Next to the other bikes, the Cube Stereo looked like a four-wheel pickup: fat tyres, massive suspension travel and wide handlebars. But after the first few metres, the bike surprised us with its forward thrust. The Stereo climbed up the mountain in a balanced and fast manner. Especially when you lowered the fork a little using the U-turn knob.
The bike shows its true quality downhill. The combination of wide handlebars, 150-millimetre fork and 2.4-inch Rocket Ron tyres sets the standard for downhill riding. No suspension filters out even the smallest bumps better.
The good result is rounded off by the very high-quality equipment typical of Cube: lightweight Syntace parts and a good mix of Shimano XT and SLX leave little to be desired. The powerful Formula R1 with large discs at the front and rear scored points in the test with its good modulation. The only downside was the Ergon grips, which were particularly problematic for smaller women's hands on technical downhill sections.
ConclusionSensitive chassis and well-equipped. Good mix of ample suspension travel and reasonable weight.
+ Harmonious chassis
+ Unbeatable downhill
+ Good equipment
- Handles too thick
Price2599 Euro
Weight: 13,15 kg
Web: www.cube.eu
