CUBE Kathmandu Hybrid Pro 625 Review - $4k

The CUBE Kathmandu Hybrid Pro 625 is a high-quality ebike platform capable of long distances and steep climbs. Available in five frame sizes and three frame styles including step-thru, mid-step, and high-step. Only available in one color, but all accessories have matching accents (frame, fork, stem, handlebar, and saddle). Reliable extra-large Bosch PowerTube 625 battery pack provides excellent range and is completely hidden inside the downtube. Premium integrated lights run off of the rechargeable ebike battery and are well positioned for protection and visibility; the headlight has side windows and the tires have reflective paint to keep you seen. Comfortable memory foam saddle, locking ergonomic grips, adjustable-angle stem, suspension fork and suspension seatpost. Excellent rear rack should work with a trunk bag, panniers, or child seat. Included fenders and chain cover are effective, sturdy, and quiet when riding off road. Quick release wheels for easy fixes, puncture resistant Schwalbe Tires reduce flats. Comes with the slower Bosch compact 2 amp ebike battery charger vs. 4 amp. Battery cover does not lock to frame, removing and replacing battery requires the key. This ebike is fairly heavy for a hardtail because of the high capacity battery and integrated rear rack. Fairly basic coil suspension fork with preload adjust only.
0:00 Introduction
3:37 Drivetrain gearing overview
12:07 Lights overview
14:17 Motor details
16:35 Battery and charger
21:17 Display details
26:26 Advanced display settings
28:01 Walk mode
28:15 Ride test begins
30:59 Closeup drivetrain shots
34:17 Evening lights demo
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Disclaimer: Due to factors beyond the control of EBR, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. EBR assumes no liability for money loss, property damage, or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. My goal is to report in a transparent and objective way since 2012. Use this information at your own risk. EBR recommends safe practices when working on bicycles, riding bicycles, and using accessories seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of EBR, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EBR.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Drivetrain gearing overview at 3:37 Lights intro at 12:07, Evening demo 34:17 Motor details at 14:17, Battery and charger 16:35 Display intro at 21:17 Display settings 26:26 Walk mode 28:01 and 33:33, Ride test begins 28:15 Closeup drivetrain shots at 30:59

[@mohsinsheikh8076]

Nice video and it's a nice bike too but since it is a paddle assist and due to my health requirements I would like to add throttle to my cube ebike, please advise / guide on how to go about having throttle control installed in it. Thank you

[@Altenholz]

Overall, due to its specification, and price, certainly one of the best e-bikes currently available.

[@MrRabi001]

So sad CUBE KATHMANDU is not available in Kathmandu. Here I am from Kathmandu Nepal and I am enjoying CUBE ATTENTION instead

[@patriciastewart8492]

Excellent video. Thank you so much. Just bought this bike today and learned more in this video than reading all the pertinent parts of the manual. 😉

[@barrylyndon2886]

Thank you soooooo much, a huge help when I was deciding which ebike to get.

[@derekperkins7343]

A very thorough and honest review. Thank you.

[@djc59x]

The 2021 pro model is just hitting the market here in the UK, and as an update it is now fitted with an SR Suntour XCR32 LO-R Air, 100mm, Lockout fork assembly. Slight price increase but I’ve been lucky to get one with a very nice discount.

[@droptuned83]

Hi Dave, how are you getting on with your bike now you have had it a little while? Reliability ok? I am considering something like this for light trail and road use to help keep fit and have fun. Who did you purchase yours from ? Thanks for your help.

[@petepython01]

@@droptuned83 dont go trail riding with a Kathmandu. The trim will start falling off. Chainguard and mudguards are first. Very poor. I am still waiting for replacements under warranty. Cant fault motor and battery though

[@djc59x]

@@droptuned83 Hi, yes absolutely fine, battery lasts very well. I have used it on road mainly, due to lockdowns, with a couple of canal tow path trips. Copes with that very well. I would say not too rough off road use though, it would probably be better to opt for an eMTB if thats what you want. Build quality is typically German, only thing I have changed is the saddle, I have fitted a sprung, wider one, I felt, literally, the standard one was a knife edge!!!! I'm just the wrong side of sixty, it's helping me keep fit a fight off diabetes. I got mine from Freeborn in Sussex, deal over the phone was a major saving from web price. Good luck and enjoy..........

[@BasicStealthcamping]

I could not get the Pro version here at all for at least several months (bike shop didnt even want to take my deposit due to lack of ETA) but they did have an EXC in stock in another store (midstep version) which I went with. I have to say it is a real pleasure to ride, definitely a heavy bike but very capable. Happy owner here

[@michaelbauer6126]

Another excellent video.I personally like the fact that you point out all the disadvantages of any bike that you review. It seems as if $4k is a bit much for a class 1 bike with a few, what I would consider, significant trade offs. Last year I purchased an Izip E-3 Moda class 3 ebike by your recommendation. Very pleased with it but I think I would like front suspension in my next one. Thanks and keep up the great reviews.

[@martingarner4344]

Great rewview. I have a Cube Hybrid All road with the 500w powertube battery. It is a heavy but very reliable bike. the biggest bug bear of mine is the flimsy Mudguard mounting. Apart from that in the 16 months i have had it, it has been great.

[@petepython01]

Totally agree. Mudguards are crap and rattle. Chainguard is also useless

[@laurieoliver3297]

Have bought this Cube Kathmandu 625 hybrid. The motor is a lot more powerful than my previous Bosch Active one. I am pleased to note that the kickstand is adjustable. Mine was set too short and the bike has tipped a few times with nobody near it. Will extend it further and try again. A great bike and have done some great trips in the past month. Thank you Cube!

