Hi from new Cube owner

[simonsays]

Just taken delivery of a Cube Kathmandu thanks to my employer's bike to work scheme. I've driven pure EV (cars) since 2016 so I'm no stranger to battery vehicles.
Here for tips on the bike/Bosch drive systems, long distance commuting (20-25 miles) and luggage.

 

[sjpt]

If you haven't already check out the range assistant

eBike range calculator for Bosch drive systems

How many kilometres do the different Bosch eBike batteries last? The Bosch Range Assistant displays how many kilometres your pedelec can travel on a single battery charge.

www.bosch-ebike.com

That will give you a surprisingly accurate idea of what range to expect depending on conditions.

If that's 20/25 miles each way that's quite a commute by bike, even ebike.

Enjoy.

 

[GLJoe]

Here for tips on the bike/Bosch drive systems, long distance commuting (20-25 miles) and luggage.

The 'tips' will depend on your current fitness level, how many days a week you intend to commute, can you change clothing/shower at work etc.
Give us as much background as you can about yourself and your situation, needs etc.

 

[matthewslack]

Just taken delivery of a Cube Kathmandu thanks to my employer's bike to work scheme. I've driven pure EV (cars) since 2016 so I'm no stranger to battery vehicles.
Here for tips on the bike/Bosch drive systems, long distance commuting (20-25 miles) and luggage.

If the battery is easily removable then keep a second charger at work. Buy the 4A version as a minimum, there may even be a 6A version for Bosch. These are the ebike equivalent of fast chargers for cars.

When you want to go very far, invest in a second battery. Slightly secondhand and not the biggest is fine, two 4A chargers charging two batteries gives you about 2 hours riding time for 1 hour charging time. Plan battery swaps so you always have capacity to charge both batteries.

Luggage = trailer and / or panniers. Burley very good, pricey. Others I don't have experience of, but there are recent trailer threads on here.

 

[simonsays]

The 'tips' will depend on your current fitness level, how many days a week you intend to commute, can you change clothing/shower at work etc.
Give us as much background as you can about yourself and your situation, needs etc.

I've done plenty of cycling, mainly road, for fitness rather than commuting. Use Zwift through winter to maintain fitness. At work we have showers and good bike parking so that's no issue.
Hope to commute at least twice a week by bike, weather permitting. The route is either Ridgeway trail or a bit further by road.
The Kathmandu has a "rack time" rack so I'm really choosing between a pannier or rack bag above the rack, for stuff I need to take to work.
Today I did 45 miles on trails/road which used 2/5 bars so the bike is certainly very capable! Just hoping for fewer dog walkers at commuting times.

 

[simonsays]

If the battery is easily removable then keep a second charger at work. Buy the 4A version as a minimum, there may even be a 6A version for Bosch. These are the ebike equivalent of fast chargers for cars.

When you want to go very far, invest in a second battery. Slightly secondhand and not the biggest is fine, two 4A chargers charging two batteries gives you about 2 hours riding time for 1 hour charging time. Plan battery swaps so you always have capacity to charge both batteries.

Luggage = trailer and / or panniers. Burley very good, pricey. Others I don't have experience of, but there are recent trailer threads on here.

Thanks, I've a 625Wh battery and todays ride suggests that'll do unless my fitness drops. Not sure I can fit a smaller powertube, the latch position in the frame is fixed for the longer 625.

 

[soundwave]

Battery extension for use Bosch PowerTube battery from 400 / 500wh in

- Battery extension to use a 400Wh or 500Wh Bosch PowerTube battery instead of a 625Wh - Screw kit included Compatible with all models using Bosch PowerTube 400Wh and 500

www.ridewill.it

 

[simonsays]

Battery extension for use Bosch PowerTube battery from 400 / 500wh in

- Battery extension to use a 400Wh or 500Wh Bosch PowerTube battery instead of a 625Wh - Screw kit included Compatible with all models using Bosch PowerTube 400Wh and 500

www.ridewill.it

Thanks that's good to know. Just the kind of tip I was hoping for!

 

[GLJoe]

I've done plenty of cycling...Hope to commute at least twice a week by bike weather permitting... The Kathmandu has a "rack time" rack so I'm really choosing between a pannier or rack bag above the rack, for stuff I need to take to work.

