Weighing between 16 and 17 kg, the new Cube Kathmandu Hybrid C:62 electric touring bike relies on the compact Bosch SX motor and a rigid format combined with a carbon frame to try to seduce its audience.
An electric bike for hiking is subconsciously a robust, heavy bike designed to absorb all terrains. This may surprise some, but the new VTC Cube Kathmandu Hybrid C:62 has no suspension (like the Decathlon Stilus E-Touring) and is very light on the scale.
Indeed, some purist hikers prefer a rigid electric bike that does not bounce constantly, an effect which can be tiring over long distances. For others who swear by comfort and cushioning, they can always turn to the Kathmandu Hybrid 625/750 with a suspended fork and saddle.
A light but powerful touring bike
Without suspension, the Kathmandu Hybrid C:62 thus plays the lightness card: this VAE weighs between 16.2 and 17.2 kg thanks to its “C:62” carbon frame. The total weight supported is 150 kg, bike included. Cube is also giving in to the biton fashion, a bit like the Winora iRide Pure. If road bikes or VTTAE like to stand out, VTCs are rather conservative. Here, the German brand remains cautious in terms of style, with black or green liveries with matte/glossy treatments.
Additionally, the Cube Kathmandu Hybrid C:62 offers two completely different geometries: the high frame with active position and the low frame with semi-active position. Both nevertheless share the same components – often from the house brand ACID – and the same electrical assistance. The latter is based on the Bosch Performance Line SX motor – already used on the Nuroad gravel bike – equipped with the Bosch Smart System and the Kiox 300 screen. As for its 400 Wh battery, it is unfortunately not removable, but offers a 4 A fast charger.
Finally, this new VTC Cube offers two variants SLT and SLX. They only differ by their Shimano groupset (12-speed transmission, 180 mm hydraulic disc brakes)
- SLX: Deore M6100:
- SLT: Deore XT M8100 (higher range).
The Cube Kathmandu Hybrid C:62 under 4,000 euros?
The Cube Kathmandu Hybrid C:62 does not indicate its prices in France. But after a short search in neighboring countries, its price would be around 3,999 euros in SLX version and 4,799 euros in SLT.
It includes equipment including mudguards, kickstand, powerful lighting (110 lux/550 lumens), and MIK HD rear luggage rack. The availability of this electric touring bike therefore seems imminent in the network of hundreds of resellers in France.
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