Wil reviews the Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55

Some of you me recall that we tested the Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 a couple of years back. We thoroughly enjoyed its plush suspension, powerful Bosch motor and high-value spec, but found its performance to be a little lacking on rowdier terrain.

While the Stereo Hybrid 160 remains in the Cube e-MTB lineup for 2024, it’s effectively been superceded by this all-new Hybrid ONE55. Built around the same Bosch motor and battery, it features a full carbon frame with a reworked suspension design, bigger wheels and updated geometry.

It certainly looks promising on paper, but how does it stack up on the trail? I’ve been testing the Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55 over the past few weeks to find out!

Watch our video review of the Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55:

Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55 Overview

All-new for 2024, the Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55 is designed to be a capable and confident e-MTB that’s ready for everything from casual trail riding through to enduro smashing. It’s equipped with 29in wheels, a 160mm travel fork and 150mm of rear travel. That puts it into a similar category as other popular e-MTBs including the Trek Rail, Specialized Levo and Focus JAM².

Currently the Hybrid ONE55 is only produced with a full carbon frame that utilises Cube’s premium C:68X carbon fibre. The bare frame is claimed to weigh just 2.9kg, making it considerably lighter than the Hybrid 160 that uses a cheaper carbon mainframe with an alloy rear.

The suspension design is also different between the two bikes. You’ll still find a four-bar platform, but the shock now sits parallel to the top tube where it’s driven by a small extension link. This produces a progressive leverage rate that’s designed to be paired with a high volume air shock, which Cube has custom tuned specifically for the Hybrid ONE55.

Sleek Bosch integration

Powering the Stereo Hybrid ONE55 is the venerable Bosch Performance CX motor and a generous 750Wh PowerTube battery.

While you can charge the battery in situ using the port on the seat tube, it can also be removed for charging separately. Simply release the large downtube protector via its push-button mechanism, and then use the provided Bosch key to unlock the battery from the frame.

It’s worth noting that you can fit a smaller 625Wh or 500Wh PowerTube battery with an adapter from Cube. Fitting a 500Wh battery would drop 1.3kg of weight from the bike, which is appealing from a handling perspective. However, you’d have to buy that battery separately as it’s not available as an option when purchasing the Hybrid ONE55.

We’re otherwise pleased to see the Bosch System Controller integrated into the frame’s top tube, and there’s a wireless Mini Remote for adjusting the motor’s support modes. Cube has also made use of the wireless speed sensor built into the motor, which relies on a magnet fitted to the rear wheel’s valve stem.

All together it’s quite a clean setup, making for a welcome improvement over the bulky display, controller and extra wires found on the Hybrid 160.

Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55 geometry & size chart

There are no real surprises to the geometry on the Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55. There’s a 64.4° head angle, a 75.7° seat angle and conventional reach measurements across its three frame sizes. Unfortunately it isn’t available in Small, so shorter riders will need to look elsewhere.

A combination of a 29in rear wheel and the Bosch motor means that chainstay length isn’t the shortest out there, with the rear centre length coming in at 454mm.

Without any flip chips there’s no provision to set up the Hybrid ONE55 as a mullet with a 27.5in rear wheel, which we reckon is a missed opportunity on Cube’s behalf. However, it does get the same Acros headset that we’ve seen on quite a few bikes from Scott and Focus in recent years. The modular cups can be flipped around to steepen the head angle by 0.6°, which will be handy for beginner riders and those who mostly frequent flatter trails.

Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55 price & specs

There are only two Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55 models available in Australia. Both of these e-MTBs feature the same C:68X full carbon frame, Bosch motor and 750Wh battery.

At the top is the Hybrid ONE55 TM 750, which retails for $12,999 AUD. The bike we have on test here is the Hybrid ONE55 SLX 750 that retails for $11,999 AUD.

If your budget doesn’t stretch to five figures, it’s worth noting that Cube offers a huge range of e-MTBs across the Stereo Hybrid 120, 140 and 160 platforms with prices starting at $6,799 AUD.