[@CV-dl3hj]

Solid bike built like my Benz. May not be the fastest, biggest or fanciest but it is very refined and elegant which is classy!

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Yeah, you got it. This bike is solid and tasteful :)

[@felipeninja3235]

Comfortable, light, and expertly designed road bike, a speedy delight to ride!

[@PolarAttack]

The threaded holes at the lower/back can be used to attach an eye bolt so you can attach the lower hook from a pannier. Nice overview- thanks.

[@dismentei]

Great review, man!

[@catnipyfy]

Many thanks, great review. Really even handed and so believable

[@VISTATREKKER]

Best reviews on KZbin by far 👍

[@siggiontour9303]

Trank you for the very Good overview and the explanation about this bike. I bought this bike now as well. All the best Sigi

[@PresentMoment111]

Hey. What size did you buy and what is your height and inside leg lenght? I wanna buy this too but unsure about the size. Thank you :)

[@grahambeech4634]

I bought the Kathmandu Hybrid SLT 625 in Feb of this year. Currently have over 2000km on it. Absolutely fantastic bike which, although more expensive than the one you reviewed as it’s the top of the Kathmandu range, it does obviously ‘fix’ all the small issues you mentioned. The North American prices do seem high though. I paid €4K for mine which I think for the spec it has was a great deal.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Nice! It was difficult to get pricing info since I'm in Canada and didn't work with an official CUBE contact at all for this review. I'm so glad to hear you're enjoying yours! Thanks for the feedback, Graham :D

[@tonyio2337]

Regarding the seat suspension on the SLT, is it nice and comfortable? As you may know it is different than on the SL. I think the SLT also may not be available in the UK

[@josade3186]

@@tonyio2337 I own a Kathmandu Hybrid SLT 625 too. I choose it especially because of the different seat suspension and the very good suspension fork-->its a Rock shox judy gold air fork which is way better then the other forks they use for the cheaper versions of the Kathmandu Ebike. In my opinion the judy gold fork is even better then the sountour fork on the Riese&Müller Charger Ebikes (i made testrides with both ebikes). The suntour ncx seat suspension works also very well. I think because of the parallelogram construction. For 4000€ (in Germany where i'm from) you have also the whole Shimano XT components, a better front ligth which is also mounted at the handlebar (one of the critical points in the review) and the Bosch Kiox display. And a main reason i bought this bike, is also the sturdy rack design. I often put on heavy loaded rack panniers and for this usecase its the best rack design available for a touring ebike on the market i think. Maybe the rack on the Riese&Müller Multicharger is also as sturdy as this but on other ebikes there are too much trade offs for this topic in my opinion.

[@grahambeech4634]

Tony Io Hi Tony. The seat is nice and comfy once you get it set up correctly for your weight. Just need to remove the saddle/seat post and adjust the tension with an Allen key. Must admit I didn’t do this initially and had a couple of hundred Km’s in the bag before I realised ha ha ha. Other than that everything on the bike was fine. It’s a fantastic piece of kit and well worth the money. Having compared it to the 2021 model which I saw on the Cube website yesterday I reckon the 2020 model holds its own. I don’t like the new paintwork and they have moved the front light down from the handlebars to the front mudguard which I personally do not like. They have gone with the Nyon display which looks like it forced the movement of the light. Another couple of changes, which initially I thought were to inferior items, also happened oh and the price has gone up too. If you can live with a Kiox over the Nyon I would recommend the 2020 model. Pretty sure someone in the UK will have one.

[@jasonbonner5656]

Great video review very in-depth

[@jackbrown2325]

Thanks for this , certainly a help .

[@Chrisandrea0]

I put bolts onto what appear to be redundant rear mudguard fixings and use them to attach pannier bungee chords.

[@balazspetho5636]

5:42 The bottle cage attachment points were moved to the top tube due to the small size of the frame. They are on the lower tube on a larger frame.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Oh man!!! Super smart, thanks for this tip, you're exactly right ;)

[@cyclingjoe7663]

Thank you for a great review, I’ve just test ridden the 2020/2021 version at our bike shop in the U.K., Partridges near Exeter, retailing at £2800. I could get it cheaper, but with extras like a better seat and free servicing, it feels worth it to me, for the supportive customer service. The salesman said a couple of ladies had just bought one each, to tour the velodyssey, France. I can see this bike is great for that. I liked the ride, solid smooth like a jaguar, and the power is immense compared to my 2015 400w Raleigh Motus ( also Bosch). The length is a bit longer than my current bike, at 6ft 3”. I had tried the Sduro with 27.5 wheels, and liked the nippier feel, and shorter length for carrying in a vehicle. I like the push assist feature, never need it until you do! The saddle is too small and basic for me, but I’m glad of the suspension, as an older rider, I can get wrist and tailbone pain. I like the adjustable handlebar angle, so on days when the aches and pains kick in, I can adjust it for a slightly more upright ride. I’d like to change the tyres for something better on grit, sand and root, what would you suggest for winter icy tarmac? Your review has given me the confidence to seriously consider this bike as my long term every day, working bike, with the option to explore off road, into nature, without trying to emulate the youngsters. I’m comparing it to a Haibike sure trekking /life, it’s a serious contender. 👍

[@StuStafford83]

I have one and I love it. I'm only 37, but I'm a heavy plant service engineer so my body has had a hammering since 15.....I found taking the handles up a notch completely got rid of any pins and needles I'd get in my hands, perfectly smooth comfortable bike to cover 40miles + on without drama. I ride without any assistance most of the time, just click it up to eco or tour when I'm flagging a bit, still loads easier on my body than my 18 year old Claud Butler MTB. It's altered my life.

