Cube Editor Hybrid: The Artist Among Urban Ebikes

As spring approaches, the season of bicycle trade fairs in Germany picks up speed again every year. Many bike manufacturers take this opportunity to present new models. One example of this is Cube. The company will be exhibiting at the upcoming Cyclingworld Europe in Düsseldorf, where it will be presenting a completely new model series – the Cube Editor Hybrid.

Cube Editor Hybrid

We don’t know exactly where the name for the newcomer comes from. It is quite possible that it is intended to express a certain creativity and thus appeal to people who are artistically active in some way. In the video, which is now an indispensable part of a new bike, a man rides through the streets of the financial metropolis of Frankfurt am Main. He demonstratively has a camera around his neck and keeps stopping to take a photo. So that would fit.

Depending on your physical condition, at least the ebike variants that weigh just under 18 kilograms can be carried down a flight of stairs.

Beautifully polished

Some of you might even attribute a certain artistic value to the new urban ebike. In any case, Cube is clearly trying to pick up on current trends and create an ebike that is functional, light and stylish at the same time. In our opinion, the manufacturer succeeds quite well with the frame. The aluminium has been finished with great attention to detail. Where other manufacturers ignore the bulges in the weld seams and move on to the next point, here they have been beautifully finished using smooth welding. Sometimes there is no recognisable transition from one tube to the next. Much of it flows so that the look is reminiscent of a carbon frame. Only at the rear ends of the seat stay and chain stay on the drive side, as well as the small stay used to attach the mudguards, does Cube achieve a less high-quality finish.

On the models with black and grey frame colours, a special-effect paint finish was used for the lettering.

Lightest mid-motor from the market leader

Together with the carbon fork, the weight of the frame remains low. Hidden inside the tubes is the Performance Line SX from Bosch. Its motor and battery each weigh around two kilograms. Given the power output of 250 watts, the torque of 55 Newton metres and the battery capacity of 400 watt hours, this is really impressive. You can operate the system using the Mini Remote on the handlebars and the System Controller in the top tube. On the latter, you can see the currently selected riding mode and the remaining charge of the Bosch CompactTube 400 via coloured LEDs. Cube has dispensed with a display as standard. With the Intuvia 100, however, there is a display that can be added relatively easily and is not too expensive as a retrofit kit. Of course, the other Smart System displays, the Kiox 300 and the Kiox 500, can also be considered. Their range of functions exceeds that of the Intuvia 100. And you get the information displayed in colour. For a correspondingly higher price, of course.

Not for everyone

Speaking of price. Cube has broken this down into four levels ranging from 2,499 euros to 3,299 euros. In fact, this is divided into five different models. The top model is called the Cube Editor Hybrid SLT 400X. Compared to the others, it offers you the least of everything and at the same time the most. The least when it comes to suitability for everyday use. No lights. No mudguards. No rear rack. No kickstand. The most when it comes to sporty riding in the city. Only here you get an Alfine hub gear with 11 gears in combination with a belt drive. The advantage of the virtually maintenance-free and wear-free belt is particularly important for an ebike that you rely on every day. And you can also retrofit the accessories mentioned above. The frame provides the necessary mounts.

Bargains and complete packages

On the way to the cheaper models, various features change in addition to the colour. The Editor Hybrid SLX 400X is similar to the top model in many details. However, the number of gears in the hub gears has been reduced from eleven to eight. Cube has also swapped the belt for a chain. The cheapest model in the entire range is the Editor Hybrid Pro 400X. Surprisingly, it also weighs the least. You rarely come across this combination. In our opinion, it is the hidden champion among the Cube Editor Hybrid. After all, the rather mediocre derailleur Shimano Cues with ten gears and a range of 436 per cent outperforms the top model’s hub gears with their 409 per cent.

With the Editor Hybrid SLX FE 400X and the Editor Hybrid Pro FE 400X, you get the full package with lights, rear rack, etc. Unfortunately, Cube doesn’t equip either of these with the higher quality hub gears and the belt. This means that you only have the choice between hub gears and derailleur gears.

Cube Editor Hybrid at a glance

• Variants: Editor Hybrid SLT 400X, Editor Hybrid SLX 400X, Editor Hybrid Pro 400X, Editor Hybrid SLX FE 400X, Editor Hybrid Pro FE 400X
• Frame: Aluminium Superlite
• Frame size: 50 cm, 54 cm, 58 cm, 62 cm
• Fork: Carbon
• Motor: Bosch Performance Line SX
• Battery: Bosch CompactTube 400
• Control units: Bosch Mini Remote + Bosch System Controller
• Drivetrain: Shimano Alfine SG-S7001, Shimano Alfine SG-S700, Shimano Cues U6000
• Brakes: Shimano Deore BR-M6000, Shimano BR-MT200
• Weight: 17.7 kg / 17.8 kg / 17.2 kg / 19.2 kg / 18.6 kg
• Maximum permitted total weight: 115 kg
• Prices: 3,299 euros / 2,699 euros / 2,499 euros / 2,899 euros / 2,699 euros

Pictures: Pending System GmbH & Co. KG