Cube Reaction Hybrid Pro 500

[Artmuzz]

Currently I own a Carrera Crossfire ebike which I bought from my local Halfords in 2016 but I am having problems with the battery connection and it cutting off. I am also having problems with spokes breaking from time to time on the rear wheel. I recently visited my local electric bike shop and they mentioned the reason Is the weight of the motor on the rear wheel is causing tension on the spokes and as a result they are breaking easily.

Anyway, they recommended that I buy a new ebike and one of the models they had on display that took my fancy was the Cube Reaction Hybrid Pro 500 ebike. They told me it’s a great bike and the added advantage is that the motor is no longer on the rear wheel so no problems with broken spokes. I did a test ride of the ebike and it feels good and a lot lighter than my old Carrera Crossfire though I feel I could of had the saddle a bit higher because I am tall.

I mentioned to them that the previous bike shop told me the reason for the broken spokes on my Carrear Crossfire is because I am overweight at 21 stone. They disagreed with what the previous bike shop told me and told me that it’s the heavy motor on the rear wheel which is the culprit. I asked them if I should lose more weight before thinking of going on a bike again and they told me not to worry because the Cube Reaction will take my weight no bother. Anyway, I am currently on a diet and so far I have lost 9lbs in weight.

I really like the look of Cube Reaction Hybrid Pro 500 but the price of this ebike is a sore point at £2K. Do members on this forum recommend this ebike? Please advise.

 

[vfr400]

They made up the story to try and sell you a bike. The reason your spokes broke is mainly your weight, but also probably sub-standard spokes. A wheel rebuild with 14g spokes should cost about £60, which is a lot cheaper than a new bike. You presently have 13g spokes if I remember right. 14g is what you need. They're thinner and won't break.

 

[Artmuzz]

Maybe while I’m on my diet I should wait until I’m at least 17 stone before I think about riding a bike again.

I was speaking to a member of staff in the bike department of my local Halfords and he told me to bring my bike in to see about the battery connection problems I’m having and a possible repair. Even though the warranty has long expired I am going to see if this can be done free of charge considering it’s a known problem. The staff member was also honest with me when I told him I was thinking of buying the Carerra Vulcan. He told me that there are issues with the battery on the Vulcan and to wait until the issues have rectified.

So really while I’m on my diet I should wait until I’ve lost a couple of stone and get the battery connector replaced and the rear wheel rebuilt with better spokes. I’m also needing a new chain, new brake pads, and new freewheel.

 

[Nealh]

Excuse me Sir your motor wheel is not very good but we can sell you a new more expensive option ' A complete bike'. Hopefully you told them to get on their bike, I wouldn't trust them even with a barge pole.

As Vfr has said get the wheel rebuilt with 14g spokes Sapim strong are a good reliable spoke. I have Bafang's Bpm and Cst and no issues with broken spokes.

 

[Artmuzz]

Excuse me Sir your motor wheel is not very good but we can sell you a new more expensive option ' A complete bike'. Hopefully you told them to get on their bike, I wouldn't trust them even with a barge pole.

As Vfr has said get the wheel rebuilt with 14g spokes Sapim strong are a good reliable spoke. I have Bafang's Bpm and Cst and no issues with broken spokes.

It was the repair man in the bike shop I went into before going into the other bike shop who suggested I would need a brand new bike because I am overweight and he told me to go to my local electric bike shop because they sell ebikes designed for people who are around 20 to 21 stone. I did tell him that I am currently on a diet and I am going to wait until I’m at least down to 17 or 18 stone before I think about biking again. Anyway he repaired my broken spoke and as suggested by him I visited the local electric bike shop where a I was told all this BS.

As suggested by vfr400 I think I will get the wheel rebuilt with better spokes because originally I was thinking of getting the wheel rebuilt anyway. I’m also needing the battery connector on my Carerra Crossfire replaced because I’m having bad issues with the battery and a new chain and freewheel.

