CUBE 20″ Compact Sport Hybrid Review

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CUBE 20" Compact Sport Hybrid Review

Cube 20 Compact Sport Hybrid Electric Bike Review

Cube 20 Compact Sport Hybrid Bosch Performance Line Cx Motor

Cube 20 Compact Sport Hybrid Bosch Powerpack 500 Ebike Battery Pack

Cube 20 Compact Sport Hybrid Handlebar Ergonomic Grips Adjustable Stem

Cube 20 Compact Sport Hybrid Bosch Purion Lcd Display

Cube 20 Compact Sport Hybrid Telescoping Steer Post Adjustable Angle Stem

Cube 20 Compact Sport Hybrid Schwalbe Super Moto X Tires 20 By 2 4 Reflective

Cube 20 Compact Sport Hybrid Shiman Hydraulic Disc Brakes 180mm Front

Cube 20 Compact Sport Hybrid Optional Front Basket Mount To Steer Tube

Cube 20 Compact Sport Hybrid Natural Fit Saddle With Memory Foam

Cube 20 Compact Sport Hybrid Center Mount Kickstand Custom Rear Rack

Cube 20 Compact Sport Hybrid Step Thru Frame Reinforced With Bottle Cage Mount

Cube 20 Compact Sport Hybrid 10 Speed Shimano Zee Derailleur 11 36t Cassette

Cube 20 Compact Sport Hybrid 44 Tooth Chainring With Alloy Guard 165mm Cranks

Cube 20 Compact Sport Hybrid Custom Acid Fenders Plastic

Cube 20 Compact Sport Hybrid Herrmans H Trace 2 Led Rear Light

Cube 20 Compact Sport Hybrid Stock Step Thru Blue N Red

Cube 20 Compact Sport Hybrid Stock Step Thru White N Black

One of the most powerful, adjustable, and high-quality compact electric bikes I've ever tested. Available in two colors but only one frame size... the extra-long seat post and telescoping height stem provide good fit for a range of rider heights. Low-rise handlebar, adjustable angle stem, ergonomic grips, and memory foam saddle all improve comfort.
The handlebar can swivel 45-degrees to line up with the bike frame, making it easier to fit into closets and other tight spaces. It's not a fully folding ebike, but still very portable. The X style frame provides strength and stiffness that improves ride quality and supports heavier riders and larger cargo loads.
Wide 2.4" Schwalbe tires improve stability, increase the effective diameter of the wheel which lowers the attack angle, and increase air volume which adds comfort. The tires are puncture resistant and have reflective stripes for safety. Integrated Herrmans lights run off the high capacity Bosch PowerPack 500 battery, and the headlight has side windows to keep you extra visible. It's perfectly mounted high up on the handlebar vs. low on the fork.
Powerful hydraulic disc brakes are reliable and easy to use, requiring less hand effort to stop. The 10-speed drivetrain is excellent, and CUBE specced a short-cage derailleur to reduce curb strikes... same thing with the shorter crank arms that reduce pedal strikes. Long sturdy fenders provide great coverage but the front one can scrape on curbs. The bike is fairly expensive given the nicer components, comes with the slower 2 amp Bosch charger, suffers from pedal lock because the kickstand is center mounted, and uses the more basic Purion display with limited readouts.

Make:

CUBE

Model:

20" Compact Sport Hybrid

Price:

$3,499

Body Position:

Upright, Upright Relaxed

Suggested Use:

Neighborhood, Urban, Commuting

Electric Bike Class:

Pedal Assist (Class 1)

Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

2 Year Motor and Battery, 5 Year Frame

Availability:

United States, Canada, Europe

Model Year:

2020

Total Weight:

51.6 lbs (23.4 kg)

Battery Weight:

5.7 lbs (2.58 kg)

Motor Weight:

6.4 lbs (2.9 kg)

Frame Material:

Aluminum Alloy Superlite

Frame Sizes:

19 in (48.26 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

46cm Frame: 48.5cm Seat Tube, 54cm Reach, 49.5cm Stand Over Height, 85cm Minimum Saddle Height, 110cm Maximum Saddle Height, 74.5cm Width (Handlebar Not Swiveled), 40cm Width (Handlebar Swiveled), 154cm Length, 109cm Wheelbase

Frame Types:

Step-Thru, Compact, Folding

Frame Colors:

Satin Blue

Frame Fork Details:

Custom Rigid Aluminum Alloy, 100mm Hub Spacing, 9mm Axle with Quick Release Skewer

Frame Rear Details:

135mm Hub Spacing, 9mm Axle with Quick Release Skewer

Attachment Points:

Rear Rack, Front Rack, Fenders, Chain Cover, Frame Lock, Bottle Cage

Gearing Details:

10 Speed 1x10 Shimano ZEE RD-M640-SS Short Cage Derailleur with One-Way Clutch, 11-36 Tooth Cassette

Shifter Details:

Shimano Deore Triggers on Right (Two-Way High Lever, Three-Shift Low Lever)

Cranks:

FSA CK-200 Forged Aluminum Alloy, BNI Spindle, 165mm Length, 44 Tooth Steel Chainring with FSA Aluminum Alloy Guard

Pedals:

CUBE K218 Plastic Platform with Small Molded Pins, Reflectors

Headset:

FSA No.10, Semi-Integrated, Sealed Cartridge, Straight 1-1/8" (44mm Outer Diameter)

Stem:

BySchulz Speedlifter Twist Pro Telescoping Height Steer Extension Post (0cm to 15cm Height, 0° to 45° Twist), Adjustable Angle SDS T14 Top (One 5mm Bolts, 10° to 50°), 70mm Length, 4 Bolt Clamp, 31.8mm Clamp Diameter, 60mm Base Height, One Tapered 20mm Spacer

Handlebar:

Cube Comfort Trail Bar, Aluminum Alloy, Low-Rise, 15° Setback, 720mm Width

Brake Details:

Shimano BR-MT200 Hydraulic Disc, 180mm Front Rotor and 160mm Back Rotor, Dual-Piston Calipers, Shimano BL-MT200 Three-Finger Levers with Adjustable Reach

Grips:

CUBE Natural Fit, Comfort Grips, Rubber, Ergonomic, Inner Lock Ring

Saddle:

CUBE Natural Fit, Sequence, Memory Foam

Seat Post:

NEMEN Eveloution, Aluminum Alloy, Double Bolt Clamp

Seat Post Length:

430 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

27.2 mm

Rims:

CUBE Branded ALEXRIMS EX30, 6061 Aluminum Alloy, Double Wall, 406 x 30 ETRTO, Reinforcement Eyelets, Tubeless Ready, 32 Hole

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, 13 Gauge, Silver with Nipples

Tire Brand:

Schwalbe Super Moto-X, 20" x 2.4" (62-406)

Wheel Sizes:

20 in (50.8cm)

Tire Details:

30 to 65 PSI, 2.0 to 4.5 BAR, Reflective Sidewall Stripe, Performance GreenGuard, For Crotched Type Rims Only

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve

Accessories:

CUBE ACID Custom Thick Plastic Fenders (75mm Width), CUBE Integrated Carrier Rear Rack (CUBE Adapter Compatible, SnapIt Compatible and Rail, Racktime Platform, Standard Gauge Tubing, Pannier Hangers, Spring Latch, Bungee Loops, 25kg 55lb Max Weight), Herrmans Black-MR Integrated Headlight (Side Windows, Top Cut Beam), Herrmans H-Trace Integrated Back Light (2 LED), Clear Rubberized Sticker Slap Guard, CUBE Branded Adjustable Length Kickstand (Center Mounted), Flick Bell Near Right Grip

Other:

Locking Removable Seat Tube Mounted Batter Pack, 1.3lb 2 Amp Bosch Compact Battery Charger, Maximum Cadence 120+ RPM Motor Support, ABUS PlusCode Lock and Key

Motor Brand:

