Getting back into cycling later in life shouldn’t mean wrestling with a heavy frame or swinging a leg over a high top tube. The right ebike makes riding feel easy again, whether that’s a flat loop around the neighbourhood or a full day out on a rail trail.
If you’re shopping for yourself or a parent, here’s what actually matters and three Cube models worth a look.
What to look for in an electric bike for older riders
- An easy entry frame. Cube calls this Easy Entry or Step Thru. There’s no top bar to swing your leg over, so getting on and off is simple even if your hips or knees aren’t what they used to be.
- Enough motor and battery for real distance. A bike that runs out of charge halfway home isn’t doing you any favours. Look for a decent sized battery and a motor with enough torque to take the strain out of hills and getting going from a stop.
- A comfortable, upright riding position. Less weight on your wrists and lower back makes a real difference over a long ride.
- Suspension. A suspension fork (and ideally a suspension seat post) smooths out rough seal, gravel and rail trail surfaces, which is kinder on ageing joints.
- The extras already sorted. Lights, mudguards, a kickstand and a carrier mean you’re not adding gear or extra cost after the fact.
Three Cube Easy Entry ebikes worth test riding
Cube Reaction Hybrid Performance 600 Easy Entry, from $5,779
A solid starting point for footpaths, cycleways and light gravel. It runs a Bosch Performance motor with a 600Wh battery, a 100mm travel suspension fork, and comes fully equipped with mudguards, lights, a carrier and a kickstand. Nothing extra to buy, nothing extra to think about.
Cube Touring Hybrid Pro 800 Easy Entry, from $6,299
A step up for longer days out. The Touring Hybrid Pro pairs a Bosch PX motor with a bigger 800Wh battery, an air suspension fork and Cube’s Efficient Comfort Geometry, so it stays composed over rougher seal and gravel. Same fully equipped kit as the Reaction, mudguards, lights, carrier and kickstand all included.
Cube Kathmandu Hybrid EXC 800 Easy Entry, from $7,999
The top of the Easy Entry range and Cube’s dedicated trekking bike. It runs the Bosch CX drive with an 800Wh battery, a Fox suspension fork, premium Shimano XT gears and brakes, and Cube’s Integrated Carrier 3.0. Some Cube models with the latest Gen 5 Bosch CX system are eligible for a free Bosch software upgrade that boosts torque and assist, worth asking your dealer about when you’re comparing models.
Cube’s Easy Entry range runs from around $5,599 through to $7,999, and also includes the Touring Hybrid ONE, Nuride Hybrid Pro and Kathmandu Hybrid ONE, so there’s room to move up or down depending on budget and how far you plan to ride.
A few honest notes
No two riders are the same, so the right size and setup matters more than the spec sheet. A dealer can check your fit, talk you through the gears and brakes, and let you feel the difference between motors before you commit. Stock varies by dealer and not every store carries the full range, so it’s worth calling ahead if you have a specific model in mind.
Find your nearest Cube e-bIke dealer in NZ
Ready to see one in person? Find your nearest Cube dealer and book a test ride.
