Cube Hybrid - Reaction or Stereo
Hi everyone! I’m looking for some advice as I’ll be getting a new e-bike soon, but I’m having a hard time deciding what type to go for. I’m coming from an older 2017 Trek with a Bosch CX motor and a coil-sprung front fork, so it’s definitely time for an upgrade.
At the moment, I’m mainly considering either a Reaction Hybrid 800 Race or SLX, or a Stereo Hybrid ONE44 HPA EX or EXC. I might also consider the ONE22 (not HPC since its hard to get proper mudguards).
Mudguards and a rear rack are important to me, as the bike will also be used for commuting to work. It’s only a short commute of around 10 minutes, though, so that’s not really where the decision gets difficult. It’s when I’m out riding on forest roads and trails that full suspension starts to look very tempting.
One thing I’m wondering about is maintenance. How much more maintenance and upkeep should I realistically expect with a Stereo compared with a Reaction? I understand that there’s obviously a rear shock and pivots/bearings to look after, but is the difference significant in real-world ownership?
I’d really appreciate any thoughts or experiences, especially from anyone who has had to make a similar choice between a hardtail and a full-suspension eMTB.