My first EMTB - Cube vs Focus
Discussion
Getting on for 50, and a bit out of shape, I would like to get back into Mountain biking some local trails, but really fancy an electric MTB to give me that little bit of assistance up the hills, which will allow me to go a bit further afield, and cover some more interesting terrain.
Quite happy with a hardtail, as I won't be doing anything too extreme.
I've narrowed it down to two models - The Cube Reaction Hybrid Pro 625 or The Focus Jarifa 6.6 Nine.
Both are German so should hopefully be good quality.
Has anybody any knowledge / experience or opinions about either of these manufacturers ??
I understand E-bikes can be a little controversial in cycling circles, but watching an interesting video on Youtube last night "famous" downhill racer Rob Warner says E-bikes are the best thing to happen in the MTB world and reckons in 5 years time everyone will be riding one.
Quite happy with a hardtail, as I won't be doing anything too extreme.
I've narrowed it down to two models - The Cube Reaction Hybrid Pro 625 or The Focus Jarifa 6.6 Nine.
Both are German so should hopefully be good quality.
Has anybody any knowledge / experience or opinions about either of these manufacturers ??
I understand E-bikes can be a little controversial in cycling circles, but watching an interesting video on Youtube last night "famous" downhill racer Rob Warner says E-bikes are the best thing to happen in the MTB world and reckons in 5 years time everyone will be riding one.
Gaining popularity and acceptance fast.
5 years ago my mountain bike club had no one with one now 25% are on e bike.
I ride cross country mainly and just bought a YT decoy but focus are very good. My friend has a focus and has done 10000 miles in two years on it and it’s been perfect.
Hard tails don’t do well on residual values and aren’t in too much demand so I would go for full suss but it might be over your budget.
5 years ago my mountain bike club had no one with one now 25% are on e bike.
I ride cross country mainly and just bought a YT decoy but focus are very good. My friend has a focus and has done 10000 miles in two years on it and it’s been perfect.
Hard tails don’t do well on residual values and aren’t in too much demand so I would go for full suss but it might be over your budget.
First off, don't feel you have to justify your decision, once you have one you'll be addicted and never regret it. I don't own either of your choices, but I owned a 2017 Focus Jam2 since 2018 with the original Shimano motor and have loved it, totally reliable, and if I was going to replace it I personally go for a Shimano motored bike again. But, I think you'd have to try really hard to buy a duff emtb these days, all very good.
Just need to identify it use, wheel size, travel and then see if you can get test ride, but availability is pretty scarce at the moment, so testing and buying might be really difficult, good luck.
Just need to identify it use, wheel size, travel and then see if you can get test ride, but availability is pretty scarce at the moment, so testing and buying might be really difficult, good luck.
interstellar said:
Gaining popularity and acceptance fast.
5 years ago my mountain bike club had no one with one now 25% are on e bike.
I ride cross country mainly and just bought a YT decoy but focus are very good. My friend has a focus and has done 10000 miles in two years on it and it’s been perfect.
Hard tails don’t do well on residual values and aren’t in too much demand so I would go for full suss but it might be over your budget.
Yes the YT's look lovely, but waaay more than I want to spend, and 10k miles in 2yrs WOW !! 5 years ago my mountain bike club had no one with one now 25% are on e bike.
I ride cross country mainly and just bought a YT decoy but focus are very good. My friend has a focus and has done 10000 miles in two years on it and it’s been perfect.
Hard tails don’t do well on residual values and aren’t in too much demand so I would go for full suss but it might be over your budget.
I had the same idea a month or so ago and i was looking at the Cube Reaction 625, also the Moustache wide 2 (local bike shop sells both) In the end i decided to spend more and get a Cube 140 stereo SL. Mainly as the 140 has full suspension and i felt it was better to have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it.
I have had it just a week and am loving it, its getting me out there and it can tackle a lot more than i thought, i went out this morning and rode 15 miles and elevated 1600ft this is my second ride on it.
I would definitely go for the larger battery i used a 3rd of the battery life today but i did have it on turbo a lot!!
I cant highly recommend one.
I have had it just a week and am loving it, its getting me out there and it can tackle a lot more than i thought, i went out this morning and rode 15 miles and elevated 1600ft this is my second ride on it.
