Thoughts please on Cube Suv Hybrid Pro 500 27.5 2016

[EddiePJ]

http://www.mhw-bike.com/cube-reaction-hybrid-hpa-pro-400-27-5-29-black-n-white-2016-4629
has the cx motor but only the 400w batt.

tho will save near enough for another batt anyway so double the range

With the extra torque of the CX motor, I'd want the 500wh battery.

row, your first link showed hub gears. If you do intend to start riding off road, I personally would want to stick with a cassette/derailleur set hub.

 

[nippynoo]

There is an e-bike shop in Brighton marina now. You also have 50cycles at Shoreham. ....

And now ubyk in Brighton are going to be doing Cube ebikes http://www.ubyk.co.uk/our-store . I met the Cube rep in store on Wednesday, and borrowed a CX bosch engined bike for a blast up the steepest hills in Brighton. I think theyll do well because they are in the middle of town. They are deciding which ones to order in.

The CX is physically smaller than the Active and produces the higher torque (70Nm) only at very low speeds - really for steep off road climbing at low speed. My understanding is that once above walking speed the torques are the same for all versions of the 250w motor, and that on the road you wont notice any difference. The Cube SUV uses the Active so as not to overstress the Alfine S7000 hub.

 

[RobF]

The Cube SUV uses the Active so as not to overstress the Alfine S7000 hub.

Highest assist may also be reduced for the same reason.

My Rose - old classic motor and Alfine 11 - is set to maximum 200% in Bosch speak.

The same motor in a derailleur bike will give 250%.

That applies to turbo.

I have bikes with both set ups and there is a noticeable difference.

No difference in the lower settings which I use 99.9% of the time, but could be a problem to anyone wanting maximum grunt.

 

[EddiePJ]

The Cube SUV uses the Active so as not to overstress the Alfine S7000 hub.

I'm not knocking the Alfine hub, and in road use, it has many benefits. Off road though which row is angling towards, it wouldn't be long before the internals give up in adverse riding conditions. I'm not saying that is any way a fault of the hubs design, as clearly it isn't. But for off road use, the age old rear derailleur and cassette, is going to be a more practical option.

Interesting about the torque on the CX motor. So it is just a software alteration, rather than an internal gearing one? In wet or slippery conditions, more torque at such a low speed range is going to result in a higher chance of spinning up and loss of traction, which is not desired. Higher mid range torque would be better, and a soft start/creeper mode would make things even better. That is how I would design it.

 

[row]

If I'm following correctly the CX motor is ultimately more flexible and better for hills then the active?

The Cube Reaction has the CX and a 500 battery option and it is less expensive then the Cube SUV so I'm wondering why the SUV is more expensive...could someone outline the strengths and weaknesses of these two against each other?

http://www.mhw-bike.com/cube-reaction-hybrid-hpa-pro-500-27-5-29-black-n-white-2016-4632

http://www.mhw-bike.com/cube-suv-hybrid-pro-500-27-5-black-n-flashblue-2016-4647

 

[soundwave]

If I'm following correctly the CX motor is ultimately more flexible and better for hills then the active?


yes

id go for this bike.
http://www.mhw-bike.com/cube-reaction-hybrid-hpa-pro-500-27-5-29-black-n-white-2016-4632

as edd said you not want hub gears going off road and there not cheap imo

i have broke my xd hub and cost 120 quid to fix it.

 

[RobF]

The extra money is for the hub gears.

The bikes are aimed at slightly different uses, the hub bike is more for road and well made paths.

It's mostly in the tyres, which can always be changed.

But given you have a choice, there's no point in buying a mountain bike if you are never going to use it truly off road.

You are bound to be tempted by the more powerful motor, but as Eddie says, I doubt you will need it.