Bosch Performance Line CX (4th Generation, MY20)

Motor Type:

Mid-Mounted Geared Motor

Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

250 watts

Motor Torque:

85 Newton meters (Eco: 40, Tour: 50, Sport: 75, Turbo: 85)

Battery Brand:

Bosch PowerPack 500, 18650 Cells

Battery Voltage:

36 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

13.4 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

482.4 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

11.2 hours

Estimated Min Range:

30 miles (48 km)

Estimated Max Range:

80 miles (129 km)

Display Type:

Bosch Purion, Fixed, 1.75" Grayscale LCD, Buttons: +, -, Walk Mode, (Hold + for Lights, Hold - to Cycle Through Readouts, Hold - and Press Power to Change Units) (Removable, Symmetrical Integrated Buttons for Right or Left Handed Users)

Readouts:

Speed, Assist Level (Eco, Tour, eMTB, Turbo), Battery Level (1-5), Trip Distance, Total Distance, Estimated Range, Lights

Display Accessories:

Micro-USB Port on Right Side of Display for Diagnostics and Software Updates Only

Drive Mode:

Advanced Pedal Assist (Measures Rear Wheel Speed, Pedal Cadence, and Pedal Torque over 1,000x Per Second, Power Output Relative to Pedal Input: Eco 60%, Tour 140%, Sport or eMTB 140% to 340%, Turbo 340%)

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)

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Make or Model

Model Year

Body Position

Suggested Use

Frame Type

Drive Mode

Availability

Price Range

$0 (0 €)$18,000 (16,920 €)

Total Weight

0 lbs (0 kg)227 lbs (103 kg)

Top Speed

0 mph (0.0 km/hr)50 mph (80.5 km/hr)

Battery Watt Hrs

0 watt3,456 watt

Frame Size

0 in (0.00 cm)432 in (1,097.28 cm)

Motor Power

0 Newton meters250 Nm

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This in-depth review was not sponsored by CUBE, Cit-E-Cycles Electric Bike Shop, or any other third party. It was funded by the display ads and placements on this website and YouTube. I cover as many products as I can, based on what I feel is relevant, interesting, and available. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comment section below, and the CUBE electric bike forums.

Observations:

The name of this ebike denotes the 20-inch wheel size. CUBE has had a Compact Hybrid in the past, and their latest model is called Sport. It’s available in Europe, Canada, and the US through official dealers. It’s one of the most premium compact models I have ever reviewed, and I appreciate the fancy swiveling steer post that makes it easier to stow and transport.
The default pedals do not fold, but you could unscrew them with a special pedal wrench or get some spring-loaded folding platform pedals online (go for metal ones to get good performance vs. squishy flexy feeling). With the handlebar swiveled 45-degrees and the pedals removed or folded, this ebike would fit well in the storage bays of an RV if laid on its side.

Pros:

