That real mountain bike feeling, with an extra dose of power. Only our high quality Access WLS Hybrid frame can offer that - and in SL trim, it's equipped with an even more impressive array of features and a brand new frame for 2017. From the Shimano XT groupset to the latest Bosch drive technology, this is a bike created without compromise - and crafted for trail riding fun. Available in sizes 14 and 16 inch with 27.5in wheels, or 17 and 19 inch as a 29er.
A CUBE Hyrbid is more than just a bike with an extra means of propulsion. This was a bike that was already highly developed, but for 2017 we started with a blank sheet of paper, brought together all our engineers' experience with e-MTBs, and developed a completely new frame. Like all our WLS bikes, the geometry is based around female anatomy for safe, inspiring handling. But we went one better. Lighter, stiffer and better handling than ever, the new integrated drive unit and battery have allowed us to tweak our proprietary Agile Ride Geometry to deliver an even better ride - and you can even charge the battery without removing it from the bike. What could be easier?
Bosch's CX Drive Unit boasts torque of up to 75Nm - enough "oomph" to make light work of even the steepest of climbs. Combined with the 500Wh battery unit we've fitted as standard, you'll be able to make use of all this power on even long days out without worrying about running out of juice. Shimano's 11-speed XT transmission with its 11-46 tooth, wide-ranging cassette is in a class of its own for both looks and function. With a light and stiff wheelset comprising XT hubs and CUBE EX30 rims with 2.6 inch Schwalbe Nobby Nic tyres, powerful Shimano XT hydraulic disc brakes and Fox 34 Rhythm air suspension fork with 100mm travel, there's nothing to come between you and incredible trail adventures.
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".