 

[soundwave]

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/alfine-s7000-8-speed-internal-gear-hub-ec070109?country=GB&currency=GBP&esvt=1502-GOUKE923146&esvq=&esvadt=999999-0-35300-1&esvcrea=61235636936&esvplace=&esvd=c&esvaid=50080&gclid=Cj0KEQiAsZayBRCrioKRkYetvc0BEiQAI70-A95Agl8_-jtnoJurMQhV04j82zC0eJ2YXHo9OMpesQUaAgZV8P8HAQ

 

[nippynoo]

CX housing is all metal, and slightly smaller than the Active/Performance Cruise etc. I reckon the only difference is software. Theyre making big news of the fact that the starting torque is up from 50 to 75 -but its the same power. They've simply increased the torque limit at very low speed, for starting on a steep hill. I couldnt tell the difference once the bike got moving.

Also because the case is smaller it gives better ground clearance and theyve angled it upwards in the frame a bit. So the CX better suited to rock jumping.

HPA reaction PRO is great value but has some cheaper components and coil sprung forks. I think the more expensive HPA reaction RACE is better with 11-speed 11-42 (thats nearly 4:1) (XT components throughout) and air forks, but its an extra 400 quid

I was thinking about the HPA RACE but am now leaning to the SUV Alfine. I like the fact that it has a better chainline and big bouncy tyres. Still dithering though..

 

[soundwave]

why do you want hub gears? will be no good of road

 

[EddiePJ]

Nippynoo hasn't said that they want to ride off road. In which case, the hub gears could make perfect sense for them.

Good point about the coil sprung forks. They certainly wouldn't be my prefered choice. Fine for road use, but not very inspiring otherwise.

 

[row]

Hi Nippynoo. The Race looks great and the extra gears I can see would be an advantage. The price does put it out of the picture for me. Even more out of budget - but have you seen the SUV Race with NuVinci? http://www.cube.eu/uk/products/e-bike-hardtail/suv-hybrid/cube-suv-hybrid-race-500-275-blackngrey-2016/

Interesting that you are leaning towards the SUV as I think I am, despite the below analysis, where the Reaction seems to be by far the more sensible option for me! Maybe it’s the look and appearance of ‘luxury’ on the SUV, although even this factor has a downside as I’m worried it is also more of a thief magnet.

I have seen a UK retailer with 10 per cent of both the Reaction and SUV and from the ideas so far, below are some of the strengths and weaknesses:

Cube Reaction 500

Price 1600 (200 cheaper)

CX (slight/more performance on hills)

Derailleur (Better off road/more efficient)

Coil Fork

Other: 2kg lighter

Cube SUV 500

Price 1800

Active

Hub Gear (less practical but smoother for road)

Air Fork (better off road)

Other: Better tyres/general parts/luxury

Thanks for all the ideas so far it has really helped educate me and enable me to begin to weigh up important considerations.
(I'm interested whether or not the hub gears could get away with light off roading, on grass and chalk paths - i'm guessing it's a little more risky and potentially expensive)

I would be interested in hearing how either of these would compare to (in the original 1000 budget) Carrera crossfire 2, are the Cube’s a league above, notably better?

 

[JohnCade]

I have a Cube Peloton road bike and I am impressed by the build quality and finish. It’s a very nice ride and not that far off my last much more expensive Italian road bike I sold on over ten years ago. A cut above a Carrera.

 

[row]

I think i'm going to go for the Cube Reaction after all. Does anyone know if the Bosch 500 battery packs are 36V 15AH?

 

[soundwave]

http://www.bosch-ebike.de/en/komponenten/powerpack/powerpack.php

 

[row]

Brilliant, thanks for the great advice and help

 

[soundwave]

http://www.pro-cycling-golla.de/Akkus/Rahmenrakku_500_Wh_Active_artikel55f59b9e3a3e4.html

 

[row]

Last complete newbie question hopefully, is the seat height adjustable i.e goes up and down? http://www.mhw-bike.com/cube-reaction-hybrid-hpa-pro-500-27-5-29-black-n-white-2016-4632

 

[JohnCade]

All bike seat heights are adjustable. I’ve never come across one that isn’t.

 

[row]

Thanks