I would definitely go for the larger battery i used a 3rd of the battery life today but i did have it on turbo a lot!!
I cant highly recommend one.
gashart said:
First off, don't feel you have to justify your decision, once you have one you'll be addicted and never regret it. I don't own either of your choices, but I owned a 2017 Focus Jam2 since 2018 with the original Shimano motor and have loved it, totally reliable, and if I was going to replace it I personally go for a Shimano motored bike again. But, I think you'd have to try really hard to buy a duff emtb these days, all very good.
Just need to identify it use, wheel size, travel and then see if you can get test ride, but availability is pretty scarce at the moment, so testing and buying might be really difficult, good luck.
Don't worry, I'm too old to worry about what people think of me :-)Just need to identify it use, wheel size, travel and then see if you can get test ride, but availability is pretty scarce at the moment, so testing and buying might be really difficult, good luck.
Must admit I've not even ridden one yet, but from all the reviews I've seen on Youtube, I quite fancy one with the Bosch Gen4 motor, although I'm sure I couldn't go wrong with the Shimano either.
Yep prices and delivery times are crazy at the moment, I was quoted delivery for May / June. Supply is short so no need to offer any discounts. :-(
dickb
dly said:
dly said: I had the same idea a month or so ago and i was looking at the Cube Reaction 625, also the Moustache wide 2 (local bike shop sells both) In the end i decided to spend more and get a Cube 140 stereo SL. Mainly as the 140 has full suspension and i felt it was better to have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it.
I have had it just a week and am loving it, its getting me out there and it can tackle a lot more than i thought, i went out this morning and rode 15 miles and elevated 1600ft this is my second ride on it.
I would definitely go for the larger battery i used a 3rd of the battery life today but i did have it on turbo a lot!!
I cant highly recommend one.
Yeh I really don't see me needing full suspension, and you are getting into silly money if you want FS with decent cycle parts. I was originally thinking of spending maybe £1500, but that went out of the window quite quickly as I started looking into it more. But I really have got to limit myself to around £2500I have had it just a week and am loving it, its getting me out there and it can tackle a lot more than i thought, i went out this morning and rode 15 miles and elevated 1600ft this is my second ride on it.
I would definitely go for the larger battery i used a 3rd of the battery life today but i did have it on turbo a lot!!
I cant highly recommend one.
But yes I do want to go for a 625 w/hr battery if possible.
I am also hoping that it will really spur me on to get out more. Even when I was reasonably fit I used to dread some of the hills in my area, but with that little bit of help, it should encourage me to ride further, so you are still getting a good work out.
I bought the Cube Reaction Pro at the beginning of Lockdown 1. Coincidentally it was Focus I borrowed from someone in the village to 'try'.
2,500 miles since. (and prior to that the last MTB I rode was two decades + before)
Best £2k I have spent. Love it.
I would recommend a Suntour suspension seat post (£50 or so) and some mudhugger mudguards, reasonable pedals (bergatec iirc) and Five ten Shoes and if poss an upgrade to the forks.
Be prepared for a slippery slope of enjoyment and spends ! Whilst also getting out there and enjoying the outdoors improving your fitness.
There is a wealth of discussions here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
2,500 miles since. (and prior to that the last MTB I rode was two decades + before)
Best £2k I have spent. Love it.
I would recommend a Suntour suspension seat post (£50 or so) and some mudhugger mudguards, reasonable pedals (bergatec iirc) and Five ten Shoes and if poss an upgrade to the forks.
Be prepared for a slippery slope of enjoyment and spends ! Whilst also getting out there and enjoying the outdoors improving your fitness.
There is a wealth of discussions here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
PushedDover said:
I bought the Cube Reaction Pro at the beginning of Lockdown 1. Coincidentally it was Focus I borrowed from someone in the village to 'try'.
2,500 miles since. (and prior to that the last MTB I rode was two decades + before)
Best £2k I have spent. Love it.
I would recommend a Suntour suspension seat post (£50 or so) and some mudhugger mudguards, reasonable pedals (bergatec iirc) and Five ten Shoes and if poss an upgrade to the forks.
Be prepared for a slippery slope of enjoyment and spends ! Whilst also getting out there and enjoying the outdoors improving your fitness.
