Product news: The 2019 season is still in full swing, but one manufacturer after the other is already presenting the bikes for the coming year - including Cube. We were there at the in-house exhibition and were able to take a look at the bikes in the 2020 portfolio. There is exciting news in all suspension travel and wheel categories for the 2020 Cube mountain bikes - from the 29er Superenduro to the XC carbon racing file.
Cube Stereo 170 HPA 29
29er enduro with freeride potential
The Stereo 170 is completely new to the Cube range. The bike screams loudly for full throttle. The new 29er aluminum platform comes with 170mm at the back and front, the TrailMotion variant even with a full 180mm at the front and a steel spring damper at the rear. One and the same frame with air and coil dampers is usually always a compromise: The steel spring gets along better with progressive kinematics, while air dampers usually harmonize with more linear rear structures. In order to solve this dilemma with the Stereo 170, the designers at Cube have come up with something special: There is a flip chip in the linkage lever, with which the kinematics of the rear triangle can be adjusted according to the damper variant. A really nice solution, also for drivers who like to tune their chassis.
However, the flip chip is not the only special solution on the new Cube 29er Enduro. There is also something special about the fork, or more precisely the headset: the bike comes with its so-called Angleset, a headset that allows you to adjust the steering angle to your own needs. This is a complete in-house development that allows an adjustment range of 0,6°. The steering angle is 64,4° in the slack setting, with the TM variant a little less due to the longer 180 mm fork. So not too extreme - a conscious decision, as product manager Frank Greifzu makes clear: "We make bikes that should offer an optimal riding experience for many people, not products for niches."
| 18 | 20 | 22 | |
| seat tube (in mm) | 420 | 470 | 520 |
| Top tube horizontal (in mm) | 582 | 606 | 626 |
| head tube (in mm) | 103 | 113 | 133 |
| chainstay (in mm) | 434,5 | 434,5 | 434,5 |
| Wheelbase (in mm) | 1212 | 1237 | 1265 |
| Steering angle (in °) | 65 | 65 | 65 |
| Seat angle (in °) | 76,5 | 76,5 | 76,5 |
| Reach (mm) | 444 | 464 | 484 |
| Stacks (in mm) | 621 | 630 | 648 |
| 18 | 20 | 22 | |
| seat tube (in mm) | 420 | 470 | 520 |
| Top tube horizontal (in mm) | 581 | 604 | 631 |
| head tube (in mm) | 103 | 113 | 133 |
| chainstay (in mm) | 434,5 | 434,5 | 434,5 |
| Wheelbase (in mm) | 1220 | 1244 | 1273 |
| Steering angle (in °) | 64,4 | 64,4 | 64,4 |
| Seat angle (in °) | 76,7 | 76,7 | 76,7 |
| Reach (mm) | 446 | 466 | 486 |
| Stacks (in mm) | 619 | 628 | 646 |
The steering angle adjustment itself is well implemented. Between the aluminum head tube and the headset bearings there is a plastic shell at the top and bottom, which can only be installed in two positions. So only a 180 degree rotation is possible, the shells are clearly marked, so not much can actually go wrong. The built-in bearings in the headset are standard bearings, which pleases the buyer. The fact that the shells are made of plastic should avoid noise, and in the past "plastic" has also been able to convince us more and more in the headset area.
First look: Cube Stereo 170 HPA 29 TM
Perhaps the most exciting equipment variant of the new Cube Stereo 170 HPA 29 is the TrailMotion variant, which - as the name suggests - is designed a little more for trail banging than the new 29er Enduro anyway. This is supported by the chassis with Lyrik Ultimate with 180mm at the front and the Super Deluxe Coil at the rear. The E13 component package is also interesting: In addition to the recently presented cockpit, the wheels, tires and even the cassette also come from the US manufacturer. With 556%, the latter even offers a little more bandwidth than Sram and Shimano. A really high-quality and extremely well-equipped bike for 3.599 euros.
Models, equipment and prices
The entry into the 170 millimeter world is at 2999 For just €170, you can get the Cube Stereo 29 Race XNUMX. It comes with Fox suspension, a Sram GX Eagle drivetrain, and Sram Code R brakes. A RaceFace cockpit, Newmen wheels, and an in-house dropper post… there's nothing to complain about. It even comes standard with a Maxxis Assegai tire on the front.
