New Cube Longtail Hybrid Rounds Off the Triumvirate of Cargobikes

Cube is one of those bicycle manufacturers that boast of being able to offer almost every category of bicycle. As such, you now also have to have a cargo bike on the shelf. With the Cargo Hybrid and the Trike Hybrid, Cube even provides two of them. Now number three is being added. And it doesn’t just fill up the catalogue, but represents a real alternative.

Until now, anyone looking for a cargo bike with electric assistance from one of Germany’s biggest brands could choose between a longjohn and a three-wheeled model whose focus is more on transporting children. In addition, there is at least one widely used type of cargo bike that Cube did not feature – the longtail. Its enlarged and reinforced rear carrier serves as the main location for loads of all kinds. With the appropriate accessories, it can be specially adapted for transporting goods or transformed into an environmentally friendly ride for children and adults. People who are not comfortable riding a longjohn with its cargo box and greater overall length, or who want a more compact, manageable and versatile bike than a trike, turn to the longtail.

Keep it short

There are many really good longtails on the market that Cube could use as inspiration. With its Longtail Hybrid, the manufacturer takes its cue from competitors such as the KTM Macina Multi, the Benno Bikes Boost E, the Yuba Kombi E5 or the Surly Skid Loader. Like the aforementioned models, the Longtail Hybrid also tries to allow a high payload in the smallest possible space. Without a load, the bike should ride like a conventional city or trekking ebike. A key to this is, for example, a short wheelbase. The Longtail Hybrid has a wheelbase of 1,268 millimetres. With this value, Cube comes quite close to its trekking ebike Kathmandu Hybrid, whose wheelbase in frame size M is 1,198 millimetres.

The bike would have been even shorter with smaller wheels. However, Cube has opted for the 26-inch size. These offer a little smoother rolling than the 24-inch wheels that KTM, Benno Bikes and also Yuba fall back on. In return, the competition gains a little more manoeuvrability. For comparison: the wheelbase of the KTM Macina Multi measures 1,185 millimetres. Each manufacturer has to make a compromise here.

Tons of options

When it comes to the supreme discipline of cargo bikes – hauling goods or people – any bike would have a hard time showing the newcomer from Cube how this is done. The rear rack can carry a good 60 kilograms. Of this, 40 kilograms can be carried on the horizontal section and ten kilograms each on the left and right. The optional front rack can carry a maximum of another 20 kilograms. Cube has also turned the down tube of the aluminium frame into an additional storage compartment. This can be divided several times and locked. A third rack is attached to the weatherproof lid. You can transport even more things on it with the help of tension straps and the like. If you want to use the maximum permitted total weight of 200 kilograms, you have to try hard. The bike itself only weighs around 35 kilograms.

You can decide for yourself what purpose the Cube Longtail Hybrid will serve for you. All accessories are available separately. These include a padded bench seat, a railing, wooden running boards, side protection, large side panniers with a volume of 45 litres, a waterproof bag for the front carrier and, as an alternative, a basket. The disadvantage here is that the basic price does not include any of these extras. So, depending on your choice, a certain amount will be added to the actual purchase price. The massive bipod stand is an exception.

One for nearly everyone

In keeping with its diverse use, Cube has done a lot to ensure that people of all sizes can ride the cargo bike. The manufacturer refers to this as its One Size Concept. This includes, for example, a telescopic seat post. This allows the saddle height to be adjusted within a wide range over several stages. The adjustable Speedlifter stem works according to the same principle. Thanks to such components, the Longtail Hybrid is suitable for people with a body length between 1.60 metres and 1.90 metres.

Belt or chain?

For the launch of the new model series, Cube is starting with two different equipment variants. The central distinguishing feature is the gear system installed in each case. The Longtail Hybrid 725 features stepless hub gears from Enviolo. In contrast, the Longtail Sport Hybrid 725 comes with a Shimano derailleur with ten gears. For you to be able to distinguish between them visually, a light metallic blue and a dark grey are the colours for the hub gear versions, while the models with derailleur gears shine in white and a light grey.

A case for the Bosch specialist

The Smart System drive from Bosch is responsible for the support. Its new Cargo Line motor delivers the familiar torque of 85 Newton metres. However, it is primarily its special cargo riding mode that qualifies it for use on such a bicycle. Bosch has specifically designed it for the enormous stresses and strains of riding with a high payload, which are particularly noticeable when starting off.

The frame battery is located on the back of the seat tube. Cube equips all models with the most powerful version of the Bosch PowerPack as standard, which has a capacity of 725 watt hours. You can operate the system via the LED remote together with the Kiox 300 display.

Cube Longtail Hybrid at a glance

• Variants: Longtail Hybrid 725, Longtail Sport Hybrid 725
• Frame: Aluminium
• Motor: Bosch Cargo Line
• Battery: Bosch PowerPack 725
• Display: Bosch Kiox 300
• Control unit: Bosch LED Remote
• Drivetrain: Enviolo Heavy Duty, Shimano Deore
• Brakes: Magura MT5
• Weight: 35.4 g / 33.9 kg (Sport)
• Maximum permitted total weight: 200 kg
• Colours: Grey’n’Reflex, Blue’n’Reflex, Swampgrey’n’Reflex, Flashwhite’n’Reflex
• Prices: 4,499 euros / 3,799 euros (Sport)

 

Pictures: Pending System GmbH & Co. KG