Feature complete! This ebike has everything needed to ride at night, in wet conditions, with cargo or a child seat, and even off-road a bit on packed dirt or gravel. The high-volume puncture resistant reflective tires, integrated lights, custom fenders, and versatile cargo rack are all very well done.
Sometimes ebikes with fenders and racks rattle a lot when riding fast or on bumpy terrain. The CUBE Compact is fairly quiet because the fenders are attached very well (two places for the front fender and four places for the rear fender). The rear rack attaches in two places to the fender and has a strip of metal below the fender that connects to the seat stays. The motor is also pretty quiet, much more than I expected. Very well done!
Someties electric bikes will skip out on bottle cage bosses because they have a motor, battery, and extra wires to deal with. It costs more money to produce a custom hydroformed frame like this one… and they didn’t skip the bottle mount! They also included a mounting point for a frame lock below the seat stays. This is awesome, the positioning is perfect and since they used an Abus Plus key for the battery, you could actually match a frame lock to the same key to reduce clutter and confusion.
While the bike is only available in one frame size, the extra long seat post, telescoping height steer post, and adjustable angle stem allow it to support short and tall people very well. These adjustable parts feel sturdy and safe, and since the frame doesn’t fold, the whole bike just feels solid.
I appreciate the branded rims (that are actually premium Alexrims) with reinforcement nipples. This makes the bike able to support heavier loads, the wheels won’t go out of true as easily, and they won’t crack as easily.
It’s cool that CUBE sells the Sport Compact Hybrid in two colors. I think they chose very well, because the white and blue could both appeal to any gender and age. The white is especially visible for night riding, and the fork is color matched which looks very professional. Great job with the internal cable routing as well, the bike is clean and beautiful with matching black hardware (fenders, battery, rack, posts, saddle, handlebar etc.)
Smaller bikes tend to be easier to approach, and the step-thru frame makes this one especially easy to mount and stand over. I know people who have purchased folding bikes just for this aspect, and they never actually fold them… but folding adds weight and reduces frame strength. CUBE made a really capable little bike here that performs well and is actually fairly comfortable. It also has a great turning radius and is fairly nimble because of the smaller wheel size… which can be good for tight maneuvers in traffic and city conditions.
The memory foam saddle, locking ergonomic grips, low-rise handlebar, and especially the higher volume 2.4″ wide tires really improve comfort here. Smaller wheels lower the frame but also raise the attack angle of the tires… having taller and wider tires reduces this and improves rolling comfort. They also feel more stable. More air inside means more squishing that can happen when you hit little bumps etc. so it’s all good. You could also swap the rigid seatpost with a 27.2mm suspension seatpost like one of these. Note that Thudbuster does have a longer version of their posts if you’re tall and need that higher saddle position to get full leg extension ;)
The rear rack combines a deck for trunk bags or a child seat like the Yepp Maxi Nexxt that clamps from the sides, it has standard gauge pannier hangers on the sides, and even bungee loops at the bottom for securing lightweight items or a plastic box on top. It’s a great setup and adds a lot of utility here but CUBE also included provisions for mounting a front basket too! They put the mounts on the steer tube, which supports larger racks that won’t impact steering or tip when the bike is parked. It’s awesome!
Excellent hydraulic disc brakes here! They are easy to actuate, the levers offer adjustable reach for different hand sizes, and the rotors are 160mm rear and big 180mm front! That’s almost overkill in terms of mechanical advantage for a smaller 20″ wheel size. The benefit of the big front rotor is improved leverage and cooling, but the rotor could also hit bike racks and curbs more easily, which could bend it and create scraping noises forever after when braking, so be careful with it ;)
