Cube Stereo One44 Hybrid Review

Cube dares to take on the Holy Grail. The Bavarians are revamping the Cube Stereo One44 Hybrid, one of the most successful e-MTBs ever. Will this crowd favorite get even better in 2025, or is it more or less just a cosmetic facelift?

It seems like a small detail, but it reveals the direction the journey with the Stereo Hybrid One44 is taking. Previously, the shock was positioned inside the frame at the rear. Now, it lies flat as a pancake beneath the top tube. This brings the bike’s design closer to the sporty bikes like the One55 Hybrid or the AMS Hybrid in Cube’s portfolio.

The engineers complete the carbon main frame of the One44 Hybrid with an aluminum rear triangle, achieving two goals:

Cube is not the only manufacturer that chooses an aluminum rear triangle for these reasons. This is common practice in the industry. However, the downside is obvious: the bike ends up being slightly heavier than with a carbon rear triangle.

With a weight of 24 kilograms without pedals, Cube has nothing to hide. While there are bikes with more suspension travel that weigh less, that’s not the main point of this bike.

The crucial aspect is that Cube achieves this weight with a removable 800 Wh Bosch battery. This battery is about 1 kilogram heavier than the smaller 600 Wh batteries. Additionally, the option to remove the battery adds approximately 300 – 500 grams, as the necessary opening in the downtube requires extra reinforcement material.

Competing bikes like the Amflow PL Carbon, the Orbea Rise, or the Cannondale Moterra SL are lighter, but they lack flexibility in battery and range since all of them come with a fixed battery. Mondraker’s Crafty, on the other hand, also uses a removable battery and a Bosch system and achieves a comparable weight to the Cube, but only at a significantly higher price.

The Bosch Performance Line CX motor of the Cube Stereo One44 Hybrid provides support with up to 85 Nm of torque. With 600 watts of peak power, it ensures that the rider always has the necessary power, even on steep climbs and challenging terrain. In these aspects, the motor is not different from its predecessor. However, it operates slightly quieter and, most importantly, does not rattle on the trail anymore. Those tackling technical climbs in terrain will also notice that the motor responds more sensitively than its predecessor. This makes it possible to ride more intuitively in tricky situations off the gravel path. Bosch, along with the Avinox motor system, currently sets the benchmark in the market.

It’s pleasing that the One44 Hybrid features the small Bosch Purion 400 display. It provides the necessary information on an unobtrusive screen, well-protected between the handlebars and the stem. The operation via the wireless remote lever is intuitive. Thanks to its compact design, the display doesn’t detract from the sporty look of the bike.

For many users, the battery is a decisive factor. Cube has equipped the 144 HPC with the new 800 Wh battery, which is lighter and more powerful compared to the old 750 Wh model. The battery remains removable and can be easily taken out of the down tube with the push of a button. The cable routing has also been optimized, making the battery more accessible.

With the 800 Wh, you can achieve a little over 2000 meters of elevation gain in turbo mode with a system weight (bike + rider) of 100 kilos and an input power of 150 watts. We determined this range on asphalt. Performance naturally varied in the terrain. But over 2000 meters with full support is impressive. Those who reduce the power while pedaling and contribute more than 150 watts themselves can tease out 2500 or even 3000 meters of elevation from the 800 Wh battery. This makes you well-equipped for a possible Alpine crossing.

Cube has equipped the Stereo One44 Hybrid in the AT version with a SRAM GX Eagle Transmission drivetrain. This offers precise and rapid shifting, even under load. The 12 gears cover a wide range, from steep climbs to fast descents.

The Shimano Deore XT 4-piston brake reliably delivers ample power, ensuring no surprises in alpine terrain. Here, Cube bets on the right horse to enable full control even in wet or muddy conditions.

With the Cube X-Connect standard, Cube introduces a new solution for accessories: There is a port on the headset where you can plug in compatible accessories such as lights. The connection is already enabled from the factory, so you don’t have to lay extra cables. Currently, the system is available for the front light, but one for the rear light is not yet available.

When it comes to geometry, Cube becomes noticeably more aggressive than what we were used to with the predecessor. The main frame grows and the head angle becomes slacker. This makes the bike more stable at higher speeds and it handles better on the trail in rough terrain. However, it also requires a bit more input to initiate a change in direction.

The seating position remains balanced. Thanks to the relatively high cockpit, you don’t sit too hunched over on the bike. While sitting, there’s little pressure on the palms, which is pleasant on long rides.

The rear suspension has become significantly more progressive compared to what we’re used to from Cube Bikes. Due to this characteristic, the Cube, despite a nominally small amount of travel, retains some reserves at the back for a relatively long time off-road. This wasn’t always the case, but we really liked it on the trail. Overall, the Stereo One44 Hybrid leaves a very sporty impression. The once touring fully has turned into a true eMTB for trail adventures.

The Cube Stereo One44 is Cube’s bestseller. No wonder the Bavarians offer numerous options in all price ranges. We tested the AT (Action Team) model for €6999. However, a full aluminum model is available starting from €3799.

The affordable aluminum models still feature the design with the upright shock and take their own path in both geometry and rear suspension kinematics. It only gets sporty with a carbon main frame starting at €4499.