TESTED: 2022 Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Pro

As a European based brand, Cube have a long history in e-bikes. The Euros were early adopters of pedal-assist bikes, with young and old zipping along bike paths with bread in their baskets for well over a decade. Cube have gained a lot of experience with e-bikes early on, and took that to their off-road range of hardtails and the pedal assist Stereo range. The range has continued to develop, with 120, 140 and 160mm travel bikes, with carbon and alloy models, plus 27.5” and 29” options. At the heart of all the current Cube eMTBs is the Bosch Performance CX Gen 4 motor, with a strong 85Nm of torque. Top models that are still due to land have the Bosch Smart System head units, software and 750Wh battery, while others have the 625Wh battery.

The Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Pro has a long name. Let's break it down. It's the Stereo full-suspension line, the Hybrid denotes it being an eMTB. The 140 relates to having a 140mm of travel, and HPC is High Performance Carbon. There are HPA models as well, which are alloy. And Pro relates to the part spec, there are also Race models, and SL and ActionTeam within the Stereo Hybrid range.

The Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Pro – in a nutshell

– 140mm travel front and rear
– Bosch Performance CX motor with 85Nm and 625Wh battery
– Trail focused geometry and handling
– Carbon mainframe
– Exclusive to 99 Bikes

The 140 HPC Pro we have on test is a 29er all-mountain bike, with 140mm of travel at each end. It has a carbon main frame with alloy stays, and an easy to remove 625Wh Bosch PowerTube battery. Cube call the Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Pro their 'versatile trail tamer', which puts it squarely in the market for those wanting to get on an eMTB for the pedal assist and fun, and not for riders looking for the biggest sends to prep them for racing the Enduro World Series e-bike category.

All Cube bikes are available exclusively from 99 Bikes, and this one is listed at $7499. That's not cheap, but for a bike with a wide range group set, big 4-piston brakes, a carbon mainframe and top notch motor and battery – it's good value. As a 29er trail bike it will go up against the likes of the Norco Fluid FS VLT A1 ($8299 with a 700Wh battery) or the Merida eOneSixty 700 at $8399. The Trek Rail 5 is bang on the same price at $7499 and has the same Bosch motor, although it's a longer travel bike and like the others, it has an alloy frame. So Cube really fit into their own place in the market – but does it all stack up on the trail? Watch the review for all the details.

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Parts Spec on the Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Pro

RRP: $7499
Weight: 24.3kg
From: 99bikes.com.au

Available Sizes: S, M, L (tested)
Frame Material: Carbon main frame, alloy swing arms
Fork: RockShox Recon Silver RL Air, 140mm, 51mm offset
Shock RockShox Deluxe Select, Trunnion mount, 140mm
Motor: Bosch Performance CX Gen 4, 85Nm
Battery: Bosch PowerTube 625Wh

Shifter: Shimano Deore 11sp
Derailleur: Shimano Deore 11sp
Crank: ACID E-Crank, 165mm, 34t
Chain: KMC X11
Cassette: Shimano Deore 11sp 11-51t
Hubs: Shimano HB-MT400, 32h, centrelock
Rims: Cube branded Alex 30mm, TR
Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic Performance, 29×2.6” wirebead
Brakes: Magura MT30, 203mm rotors
Stem: Cube Performance eMTB Stem, 31.8mm
Handlebars: Newman Evolution SL, 760mm, 31.8mm
Seatpost: Cube dropper post, 130mm
Saddle: Natural Fit Venec