CUBE SUPREME HYBRID

If you regularly ride in hilly terrain, a derailleur system offers clear advantages. It provides many gears and a wide gear range, which allows for more precise adjustment of your cadence on climbs. A derailleur system reacts quickly, but requires regular maintenance. The chain, cassette, and rear derailleur are exposed and come into contact with water, dirt, and road salt.

If you mainly ride short distances in the city, an internal gear hub is often more practical. The shifting mechanism is housed securely inside the rear hub. Many internal gear hubs can be shifted while stationary, for instance if you have stopped at a traffic light in too high a gear. A toothed belt requires no chain oil and leaves no oily stains on your clothes. It lasts a long time if tensioned correctly, but is usually more expensive to replace than a simple bicycle chain.

At Supreme, the term Sport does not denote a sporty frame design like on an e-mountain bike. The low step-through and comfortable seating position are maintained. Sport primarily refers to the drivetrain, gear selection, and slightly more direct handling. Those who prefer many gears and a classic shifting logic should choose a version with a derailleur. Those who want as little maintenance as possible are better served with a hub gear and a toothed belt.

The Cube Supreme Hybrid ONE is aimed at riders looking for a comfortable and fully equipped e-bike for regular daily routes. The 2026 model year ONE 500 features the following equipment:

• Bosch Performance Line mid-drive motor with up to 75 Nm of torque
• 500 Wh PowerTube battery integrated into the down tube
• Shimano Cues 10-speed derailleur gears
• Shimano hydraulic disc brakes
• Suspension fork with 50 mm travel
• Suspension seat post and adjustable stem
• Lighting, mudguards, kickstand, and luggage rack

The 500 Wh battery is sufficient for typical commutes and errands. Those who can charge the bike overnight and rarely take very long day trips do not necessarily need to choose a larger battery. The smaller energy storage also reduces weight and price. The ten gears cover city traffic and standard inclines.

The Cube Supreme Hybrid PRO 625 is built on the same usage concept but adds several components with practical added value:

• 625 Wh PowerTube battery for a larger energy reserve
• Shimano Cues derailleur with eleven gears and a wider range
• More powerful hydraulic disc brakes with four-piston calipers
• Bosch Kiox display for more detailed ride data
• Bosch Performance Line motor, also with up to 75 Nm
• Full equipment for everyday use and touring

The larger battery is the most significant difference. Compared to 500 Wh, there is 125 Wh more energy available. Mathematically, this corresponds to 25 percent additional capacity. In practice, this does not always result in exactly 25 percent more range because temperature, tire pressure, elevation gain, and assistance level influence consumption. Nevertheless, on the same route and under comparable conditions, the range advantage is clear.

The more powerful braking system can also justify the additional cost. It offers more reserves on long descents, during frequent braking, and when the bike is heavily loaded. The eleven gears offer finer gear spacing and provide a slightly easier climbing gear. If you regularly go on longer tours, carry luggage, or have to tackle steep climbs, the PRO is the more suitable choice.

For short city trips, the ONE already provides complete equipment. The PRO does not automatically travel faster, as both models provide assistance as pedelecs up to 25 km/h. However, it offers more range, finer gear steps, and additional braking reserves. The additional price therefore primarily pays for comfort and reserves, not a higher permissible assistance speed.

Many Supreme models use the Bosch Performance Line. The motor provides smooth assistance and reaches up to 75 Nm of torque, depending on the version. This value is sufficient for city traffic, longer tours, and standard inclines. The torque is particularly noticeable when starting, at low speeds, and on hills. On flat terrain, however, the chosen assistance level has a greater impact on the riding feel and power consumption.

More powerful variants use different Bosch motors. The Performance Line PX delivers up to 90 Nm and is used in certain Comfort or Deluxe models, for example. The Performance Line CX reaches up to 100 Nm in corresponding versions. These motors are suitable for frequent inclines, higher payloads, and riders who want powerful support at low cadences.

With a 625 Wh battery, a realistic range is often between 60 and 120 kilometers. For many mixed riding profiles, around 80 kilometers is a useful planning figure. This value is not a fixed guarantee. Those who ride in Eco mode on flat bike paths, pedal lightly, and use the correct tire pressure can travel significantly further. Those who frequently ride in Turbo mode, tackle steep inclines, or ride in low temperatures will need to charge sooner.

City traffic does not necessarily consume little energy. Frequent starting at traffic lights requires more power than a steady ride on an open bike path. A heavy rider, luggage, headwinds, and soft tires also increase consumption. An upright seating position is comfortable, but creates more air resistance at higher speeds than a posture leaned well forward.

