Returning to cycling - First EMTB

[CH19830]

I’m returning to cycling and looking at getting an eMTB. Mainly because my fitness isn’t what it was and want to be able to keep up with others.

In my younger years I used to enjoy MTB but that was some 25+ yrs ago and the last time I did any real cycling was about 14yrs ago. Times have changed a bit and now I am wanting to get back out enjoying exploring the Peak District and boosting fitness

The bikes I have seen were the Cube Stereo Hybrid One44 HPC SLX800 and the Trek Powerfly FS+4 (with 800kw) and wondered what the thoughts were. It has been so long since I bought I bike I’m lost as to specs.

In addition to the above bikes I’ve also seen a deal on a 2025 Haibike AllMtn 9 CF which discounted is about the same as the Cube

Open to suggestions and looking forward to hearing the thoughts

 

[Greg Watts]

I’m returning to cycling and looking at getting an eMTB. Mainly because my fitness isn’t what it was and want to be able to keep up with others. In my younger years I used to enjoy MTB but that was some 25+ yrs ago and the last time I did any real cycling was about 14yrs ago. Times have changed a bi...

@CH19830 Welcome back to the fold. Twenty-five years is quite a gap - you've missed the entire evolution from rim brakes and 3x9 drivetrains to dropper posts and 1x12 setups, never mind the addition of motors.

Additionally, for getting back into the sport after that long, the Cube One44 is genuinely excellent value. It's getting

Bosch's latest CX Gen 5 motor (100Nm torque) paired with an 800Wh battery, 150mm Fox 36 fork and matching Fox Performance shock with Continental Kryptotal tyres

- basically everything you need for Peak District terrain without the boutique pricing. The Trek Powerfly FS+4 is solid but notably different.

It runs the same Bosch CX motor but with a smaller 600Wh battery, 130mm front / 120mm rear suspension, and RockShox rather than Fox suspension. It's more of a trail bike than the Cube's all-mountain setup, which might actually suit you better if you're easing back into technical riding.

The Haibike AllMtn 9 CF is the most aggressive of the three - Bosch CX Gen 5 with 800Wh battery but 160mm front suspension and a carbon frame. It's properly enduro-focused with a mullet wheel setup (29" front, 27.5" rear) and 150mm rear travel. Lovely kit if that's the deal you mentioned, but might be overkill for getting your legs back under you.

For the Peak District specifically, any of these will handle the gritstone and bridleways beautifully. The Cube One44 hits the sweet spot - enough travel for confidence on technical descents like The Beast or Cut Gate, but not so much that it feels ponderous on the climbs. The 800Wh battery means you can properly explore without range anxiety, and @Rando_12345 found similar Cube models deliver 45km and 2000m of climbing in eMTB mode.

I'd lean toward the Cube One44 for your return to riding. It's the most versatile of the three and won't leave you wanting more bike as your fitness and confidence return.

 

[CH19830]

Thanks for the feedback. It’s good to get comparisons.

You’re not kidding with regards to the changes over the years. It’s a minefield of names, styles etc

 

[Greg Watts]

Thanks for the feedback. It’s good to get comparisons. You’re not kidding with regards to the changes over the years. It’s a minefield of names, styles etc

@CH19830 It really is. The marketing departments have been busy while you were away. Every brand now has roughly forty-seven model names, each with a suffix that sounds like a Wi-Fi router password. "SLX800" tells you the battery size, "HPC" means carbon, "One44" is the travel... once you crack the code it starts to make sense, but I sympathise with the initial bewilderment.

The good news is the fundamentals haven't changed. You still want something that fits, goes where you point it, and stops when you ask. The motor and battery just mean the Peak District's hills aren't quite the leg-destroying punishment they used to be, which at the "returning after a quarter century" stage is rather the point.

If you do go down the Cube route (or any of them, really), it's worth getting a proper fit session at a decent shop. After 25 years away your body will have some opinions about handlebar reach and saddle position that it didn't have in your twenties. Most of the bigger Peak District dealers will let you demo bikes too, which is worth far more than any spec sheet comparison I can offer. Have a sit on all three if you can.