 

[vfr400]

There's no need to wait. Get the wheel rebuilt with 14g spokes and you'll be able to ride your bike again. Are you sure it needs a new chain and freewheel, or is that just an opinion from someone trying to sell you stuff? On your bike, those things should last for thousands of miles. Brake pads are standard. Look at the shape of them. I think I used cheaper Shimano copies when I last replaced some on a bike like yours. I think it was these.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-Pair-Resin-Brake-Pads-for-Shimano-Deore-395-446-485-525-INCL-SPLIT-PIN/111822759068?epid=1560090354&hash=item1a0927e49c:g:m~4AAOSwiYFXITWH&redirect=mobile

The battery problem is well known unless yours is something special. There are three causes that we know about, two of which can be fixed.

Firstly, the motor connector breaks connection. You have to remove the velcro cover on the chainstay and push the connector back in, then figure out how to make it less tight so that it doesn’t pull out again.

Secondly, the LCD panel on the handlebars is too loose, so it breaks contactand switches off. You have to wedge something thin down the side to make it tight.

Thirdly, the electronic control board in the battery is too sensitive to a particular fault, like temperature. This one has never been proven, but is extremely likely. Either that or some other fault inside the battery or controller that you can't do anything about. Halfords solution is usually a replacement bike.

 

[Artmuzz]

There's no need to wait. Get the wheel rebuilt with 14g spokes and you'll be able to ride your bike again. Are you sure it needs a new chain and freewheel, or is that just an opinion from someone trying to sell you stuff? On your bike, those things should last for thousands of miles. Brake pads are standard. Look at the shape of them. I think I used cheaper Shimano copies when I last replaced some on a bike like yours. I think it was these.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-Pair-Resin-Brake-Pads-for-Shimano-Deore-395-446-485-525-INCL-SPLIT-PIN/111822759068?epid=1560090354&hash=item1a0927e49c:g:m~4AAOSwiYFXITWH&redirect=mobile

The battery problem is well known unless yours is something special. There are three causes that we know about, two of which can be fixed.

Firstly, the motor connector breaks connection. You have to remove the velcro cover on the chainstay and push the connector back in, then figure out how to make it less tight so that it doesn’t pull out again.

Secondly, the LCD panel on the handlebars is too loose, so it breaks contactand switches off. You have to wedge something thin down the side to make it tight.

Thirdly, the electronic control board in the battery is too sensitive to a particular fault, like temperature. This one has never been proven, but is extremely likely. Either that or some other fault inside the battery or controller that you can't do anything about. Halfords solution is usually a replacement bike.

Thanks for the reply.

The last time I sent my bike to the repair man at my bike shop to get another broken spoke replaced he mentioned that my chain was stretched and that the freewheel was needing replaced. He quoted over £100 to get new chain, freewheel and disk brake pads replaced. I mentioned to him that I notice a lot of the time that when I'm peddling hard the gears and chain seems to slip.

As far as the battery is concerned, There is a loose connection on the part of the bike the battery connects too. At the moment I have the battery taped to the bike with gorilla tape. Halfords quoted me £90 to replace that but recently I mentioned it to Halfords again and they said they will take a look and hopefully I’ll get it replaced free of charge.

 

[vfr400]

I would forget about the freewheel and the chain, though you should keep the chain oiled. You can usually hear when it's dry. There must be some misunderstanding about the freewheel because your bike has a cassette motor that uses freehub gears.

 

[wheeliepete]

As you seem to have one of the more CS based Halfraud branches, it might be worth asking them for a second opion on your chain and cassettte while they are repairing your battery. They quite poss. have a pile of Crossfire parts out the back from all the broken ones they've fixed.

 

[Artmuzz]

As you seem to have one of the more CS based Halfraud branches, it might be worth asking them for a second opion on your chain and cassettte while they are repairing your battery. They quite poss. have a pile of Crossfire parts out the back from all the broken ones they've fixed.

What is CS based? What does CS stand for?

 

[wheeliepete]

Sorry, customer service, it does seem it can be a bit variable from branch to branch with them, ranging from "So, what do you want us to do about it" to "only too happy to help, sir"