CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 C:68X SLX

[vls]

Well, after a long period of consideration, I switched to an e-bike, concretely the Cube AMS Hybrid One44 C:68X SLX. I've got it for more than 2 months, driven over 700 km, and I'm still delighted with it. The bike feels very light (officially 17.2 kg) what results to the fact that I only use motor support for ascending - statistically in less than 25% of the distance driven. According to the Flow app statistics, up to 75% of driven distance is without the motor, 22% on ECO, and 3% on TOUR+ mode. I don't use the other modes at all. Thus, I can drive more than 120km on a single charge (so far I’ve done max. 137km). Riding without a motor feels the same as on a classic bicycle, the drive does not put any additional resistance. I bought me also the 250Wh Range Extender, but there was no need to use it yet.
Then why did I switch to an e-bike then? There are several reasons:
As I get older, the problems with arthrosis of my knees started (especially the right one after an injury), but I still want to ride with my friends who are 7 or more years younger and not hold them back.
I also use to go on holiday trips with groups where electric bikes predominate because there are fewer and fewer people who ride normal bikes now, especialy in my age.
Another reason is, that my wife also had to switch to an e-bike because of knee problems, and you know, becoming electricians you somehow do not recognize whether you are going uphill or downhill and do not wait.
That's why I've been looking for a light e-bike with smaller battery and compact engine for a long time. But until now such bikes were still very expensive. For me, AMS Hybrid is the first price-acceptable bike that meets all my reqs - it has a truly unattainable value for money ratio.
Bike certainly does not lack performance, even though it requires a higher cadence for high performance. ECO mode is of course just a gentle lightening of the bike, but TOUR+ will shoot you like a rocket up any climb.
What did I change on the bike? Since I don't like modern short stems, I changed to a 70mm Newmen Evolution SL, I also do not prefer too wide handlebars, so I shortened them by 2 cm and I also changed the saddle to an SDG Bel Air. The rest fits me perfectly.
What annoys me? At the moment, I'm bothered by a soft knocking somewhere in the covered engine. I have already been at the Cube service center with it, but the service guy told me that it is normal for the Bosch engines, but I am still a bit afraid and it is annoying as well. Otherwise the bike is great and I can highly recommend it.

 

[CalebDC]

Great to hear you are still riding! I think it is great to hear ebikes help you stay on the trails. I have ridden the ONE44 a few times and I think they are great. The SLX is right around the sweet spot for weight and versatility. The SLT is great but is very weight oriented, The transfer SL dropper is something to get used to. In terms of the motor rattle, that is unfortunately a common occurance. The ONE44 has a bit less rattle than some of the other Bosch SX bikes I have ridden but is still present. Happy Trails!

 

[vls]

Update of the information in the original article:
Currently I have the bike for almost a year, ridden over 1,700 km, and I still haven't regretted the purchase.
According to the Flow application statistics,
- 77,7% of my ride time was without any e-support,
- 22,3.% with the e-support.
Of this, 20,85% was in ECO mode, 1.45% in other modes of which TOUR+ was 1,16%. eMTB 0.23% and Turbo 0.06%. The most powered modes (eMTB and Turbo) were mainly activated by an accidental switch.
I also bought a 250Wh Range Extender. However, I have only used it once so far. Having an additional power immediately led me to more frequent use of higher support modes on the trip, especially on the 14km tramac road climb to a mountain saddle.
Where there any issues?
1. I'm bothered by a slight knocking in the engine and, I also dealt with it through the service. But according to the service technicians, this is typical for Bosch engines regardless of whether it is a CX or SX version. Otherwise, the engine is quiet enough.
2. I had a problem with a significant creak somewhere in the center bearing or in the engine. After removing the engine cover, it turned out that the cover was full of mud, which caused the creak. Protecting the engine with a plastic cover may work against stones but not against dust, water and mud, so the cover will need to be removed often and cleaned from the inside. I read that someone sealed the cover with felt but even then it probably won't help completely.
3. I also had problem with the seatpost creaking but that is common on any bike. Just clean it with alcohol and the next several thousands km it is quiet.
4. My shock absorber mounts also started to creak and had to be cleaned and greased.
5. A few days ago, I lost the side plastic engine cover, that with the inscription “Bosch Performance Line SX”. It turned out that it was only attached with double-sided adhesive tape and is prone to peeling off. Fortunately, a new one costs just 8 EUR.
Otherwise, the bike is great!
I bought the same model also to my wife. Or precisely, I bought her a year-old CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 TM with less than 1000 km driven. When new, this model is more expensive than SLX, because it is trail-oriented, with more solid 36-inch Fox Float Performance fork, a more powerful Fox Float X Performance rear shock, MT7 brakes from Magura. However, it is also a bit heavier (18.4 kg). After several weeks I replaced Magura breaks with Shimano XT. Although Magura’s are very powerful breaks, they creak incredibly and there was nothing to do about it (a typical feature of Magura brakes, I have more experience with them).