2024 Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55 C:68X SLX 750

• Frame | C:68X Carbon Fibre, FSP Four-Bar Suspension Design, 150mm Travel
• Fork | RockShox Lyrik Select+, Charger 2 RC Damper, 44mm Offset, 160mm Travel
• Shock | RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ DebonAir, 230x60mm
• Motor | Bosch Performance Line CX, 85Nm
• Battery | Bosch PowerTube 750Wh
• Wheels | Newmen Performance 30, Alloy Rims, 30mm Inner Rim Width
• Tyres | Maxxis Assegai EXO+ 3C MaxxGrip 2.5in Front & Minion DHR II DoubleDown 3C MaxxGrip 2.4in Rear
• Drivetrain | SRAM GX Eagle 1×12 w/ACID Alloy 34T Crankset & 10-52T Cassette
• Brakes | Magura MT7 4-Piston w/203mm Rotors
• Handlebar | Newmen Evolution SL, 25mm Rise, 780mm Width
• Stem | Newmen Evolution SL, 40mm Length
• Seatpost | Cube Dropper, Travel: 150mm (M), 170mm (L-XL)
• Saddle | Venec Natural Fit
• Claimed Weight | 22.6kg
• Actual Weight | 23.34kg
• Price | $11,999 AUD

Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55 sizing & fit

At 175cm tall I’ve been riding a Medium size in the Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55, and for the most part it fits well. The reach and stack are on the money, and I gelled with the cockpit straight away.

Both the snub-nose saddle and own-brand grips have been a pleasant surprise. The latter features a highly textured tread pattern, soft compound rubber and a raised shoulder that provides a nice shelf to butt your palms up against.

I have struggled with the long Magura brake levers, which make it difficult to position the shifter and dropper post lever in the right spot. To provide some more room, I ended up removing the Bosch Mini Remote entirely and have instead used the buttons on the top tube controller for switching assist modes.

The 150mm travel dropper post is ok, though there are more brands spec’ing a 170-200mm dropper post on their Medium-sized bikes these days. Unfortunately you’re a bit limited on the Hybrid ONE55 frame due to the kinked seat tube that restricts the available insertion depth, making it difficult to upgrade to more travel.

Suspension setup

Cube doesn’t provide any assistance with suspension setup for the Hybrid ONE55, which is a shame given the effort that other brands like Norco and Trek are investing to helping customers get their mountain bikes dialled in.

To start out I went with 30% sag, which required 165psi in the Super Deluxe shock to support my 67kg riding weight. I set rebound damping one click faster than halfway (6/10 clicks). There’s also a small two-position lever on the shock that engages a firm climbing mode, but since it’s almost a full lockout I left the lever in the fully open position for the entire test period.

Using the recommendations from the RockShox Trailhead app, I aired up the Lyrik with 80psi and set the rebound dial one click slower than halfway at 9/20 clicks. At the top of the fork crown is a compression adjuster with 20 clicks on offer. To keep the front end from diving too much under braking, I ran the compression dial halfway through its range.

Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55 weight

Confirmed weight for our Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55 test bike is 23.34kg without pedals. That’s a fair bit over the claimed figure, though it’s still pretty darn good for a full-powered e-MTB equipped with a removable 750Wh battery.

It’s worth noting that our test bike comes with inner tubes fitted from the factory. Unfortunately the rims aren’t wrapped with tubeless tape, which means that upgrading to tubeless will involve more time and cost. You’ll need to purchase valves, tape and sealant in order to make the most of the tubeless compatible tyres.

I didn’t have any spare tape handy in my home workshop, so decided to test the bike as it comes. Of course I suffered a nasty snakebite during the very first ride, despite the rear tyre using a thick DoubleDown casing. Let my experience be a lesson for you to learn from, and get your bike shop to set the wheels up tubeless before hitting the dirt. You’ll drop some rotational mass, reduce the chance of punctures and improve grip by being able to run lower pressures.

What do we dig about the Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55?

I’ve found the Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55 to be a calm and competent e-MTB that’s performed well across a wide range of trail types.

As with the two iterations of the Hybrid 160 that we’ve tested previously, the Hybrid ONE55 offers a really plush and comfortable ride quality. The suspension has that classic e-MTB feel thanks to the improved sprung-to-unsprung mass ratio. Both ends of the bike are thoroughly active, helping the whole bike to float through rock gardens while keeping the tyres glued to the ground to maximise grip.

And boy do the tyres grip! With their sticky rubber compound, the Maxxis Assegai and Minion DHR II combo is about as confidence-inspiring as it gets when thumping down loose and sketchy descents. They do well to enhance the bike’s overall damping qualities, offering incredible cornering traction and off-camber stability.