Excellent lights! Both run off of the main battery pack and the headlight is positioned high up on the handlebar. This is important for being seen by cars and other cyclists, especially for a lower bicycle like this. The headlight is easy to aim and has side windows to increase your visual footprint. The rear light has two LEDs vs. just one, so it’s extra visible too.
I was blown away by the 10-speed drivetrain here. Not only does it have 10 gears, but the spread is 11-36 vs. 14-28 or 11-32 like many comparable models. The Shimano ZEE derailleur is very rare to see, it’s even higher than Deore and SLX in the mountain line, so it’s built heavy-duty for off-road use. The derailleur uses a short cage which won’t hang down and hit obstacles or curbs as easily, and it has a one-way clutch that can stiffen the derailleur and reduce chain bounce or drops. CUBE also put a sticker slap guard on the right chainstay and an aluminum alloy guard on the 44 tooth chainring to reduce drops and keep your pants clean. Awesome all the way around!
Both wheels, the seat clamp, and the stem utilize quick release mechanisms. This makes the bike easier to disassemble and stow, as well as perform trail maintenance if you get a flat tire. But it also makes parts easier to steal… so consider a lockset to secure the wheels and seatpost, I posted their dimensions in the stats section above.
Even though this ebike is fairly heavy for it’s visually small size, I feel that they positioned weight really well (low and center). The removability of the battery is great for lifting and transporting the bike, and I love that the battery has a handle built into the top for safe carrying.
I love the Bosch PowerPack battery, it’s my all time favorite design. The PowerPack 500 is the highest capacity that it is offered in, and its overall lightweight and durable design is great. The battery mount interface and charger are cross compatible with the PowerPack 400 too, so you could rent or borrow an extra for long trips.
The Bosch Performance Line CX is almost overkill for a bike like this… it’s super responsive, powerful, and now fairly quiet with the 4th generation updates. The default torque is 75nm but you can upgrade to 85nm with the new software release (just ask a shop for help). The full sized chainring does not require a reduction gear, so there’s no drag when pedaling unassisted or over 20mph.
The motor controller measures pedal speed, pedal torque, and rear wheel speed over 1,000 times per second and includes shift detection to reduce drivetrain wear, it’s a great setup, and you get over 120 RPM pedal support, so you won’t outpace the motor like with Active Line from Bosch, which only offers 105 RPM.
Since the motor does use more electricity given the high power setup, and the lights draw some power, it’s great that CUBE included the PowerPack 500 here vs. the 400.
The Purion display panel isn’t my favorite, because it lacks some readouts, isn’t removable, and doesn’t offer micro-USB charging, but it does make sense here because of the swiveling bars and compact size of the bike… as well as the headlight mount position at the stem. In general, the display is easy to read and operate with big buttons.
I like the Shimano Deore trigger shifters that CUBE chose for this electric bicycle, because they offer two-way action on the high lever. This means you can use your right index finger for braking and dedicate your right thumb to shifting to higher or lower gears. Some of the cheaper shifters have one-way high levers that don’t support this option.
Sealed bearing headset and bottom bracket provide protection in wet environments. This reduces creak and premature wear. Note the tighter BNI (Bosch Narrow Interface) splined spindle and slightly shorter 165mm crank arms on this ebike. These are thoughtfully chosen performance parts… the shorter cranks reduce the possibility of pedal strikes when leaning the bike and turning. Try to always keep the inside crank up when turning ;)
CUBE is one of the bigger European (German) brands that I perceive as being reliable and trustworthy. They offer great value on their ebikes, and provide a two year comprehensive warranty with five years warranty on the frame

