A real mountain bike with extra power on tap makes for a unique riding experience. Our CUBE Reaction Hybrid HPA Pro successfully combines the attributes of a performance hardtail with day-to-day practicality, thanks to the latest Bosch drive technology, a hand-picked selection of high quality components and thoughtful frame design.
Our aluminium Superlite frame has been updated for 2017, developed specifically to meet the requirements of Bosch's latest drive system and to give the maximum possible versatility. The combination of Optimal Drive Position, Agile Ride Geometry and a carefully sited battery gives the Reaction Hybrid HPA Pro a surprisingly agile ride feel and the most efficient possible drivetrain. Internal cable routing means the looks are as clean as the gear and brake cables. We've even included room to mount mudguards, making this bike perfect for everything from weekend rides to the daily commute. It's also easy to mount a trailer to the dropout - so you could be dropping your kids off at the nursery on the way to the office. Seven frame sizes mean it's easy to find exactly the right one for your height: 14, 16 and 18in come with 27.5in wheels and 17, 19, 21 and 23in are 29ers.
Centrepiece of this bike is the new Bosch CX drive. With up to 75Nm it'll really get you going, even for extended periods of pedalling at higher speeds - useful for tough climbs. The large capacity 400Wh battery has plenty of reserves of power, but you can specify your Reaction HPA Hybrid Pro with the optional 500Wh battery for even greater range. Shimano's 10-speed Deore transmission delivers precise and easy gear shifting with a wide gear range, while the hydraulic BR-M315 disc brakes with 180mm rotors will bring you to a halt reliably, even in wet weather. A comfy ride position is guaranteed by the CUBE cockpit components, while Suntour's coil spring XRC32 fork with remote lockout smoothes things out on even the bumpiest of roads or trails.
e-Bikes come in as many shapes and sizes as non-powered bikes, so you can have an electric road bike, mountain bike, city bike or general hybrid style. But, there are extra choices for you to make as well, so this is a brief guide to choosing the e-Bike best suited to your needs. For a more complete guide, please visit our Blog post on Choosing Your e-Bike.
Frame design
The primary choice is whether there is a top tube or you have a step-through frame. If you have any limitations in your hip flexibility and find it hard to raise your leg around the back wheel and saddle, then a step-through frame will be the better option for you. Given e-Bikes are heavier than other bikes, a step-through is also easier to handle if you're not very strong.
Battery power & capacity
"How far can I go between charges?" is the most common question, and the answer is "It depends", but here are some useful guidelines. Firstly, you control how quickly you deplete the battery. e-Bikes have power assist settings that you use to control acceleration and the amount of assist. If you choose "economy", it will take longer to get up to speed, and your top-end speed will be lower than if you select "turbo" mode. In addition, most e-Bikes are pedal assist, so you need to turn the pedals, and the more force you put in, the less you consume the battery charge. Finally, hills consume more power than flats, so your route selection makes a difference.
Batteries are rated in Watt hours (WH), and you can use this to compare the expected range between bikes. You simply multiply the voltage (V) by the amp hours (Ah) to calculate the Watt hours. On average, if you didn't pedal at all, each mile of flat travel will consume 15 WH. The e-Bikes we sell all have batteries with 300 - 400 WH, so that is 20 - 27 miles on a flat road with no pedaling.
Motor location and drive system
There are three primary positions for the drive system, the front wheel, the rear wheel and the crankset (to which the pedals are attached). By far the best is the crankset, as it is the most efficient, and it keeps the centre of gravity low. Motors in the wheel hubs are more common, as they are less expensive, and there are offsetting pros & cons for front versus rear wheel. drive.
Throttle or Pedal-assist
Our FreeGo e-Bikes have a throttle, so you can choose to be powered exclusively by the electric motor. Our other e-Bikes are all pedal-assist, which means the motor amplifies your own pedaling. The amount of power added by the electric motor in all cases is controlled by the setting, for example "economy" or "turbo".