[@jimcahill3453]

Hi I just ordered one of these from Partridges in Exeter,these are like gold dust in the UK ! I’m looking forward to it , great spec for the money!

[@johnames6430]

Do you think you can splluge on a new GoPro and do 4k video uploads? I've seen some MTB videos on other channels in 4k and they are just amazing. I know it takes more time to edit but at least for the ride alongs it would be great.

[@nicolasbroin471]

Hello EBR and thanks for the great review. You say you have the 46cm size. Does it correspond to the 50cm regular high frame? And what is your size? I'm interested in buying this bike but not sure if I need the 50 or 54cm frame.

[@sean78673]

I've had my Hybrid 625 Exec a week and got 75 miles out of the 1st charge, mostly on wet roads, but with a 3-4 miles of muddy trails and a few moderate hills, which considering I'm 260 lb and I was averaging 15mph was better than I had hoped. To put that into perspective I'm a fair weather cyclist and only do 200-300 miles a year these days, but on my trusty steel frame racer I would normally average 12.5mph and be pretty tired after 2 hours. On my 2nd trip out did 35 miles in 130 mins, and would happily have done more. The bike is heavy, and I think this might be challenging for some, but once you are riding it feels very smooth. Overall, very pleased with the performance so far.

[@PresentMoment111]

Hey. What size did you buy and what is your height and inside leg lenght? I wanna buy this too but unsure about the size. Thank you :)

[@siamnata]

@@PresentMoment111 Which size did you buy in the end? I am 183cm with inner leg length of 90cm. My recommendation was 54 or 58 frame size - I bought the 62 diamond frame and it is the right size!

[@PresentMoment111]

@@siamnata Hi, thanks for The input. I am 181cm and inside leg is about 86. I have not ordered yet because too unsure. But luckily store here in Finland now has that bike in 58cm. I'll go try it next thursday

[@solalala1754]

@@PresentMoment111 that's cool! I hope you'll like it! After the first weekend and some short trips I am very happy with the purchase - only the saddle is killing me 😅

[@brunomeloni9876]

Pubblicato solo in lingua straniera commentateci da soli fate 🤮🤮🤮

[@juliecollett6549]

Looks very nice , does this bike transport well ?

[@mohsinsheikh8076]

Nice video and it's a nice bike too but since it is a paddle assist but due to my health I would like add throttle in my cube bike, please advise in detail on how to go about it ?

[@nafs53]

Pity we're limited to 15.5 MPH assisted speed here in UK. If that was raised to 20, I'd seriously consider getting one. I'm in my 60s now and don't have the leg strength for long rides like I used to. And because the urban sprawl is forever expanding, an e-bike seems the quickest way to reach the countryside. I have more research to do..

[@stuartjamieson2427]

U can put a de restrictor on them. I got one on my flyon. Best thing I've ever done. And the police got to be pretty petty to pull you up on it

[@nafs53]

@@stuartjamieson2427 Gotta Cube step-thru 8 weeks ago and it's a blessing. Shopping with panniers is now a breeze and I can get out with the camera. Glad I went down the e-bike route eventually.. I can pedal thru the 15 mph limit too, where flat, so it's no bother for me..👍

[@stuartjamieson2427]

@@nafs53 is it sturdy I got a flyon but I got arthritis in my hip so want a cube step thro is it any good.

[@nafs53]

@@stuartjamieson2427 Hi Stuart. The full title of mine is: Cube Supreme Sport 625 Hybrid Pro (Red). Google that will give you the full spec. I've got an artificial left hip with a bit of limited movement in it but this bike takes me and 2 panniers of heavy shopping, no problem. Sturdy? Yes. If I travel lighter the bike feels more responsive obviously. I'm 5.6 so I've settled for a Small size, centre of BB to top of seat post =19.5" ins. Can feel a bit cramped if astride when stopped at lights for example but fine when in motion. On flat, you can ride thru the pedal assist if you've got strong legs and won't feel too much 'lag' past the 15.5mph cut off; I like that aspect. I'm happy with it but seek out a LBS test ride if you can 👍

[@Benjamin_Jehne]

I was a bit surprised about the spring fork, but they lowerd the prices for the Pro Model in Touring and Kathmandu and swichted it from air to screw. So now you have to buy the the EXC version to get the air fork. The real problem ist, when I as a German watch this video, the Kathmandu cost me abot 2800€ the EXC is just 3120€ and these are really good prices. If you see this review from a North American perspective, those bikes are really expensive. The Kathmandu as EXC has the air fork, an XT instead of Deore and even better brakes. So it's really affordable for what it is. For those who think, man thats to expensive, just have a look at the Touring Hybrid Pro. There you get all the nice specs for just 2630€. The real difference is the less power motor and the 6cm travel air fork at the Touring and the 10cm travel at the Kathmandu. The rest is more or less the same. The Kathmandu is the bike, you make a journey around the world with, lets you climb the steepest roads etc., the Touring is the bike that brings you to work and into nature. It is really powerful, but the Kathmandu is just the bit of extra, you have to pay for.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Excellent feedback, thanks for taking the time to explain the differences in spec and prices here. This makes a lot of sense! I wonder why the price is so much higher in the US?