Cons:

Priced at $3.5k, this is one of the most expensive compact electric bikes that I’ve seen and tested. The money goes towards excellent components and drive systems, but it may be unnecessary and overkill for some riders. The Bosch Performance Line CX motor could have been Active Plus or just Performance, the battery probably could have been PowerPack 400, the drivetrain could have been eight speeds, and the bike would still perform great for 95%+ applicable use cases.
Despite the relatively high price tag and high-capacity Bosch PowerPack 500 battery, CUBE chose to include the slower Bosch 2 amp charger vs. the 4 amp. This means it will take longer to refill the battery pack… but at least you’ll save 0.3lbs and a bit of space since it’s physically smaller.
The 20″ Compact Sport Hybrid comes with the most basic Bosch Purion display panel which eliminates average speed, max speed, clock, and some other readouts that Intuvia, Kiox, and Nyon offer. It’s not compatible with Bosch Connected smartphone apps, and it’s not removable. I think it’s a decent choice for this semi-folding electric bike because it’s small and stays out of the way. it’s also simple to use, it’s just a compromise and doesn’t offer Micro-USB charging for your portable electronics like the other displays do.
I love that CUBE chose the Bosch Plus keyset for their battery pack, because it can be keyed-alike to a folding lock or frame lock… and there’s even space to mount both of these to the 20″ Compact Sport Hybrid! However, I’ve heard from shops that it can take weeks or even longer to actually order a matching lock from ABUS, so I wish CUBE would have just included a matching frame lock by default, especially given the value and price point of this ebike.
The kickstand mounting point, at the center of the frame, can cause pedal lock. This happens when the stand is deployed and the bike is walked backwards. It’s frustrating and inconvenient if you’re parked at a busy bike rack or in a tight space like a garage next to a car. I wish they would have positioned the stand further back to avoid pedal lock.
Because this ebike is so low and has fenders, it can be difficult to mount on some car racks. I have the Küat Sherpa 2.0 and just barely got it to work by using bungee cords and inserting the front arm through the triangle portion of tubing at the front of the bike. Consider using a crossbar adapter like this.
Despite its smaller “compact” size, the bike still weighs a lot. This is likely due to the combination of powerful motor, high-capacity battery, fenders, rear rack, lights, fancy adjustable steer post and stem, and the reinforced frame. For people who want to save space and maybe carry the bike up stairs, this could be disappointing, so lift the bike at your shop to get an idea of weight, and consider removing the battery pack during transport to make it a bit easier to lift.
Minor gripe here, the extra long fenders are sturdy and provide great coverage to keep your feet and legs dry… but the front fender is so long that it scraped on curbs and stairs as I walked the bike around my house and the neighborhood. Perhaps a flexible rubber end piece or slightly shorter front fender could have solved this
This is a minor consideration, but the included 430mm seat post is so long that petite riders may have to cut the base in order to get the saddle all the way down to its lowest point. I’m glad that they stocked a long post, because it allows for taller riders to enjoy the bike too, but keep the cutting part in mind and ask your shop for help sizing if you choose to purchase this ebike.
Very minor consideration here, but the bike doesn’t come with a suspension fork or suspension seatpost. This is not uncommon for compact bicycles, but there are some that do include this added comfort design. The tires on the CUBE Compact can be aired down a bit to reduce vibration, and you could replace the rigid seatpost with a suspension post, but finding a suspension fork that would work here is very unlikely. If you ride on gravel a lot or have a sensitive back, shoulder, neck, then keep this in mind.
The chainring has a sturdy alloy guard on one side, but not a full guide. The chain bounced off during transport of the bike and was a bit difficult to re-attach here (my hands got very dirty and I thought the chain was wedged into the crack and would scratch the frame at one point). Keep the derailleur clutch in the up “on” position to reduce chain bounce like this.
CUBE products are mostly sold through dealers. They are a well-known global company, but their dealer base is somewhat limited in North America (Canada and the US). If you don’t live near a big city, you may struggle to find this bike, and it may not be available online.
I really love the fourth generation Bosch Performance Line CX mid-motors because they are powerful and natural, but they do produce additional whirring noise compared to lower power options and even some similarly rated products from competitors like Yamaha, Brose, and Shimano. This motor also has a sort of clunk feeling when you stop pedaling. It doesn’t fade out as smoothly as older versions (which had their own minor issues with noise and reduction gearing drag). Perhaps the clunk feeling will go away over time with use? I welcome input in the comments section if you own the 4th gen Bosch CX motor.
The location of the battery charging port is very low on the left side of the seat tube, pretty close to the left crank arm. When plugged in, the charging cable actually blocks the rotation path of the left crank, so be careful not to bump the pedals, or consider charging the battery off the bike.
CUBE chose to use the older left chain stay mounted Bosch speed reader and spoke magnet vs. some of the newest designs which are positioned near the disc brake caliper mount so they won’t get bumped out of position as easily. Pay special attention to this even when buying brand new, because it can cause read errors and make pedal assist not work consistently. Given that this is a compact electric bike that might be stored in tight spaces, I feel that the fully integrated reader would be extra useful and relevant here.
A commenter on YouTube named Skúli Arnlaugsson who recently bought this ebike said “The back rack is rated to 15Kg (it’s noted on it), and after trying to fit a full size pannier, I can safely say that it doesn’t quite fit. It clamps on alright, but the bottom fixture doesn’t grab anything. So I’m expecting Cube to release their own size.” so for me, these are two cons. It would be nice if the front rack were rated a bit higher, and the point about some full sized panniers not working perfectly is a bit of a bummer.

Useful Resources:

Official CUBE website
Bosch Purion ebike display settings
CUBE ebike shop directory to find a CUBE dealer near you for fitting and test rides

January 29, 2024 (11 months ago)

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MSRP: $2,999
MODEL YEAR: 2015

One of the most affordable and versatile Bosch powered mid-drive electric bikes I've seen to date. Solid performance for city riding (with bosses for adding a rear rack!) but also very…...

