Discussion
I've decided to treat myself to a full suspension bike to sit alongside my front suspension bike.
I've always liked the look of Cube bikes and have found quite a few reduced 2013 models of which I've narrowed it down to these two, http://mountain-bikes.findthebest.com/l/4275/2013-... and http://mountain-bikes.findthebest.com/l/4273/2013-... They have pretty much the same equipment bar the wheels and brakes, does one come out much better than the other because of this. Obviously the 150 has more suspension travel so that is always good, right?
I tend to do XC riding which can be a gentle ride around the Sherwood area to jaunts into the Peak district with the lung bursting climbs and rough descents that that involves. Am I right in thinking that both of these bikes are quite good at climbing? Due to the huge range of Cube bikes it's quite difficult to find reviews for every individual model.
There is only £200 between the two bikes so I'd rather go on the best specification. My budget is around £1500 if there are any others I've missed. I hate paying full price for anything so 2013 bikes are what I've been looking at.
One other outsider that caught my eye is this Giant but it looks a little too much downhill orientated although it gets great revieas and is rated as a good climber, nice discount though http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s1p4939/GIANT-REI...
Any views on my choices, good or bad?
I've always liked the look of Cube bikes and have found quite a few reduced 2013 models of which I've narrowed it down to these two, http://mountain-bikes.findthebest.com/l/4275/2013-... and http://mountain-bikes.findthebest.com/l/4273/2013-... They have pretty much the same equipment bar the wheels and brakes, does one come out much better than the other because of this. Obviously the 150 has more suspension travel so that is always good, right?
I tend to do XC riding which can be a gentle ride around the Sherwood area to jaunts into the Peak district with the lung bursting climbs and rough descents that that involves. Am I right in thinking that both of these bikes are quite good at climbing? Due to the huge range of Cube bikes it's quite difficult to find reviews for every individual model.
There is only £200 between the two bikes so I'd rather go on the best specification. My budget is around £1500 if there are any others I've missed. I hate paying full price for anything so 2013 bikes are what I've been looking at.
One other outsider that caught my eye is this Giant but it looks a little too much downhill orientated although it gets great revieas and is rated as a good climber, nice discount though http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s1p4939/GIANT-REI...
Any views on my choices, good or bad?
I have a Cube Mountain bike and a Cube road bike, great bikes and I think they have great spec for the money.
Pretty new to cycling so am not best equipped to say if your choices are good bikes, but have a look at Winstanleys website, they have massive deductions on 2013 Cube bikes.
I got £600 off my road bike, rrp £1600, got it for £999.
Pretty new to cycling so am not best equipped to say if your choices are good bikes, but have a look at Winstanleys website, they have massive deductions on 2013 Cube bikes.
I got £600 off my road bike, rrp £1600, got it for £999.
I bought a 2014 Cube Fritzz 160 Race (650b) about 6 weeks ago and I also looked at the AMS range.
For the riding you do, the AMS range sounds more appropriate, and if you are not doing anything too lairy, 110mm is perfect.
I opted for something a bit beefier for my riding, but it is still pretty good on the gentle local type trails that I ride around Bristol (Leigh Woods, 50 Acre Wood and Ashton Court are on my doorstep, so can pop out for a few laps of in the evening without driving to a trail-centre)... clearly, harder work on the ups, but pop the suspension in Trail (or even keep it in Climb), and it handles pretty well on the gently stuff.
Coming from a carbon hard-tail, this thing is a completely different animal on the downs. Now loving the DH courses at the Forest Of Dean, whereas before, I'd be hanging on, trying to keep up with my mates on their FS bikes, now I'm getting more confident and faster when the going gets rough.
FS with a dropper... best decision I made!
No problems with my Cube in general so far, but it's still pretty new and only manage about 35 - 40 miles a week off-road on it. Ask me the same question in 12 month's time and I'll let you know what's worn out, broken or still working well!
I think they look good as well... if that's a consideration?!
For the riding you do, the AMS range sounds more appropriate, and if you are not doing anything too lairy, 110mm is perfect.
I opted for something a bit beefier for my riding, but it is still pretty good on the gentle local type trails that I ride around Bristol (Leigh Woods, 50 Acre Wood and Ashton Court are on my doorstep, so can pop out for a few laps of in the evening without driving to a trail-centre)... clearly, harder work on the ups, but pop the suspension in Trail (or even keep it in Climb), and it handles pretty well on the gently stuff.