With the reach and rear centre length coming in at an almost 50:50 ratio on our Medium-sized test bike, the overall weight distribution feels spot-on. Indeed it’s a well-balanced bike that is significantly more planted than the 27.5in-wheeled Hybrid 160 we’ve tested previously. It inspires a lot more confidence on the descents, and it’s also more capable on the climbs too.

The riding position is comfortable and you’re nicely centred within the wheelbase. Combined with the longish chainstays, supple suspension and sticky tyres, the Hybrid ONE55 absolutely monsters up steep and technical sections.

Traction is plentiful and spinning out the rear tyre is a rare occurrence. I’ve had no issues with pedal strikes or front wheel lift, and along with the perky motor you’re egged on to attack every climb like it’s your last. It all adds up to one of the best climbing e-MTBs we’ve tested.

Big range energy

For riders who are looking to chase the biggest mountain climbs, the 750Wh battery provides plenty of juice for racking up maximum vertical meterage. I’ve mostly ridden with the motor in the adaptive eMTB mode, and depending on the terrain I found it possible to achieve around 60km of riding with 1,900m of climbing on a single charge.

Of course you can expect the range to increase by using the lower-powered Tour and Eco modes, and it’s also possible to tune the motor’s support levels to your liking in the Flow app. Personally, I like the motor’s reactivity in the stock eMTB mode. This is a progressive mode that delivers more power the harder your legs push. In fact, if you push hard enough it’ll pump out the same 600W of peak power as Turbo mode, which makes for a nice incentive.

I also find the eMTB mode to be more suitable for tight and technical singletrack. It doesn’t tend to push you as wide through the corners like Turbo can, and overall the power delivery feels more manageable.

Speaking of the Performance Line CX motor, I’m pleased to report that there wasn’t much clacking on the descents from its internal freewheel. Bosch seems to have reduced this noise significantly compared to the first Gen 4 motors that were launched back in 2019. While there is still some noise there, we’ve found newer drive units to be much more muted to the point where we haven’t really noticed it on the trail.

We also appreciate the cleaner layout thanks to the wireless speed sensor and Mini Remote. The System Controller in the top tube is simple but functional with the ability to display battery status in 10% increments.

What didn’t we like?

As with many longer travel e-MTBs, the Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55 can be a lot of bike to wrangle. It’s not a light bike, and the big battery puts a lot of the mass forward and high up. Combined with the long wheelbase, 29in wheels and thick tyres, the Hybrid ONE55 holds a lot of momentum when you’re flying downhill. While that’s great from a stability perspective, it can be difficult to change direction quickly.

I’d be curious to try out a lighter 500Wh battery, which would make it easier to pick up the front wheel and move the bike through flowy singletrack. I’d also love to see mullet compatibility built into the frame, as currently there are no flip chips to accommodate the change in BB height.

No doubt a 27.5in rear wheel would help with initiating corners and flipping the bike over between successive turns. It’d also provide more arse-to-tyre clearance, which is currently an issue with the modest dropper post travel. As an average height rider with stumpy legs, I’ve come to appreciate a mullet setup and a long-stroke dropper post for providing more freedom to move around when hitting jumps and bigger features.

Shorter folks looking for maximum agility will be better off looking at the Hybrid 160 with its 27.5in wheels and short chainstays. Indeed if you’re under 170cm tall, then Cube has already made the decision for you.

Of course the Hybrid ONE55’s 29in setup will be less of an issue for taller and stronger riders. And for the most part it is a well-balanced bike that delivers loads of usable grip and stability across rugged terrain.

I’ll also note that while it is plush, it isn’t totally stuck to the ground. The custom-tuned shock and progressive leverage rate means the Hybrid ONE55 doesn’t surrender all of its travel immediately, providing a reasonable amount of pop that helps you to spring off jumps without suffering from a hernia every time you yank up on the grips.

Component highs & lows

In terms of component performance, our Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55 test bike has been something of a mixed bag.

In many regards it has an appropriate spec for hard e-MTB riding. The tyres are excellent with robust casings and soft compound rubber, and the piggyback shock keeps damping performance consistent when shuttling downhill runs. Short 165mm crank arms provide plenty of ground clearance, while the 1-click shifter prevents over-shifting with the mechanical GX Eagle drivetrain.