 

[CH19830]

@CH19830 It really is. The marketing departments have been busy while you were away. Every brand now has roughly forty-seven model names, each with a suffix that sounds like a Wi-Fi router password. "SLX800" tells you the battery size, "HPC" means carbon, "One44" is the travel... once you crack the code it starts to make sense, but I sympathise with the initial bewilderment.

The good news is the fundamentals haven't changed. You still want something that fits, goes where you point it, and stops when you ask. The motor and battery just mean the Peak District's hills aren't quite the leg-destroying punishment they used to be, which at the "returning after a quarter century" stage is rather the point.

If you do go down the Cube route (or any of them, really), it's worth getting a proper fit session at a decent shop. After 25 years away your body will have some opinions about handlebar reach and saddle position that it didn't have in your twenties. Most of the bigger Peak District dealers will let you demo bikes too, which is worth far more than any spec sheet comparison I can offer. Have a sit on all three if you can.

thanks again Greg, I managed to get into a store today and had a look at the bikes in person. The Cube certainly does look good, although I was a little surprised by how flexible the battery and drivetrain covers were. I got talking to the staff there and they mentioned the Trek Rail+ 5 gen 5. Which seemed more substantial and also had a lifetime warranty on the frame. I just wondered what the thoughts were in relation to the Rail+ as a comparison to the Cube. There are also a couple of offers on which put the Trek at £3400 or the Rail+ 8 at £4100 which is less that the Cube

 

[Greg Watts]

thanks again Greg, I managed to get into a store today and had a look at the bikes in person. The Cube certainly does look good, although I was a little surprised by how flexible the battery and drivetrain covers were. I got talking to the staff there and they mentioned the Trek Rail+ 5 gen 5. Which...

@CH19830 Good that you got hands on them in person, that's worth more than any spec sheet I can pull up.

The flexible battery and drivetrain covers on the Cube are a common observation and honestly a bit of a letdown on otherwise well-specced bikes. They're functional but don't inspire confidence, especially next to something like Trek's Motor Armor and integrated frame protection which feels considerably more robust. It's a cosmetic and durability thing rather than a structural concern, but I understand the impression it leaves.

Now, the Rail+ is a genuinely different proposition to what we originally discussed. The Gen 5 Rail+ features a completely redesigned frame with the Bosch CX Gen 5 motor and 800Wh battery.

It runs a mullet wheel setup (29" front, 27.5" rear) with 160mm of travel front and rear, so this is a proper enduro-focused machine. That's more travel than the Cube One44's 150/140mm setup, and the mullet configuration gives you a bit more agility at the rear end, which is handy on tighter Peak District singletrack.

The Rail+ 5 at £3,400 is cracking value if that's a genuine deal. The 2026 model retails at £4,250 at Trek Store, so that's a healthy saving. At that price you're getting RockShox Psylo Gold RC fork (160mm), RockShox Deluxe Select+ rear shock, Shimano Deore 12-speed, and Shimano 4-piston brakes on an alloy frame. The spec is a step below the Cube on component tier (Deore vs XT, Shimano brakes vs Fox suspension), but the frame itself and the overall platform are excellent.

The Rail+ 8 at £4,100 is where things get interesting. That gets you a RockShox ZEB Select fork (38mm stanchions, 160mm), upgraded shock, and Shimano XT 12-speed drivetrain.

The jump from Psylo to ZEB is significant: thicker stanchions mean stiffer, more controlled fork, and XT is a noticeably nicer drivetrain than Deore. For the Peak District, where you'll be hammering through gritstone chunder in the wet, that beefier fork is worth having.

On the warranty point, you're right that Trek offer lifetime frame and wheels, plus 2 years on parts, suspension linkage, and paint.

That's genuinely industry-leading and a real consideration for a first bike purchase. They also offer a 30-day unconditional guarantee in case you decide the bike isn't for you, which takes some of the anxiety out of dropping this kind of money.

The one caveat worth mentioning: Trek have a MinoLink geometry FlipChip that adjusts the head angle, seat angle, and BB height, with the head angle sitting at either 64.5° or 65° depending on the setting.

That's a nice feature for dialling the bike into your riding as you gain confidence. The adjustable suspension progression is a bonus you won't find on the Cube too.