CUBE SUV Hybrid SL 27.5 Review

MSRP: $4,799
MODEL YEAR: 2015

High performance urban electric bike with light weight carbon fiber fork and an automatic shifting system that maintains the cadence you set with NuVinci H Sync. Larger Schwalbe Super Moto-X tires provide some cushion, 27.5" wheelset strikes a balance between efficiency…...

DrJay

4 years ago

Court, I want to express my appreciation for you continuing to post reviews during the Covid crisis. I know that you have had to change your business model to do this so I just wanted to give a shout out to you for finding a way to continue. I agree with you that this bike is really overbuilt regarding Bosch motor and possibly gears. I saw that there were so many posts on YouTube regarding the price and perceived lack of value. But to me price is really a matter of value and can’t be judged objectively like concept, components, build quality and support. So though this may not be the price point for me, I feel that the review was very educational. From my point of view it seems that Bosch systems are really coming to dominate the ebike space. I notice that iZip and Raleigh have migrated to that space and even some like Batch bikes are using the Bosch drive systems. More and more it seems to be Bosch, Bafang and Dapu in the mid-drive space. In my area it’s pretty much Bosch for local support and service or geared rear hub motors. I worry that when one manufacturer comes to dominate the ebike space that can exert a lot of control over pricing. You would know more about this than I but I see it as a possibility. I for one appreciate that you review bikes throughout the price spectrum. It’s instructive to see what goes into Riese and Müller, Specialized, Gazelle, Bulls, etc. Thanks again for finding a path forward.

Court

Hey DrJay! I’m here at 9pm just plowing through some comments and overdue work… and you made my day! Thanks so much, it has been busy coordinating bikes, shipping, trying to be safe and not offend anyone with which bikes or how close I get to someone on camera etc. I’m definitely doing my best here, and just trying to send out some love and positivity amidst a challenging time for so many. Thanks for sending some of that back my way, truly. Regarding Bosch, I do agree that they dominate, but they do it with such great values as a company and they are so open and supportive (even of me as a reviewer). They have never been push, are always delicate with influence and ethics, and they also ask how I’m doing. They are a wonderful family and organization from what I can tell. Even with “absolute power corrupts absolutely” in the back of my mind, I feel like they compete fairly and just focus on doing their own best… and maybe that’s why they are emerging as a leader. They invested in the space much earlier than the others (aside from Yamaha in Europe/Asia). I’m glad we have Rad Power Bikes for value and Specialized for performance and style, and Trek for shop support and solid performance. There are lots of ebikes now, it has really caught on, and I just feel very lucky to be here and to help in my own ways. Thanks again friend :)

Nc1

What is the weight limit for this bike? It looks pretty sturdy and could compete with the HSD or the Tinker. Too bad I preordered a RadWagon 4, because I would definitely consider this because I need a small bike that fits in the back of my 6’ pickup bed and also can handle cargo bike weight (so that I don’t need to drive the gas guzzler…). The RadWagon 4 won’t fit easily in my pickup bed, but I’ll figure something out. This one might have been a better choice, but not if big panniers won’t fit and it won’t take at least 300 lbs.

Aww, well I hope the RadWagon works well for you. It’s a great bike for the money! Unfortunately, I don’t know the exact weight rating for the Cube 20″ Compact Sport, but they are usually around 250lbs or 300lbs. I’ve seen people who weigh more than this get away with riding, but their spokes usually come loose and break sooner than if they were within the recommended spec. Be safe, enjoy your ebike, and you’re welcome to chime in again here anytime Nc1 :)

Drew

+1 on the framelock mount points. Those OEM mount points should be standard on every theft-worthy bike. They should be as basic as bottle cage mount points.