[@005brads]

@@ElectricBikeReview My guess would be the import charges, local taxes, shipping costs and distribution costs within the US. It's often the same story for US products being sold within the EU, the trade deals between the US and EU seem to suck for consumers

[@hclarke]

Considering that ebike, however I will need to change the 4 bike carrier to support the new ebike weight. Can I ask what 4 bike carrier you recommend for a family of four?

[@JordanVegBike]

This is the one I wanted but CitE Cycles sold their last one the day or two before I got the funds together. Went with the Cube Cross Hybrid 😊

[@martingarner4344]

I have the cube cross hybrid all road. Love it.

[@JordanVegBike]

@@martingarner4344 such a nice bike!

[@eefvanpevenaeyge8127]

Maybe (probably) a stupid question, but is there an issue of the chain not running straight on this derailler system (with only the one crank plate in the front)? Thanks in advance.

[@re1gh]

You guys should do the new voltbike nitro!

[@sarcritchlow]

Good review. Very nice option. It'd be nice to pair it with the cube e160 im considering. Then id have 2 x 625w batteries and a spare gen4 if something went wrong on the emtb. The highh end grocery getter/ back up drive system for the emtb. Good price for what you get too.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Thanks! Yeah, that would be a LOT of battery capacity. You could go on some amazing adventure rides if you took the extra pack along... but this is one of my complaints about the 625 and other PowerTube packs. They are just so long! Trying to stick that into a bag or pannier seems tricky, they aren't as lightweight, compact, or smooth as the PowerPacks... which I love and kind of miss :)

[@sarcritchlow]

@@ElectricBikeReview ah yes. Hadnt thought of that. Good to have in the truck at trail centers but might be tricky in a pack for exploring. I'll have to check on packs first. 500's and range extenders might make more sense. Lapierres newest emtb uses the smaller powerpacks for the same reason your saying. Thanks, something to think about

[@ianhobie123]

At over £1600 for two small batteries i'd like to offer you some sky hooks i have for sale.

[@-Jakob-]

36V is the nominal voltage. When the battery is fully charged it's like 41.8V, when empty it's like 32.8V. The average is 37.3V. So 16.7Ah * 37.3V = 623 Wh. In reality it's more complex as there is a specific discharging curve but you get the idea why the numbers are a little bit different.

[@internetliker5405]

At 29:24 that log surprised the both of us.

[@aircraftvip]

thanks for sharing! How tall are you?

[@rdkuless]

Nice looking Ebike design, Court.. If the 625 indicates the ah, that is really good for integrated. Schwalbe BigBen ebike 25kph rating (for miles) , they are harder than the BigApple ebike 25kph (which give you grip) I like the PLUS tires, Ebike 50kph rating, (which give you grip with virtual puncture proof performance) I've put on over 3k miles and they still show tread. PLUS are worth the small, extra cost. i would upgrade to the BigBen PLUS or the BigApple Plus when ordering the ebike, because the PLUS are Ebike 50kph rating is really important for safety, you don't want the tire coming apart at higher speeds under the ebike weight, stress and torque) From what i can see, this is a great ebike thanks for the review, i'm impressed.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Hey Rob, good to hear that the Big Bens are more durable. I have heard that some owners go through Schwalbe tires faster than Maxxis, because they use softer rubber. I guess it depends on your ride needs ;) great tips about upgrading to Plus when available. Glad you enjoyed the review, I definitely enjoy your comments, love ya buddy :)

[@reelreeler8778]

Having the wire for the display that tight on the head tube when turning left is ridiculous, and would be a deal breaker for me. Three inches more wire there would have made all the difference.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Yeah, perhaps the bike was assembled without the correct slack. I just call it like I see it... and it did seem right.

[@Benjamin_Jehne]

You can pull it out yourself, it's easy.

[@laurieoliver3297]

My cables were all fine.

[@edreidphotos]

Theres lots of slack in the frame. It just wasn't setup correctly.

[@GS0101]

Thanks for video! just ordered a Cube Nuride Hybrid EXC 625 Allroad Easy Entry what you think about it?

[@dougieforte]

You showed us to don’t use the bike off road 🙈 glad you were fine

[@anthonykelly5]

that 46mm frame looks very tall to me.what size would a 5ft5ins 29ins inside leg go for.great review btw that cable looks like it would break .

[@wirralot]

I’m that size too, the cube website recommends 50cm, S

[@luxorion1]

I owned a VTC Cube Kathmandu Hybrid Pro 625 W (26 kg), saddle Sequelle, tires Schwalbe Marathon+. I rode 2500 km in 5 months. Mean speed on flat road (assisted turbo mode) : 24-25 km/h. Cannot go faster due to its weight (26 kg). Speed record : 67 km/h (cannot go higher). Quite easy to climb steep roads > 13% but you feel the effort in your thighs after. Idem for long 5-8% roads. Riding a VTC remains a sport ! It supports 80 km in Turbo mode with elevation exceeding 1000 m. I reached 100 km in Turbo but and the end I had to switched the assistance off. I attached a Garmin radar + GPS and a small luggage purchased on Amazon. Minus point : Counter Intivia not accurate vs GPS or radar (speed and distance are some km too high and cannot be adjusted). The chain fails 5 times in 5 months (in average each 500 km) even after changed it. Then, on flat road, all road bicycles passed me at speed +10 km/h higher. I cannot follow them. The bike being heavy, if it leans, you go with it and cannot retain it of falling. At last, I compared its performance with a ORBEA Gain and Trek Domane+LT using the fastest e-assistance. On flat roads, and descents, the VTC even in turbo mode cannot compete; the ORBA speed is 5-10 km/h faster that the VTC and probably more in the hand of an advanced road biker. The VTC only passes the Orba on >10-13% steep roads but when the flat arrives, and the end the Orbea wins.