There is a wealth of discussions here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Just what I wanted to hear. Thanks !!2,500 miles since. (and prior to that the last MTB I rode was two decades + before)
Best £2k I have spent. Love it.
I would recommend a Suntour suspension seat post (£50 or so) and some mudhugger mudguards, reasonable pedals (bergatec iirc) and Five ten Shoes and if poss an upgrade to the forks.
Be prepared for a slippery slope of enjoyment and spends ! Whilst also getting out there and enjoying the outdoors improving your fitness.
There is a wealth of discussions here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
BlackG7R said:
I've got the feeling this could turn into a very expensive hobby :-)
That I can also verify :-) I have found quite an attrition rate when used heavily, or the GF's has been much less hungry in parts replacement with half the miles and less muddy/aggressive riding.Get one bought. Its a healthy hobby so you get a pass on the man maths
Yes, I can recommend a Suntour suspension post or similar. It makes a big difference.
Focus don’t make their own e bikes, they’re produced by Derby Cycles who also make for Raleigh, Kalkhoff and Decathlon.
The Bosch mid-drive system has a decent reputation over here and our two e-bikes have been rugged and reliable.
Best of luck getting the bike you want, and hope you enjoy it when it arrives.
Focus don’t make their own e bikes, they’re produced by Derby Cycles who also make for Raleigh, Kalkhoff and Decathlon.
The Bosch mid-drive system has a decent reputation over here and our two e-bikes have been rugged and reliable.
Best of luck getting the bike you want, and hope you enjoy it when it arrives.
Barchettaman said:
Yes, I can recommend a Suntour suspension post or similar. It makes a big difference.
Focus don’t make their own e bikes, they’re produced by Derby Cycles who also make for Raleigh, Kalkhoff and Decathlon.
The Bosch mid-drive system has a decent reputation over here and our two e-bikes have been rugged and reliable.
Best of luck getting the bike you want, and hope you enjoy it when it arrives.
Hmm don't really think of Raleigh or Decathlon as quality bikes, in fact I didn't even know Raleigh were still going. Not seen one since I sold my Grifter :-)Focus don’t make their own e bikes, they’re produced by Derby Cycles who also make for Raleigh, Kalkhoff and Decathlon.
The Bosch mid-drive system has a decent reputation over here and our two e-bikes have been rugged and reliable.
Best of luck getting the bike you want, and hope you enjoy it when it arrives.
But I note the Focus is rated to a total system weight of 150kg which is handy for me, being a bit of a lump. The Cube only rated to 125kg I think.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Budget £ 2k - 2.5k (ish £3k absolute max)I'll only be doing local trails, nothing too extreme, so i'm sure hardtail and fairly basic forks will do me fine.
Would rather have a half decent hardtail than a real bottom of the range full suspension bike.
Also I suspect my current weight would probably overwhelm a standard rear spring.
BlackG7R said:
Budget £ 2k - 2.5k (ish £3k absolute max)
I'll only be doing local trails, nothing too extreme, so i'm sure hardtail and fairly basic forks will do me fine.
Would rather have a half decent hardtail than a real bottom of the range full suspension bike.
At that price as per mine would suit you : the Cube, +new Forks (£160) + suspe seat post (£60) + mudguards £40 + pedals (£50) +five tens (£100) and you are golden in my humble opinionI'll only be doing local trails, nothing too extreme, so i'm sure hardtail and fairly basic forks will do me fine.
Would rather have a half decent hardtail than a real bottom of the range full suspension bike.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
That was exactly how I assumed they would be downhill. Thankfully the reality has proven different on my Decoy, even coming from a 13kg Mondraker Foxy.The overall weight has only gone up 10% with me on it. In fact the kinematics are so much beefier and tighter that the riding experience DH is better. Less flex, more precise steering and handling. I do miss out on a little floatiness/poppyness/lightness TBH but it's only by a tiny amount and really not like a MX bike with the engine off IME, more like a well sorted DH rig vs a trail bike.
I think Warner exaggerates a little but yes in 5 years time, emtb will be the default choice with a few acoustic bikes left, the same way as you still see the odd XC bike, fat bike or fixie from time to time.
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