This all started, when I noticed the fork on my Camber wasn't getting it's full travel. A quick circuit around Swinley, and I knew I had a problem, as it was only achieving about 50mm of its promised 120mm (ironically, I managed some super quick times on this ride... not sure what that says). So my fork was booked into a service at TF Tuned, and I prepared myself for a week without a bike. I was actually going to attempt to resurrect my old Voodoo Bizango, but luckily, a 'school dad' friend stepped in at the last minute and said "If you need a bike, you can borrow mine". Not appearing to be ungrateful, I tentatively asked if the bike was full suss, and if it had a dropper posts etc. It transpired that apart form it being a size 'large', it ticked all the boxes (this was a school dad who obviously liked his mountain biking). The bike itself was a Cube Stereo, 650b, which is a make I've never ridden, and one that has never really been on my radar. So it would be a totally new experience, and I didn't know what to expect. After the kids bedtime, I headed over, under the cover of darkness, to make my way up Dug's Drive to collect the bike.
The bike...
First impression, visually, was it was a lovely looking bike. Mat black with red decals on the frame, red and white on the rims... a aleck head angle, and sweet looking shocks. And then I picked it up!!! Wow! This bike was light. It turned out it was the carbon version, and you could totally tell. It had a 1 x 11 chains, a Reverb dropper post, 140mm Pike fork (140 or 150), Fox Float shock (not sure of the travel here - but bigger than the Camber - see specs at the end). Tyres were Nobby Nics, tubeless, flat HT pedals. It had everything going for it, and I couldn't wait to get out and try it.
The next day, I lowered the seat post right down. I had about 4mm left on the tube, so the ride would be good. The shocks took a bit of tuning. Have to say, the rear shock on the Camber is a dream to setup, with it's auto sag feature. With the Fox Float on the Cube, it seemed to be trial and error... ride it, let out 5 psi, ride it again, then check again.
First ride - Day 1
I was meeting up with a mate at Swinley on the Wednesday, so I took the bike for a local blast around The Devils Punchbowl, just to get accustomed to the feel. After an initial ride, I found myself adjusting the saddle, as I was too stretched out. This fixed the problem, though as I rule, I felt a little stretched on this bike, though the more I rode it, the better it felt... it was large after all, and I definitely need a medium bike. It climbed well, though with a little less pace than the 29er. With drop-offs and jumps, it was a dream - being the 27.5 size definitely makes a difference here, though being such a light bike helps as well. After this first ride, I was definitely impressed, and was looking forward to the Swinley shakedown.
above: the Stereo in The Punchbowl
Day 2 - Swinley
It was pretty well the prefect day to be heading out for a ride. I was meeting up with Greg, a man who is living the mountain bike dream - working one half of the year to pay for the other half driving around the UK and elsewhere to trail centres etc, living in a van, mountain biking. And he does it on a Santa Cruz, and swears by them... which is certainly an endorsement for this expensive range of bikes. I lifted my bike off my roof rack, and once agin struck by how light it was... something which I may keep saying, but it's one of the most striking things about this bike. It was Greg's first time around Swinley, but he had no problem keeping up - testament to the fact he lives, east and breathes mountain biking... (though I'm probably not that quick myself). That said, I could definitely push this bike as far as I wanted to. It was beautiful on the berms, and simply ate up the rooty sections of the Labyrinth. I definitely noticed the wide bars, though the bike was so nimble, I could always avoid the tighter gaps. Due to the lightness of the bike, I was having to adapt on the corners, to keep my grip - it did feel like it could skip out from under me at points, but this could have been down to the rebound settings in the forks - which utterly confused me... fork AND shock. I reckon I ended up setting the rebound on the middle setting for both, but really don't know what I ended up with. As it was, I adapted to whatever the bike was doing, and had a great time.
above: my footage at Swinley
below: Greg's footage of me at Swinley on the Cube Stereo
below: Greg's footage of The Labyrinth
It's worth noting, that this bike had a few modifications. I'm pretty sure it came as 2x10 / 11, where as this one was the single chainring. Also, Dug told me the shocks were different. Whatever it was, the result worked well. Thoughts...
Small points, were that the chain at times had problems going into the lowest gear. Also, the highest gear ratio meant that on the very fast sections, where you want more push form the pedals, it ran out. It had a 30 tooth on the front, so maybe I'd go with a 34 instead, and maybe up the size of the largest chainring on the back, just to cope with the super steep hills.
Another slight issue, was the rear brake lever locking up, on sections of very bumpy, longish downhill. I don't know what this was, but a quick release of the lever would reset it (the pads wouldn't lock on, it was just the lever went very stiff on the out position).
Not a problem, but worth noting, is that with the position of the rear shock, you have to lean right down to swap over the lockout.. so have to do this well in advance of a relevant trail. I imagine I'd get used to it, but do prefer the easier to reach shock position for the Camber.
The 27.5 wheels, though not as fast up the hills, are superb. I had no problem flying up a very steep climb I usually do, and the tyres were super grippy. Through sand, it was no problem as well. The Reverb post is really great - definitely prefer it over the Specialised one. It's super smooth, and very easy to find mid positions. It was the longer post, which meant could now lower when dropped down - something else I would like on my bike. Also the button on the bars is actually quite easy to use, and i wouldn't say it's any worse than the 'gear-lever' style one on my Camber.
The overall travel of this bike is more than mine, but I'd happily swap to a longer travel, after trying out the Cube. Ok, there is a debate that you just don't need longer travel if you're not hammering down mountains constantly, but I reckon there's no problem having it just for the times you do. Yes, it may not be as economical in riding, but really, who cares... you won't be as quick, but you'll be having fun.
I was impressed with the grip I achieved from the pedals... but I am pretty sure, this is due to the fact my 5-10s are worn where the DMR pedal pins go into the shoe... and hence, the HT Pedals were finding new rubber to grip to. Once again, I found myself lifting my foot to change pedal position (which isn't a bad thing in my view... it just means you have great grip).
The seat was a Selle Itallia Trail... which I found pretty sore and not too comfortable, but maybe that's just not being used to it.
The bars were 780mm RSA, with some fairly pleasant squishy rubber grips fitted. Though the bar felt super wide, I'd be inclined to leave it like that, as I got used to it, and it seemed to give me more control over the bike (the Camber is 760mm). I would actually go for the simple plain grips as well. I always wear gloves, and the sticky rubber compound never failed. Not sure what it's like in the wet though.
Conclusion
Yes, I would get a bike like this - very much. I would change the gear ratio, but that's about it. It's the 2016 model, so is probably going super cheap (relatively) somewhere, though I doubt there are any left. What it has made me realise, is that 27.5 is definitely the wheel size for me, and I'd have no problem heading up to 130mm, or even 140. It was a great ride - I'll be very sorry to see it go.
Specs
You can see the original listing at the Cube website here:
These are the specs for the bike direct. Note it is not 1 x11, and I suspect the handlebars and shocks may have been changed.
- WEIGHT12.5 kg