[@gert-janpruijssers]

Where is the lock? I live in The Netherlands, so I need it! 😊

[@anoukhartwell2187]

Been looking at lots of ebikes and I just don’t know what to buy. Looking to commute to work, but also want to be able to go down logging roads and easy trails. Have looked at Trek, Cube, Pedigo and Volt. Please help....

[@kevintraynor4508]

I went into my local bike shop with this exact bike . Asked if I could have have the E.M.BT mode. Upgrade. They said it's only on mountain bikes. I showed them this vid review. And told me the tour mode is the E.M.BT mode. They seemed confused when I asked .

[@tonyio2337]

Very good review . Much appreciated. Very informative regarding the insertion and removal of the battery. I could not understand why there is no way of attaching a panier easily at the bottom of the bike. I am planning to purchase either the Kathmandu SL or SLT 625 to take advantage of the 12 gears (51 teeth at the rear) which also comes with the KIOX. Sadly the KIOX is not located in the middle of the handle bars (looks like an afterthought if you see the pictures on the CUBE website. I have couple of questions and I hope these can be answered: 1. Is the battery cover securely fixed in position so it cannot fall during transportation on a Towbar bike carrier? 2. Do you need to remove the battery during car transportation due to weight concerns, and if so do you need to protect the plug-in pins on the bike? 3. I am planning to purchase the easy entry version for my wife. Although I appreciate this may not be as stiff as the mid step (trapeze) version, any comments about the stability of the easy entry ? I have seen your earlier reviews of the KIOX which were also very informative. A review of the new NYON will be much appreciated With COVID-19, I have abandoned the idea of purchasing these bikes this summer. Does anyone know when the 2021 ebike range will be published?

[@edreidphotos]

2021 range was published last week for the EU. You can see them at cube.eu

[@Chrisandrea0]

I put bolts in the redundant rear mudguard fixing and use them to attach pannier bungee chord

[@tonyio2337]

@Überbringer ganz schlechter Nachrichten Thank you for the information. Yes the SLT 625 2021 is really what I would like . The new NYON display also looks good. In addition the 2021 easy entry is better than the 2020 version.

[@rdkuless]

the eyelet in the back frame might be there to attach a bottom hook on a pannier. Most aftermarket racks have a spot to hook the bottom of the pannier to.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Good insights, Rob. That was in the back on my mind, but I figured they would just have a bungee loop or something welded on? Perhaps I haven't seen the hook thing that would screw into an eyelet like this that you're thinking of. Feel free to post a link so I can learn about it if you'd like ;)

[@rdkuless]

@@ElectricBikeReview Court, i know that Pat Franz @ TerraCycle of Portland carries the screw on loop. The loop is not on their website: t-cycle.com, but if you call, they can set up a way to get one. I found the exact same loop that has a bent/offset hole to screw it on, but those retailers want $14 plus $12 shipping. T-cycle sells them for $5-$6 in person with a minimal ship charge. someday, I want to take you to t-cycle in portland to meet the man who makes really high quality bike parts. You will be really impressed by his manufacturing facility/shop where he makes them with CNC machines. Made in the USA..! this supports the local economy.. Being a German, i might be a little bias in saying, Germany make some high quality bikes/trikes, Rohloff hubs and cars. :)

[@prlevett]

Yes, Banjo Brothers sell them too banjobrothers.com/collections/panniers/products/dropout-hooks-4-pack

[@dp9324]

Good review as usual. Not to hate on this obviously quality bike and capable Bosch motor, but I feel like my $1460.00 (U.S. including shipping) Ride1up 700 series E-bike has just as much capability for less than half the money of the Kathmandu. Granted, this Kathmandu uses higher quality components in some areas and uses a German mid-drive vs. Chinese hub drive motor. But my 700 series has similar design features, a full front suspension, a fully-integrated battery, hydraulic piston brakes, and a color display that with a simple display setting allows me to juice the 48v motor to 1000w which pushes me almost 47kmh (29mph) in pedal assist mode 9 on a flat street while peddling and does a great job hauling my 122kg (270lb) up serious hills. If someone was a serious technical e-bike rider I could see them appreciating the various modes the Bosch CX motor has to offer here, but for the regular commuter I just don't see the value in spending twice as much for a 36v e-bike when there are so many other 48v e-bikes available at substantially lower cost.

[@laurieoliver3297]

The crank motor is vastly superior to a hub motor. It gives variable output according to how much you put into the pedalling. Flys past my partner on her hub drive bike. 😁

[@edreidphotos]

I don't think you are comparing like for like in fairness. Your bike may be less than half the price but that is primarily because as you have said the components are not as good. Chinese vs German. You may have spent less at purchase but only time would tell if they will last as long. I'm not hating on your reply either just pointing out that you are pretty much saying why spend as much. Like most things in life, buy cheap, buy twice. I'm not saying cheap won't work but in most cases it definitely won't last as long without causing grief.

[@dp9324]

@@edreidphotos That's fair...

[@bahamajim1998]

Expensive but quality bike

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Exactly right! The more I studied the bike, the more I appreciated their attention to all of the little details :)

[@JohnA000]

would be nice if they had a belt drive model

[@ElectricBikeReview]

That does sound cool! I think that the reason we don't see as many belt drives is that the frame usually requires a cut. This is expensive and can compromise the strength of the chainstay or seatstay... even more if you have a rack like the Kathmandu here. Then, you usually need an internally geared hub, which adds more weight and cost. I think the next ebike I cover will have this sort of setup though, so keep an eye out ;)

[@PaiOeShi]

What's your fav company for ebikes accessible in Canada with no crazy shipping costs. (Canadian company preferred). Ty kindly!