I’m starting to see them on more bikes! It’s something pretty new to me (as someone who had cheaper products growing up, and then mountain and road bikes). I really like the urban/commuter category, and these frame lock bosses are indeed cool to see ;)

John

Hi Court, I have a 2020 Gazelle Ultimate T10 with the same motor. I have written about it in your Bosch and Gazelle sections. I have not had any other owners saying they have or do not have the same experience. My bike has the “clunk” you refer to. It is not just when turning the assist on or off. When riding on rougher roads and coasting with or without assist there is this rattling sound from around the bottom bracket. It sounds like something is going to break and fall off. The Bosh person at the dealership where I bought the bike has looked at it and taken it apart and says it is just fine and this is normal. I am very disappointed. How can this be normal? IF it is, I don’t want it. I can’t see this going away over time. It is more likely to get worse. I like this bike for the riding position. It works well for me, but this noise is pretty bad.

Hi John! I wish I knew what the issue was, or whether this is just something that a certain batch or generation of motors suffers from. I figured it had to do with new motors that hadn’t been broken in yet, but it sounds like you disagree with this hypothesis. I’d love to hear updates as you ride the bike more… and it’s pretty cool that your shop disassembled the motor for you, that’s a big deal! Perhaps you can ignore the issue, ride as “normal” and if the motor does actually break, Bosch has a good warranty and dealer system to just swap out the old with the new. I realize the sound and feeling are a bit worrying (at least to me) and I’m sorry to hear that this also bothers you. For me, it hasn’t been with every motor in their line, but I have recognized and tried to show it consistently when I felt it in my reviews :/

Chris H

Hi Court, I’m Just now belatedly reading another of your great reviews. Enjoyed the video as well. One suggestion: In the measurements section of this review, you used metrics for all the key measurements. Understand that you’re in Canada now; maybe those of us in the States will catch up with the rest of the world one of these days, but for now, please give us measurements in units we’re familiar with here in the lower 48 in addition to those used by everybody else in the world. Keep up the great work, and thanks for everything you do to promote electric bikes!

Hi Chris! Great feedback… this is one of the few bikes where I only did metric, most of the time I’m using imperial or listing both. Sorry about that! I really appreciate the way you brought this up, it’s a good insight.

John D Goldsmith

3 years ago

You have this model listed as a folding bike. The frame looks pretty solid to me. Am I missing something?

Thanks John! I’ve updated the category, I think that I put it into folding at the time of creation because of the telescoping stem and compact size.

Cindy McMurdo

Hi Court, love your reviews, very comprehensive. I’d love to see one of the Cube Fold Sport Hybrid 500 2022, if you can get hold of one. Thanks!

Sweet! I’ll keep an eye out for that bike Cindy, thanks for the request and the positive support :D There’s a CUBE dealer nearby that has been friendly sharing bikes in the past, hopefully they have it ;)

StretchOx

2 years ago

Hi – Thanks so much for the depth and comprehensiveness of your reviews, I really appreciate it. I realize it’s a fair while since you posted this review, but I wondered if you had a view on the suitability of the bike for carrying a (young) child? I see you mention that a Thule seat could be attached, but would it not be too low to the ground? I see that Tern GSDs / HSDs do allow you to attach child seats (part of their USP) and their wheels are, I think the same size as the Cube Compact Hybrid, but it looks to me like the rear rack for those bikes are higher off the ground. Any thoughts you have on this would be much appreciated, as I’m on the brink of pressing the buy button and need to know which way to jump! Thanks

I’m so sorry it took me a while to reply to your comment! While I cannot guarantee or recommend the use of accessories and child seats, for liability purposes, I can say that I believe this rack is rated at high capacity from what I observed (25kg or 55lbs). The lower position shouldn’t be an issue, lower weight distribution tends to be easier to balance… and the rack would actually be easier to load too! Smaller wheels tend to be stronger than really tall ones, and the bike frame looks very sturdy, but I do not know the total carrying capacity. I would be a little concerned about the saddle position in relation to your child’s face, like if you stopped quickly, would they hit their nose on the seat or something? Perhaps you could visit a local bicycle shop to ask some of these questions while inquiring about the child seat options. I hope this helps!