Ok.
Well I'll chuck in my experience as I often use a Cube Reaction hybrid to commute to work and that's 25 miles one way.
2 or 3 times a week (with a gap between the days) is probably a good target. Even though its an ebike, unless I'm really in shape and doing it super regularly, my body often can't handle consecutive 50 mile days! yes I must be a lightweight. Its often not my legs though, its also my shoulders, neck and arse that get sore! YMMV though, but being a normal human and not a TDF rider (or a spring chicken) I struggle at that daily mileage.

I absolutely love my Topeak Trunk Bag DXP With Velcro Mounting Straps. This probably will fit on your rack (maybe - check) although it will not use the rack time system - just velcro on.
Appears to be in stock (often isn't!), I'd order one ASAP
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Topeak-Trunk-Bag-DXP-With-Velcro-Mounting-Straps_55311.htm
Those pictures don't really do it justice. Its just a nice looking, quality rear bag in normal use (where there is plenty of room for say a charger, some small change of clothes etc), but the ability to unzip the sides to have fold out panniers is a often a godsend for extra clothes etc. I often go shopping on my bike and its surprising how much you can fit in with this particular Topeak model.
I've tried cheaper crap from Amazon etc, but the Topeak stuff is in a different league.

With a 625wh battery, if your ride is flatish, then you could probably get away with not needing to charge in work if you ride in tour or sport. I'd take the charger in with you a couple of times though and see how you go.
Where I live, its hilly, and I live on the elevated end! so with my 500wh battery, I can make it into work using only 2 or 3 bars (out of 5), however coming home in turbo (as I'm usually knackered then at the end of the work day), I'm almost totally out of a fully recharged battery by the time I get home (because of the elevation gain returning) so I HAVE to keep a spare charger in work and totally recharge when I'm there.

I've become fairly good at planning ahead, so what I do is when I take the car into work, I take clean clothes, towel, food etc and stick them in a locker. Then when I cycle in, I don't have to carry all of that on the bike (even though I could if I wanted to).
If its hot and I push it (or if I ride in on a non electric bike), then yes, I certainly have to shower.
On cooler days and I'm in turbo, then I can usually get away with not showering if I don't want to

If you're doing those sort of distances, use proper cycling clothing - technical gear with good comfort and wicking ability etc.

Lights and winter/wet gear is for another conversation. I'll stop there for now.

 

[simonsays]

Ok.
Well I'll chuck in my experience as I often use a Cube Reaction hybrid to commute to work and that's 25 miles one way.
2 or 3 times a week (with a gap between the days) is probably a good target. Even though its an ebike, unless I'm really in shape and doing it super regularly, my body often can't handle consecutive 50 mile days! yes I must be a lightweight. Its often not my legs though, its also my shoulders, neck and arse that get sore! YMMV though, but being a normal human and not a TDF rider (or a spring chicken) I struggle at that daily mileage.

I absolutely love my Topeak Trunk Bag DXP With Velcro Mounting Straps. This probably will fit on your rack (maybe - check) although it will not use the rack time system - just velcro on.
Appears to be in stock (often isn't!), I'd order one ASAP
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Topeak-Trunk-Bag-DXP-With-Velcro-Mounting-Straps_55311.htm
Those pictures don't really do it justice. Its just a nice looking, quality rear bag in normal use (where there is plenty of room for say a charger, some small change of clothes etc), but the ability to unzip the sides to have fold out panniers is a often a godsend for extra clothes etc. I often go shopping on my bike and its surprising how much you can fit in with this particular Topeak model.
I've tried cheaper crap from Amazon etc, but the Topeak stuff is in a different league.

Thanks, that bag looks really useful.
As I already have a rack time mount I'll see what similar options there are. Don't want to add any more weight than I have to!

 

[GLJoe]

Thanks, that bag looks really useful.
As I already have a rack time mount I'll see what similar options there are. Don't want to add any more weight than I have to!

The rack time system just means that you have to buy a propitiatory mounting thingie or a bag with one built in, to allow the advantage of having a system that is easy to clip in and out.

If you don't want to remove the bag, then the velcro mount topeak bag I suggested will actually be lighter than the equivalent rack time system.
For my commuting bike, I leave it attached 100% of the time so its not an issue for me.
You can of course remove it whenever you want, but depending on the design of the rack, routing the velcro straps can be a bit fiddly and its not a 2 second job as it is with a rack time clip in and out system.