Coming from a carbon hard-tail, this thing is a completely different animal on the downs. Now loving the DH courses at the Forest Of Dean, whereas before, I'd be hanging on, trying to keep up with my mates on their FS bikes, now I'm getting more confident and faster when the going gets rough.
FS with a dropper... best decision I made!
No problems with my Cube in general so far, but it's still pretty new and only manage about 35 - 40 miles a week off-road on it. Ask me the same question in 12 month's time and I'll let you know what's worn out, broken or still working well!
I think they look good as well... if that's a consideration?!
The only thing I would say is once you start riding a full suspension bike your riding could change a bit and you may find yourself enjoying a bit more gnarly descents.
Personally I'd go for the longer travel bike, particularly if you have a hardtail at home for full-on XC riding. I bought a Cube AMS 130 which was my first full suspension bike and I'd been doing very similar riding to you on my hardtail. The Cube opened up a whole new world to me and after 6 months I was already looking for more travel!
The Cube was moved on to my wife and replaced with an Orange 5 which is awesome...
I suspect if you buy the 110, like me you'll be looking for more travel before long....
Personally I'd go for the longer travel bike, particularly if you have a hardtail at home for full-on XC riding. I bought a Cube AMS 130 which was my first full suspension bike and I'd been doing very similar riding to you on my hardtail. The Cube opened up a whole new world to me and after 6 months I was already looking for more travel!
The Cube was moved on to my wife and replaced with an Orange 5 which is awesome...
I suspect if you buy the 110, like me you'll be looking for more travel before long....
Edited by dugsud on Tuesday 18th February 11:45
I have a Cube AMS 130. I bought it for the high spec, low price. I'm not overly impressed but does the job. It's not light. Front brakes need replacing. Broken the rear mech hanger and they're a PITA to find. Rear shifter plays up.
I mainly ride Epping Forest as it's local but we also do trail centres like Swinley, Bedgebury, FOD and Cwmcarn and the bike was fine but the climbs are hard work due to the weight. Then again I came from road cycling so anything is heavy... except my mate's carbon Santa Cruzes. :drool:
I was chatting to a member of staff in a certain well known bike shop chain when I was looking at new road bikes said Cube make up the majority of returns/ warranty work. Thanks, I have a Cube mountain bike. See you soon then.
I mainly ride Epping Forest as it's local but we also do trail centres like Swinley, Bedgebury, FOD and Cwmcarn and the bike was fine but the climbs are hard work due to the weight. Then again I came from road cycling so anything is heavy... except my mate's carbon Santa Cruzes. :drool:
I was chatting to a member of staff in a certain well known bike shop chain when I was looking at new road bikes said Cube make up the majority of returns/ warranty work. Thanks, I have a Cube mountain bike. See you soon then.
Thanks for the replies everyone.
I haven't heard about the Cube reliability problems before but I'll take everything aboard. I seem to have spent the last couple of weeks trawling forums and bike web sites and it seems every bike has its pros and cons, same with everything I suppose.
I haven't heard about the Cube reliability problems before but I'll take everything aboard. I seem to have spent the last couple of weeks trawling forums and bike web sites and it seems every bike has its pros and cons, same with everything I suppose.
This is proving more difficult than I expected as obviously I want to make the correct choice when spending a fairly large amount of money.
The main problem is that I have discovered the Canyon bikes web site
. This is making the Cubes look poor value (and pretty much most mainstream bikes to be fair) when compared side by side with the Canyons.
I'm also suffering from major budget creep
The main problem is that I have discovered the Canyon bikes web site
. This is making the Cubes look poor value (and pretty much most mainstream bikes to be fair) when compared side by side with the Canyons. I'm also suffering from major budget creep
My missus now rides my old Cube LTD race hardtail. Nice bike with decent kit for the money - they are always end of season bargains on Cubes. Wheels are a bit heavy but other than that it's pretty light for aluminium. Pretty steep geometry which does nicely for XC.
Nearly 3 years old now and nothing has gone wrong - probably does around 1500 miles a year. Been serviced once - needed new headset and BB after 2 years. Other than that the rest is just drive train wear.
Nearly 3 years old now and nothing has gone wrong - probably does around 1500 miles a year. Been serviced once - needed new headset and BB after 2 years. Other than that the rest is just drive train wear.
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