Those who like to have the really noble parts on the bike can reach for the Stereo 170 SL 29. Then there is a Fox Kashima air suspension including dropper post. The brakes are supplied by Shimano, and they come from the Deore XT group, as does the gears. With its Schwalbe tire mix of Hans Dampf at the rear and Magic Mary at the front, the bike should be a little more suitable for touring than the other two models. Carbon parts from Raceface for cranks and handlebars save weight, as do the light Newmen wheels.
Cube Stereo 120 HPC
New carbon frame for trail bike and top model
Of course, the Cube Stereo 120 is not a new bike - but the carbon frame is new for the 2020 season: a few grams lighter than the aluminum counterpart, it has the features and qualities that made the aluminum counterpart great in the past. Of course, this also applies to the 29-inch wheels and the 120mm spring travel at the front and rear; A 130mm fork is used at the front of the slightly more downhill-heavy TM variant.
Of course, the aluminum frame remains in the program and is used in the two cheaper configurations. The top model and the TM variant, on the other hand, rely on the new HPC carbon frame. Of course, the area of use remains the same: the bike is intended for tours and easier trails and will also be worth considering for many bikers in the coming season.
First Look: Cube Stereo 120 HPC™
Also in the 120 millimeter class we want to introduce you to a TM model, i.e. a TrialMotion model. The Cube Stereo 2.799 HPC TM 120 is available for 29 euros - which is also exciting because the 2019 TM with virtually the same equipment is 'only' 300 euros cheaper. To put it another way: the carbon frame is available in 300 for an additional charge of just 2020 euros. Compared to the rest of the Stereo 120 models, the TM comes with an extra centimeter of travel at the front, which suits it well. The Fox 34, together with the Float DPS damper, always ensures sufficient traction.
The Shimano XT brakes are fitted with a 4-piston brake caliper at the front and a 2-piston brake caliper at the rear. That makes sense, because you need more braking power at the front. If the rear wheel is already locked and slipping, you can use the front wheel to reduce speed.
On the solid Fulcrum wheels, 2,35 mm Nobby Nic Schwalbe tires rotate, the ideal all-rounders. They are accelerated by a Sram Eagle group consisting of GX rear derailleur and NX shifter. The 10-50 cassette is also sufficient for longer tours.
Models, equipment and prices
Variant with aluminum frame:
Cube Elite C:68X
New frame: lighter, more comfortable, better
The Elite has been the top race hardtail in Cube's portfolio for a while. For the coming season, the racing file will get a completely new frame that goes by the name of C:68X Elite. In the corresponding press release, Cube himself says: “Is this bike really that much better than its predecessor? Definitive. The current best on the market? We are convinced of that.” – so high expectations of the new XC hardtail.
During development, comfort was particularly important in the specifications. Increasingly sophisticated production processes now allow high-end manufacturers like Cube to construct carbon frames with noticeable flex in certain areas, while focusing on rigidity elsewhere. At Cube, the manufacturing process is called Advanced Twin Mold - this made it possible, for example, to build the area around the seat tube extremely flexibly in order to absorb vibrations and shocks in the frame before they penetrate the rider's buttocks. At the bottom bracket and head tube, on the other hand, the frame is stiffer than before and therefore more efficient and precise in handling. Oh yes: it has also become lighter!
First look: Cube Elite C:68X SLT
Models, equipment and prices
The new Elite C:68X will be available in three configurations. All of them are in the high-end range, as evidenced by their weight, equipment and price. The "entry-level model" with Sram X01 Eagle gears, Sid Ultimate and Newmen aluminum wheels weighs 9,3 kg and costs almost 4.000 euros. The SL version with the team look is a good half a kilogram lighter. In addition to the Fox 32 Stepcast fork, the carbon wheels from Newmen are certainly responsible for this. Gears are shifted here with Shimano's 12-speed XTR and the price is 4.599 euros. The top model with the abbreviation SLT has the same equipment as the SL variant, but the new, wireless Sram XX1 Eagle AXS circuit is installed here. For this, the buyer has to dig deep into his pocket at 5.199 euros.
Cube Analog 2020 - A price-performance tip
Noble, expensive bikes are all well and good and know how to inspire us as well as you. Sometimes, however, a bike catches your eye that can convince with other qualities. This is how we felt at the Cube in-house exhibition with the Analog 2020: The entry-level and all-round hardtail is said to cost 699, but for this price it comes with almost unbelievably good equipment: A decent Rockshox XC 30 fork, reliable Shimano disc brakes and a Sram Eagle gearshift with 12 gears. The latter is made possible by the new Sram group SX Eagle. In our eyes a very hot price tip! Stand, fender, etc. can be mounted for everyday use. The bike is available in seven sizes and two colors.
