Kathmandu Hybrid
Origin
The Kathmandu Hybrid is Cube's flagship e-trekking bike — the bike that ate the German touring market in the late 2010s and now dominates it. The frame is Aluminum Superlite with a gravity-cast head tube, fully integrated cabling, hidden Bosch battery (500-800 Wh) and built-in rear rack with integrated rear light; top trims (C:62 SLX 400X, SLT 400X) swap to a carbon frame and the lighter Bosch SX 55 Nm motor for a more bike-like ride. The standard range uses Bosch's 85 Nm Performance Line CX Gen 4/5 with PowerTube 750 or 800 Wh batteries, drivetrains scale from Shimano Deore 10-speed (One) to XT 12-speed (SLX/SLT), and brakes are 4-piston Shimano hydraulics on EXC and above. Pricing in 2024-2025 runs roughly €3,299 (One 625) to €7,499 (C:62 SLT 400X). The Kathmandu Hybrid is the bike German pensioners, daily commuters and Alps-crossing tourers all reach for — it's a Volkswagen Passat on wheels.
Specifications
- Frame
- Aluminium Superlite (gravity-cast head tube, integrated cabling, hidden battery, built-in rack); carbon C:62 on SLX/SLT 400X trims
- Weight
- kg
- Drivetrain
- Shimano Deore 1×10 (One) up to XT 1×12 (SLX/SLT); Comfort models use Gates Carbon Belt + Enviolo/Shimano hub gear
- Brakes
- Shimano hydraulic disc; 4-piston on EXC and above; ABS option on EX/EXC
- Wheels
- 28" (700c) trekking wheels with integrated dynamo/rack lighting
The verdict
- Bosch Performance CX 85 Nm + up to 800 Wh battery — strong, long-range touring drivetrain
- Fully integrated practical package: rack, fenders, lights, kickstand (IC 3.0 carrier)
- 100 mm suspension fork unusual on e-trekking — handles rough roads well
- Easy-entry frame options and comfortable upright geometry suit all rider types
- Comfort models with Gates belt + hub gear offer near-zero-maintenance drivetrain
- Heavy full-equipment build (~27-29 kg) — hard to lift onto racks or up stairs
- Premium trims expensive (up to ~€5,499-7,499)
- Lower trims use SR Suntour forks — limited performance vs Fox
- Per-trim weights not clearly published
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