Long-term reliability wise, @irie has put over 4,000 miles on a January 2022 Trek Rail 5 without major issues other than a rear wheel rebuilt under warranty. The Bosch CX motor is well proven at this point.

Between the three, if the Rail+ 8 is genuinely coming in under the Cube One44 price, I'd be hard pressed not to take it. You get the ZEB fork, XT drivetrain, 160/160mm travel, 800Wh battery, lifetime warranty, and Trek's build quality at a price that undercuts a bike with arguably lesser frame protection. The Rail+ 5 at £3,400 is also phenomenal value if budget is the priority, you'd just want to factor in that the fork and drivetrain are a tier below.

 

[CH19830]

@CH19830 Good that you got hands on them in person, that's worth more than any spec sheet I can pull up.

The flexible battery and drivetrain covers on the Cube are a common observation and honestly a bit of a letdown on otherwise well-specced bikes. They're functional but don't inspire confidence, especially next to something like Trek's Motor Armor and integrated frame protection which feels considerably more robust. It's a cosmetic and durability thing rather than a structural concern, but I understand the impression it leaves.

Now, the Rail+ is a genuinely different proposition to what we originally discussed. The Gen 5 Rail+ features a completely redesigned frame with the Bosch CX Gen 5 motor and 800Wh battery.

It runs a mullet wheel setup (29" front, 27.5" rear) with 160mm of travel front and rear, so this is a proper enduro-focused machine. That's more travel than the Cube One44's 150/140mm setup, and the mullet configuration gives you a bit more agility at the rear end, which is handy on tighter Peak District singletrack.

The Rail+ 5 at £3,400 is cracking value if that's a genuine deal. The 2026 model retails at £4,250 at Trek Store, so that's a healthy saving. At that price you're getting RockShox Psylo Gold RC fork (160mm), RockShox Deluxe Select+ rear shock, Shimano Deore 12-speed, and Shimano 4-piston brakes on an alloy frame. The spec is a step below the Cube on component tier (Deore vs XT, Shimano brakes vs Fox suspension), but the frame itself and the overall platform are excellent.

The Rail+ 8 at £4,100 is where things get interesting. That gets you a RockShox ZEB Select fork (38mm stanchions, 160mm), upgraded shock, and Shimano XT 12-speed drivetrain.

The jump from Psylo to ZEB is significant: thicker stanchions mean stiffer, more controlled fork, and XT is a noticeably nicer drivetrain than Deore. For the Peak District, where you'll be hammering through gritstone chunder in the wet, that beefier fork is worth having.

On the warranty point, you're right that Trek offer lifetime frame and wheels, plus 2 years on parts, suspension linkage, and paint.

That's genuinely industry-leading and a real consideration for a first bike purchase. They also offer a 30-day unconditional guarantee in case you decide the bike isn't for you, which takes some of the anxiety out of dropping this kind of money.

The one caveat worth mentioning: Trek have a MinoLink geometry FlipChip that adjusts the head angle, seat angle, and BB height, with the head angle sitting at either 64.5° or 65° depending on the setting.

That's a nice feature for dialling the bike into your riding as you gain confidence. The adjustable suspension progression is a bonus you won't find on the Cube too.

Long-term reliability wise, @irie has put over 4,000 miles on a January 2022 Trek Rail 5 without major issues other than a rear wheel rebuilt under warranty. The Bosch CX motor is well proven at this point.

Between the three, if the Rail+ 8 is genuinely coming in under the Cube One44 price, I'd be hard pressed not to take it. You get the ZEB fork, XT drivetrain, 160/160mm travel, 800Wh battery, lifetime warranty, and Trek's build quality at a price that undercuts a bike with arguably lesser frame protection. The Rail+ 5 at £3,400 is also phenomenal value if budget is the priority, you'd just want to factor in that the fork and drivetrain are a tier below.

Thats great to hear cheers. It was disappointing to see the covers and although I know they’re not structural. My concern would be regarding mud/water ingress. A shame because it’s such a good looking bike.

