, but of course we don't want to withhold prices and the basic technical data from you. At the market launch, Cube is launching two basic variants, one with the new Enviolo cargo hub, one with the Shimano Deore 10-speed gears and a large 11-42 cassette. The latter equipment is given the suffix "Sport". Both models are also available with a 500Wh battery and as a dual battery version with a whopping 1000. The Cube Cargo Hybrid with Enviolo hub and 500Wh costs 4.499 euros, the sports version with Deore gears costs 4.199 euros. In both cases, the dual-battery version costs an additional 800 euros.
Cube Compact Hybrid: The e-bike of the future?
On the one hand, the Cube Compact Hybrid could hardly be any different from the Cube Cargo - on the other hand, somehow it belongs to the same category. It's a bike for today's urban space. With 20 inch wheels and a compact frame, it takes up little space, is lively on narrow cycle paths and can also be transported on many public transport systems, for example. The new e-compact bike from Cube comes with either Active Line Plus or the new Performance motor. A good choice: The drives are more than powerful enough for the area of application and both motors are whisper-quiet. An external 500Wh battery is installed in all variants, which is attached between the seat tube and seat stays.
However, the new compact is more than just a practical means of transport, thanks to the luggage rack at the rear and optionally also at the front, a lot can be transported despite its size. The wide 2,4-inch tires help while driving - not impractical given the condition in which many cycle paths are in this country. When you get home, the bike can be stored in an extremely space-saving manner, also because the handlebars can be quickly and easily folded to the side thanks to the Speedlifer Twist.
One Size Fits All
The frame of the Cube Compact Hybrid will only be available in one size - thanks to a clever geometry and the large adjustment range, the bike is suitable for almost any body size. The low step-through makes getting on and off comfortable and with the additional bracing and its compact dimensions, it is stiff enough for brisk rides.
Models, equipment and prices
The Cube Compact Hybrid will be available in two configurations. For a more leisurely pace, there's the Cube Compact Hybrid with Shimano Nexus 5-speed e-bike hub and Active Line Plus motor. For those who like to be on the move faster, the sports version with Shimano Deore derailleur gears and Bosch Performance motor might be the better choice.