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Great question! If you're looking for value or affordable, consider RIZE or VoltBike. Rad Power Bikes now has an office in Canada too, and their bikes are solid. CUBE has invested a lot in Canada and has dealers. They build with higher end components and use mostly Bosch drive systems. For the extra money, you get a more dynamic ride feel, efficiency, and quality. Other Canadian brands to consider are OHM (based in Vancouver), and Amego (based in Toronto). I've reviewed products from all of these brands back at the site, you can replace the brand name in the URL like electricbikereview.com/brand/ohm/ and /rize/ and /cube/ etc. Hope this helps! :D

[@brentbach8424]

Dost

[@PaiOeShi]

@@ElectricBikeReview it does thank you so much. Where would I look at cube bikes (or that quality) in Toronto if at all possible. Looking for a decent quality commuter without insane prices.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

I’d suggest Amigo Electric Vehicles. They have a shop downtown that sells many brands. Virginia is the owner and she’s super cool. They’re at 533 Richmond St W #203, Toronto, ON M5V 3Y1, Canada. I have only been to that shop, but I’m sure there must be other good ones too!

[@cngraham7932]

I wonder if you could say how tall you are noting that the bike is the smallest frame size. Thank you.

[@paulroque7820]

Can you charge the battery at home?

[@wesflack992]

With this motor, is the assist level dependent on rpm? Can a rider get as much assist at 40 rpm as at 90 rpm?

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Hmm... I don’t think the rpm speed is as important as the torque load. You can often reduce torque load by shifting to a lower gear (which results in faster pedal stroke RPM). However, even if you were using the worst gear... the motor would struggle if the rear wheel was somehow constrained by a super steep hill and an extremely heavy load. This is why Bosch also increased their torque output with the latest firmware, from 75nm to 85nm ;)

[@wesflack992]

@@ElectricBikeReview I am just trying to understand this very complicated power delivery system, and especially understand how a rider has to be pedalling in order to access the full power of the motor... I thought that I saw in a previous analysis that the motor's power curve was designed to smoothly increase power up to a certain peak at a certain rpm, then peak power gradually fell off to nothing at some higher rpms (100-120) depending on the motor model. I have only ridden one bike with Bosch mid drive. I kept it in turbo setting but I never really knew how to access peak power. It seemed like I accessed more power at higher 80ish rpms, but it was difficult to discern while riding... I understand torque sensors are also at work, but I did not feel as much assist at lower rpms. If a rider is attempting to access full power of the electric motor on the bike, or if the rider is attempting to keep the bike at or near full electric motor output, what is the best way to accomplish this? I appreciate if you can refer me to experts or references, but I think you may understand some of these complexities, and how to access the motor's peak power, better than anyone.

[@tonyio2337]

@@wesflack992 I believe you are right.... the higher the RPM the more power you get. I am not an expert, but in a CUBE catalogue of 2018/19 has a graph (which I could not copy in this reply) and shows RPM vs Mechanical power in Watts for the Performance Line CX, Active line plus and active line. The Performance Line CX is the earlier version but the graph shows a linear increase in mechanical power vs RPM. (at zero RPM is zero power) and at about 75 RPM the peak mechanical power reaches about 600 Watts and declines to about 550 Watts at 100 RPM. I imagine the performance of the 4th generation motor could not be much different from the above. The maximum mechanical power for the Active line Plus and active line shown are 400 and 350 mechanical watts respectively.

[@wesflack992]

@@tonyio2337 Thanks for the reply and information/confirmation. I greatly appreciate it! I find it a bit frustrating that the system behind the curtain has such a complicated process to decide when and how you access the power instead of putting that decision in the hands of the rider. I appreciate the sophistication of how it works, and yes, it is a safety feature for novice or nervous riders, but for me, sometimes I would like to be able access full power without having to meet these systems specific rpm and torque sensing requirements. Sometimes I just want to stand up on the pedals with a slow cadence (or no cadence) as I climb a hill, but this system would force me to comform to its rpm requirements if I want it to put out peak power to help me. An easy fix would be a throttle system, and/or just a "super turbo" setting that allows for full power through the thumb or any spin of pedals at any rpm or torque (like the simplified pedal assist you find on less expensive padal assist systems). In order to access peak performance in these complex systems, I feel like the machine will force me to conform to its power release algorithm (proper rpm and torque from me) instead of allowing me to control how the machine releases its power. The machine is not serving me, it is only providing conditional service according to an algorithm that I cannot override.

[@tonyio2337]

@@wesflack992 No problem. As mentioned,, the information I have is for the 3rd generation CX motor and Bosch may have changed the characteristics at low RPM especially in the eMTB with their new 2020 software update to provide more "assistance" at low cadence. I suppose the eMTB mode is closer to what you are looking for as it can automatically increase % assistance (from 140% to 340%) depending on cycling characteristics. In addition the NYON control unit (at least the older version) does allow the user to program different assistance levels at different speeds and would be good if a review is provided for the new NYON as I would imagine it will have similar options.

[@stuartjamieson2427]

Obviously with the cable that tight you can't heighten the handlebars?

[@geeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzz]

It needs an anti log radar alarm device built in.