As to the Trek, I made a mistake on the price of the 8, it’s actually £4100, so an even better deal. Just a shame about the colours

 

[Greg Watts]

Thats great to hear cheers. It was disappointing to see the covers and although I know they’re not structural. My concern would be regarding mud/water ingress. A shame because it’s such a good looking bike. As to the Trek, I made a mistake on the price of the 8, it’s actually £4100, so an even bette...

@CH19830 The colour thing is genuinely amusing - Trek's 2026 palette does lean heavily into the "safety vest" spectrum, doesn't it? Though I suppose visibility has its merits when you're threading through Peak District mist.

Your concern about mud and water ingress on the Cube covers is spot on. @Purple parznip found the Cube One77 battery cover kept everything bone dry underneath despite "heavy use in all-weather Welsh riding conditions," but that's a properly rubberised cover that sits flush. The flexible plastic ones you felt in the shop are a different beast entirely. @Kepa actually had to tape his Cube One77 battery compartment shut when riding Leogang bikepark in wet conditions to prevent mud getting into the connectors. That shouldn't be necessary on a £3,500 bike.

At £4,100 for the Rail+ 8, you're getting a genuinely excellent deal. That's roughly £650 under Trek's retail price, and with the ZEB fork, XT drivetrain, and Trek's lifetime frame warranty, it's hard to argue against. The ZEB's 38mm stanchions will handle Peak District rock gardens with considerably more composure than the Cube's 36mm Fox 36, and XT shifts noticeably crisper than Deore.

The only consideration is whether 160mm travel suits your return to riding. It's proper enduro territory, which means confidence-inspiring on descents but potentially overkill if you're mostly doing bridleway exploring. That said, the MinoLink geometry adjustment gives you some latitude to dial the bike's character as your riding progresses.

Colour aside, the Rail+ 8 at that price is the sensible choice. The frame protection alone will save you money long-term compared to those flexible Cube covers letting grit work its way in.

 

[Greg Watts]

The Cube is a really safe, well-rounded choice with reliable Bosch support and great all-day trail capability. The Trek is also solid and trail-focused, just worth double-checking the exact motor and battery spec. If the Haibike AllMtn 9 CF is discounted to a similar price as the Cube, it’s probably...

@laurengratte Welcome to the forum! Solid advice there for CH19830, and hard to argue with any of it.

The Haibike AllMtn 9 CF point is worth emphasising. @MeatBike flagged that you're getting a Bosch CX motor, Lyrik forks, wireless SRAM, Magura MT5 brakes, and a carbon frame for under four grand, which is genuinely difficult to beat at that price. If the discount brings it into Cube territory, the component spec gap is significant.

The Cube Stereo Hybrid One44 SLX is no slouch either, mind. At £3,499 you're getting 150/140mm travel, an 800Wh battery, and the Bosch CX Gen 5 motor pushing 100Nm. That 800Wh battery is a meaningful advantage for longer Peak District days, especially in winter when cold weather can knock 10-20% off your range. The Haibike AllMtn CF 9 runs a smaller battery if memory serves, so that's a trade-off worth weighing depending on how far CH19830 plans to ride.

On the Trek, you're right to flag the motor and battery spec check. Trek's lineup has a few different motor configurations depending on the exact model and year, and the pricing can shift quite a bit depending on which combination you're looking at. Always worth confirming exactly what's in the downtube before handing over the card.

Good to have another voice in the thread. Hope you're settling in well on the forum.

 

[CH19830]

@laurengratte Welcome to the forum! Solid advice there for CH19830, and hard to argue with any of it.

The Haibike AllMtn 9 CF point is worth emphasising. @MeatBike flagged that you're getting a Bosch CX motor, Lyrik forks, wireless SRAM, Magura MT5 brakes, and a carbon frame for under four grand, which is genuinely difficult to beat at that price. If the discount brings it into Cube territory, the component spec gap is significant.

The Cube Stereo Hybrid One44 SLX is no slouch either, mind. At £3,499 you're getting 150/140mm travel, an 800Wh battery, and the Bosch CX Gen 5 motor pushing 100Nm. That 800Wh battery is a meaningful advantage for longer Peak District days, especially in winter when cold weather can knock 10-20% off your range. The Haibike AllMtn CF 9 runs a smaller battery if memory serves, so that's a trade-off worth weighing depending on how far CH19830 plans to ride.

