I finally got one - Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC SLX 750

[MasterDabber]

After first starting to consider getting an e-mtb for the first time back in August and regularly looking in here, I finally pushed the button this week. I picked up a Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC SLX 750 today and after getting it home and setting up the Bosch Flow app I went for a very short ride around the streets near to me. Everything seemed good so despite all the flooded and water soaked ground, and fallen trees I went and rode a few of my local trails - Army land in the Deepcut area. Great fun and thoroughly enjoyed every minute. The bike is totally bog standard at the moment but the pedals I've put on are a favourite of mine - Kona Wah Wah Large Composite. I've got them on my regular Kona.

 

[irie]

Nice, very nice.

Interesting that Deepcut is rideable, South Downs near me (Kingley Vale/ West Dean estate) is a fucking mudbath

 

[MasterDabber]

Nice, very nice.

Interesting that Deepcut is rideable, South Downs near me (Kingley Vale/ West Dean estate) is a fucking mudbath

Thanks a lot. I rode in Frith today.... some deep pools and quite a few trees down but enough rideable stuff to have a little spin and get use to the new e-mtb (and e-bikes full stop). I plan to ride with my son tomorrow going through Frith (again) then into Porridgepot (G2) which is supposed to be open according to the MOD, then along the Basingstoke Canal and into Tunnel Hill. I don't plan to push the technical side of things too much, just get used to the new "feel" of things.

 

[Jirkovo]

Super

 

[golfatha]

Loving the colour,and I’m sure you will love the bike and the flow app, I run mine linked to Komoot and use my phone instead of the kiox with the Bosch smartphone grip and plan routes and follow them on the screen or by voice

 

[MasterDabber]

Loving the colour,and I’m sure you will love the bike and the flow app, I run mine linked to Komoot and use my phone instead of the kiox with the Bosch smartphone grip and plan routes and follow them on the screen or by voice View attachment 131866

Thanks @golfatha I was originally thinking I'd get the black version but then I saw this one... still not sure of the official colour name.... "Petrol" was mentioned. Anyway, it really appealed to me. Btw, I should say that I really like the team colours on yours. It looks very nice.
I do use Komoot (occasionaly) and I'm aware that I can use it with the Bosch system. On my old bike I just used it on my android phone with a bar mounted grip. Whether I'll incorporate it more into the Bosch system remains to be seen, but not immediately as I've got other things to play with.
One think that I want to do is to get my HRM (BT and ant+) linked but I haven't worked out how I get the Kiox 300 BT linked to both my phone and HRM at the same time. I'll have to investigte more.

 

[Bummers]

Awesome colour! fantastic bikes, I don't think anything comes close at that price point. Expect a few niggles and rattles though, they can all be sorted so don't worry

 

[CliffP]

Congratulations

 

[MrPeaski]

I was originally thinking I'd get the black version but then I saw this one... still not sure of the official colour name.... "Petrol" was mentioned. Anyway, it really appealed to me. Btw, I should say that I really like the team colours on yours. It looks very nice.

Your colour is Molotov n Grey as mentioned in the link to the bikes page on Cubes website Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC SLX 750 27.5 molotov´n´grey

Anybody looking at picture will not see how stunning it looks in the flesh, especially if its outside on a sunny day.

The SLT in Nebula n Carbon is similar but is more blue in a static picture.

Enjoy the bike.

 

[Hattori-Hanzo]

Great bike! The colour of yours really pops when you see it in person.
I have the Action team and like Bummers says there are a few niggles to check.
It really is a very capable, fun bike to ride.

The things I've had issues with, First on the list is to replace the plastic top tube cap with an alloy cap.
The plastic cap really isn't up to the job and needs replacing ASAP. Remember, the cap bolt only needs tightening to 1-2nm which is basically finger tight and no more, over tightening can damage the bearing and cups.

A quick bolt check, any bolts you can see, just give it a check to make sure they are tight.

A very common issue is the battery tray bolts coming loose, you will know if this happens as there will be a distinct rattle.
There are two bolts at the bottom of the tray near the batter connector and one under the lock (which is normally the one that comes loose)
Remove the two small torx screws from the battery lock and remove it, you can now access the tray bolt with a long allen key. ideally remove the bolt and apply a small amount of blue thread lock to secure it in place.

As well as this I'd recommend using a velcro strap around the battery and frame to prevent it from rattling loose.
Unfortunately this is an issue with under mounted batteries, and I've experienced it first hand at a bike park with the tray bolts coming loose and the battery nearly falling out, damaging the battery mounts on the tray. Thankfully it was sorted under warranty, but I always use a Velcro strap now.

Lastly is the crank arm bolts, they have a tendency to work loose, especially the non drive side.
I put a small witness mark on the bolt with a paint pen, so I can easily see if it's coming loose.
You can use a small amount of thread lock on the bolt, but I haven't as you need to remove the crank arms to re-grease the motor seals, so I want easy bolt removal.

Other than these issues the bike has been fantastic and is far more capable than I am!