[@Chrisb8s]

I am surprised that they added all that weight for the rear rack and then added a rack time rack on top. And plastic genders and chain guard do not match the price point. They would have been better off putting in beefier fenders that could support that rack and got rid of all the rest of the rack in the back. But it is a nice looking hike

[@ElectricBikeReview]

You make a great point, Chris. I've seen more companies going that direction... here's an example from iGO that I covered recently: electricbikereview.com/igo-electric/discovery-bonaventure/ one possible trade-off is how sturdy the rack will be, especially if used for a child seat. You're right about the fenders and chain cover not adding too much to the price, but these are nicer parts at least. I always appreciate when a company specs their product well, like the fender support struts they chose vs. exposed ones like on the recent Cannondale Treadwell review I did: electricbikereview.com/cannondale/treadwell-neo-eq-remixte/ thanks for sharing your smart insights.

[@Benjamin_Jehne]

Chris, you should try it, before you judge it. I'm a photographer working in Berlin. My bags are heavy and ALL normal racks are wobbeling around under this weight. Then I tried the Cubes with this rack and this thing is as sturdy as a rock. The bikes evens every bumb without giving you the feel, that the frame is moving. And if you go on a trail with it, the rack also helps to make the riding performance better. For me, this construction was the reason to buy a cube. The plate on top is needed, if something gets broken. If it wouldn't be in two parts, you would risk to destroy the frame. The to plate says 25kg, but this thing carries almost everything. It is really remakable. Those bikes are really for the usage under harder conditions and if you make a big trip over days and weeks, thats the Kathmandu. Even if it doesn't look like it, this bike brings you everywhere. Thats not a normal touring bike. If you don't want that framestyle, then there is the Touring Hybrid one, with the normal rack for just 2050€. I don't know what they offer in the US, but in Europe it's a lot www.cube.eu/en/cube-bikes/

[@neilcaress9036]

What does he mean by "approachability"?--it's not aloof is it?

[@petepython01]

Great bike let down by crap chainguard that falls off and poor mudguard mountings

[@tomquimby8669]

please explain to me why manufacturers still produce out of date hardtail designs?

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Good question, Tom. There are two possible reasons that I see. Hardtail bikes support rear racks very well. Sure, there are fancy designs like the Delite from Riese & Müller with sprung rear racks (connected to the main frame), but this adds cost and weight. The easiest and most sturdy way to have a rear rack is currently with a hardtail. The second reason is similar to the first; hardtails are cheaper to build and sell. It's a way to keep the price down. By adding a suspension fork and suspension seat post, the rider will be fairly comfortable, and save at least $500 USD, which is often translated higher to $1,000 for a full suspension design from the same high-end brand like CUBE. Here's the Delite, in case you haven't seen it. This ebike is roughly $8k+ USD depending on how it's specced electricbikereview.com/riese-muller/delite-gt-rohloff/

[@maciejsabatowski437]

Cube kathmandu or haibike sduro 9.0 ?

[@andrewbrown9672]

It’s obviously called Kathmandu because they love Bob Seger too!!!

[@ElectricBikeReview]

If I ever get outta here... that's what I'm gonna do!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZWWfqduf6d1eMk

[@MrRabi001]

Here I am from Kathmandu Nepal,

[@MacAutomationTips]

Really like the modern design of this bike, but the charge plug at the bottom of battery is a turn off for me. On my Townie Go 7D, I don't have to bend down to plug in the charger. The speed of this bike sounds really good, and I like that the battery is not in the rear rack. I wonder if the battery lights can turned on using the control panel? Also not a fan of the speed indicator in the middle of the handle bars. I would like to use that space for my phone. Really nice bike though, but I don't think I'd pay $4k for it.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Yeah, I also appreciate when the display is positioned higher up on the downtube or top tube. It's neat that Bosch is selling their Kiox and Nyon aftermarket now, but those are also both designed to be center-mounted on the handlebar. Consider the Bosch SmartphoneHUB which uses your phone as the display, maybe that's perfect for you!

[@MacAutomationTips]

ElectricBikeReview.com, thanks I'll check it out. I've been using the MapMyRide iOS app, which tracks my bike travel, speed, and distance. It also integrates with the iPhone Health and Activities apps.

[@davidbuckwitz5408]

Might consider at $2000, $4000...no way.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Hi David, I hear ya. It's on the more expensive side, but definitely not the most expensive. Considering the motor and battery pack that CUBE chose here (both very high end from Bosch), I actually feel that the price is fair. Here are a bunch of more affordable ebikes I've covered recently (all under $1,500 USD) electricbikereview.com/category/affordable/

[@Benjamin_Jehne]

I was a bit shocked, when I saw the US prices. The Pro is some kind of entry level Kathmandu. But here in Germany you pay just 2800€ (cube webside) for it and thats a spot on price for this bike.

[@van1677]

Is there any difference in the frame between the female bike and male bike other than the easy entry? :) thanks

[@dismentei]

Nope.

[@user-nw5zb4ru9y]

Хочу похожий, но не нужен мне такой навороченный борт компьютер 2022г Cube Touring Hybrid One 625, что думаете стоит брать такой?

[@kevintraynor4508]

The USB port is only for diagnostics you cant use it to charge your phone

[@petepython01]

Have had my Katmandu for 12 months now and a 1150 miles ridden. Cant fault the performance but the trim is quite poor in regard to its design. The chainguard fell off after two weeks. It's not secured and slides in to its mounting. Still waiting for replacement. The mudguards started to rattle and the fixings are very poor. I have a lot of zip ties on the bike shouldn't be there for a bike that's just under 3K. Wont buy another .

