Cube Fold Hybrid

A cleverly designed hybrid that delivers everything you could want from a folding e-bike with the option of mid-drive power

Cube is one of Europe’s largest and most successful manufacturers of electric bikes – arguably the largest of all when it comes to quality e- bikes. Up until its 2022 line- up was announced, however, that didn’t include offering any folding e- bikes.

Now comes the Bavarian outfit’s first e-folder. Not surprisingly, the Fold Hybrid keeps faith with the Bosch mid- drives used across Cube’s whole e- bike range. Just as unsurprisingly, you could argue, the Fold Hybrid is based on the Cube Compact Hybrid, a compact one- size-fits-all unisex e- bike.

Compact e- bikes are great and Cube is very good at making them. They are small and nippy in town, easy to store at home, can carry a surprisingly large amount because the small wheels wheel free up storage space at both the front and rear of the frame, and are simply great fun to get about on.

Add in the secure folding system and this looks like a sure-fire winning recipe. A midframe hinge is nicely integrated into the frame members, there’s a fold- down handlebar post and a mechanism at the rear axles to lock the two halves securely together. This is something missing on many electric folders but is critical for a quick fold and to stop the two halves swinging apart when lifted. This all combines to produce a 90cm x 60cm x 75cm folded package which is pretty compact by folding e- bike standards. There is even a mid-frame handle to help lift the bike easily.

The Fold Hybrid will be available in both belt drive/5- speed gear hub and chain/ derailleur versions. The derailleur version gets a Bosch Active Plus mid- drive while the hub- geared model will feature the slightly more powerful Performance motor.

► £2,999-£3,399 cube.eu