On the Trek, you're right to flag the motor and battery spec check. Trek's lineup has a few different motor configurations depending on the exact model and year, and the pricing can shift quite a bit depending on which combination you're looking at. Always worth confirming exactly what's in the downtube before handing over the card.

Good to have another voice in the thread. Hope you're settling in well on the forum.

Thanks for the advice, after a lot of deliberation, I eventually decided to stop googling and get my card out. So what did I go for?

I eventually chose the Trek Rail+ 8. It’s the CX gen 5 motor so capable of 100nm/840w, Zeb Select+ forks with Super Deluxe Select RC shock.
When I looked at the Cube, I was disappointed by the build quality as some of the covers felt flimsy and could easily be bent back. Also the lifetime warranty on the frame swayed me towards Trek along with they’re be a Trek centre about 30 mins from where I live.

The final test was that I was able to try a couple of bikes and enjoyed the ride of the Trek the most

Edit: The Trek also ended up being the lowest price

 

[Greg Watts]

Thanks for the advice, after a lot of deliberation, I eventually decided to stop googling and get my card out. So what did I go for? I eventually chose the Trek Rail+ 8. It’s the CX gen 5 motor so capable of 100nm/840w, Zeb Select+ forks with Super Deluxe Select RC shock. When I looked at the Cube, ...

@CH19830 Excellent choice, and well reasoned too. The Trek Rail+ 8 is a properly capable machine for the Peak District. The Zeb Select+ up front and Super Deluxe Select RC out back is a suspension pairing that'll handle everything from the rocky descents around Stanage to the boggy ruts of Cut Gate without breaking a sweat. You've got serious travel and damping quality there.

The Bosch CX Gen 5 motor with 100Nm of torque will make those long Peak District climbs feel almost sociable, and the reasoning behind your decision is sound. You got hands on the bikes, felt the Cube covers and weren't impressed, valued the lifetime frame warranty from Trek, and most importantly you actually rode them and preferred the Trek. That's exactly how these decisions should be made. No spec sheet can tell you which bike feels right under you.

Having a Trek centre half an hour away is a genuine bonus as well. Bosch Smart System diagnostics, warranty work, and suspension servicing all become far less painful when you're not posting your bike across the country. And Trek's lifetime warranty on the frame is hard to argue with for peace of mind on a first eMTB.

Now the fun part: setting it up for winter Peak District riding. With 800Wh in the downtube you've got a realistic range of roughly 40-45km in mixed terrain, though expect that to drop a bit in the cold, perhaps closer to 35-40km on properly bitter days. Tyre choice and pressures will make a big difference to how the bike handles on those wet, rooty trails. If it came with relatively mild stock rubber, that's the first thing I'd look at swapping for something more aggressive given the time of year. Mudguards are worth fitting too, your shock linkage will thank you.

I've got community data on suspension setup, tyre recommendations for Peak District mud, and Bosch system tips if you want to get the most out of it from day one. Welcome to the eMTB world, properly this time.

EDIT: @laurengratte reports The Trek Rail+ 8 has weaker components relative to its price point compared to alternatives like the Cube. Not yet independently verified — take with a pinch of salt.

 

[Greg Watts]

Honestly, I’ve left cycling a few times over the years and always ended up coming back to it. Fitness drops, life gets busy, but the love for riding never really disappears. An eMTB can actually be a great way to get back into it because it lets you keep up with friends and enjoy longer rides while ...

@laurengratte Hard to argue with that. Cycling has a habit of pulling people back in regardless of how long they've been away, which is either a sign that it's genuinely brilliant or that it's some kind of elaborate trap. Possibly both.

And you're absolutely right that an eMTB lowers the barrier to re-entry considerably. Being able to keep pace with fitter friends on day one, rather than suffering through six months of being dropped on every climb, does wonders for motivation. CH19830 seems to have landed sensibly with the Rail+ 8, so the groundwork is there.

Good to have you around on the forum. Canada's a bit far for a trail recommendation, but feel free to drag any eMTB questions this way.