 

[MasterDabber]

Thanks to all of you for the very encouraging and nice comments about the bike, I appreciate them.
As said, it seems decent spec and so far (early days of course) I'm finding the handling excellent and I like the way the Bosch motor feeds to power.
Thanks @MrPeaski I now know what the proper name for the colour is, I should have looked properly myself, but a really nice colour. Not looking so pretty now though. I've just got back from a 22 mile ride around the military training areas of Porridgepot and Tunnel Hill (Deepcut).... lots of mud, lots of pools of water, lots of fallen trees.... but more importantly lots of fun. My thighs were burning by the end but I put that down to not enough riding recently, bit different geometry to my other bikes, and I guess a lot heavier.
A big thanks to @Hattori-Hanzo for all the checks to make. I've done a few of them already... the battery cover thing seems well worth attention though.

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[Hattori-Hanzo]

Forgot to mention, if charging the battery in the frame, be careful when removing the plug as the port in the frame is another weak point and can easily come out of its housing if the plug is pulled on hard.

Try to hold the port while removing the plug, or better still don't use it at all and remove the battery and charge it out of the bike

 

[golfatha]

Forgot to mention, if charging the battery in the frame, be careful when removing the plug as the port in the frame is another weak point and can easily come out of its housing if the plug is pulled on hard.

Try to hold the port while removing the plug, or better still don't use it at all and remove the battery and charge it out of the bike

I totally dismantalled my charging port and placed a very small thin cable tie around the grip arms that keep the inner port inside the cover and I’ve never had any trouble since

 

[MasterDabber]

^^^^ OK, thanks..... I never knew that. I'll be careful.

 

[Lexinoo]

I don't know how but I managed to miss this thread.
I Started a new one earlier asking about this bike as I saw one locally today and thought It might be a decent upgrade for my 2019 canyon spectral on at a sensible price

 

[8bit Barry]

I’m also a new Cube Stereo 160 Actionteam owner. Bought just this Weds for £4500 as the New Year deals are so good at the moment.

It’s a total monster of a bike. I was A/Bing against a Whyte e160s at the same price but in the end the snappy handling / 27.5” wheels / slightly lighter / computer / badass look won me over.

The Whyte was 29”. I felt back to that familiar lazy handling of those larger wheels, it was also too heavy at nearly 27kg… felt so leaden when I picked it up, but it did ride well.

So the Stereo is my first eMTB, my second MTB (I have a 29” Stumpjumper Alloy that’s going to be sold)

I love the CX motor, the customisable modes and much more. Seat post was a bit sticky but the guys at Bikeshed Exeter have been superb, especially on the day I bought it, when I AB’d them both for about two hours!

 

[8bit Barry]

Loving the colour,and I’m sure you will love the bike and the flow app, I run mine linked to Komoot and use my phone instead of the kiox with the Bosch smartphone grip and plan routes and follow them on the screen or by voice View attachment 131866

Great additions! I’ve got some basic orange pedals on mine, the chainring and rear mech bling is so cool.

 

[MonsterTea]

These Cube 160's are well smart.

Really really tempted by the SLX which can be had for 3.2K.

How much of a faff is it to charge the battery?

 

[MasterDabber]

These Cube 160's are well smart.

Really really tempted by the SLX which can be had for 3.2K.

How much of a faff is it to charge the battery?

As a newcomer to the Cube (and to e-mtbs in general) I can only say that the charging seems really simple either in-bike or with the battery out. When I charge with the battery in the bike (with it in my garage) I can monitor the charging progress from inside the house using the Bosch Flow app on my phone. Very convenient.

 

[golfatha]

These Cube 160's are well smart.

Really really tempted by the SLX which can be had for 3.2K.

How much of a faff is it to charge the battery?

Yeah it’s real easy to charge either on board or battery removed

 

[MasterDabber]

Btw, given the current weather I've added mudguards front and back... I took the Crud XL off my old Bossnut and got a Mudhugger MK2 with the front extension bit. I know they are bit divisive with their looks but after having got plastered in mud the other day I wanted a bit of protection for both me and the bike. I don't plan keeping them on all year though.

 

[MonsterTea]

@MasterDabber

I quite like those mudguards!
How are you finding the rear shock and brakes?

 

[MasterDabber]

@MasterDabber

I quite like those mudguards!
How are you finding the rear shock and brakes?

I'm finding them fine but I'm not a fast rider and I don't get massively airbourne.

 

[smoothietheviking]

that looks amazing

 

[smoothietheviking]

Btw, given the current weather I've added mudguards front and back... I took the Crud XL off my old Bossnut and got a Mudhugger MK2 with the front extension bit. I know they are bit divisive with their looks but after having got plastered in mud the other day I wanted a bit of protection for both me and the bike. I don't plan keeping them on all year though.
View attachment 132636

that is a Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge rear fender

 

[MasterDabber]

that is a Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge rear fender

Yes, but it works very effectively. Well worth it over this soggy winter.

 

[MasterDabber]

Btw, since my original posting (and photos) I've replace the Crud XL off the front and replaced it with the bolt on Rockshox Zeb specific half mudguard.It actually works very well and I'll keep it on all year. I'll probably remove the Mudhugger rear soon though.