The entire battery capacity should not be factored into range planning. A reserve of approximately 15 to 20 percent prevents headwinds, detours, or additional elevation gains from becoming a problem. Anyone planning a 70-kilometer tour without a charging opportunity along the way will have a more relaxed ride with a 625 Wh battery than with a 500 Wh one. For a daily commute of two ten-kilometer stretches, the smaller battery is usually sufficient, provided it is charged regularly.

The battery and motor increase the weight of the bicycle. Removing the battery therefore makes it easier to lift onto a bike rack. The battery should be transported securely and dry inside the vehicle. Dry rooms without excessive heat or frost are suitable for regular storage. During longer periods of non-use, the battery should neither remain completely empty nor fully charged for an extended time.

Not every Cube Supreme Hybrid comes with a coaster brake. Models with this feature have the abbreviation RT in their name. A Supreme RT Hybrid generally combines the coaster brake with a hub gear. Hydraulic disc brakes are also retained. Therefore, the coaster brake function does not replace the hand brakes, but rather supplements them with an additional way to operate the bike.

A coaster brake can be useful if you have been accustomed to this type of braking for many years. It is activated by a backward movement of the pedals and can be used without operating a brake lever. During a test ride, you should check whether the pedal position remains comfortable when starting off and maneuvering. Riders who pedal energetically or want to position their cranks freely before setting off sometimes find a coaster hub less flexible.

For a city e-bike, a hub gear is particularly attractive due to its protected design. It requires less ongoing maintenance than an open derailleur system. In combination with a toothed belt, the regular cleaning and oiling of a chain are no longer necessary. This combination suits commuters who use their bike in almost any weather and wish to limit the amount of maintenance required.

A derailleur system offers more gears and usually a wider gear range. The Supreme Hybrid ONE 500 features ten gears, while the PRO 625 has eleven. This makes it easier to adjust to inclines and changing speeds. Pressure should be briefly taken off the pedals while shifting. Pedaling hard under full motor assistance puts unnecessary strain on the chain, cassette, and rear derailleur.

Regardless of the type of shifting system, hydraulic disc brakes handle the majority of controlled deceleration. Both brake levers should be used in a modulated manner. On wet road surfaces, braking distance increases, even if the disc brakes themselves grip reliably. Higher-performance braking systems and a Bosch ABS, as available on selected SLX and SLT models, offer additional reserves. However, they do not replace the need for an adapted speed.

The weight of a Cube Supreme Hybrid depends on the model, battery, gear system, and frame size. The regular models weigh approximately 27 to 28 kilograms. In its current version, the Supreme Hybrid ONE weighs around 27.1 kilograms. The PRO is specified at approximately 27.8 to 27.9 kilograms. Comfort and Deluxe models can reach nearly 30 kilograms due to internal gear hubs, belt drives, more powerful motors, or additional technology.

• Supreme Hybrid ONE: approximately 27.1 kilograms
• Supreme Hybrid PRO: approximately 27.9 kilograms
• Comfort and Deluxe variants: approximately 27.7 to 29.9 kilograms depending on equipment
• Maximum system weight for many models: 140 kilograms
• Maximum rider weight for many models: 110 kilograms including personal equipment
• Permissible rear luggage weight for suitable models: up to 25 kilograms

The system weight includes the bicycle, rider, clothing, luggage, and mounted accessories. With a bicycle weighing 27.9 kilograms and a maximum system weight of 140 kilograms, this leaves a calculated 112.1 kilograms for the rider, equipment, and luggage. Nevertheless, the separately specified maximum rider weight must not be exceeded. If the rider, including clothing and backpack, weighs 105 kilograms, this leaves around seven kilograms for additional luggage in this example, even though the rack could technically carry more.

For shopping, the semi-integrated luggage rack is more practical than a heavy backpack. The weight should be distributed as evenly and as low down as possible. Panniers usually affect handling less than a box loaded high up. Heavy items belong at the bottom. Before setting off, bags, straps, and loose parts must be secured so that they do not get caught in the spokes or brake discs.

The dead weight is also important for transport. A bicycle carrier must be approved for the weight of the e-bike and all other bicycles. The car's maximum tongue weight and the carrier's load limit must be checked separately. If the battery is removed before loading, the weight to be lifted is reduced by several kilograms. For stairs or frequent loading, the Supreme Hybrid nevertheless remains a heavy bicycle.