Unfortunately some other details are a bit lacking. Not being tubeless ready out of the box is disappointing for a bike that costs $12K, and so too is the modest dropper post travel. On the note of the dropper, our original unit had a lot of friction from new. In fact, with the seat collar torqued to spec the dropper post would bind up completely, presumably due to tight bushings. Cube’s Australian distributor, 99 Bikes, thankfully replaced the dropper under warranty. Hopefully the defect we experienced was just a one-off.

I also never got on with the Magura brakes. These felt ok in the workstand, but during the first descent the front brake lever began pulling all the way to the grip before the pads would engage. Clearly the factory bleed wasn’t sufficient, and you (or your bike shop) will need to source Magura’s proprietary Royal Blood and bleed kit to sort them out.

As mentioned earlier, the long levers present some ergonomic challenges. Even with the reach adjuster dialled into its shortest position, I still found the lever blades to be too far away from my fingers. Magura does offer shorter and more adjustable levers aftermarket, but obviously you’ll have to pay for those if the stock levers aren’t to your liking.

While I’m whinging, a small but annoying detail was the fact that the valve on the rear wheel was too short to attach my hand pump. This meant I had to remove the Bosch magnet every time I needed to inflate the rear tyre. Not the end of the world, but an irritating oversight on Cube’s behalf.

Frame finish

There are some other areas that feel a little unpolished, like the flimsy chainguide and tight bottle clearance. I should also note that most of the pivot boltsneeded tightening within the first couple of rides, so be sure to check those regularly to prevent any damage.

More concerningly, our test bike exhibited some clunking from the headset during the first ride. This turned out to be due to the headset cups, which have a front and a rear orientation that allows you to adjust the head angle. However, it turned out the bottom cup on our test bike was rotated off-centre, resulting in significant bearing play. Correcting the cup’s position thankfully sorted this out, and again we’re hopeful this is just an isolated incident.

On the note of the headset, the internal cable routing continues to be a bugbear of ours. I’m glad to see that Cube has avoided using a proprietary stem or headset spacers, but the fact that the cables and rear brake hose enter through the upper headset bearing will add complication to basic maintenance.

The plastic battery cover can make a bit of noise when rocks get flicked up from the front tyre, but it otherwise does its job. Many riders will appreciate the easily removable battery, and I have to say that the frame’s charging port is one of the better executed examples we’ve come across. It’s also great to see plenty of frame armour, which includes a noise-cancelling chainstay protector and heel rub guards that should keep the paint looking fresher for longer.

Value for money

When it comes to price, the Cube Stereo Hybrid C:68X SLX 750 is reasonable, if not scorching value for money.

You’ll find a similar level of spec on the Specialized Levo Comp Carbon ($12,600 AUD), though it is available in six sizes and it features a mullet setup with a lot more adjustability. It’s a similar story with the Merida eOne-Sixty 7000 ($11,499 AUD), which is built around the Shimano EP801 motor and a lighter 600Wh battery. If you wanted a Bosch system then you could look at the Trek Rail 9.8 GX AXS ($12,999 AUD), which does cost a bit more but comes with higher-end suspension and a SRAM GX AXS Transmission.

If you’ve got $12,999 AUD to spend however, the value proposition shifts when looking at the Cube Stereo Hybrid C:68X TM 750.

Compared to our test bike, the TM 750 has a significantly better spec that includes a Fox Factory Series 38 fork, a Float X2 shock and Transfer dropper post. There’s a full Shimano XT drivetrain and four-piston brakes, the latter of which I much prefer over the Maguras. You also get upgraded to a nicer Race Face cockpit and high-end Newmen alloy wheels.

If you can afford the extra grand, we reckon it’s for sure the model to go for out of the two.

Flow’s Verdict

With its improved geometry, bigger wheels and slick Bosch integration, the Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55 represents a welcome evolution over the Hybrid 160. It offers a plush and comfortable ride quality that inspires confidence when you’re charging along technical terrain. It’s calm and competent at speed, and it’s a particularly brilliant climber thanks to the long wheelbase, high-traction tyres and punchy motor.

While it is very stable, lighter riders might find it to be a bit of a lump to manage on machine-built flow trails. As such, we’d love to see Cube build in mullet compatibility.

We were also disappointed with some of the finishing details, and the spec doesn’t exactly scream value for money. If you’re interested in the Hybrid ONE55, we’d highly recommend taking a look at the TM 750 model. It’s built around an identical frame and Bosch system, so you’ll be getting the same sorted handling, powerful motor, big-range capability and top-notch suspension.