[@onoff314]

4k for a 36v e-bike? Insane

[@agibsonallan]

once you get used to the nuvinci drive and fully automatic gears you wont go back to the old system

[@copperbeckville1853]

And once you ride a bike with a full suspension you’ll never go back. Paying over $4k for a hardtail dinosaur is laughable nonsense

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

Really great, but a little heavy.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Yeah, and maybe I overdid it with the "this ebike is heavy" mentions. I think that's to be expected when you have a high capacity battery, rack, lights, bigger wheels and tires, suspension fork and seatpost, fenders, and a more powerful motor. I do think that the bike could have been lighter if the suspension fork was upgraded and if Bosch had designed their PowerTube battery packs differently. CUBE used plastic for their battery cover and fenders, so that helps reduce weight :)

[@Chrisb8s]

ElectricBikeReview.com I think they could have had beefier fenders that could support the rack time rack and loose the rack underneath. And a better fork or a non suspension option. I don’t like this springy forks that don’t lock out.

[@Benjamin_Jehne]

@@Chrisb8s Go for the Kathmandu Hybrid EXC, there you get the air fork ;) .

[@yj8471]

625wh is hardley a high capacity battery from 36v

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Perhaps you can elaborate or offer some comparative examples? I know that there are Brose powered ebikes with high capacity batteries as well. Perhaps I’m thinking of it as large relative to the other existing battery offerings in the Bosch lineup (400wh and 500wh).

[@yj8471]

@@ElectricBikeReview As to battery capacity, my bike has a Bafang M620 motor which runs from a 52v 17ah Samsung celled battery or if you want the figure in wh it's 884wh it way out performs any Bosch , Brose or Shimano motor fitted manufactured branded bikes .

[@reyorlino]

The haibike trekking is still a better bike at a lower price than this.

[@magno1240]

Have been trying to get replacement parts to fix the luggage rack and chain guard of my "CUBE Trouring Pro" 2017 model for over 1 year.... had to resort to duct tape, SHAMEFUL considering this is a 2 years old bicycle priced at 800 euros!

[@willswomble7274]

'about 58 pounds' ??????? Why are americans OBSESSED with 'cupholders' ?

[@travelwithoutmoving8842]

From Kathmandu lol.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

You are!? If so, that's awesome. What were some of your favorite parts about living there :D

[@travelwithoutmoving8842]

@@ElectricBikeReview Well its nice with its History and Ancient Temples and Stuff. But the City is Over Populated now and has problem with Pollution and Bad air quality. For me Its when you start leaving Kathmandu when the Fun starts. I bet this name was inspired by a Hippie type Visit to Kathmandu. Kathmandu was a Hot Spot during Hippie Era.

[@travelwithoutmoving8842]

@Überbringer ganz schlechter Nachrichten Why not name it Timbuktu then?

[@ianhobie123]

Did you mention the insane £800+ battery cost for that little powertube battery. Possibly the biggest ripoff of any electric transportation device i've seen yet . Fools and their money.

[@theadventuresoftaco7306]

$4000 ????!!!!! 1500 watt ekit with battery $800 SHAME

[@ElectricBikeReview]

What's your favorite ebike right now?

[@sanmarco1399]

To big look stranfe

[@josephfisher9323]

Class 1?! Weight?! 4K?! Nope!

[@aberdeenbelfry316]

Who the hell can afford that. Not for the average person.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

It's on the more expensive side, but definitely not the most expensive. Considering the motor and battery pack used, I actually feel that the price is fair. Here are a bunch of more affordable ebikes I've covered (all under $1,500 USD) electricbikereview.com/category/affordable/

[@ordinaryhuman5645]

Unfortunately the average US person isn't biking anyway... perhaps they're too busy driving cars that cost 5x as much or more.

[@leojonkers3181]

The motor makes a lot of noise. $4K way to much. Like all German bikes are to expensive. Germany is not really a bicycle country like The Netherland is. I live in The Netherlands, with a lot of Dutch e-bikes. Even with a Bosch motor much cheaper. But a nice bike.

[@laurieoliver3297]

In UK, the Kathmandu is currently £2699.

[@Plymouthred1959]

@@laurieoliver3297 2021 Cube Kathmandu Hybrid Pro 625 Easy Entry Electric Hybrid Bike £2,799.00 (Back order only sadly) but got a £100.00 discount so just chomping at the bit for my first e-bike!!

[@leojonkers3181]

@Überbringer ganz schlechter Nachrichten That is a good price!

[@agibsonallan]

good review would not buy

[@laurieoliver3297]

My fourth ebike and by far the best I have ridden to date.

[@laurieoliver3297]

Have done around 500 miles since I bought mine in.Mid June. Can't fault the ride or performance, especially with the motor upgrade (£25) I have replaced the saddle with a large Selle Royale, but the only fault I can .find is the circlip on the battery cover release keeps coming off and disappearing into the engine casing. Needs modification.

[@PresentMoment111]

@@laurieoliver3297 Hey. What size did you buy and what is your height and inside leg lenght? I wanna buy this too but unsure about the size. Thank you :)

[@robert5109]

Wonder why Ebikes are painted so ugly. Grey , Black, no colors.

[@GS0101]

There's many with beautiful colors but they cost many green colors too::

[@copperbeckville1853]

Another hardtail dinosaur. I’d never buy a bike without a rear suspension let alone one over $4k. People need to stop throwing their money away on any electric bike that (a) doesn’t have a rear suspension, and (b) any bike that isn’t mod-drive. Enough.

[@laurieoliver3297]

Personal preference. I find it fine without rear suspension. Has a suspension seat tube - very soft ride.