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What the specialist retail brand Cube for 3699 euros over the counter is truly impressive. A carbon main frame and crank arms, first-class suspension elements, high-quality wheels and a Shimano XT groupset. We believe: A better price-performance ratio than the Cube Stereo 120 HPC EX off-road-hungry bikers are unlikely to get in 2022. The Rose Ground Control 3 is 700 euros cheaper and also has hardly any weaknesses in terms of equipment. Aluminium frame, Shimano XT drivetrain and Rockshox suspension from the more affordable Select+ series - it's a perfect match! Without carbon and the slightly heavier equipment, the Rose still has to admit defeat on the scales by 380 grams compared to the Cube.
Just like the price, the two duelists also have different set-ups in practice: the sporty riding position on the Rose is somewhat reminiscent of classic marathon fullys. With a corresponding amount of pressure on the front wheel and a nice stretch, you take a seat on the Rose Ground Control 3. Together with the efficient suspension and the easy-rolling Maxxis Forkaster tyres, the Rose pedals much better than the competition.
Down-Country: How rough should the tyres be?
What our testers also liked: If you want to eliminate the last drive influences on long climbs, you can reach the platform lever in a relaxed manner while riding. On fast descents or in technical terrain, however, you have to hold back a little with the Ground Control. "Although Rose and Cube have the same suspension travel on paper, it feels like less on the Ground Control," Maik criticises the stiff rear end of the mail-order bike.
The bike can't offer a smooth ride in rock gardens or on root carpets. Nevertheless, our testers found the decent response of the fork, the comfortable control centre and the dropper post perfect for the majority of their tours. Although the tyres fit the image of modern down-country bikes, they reach their limit much earlier than the enduro tyres on the Stereo: Maxxis Minion in 2.5 mm width at the front - manufacturers usually only put these tyres on powerful all-mountain bikes or even enduro bikes.
This brings us to the biggest point of discussion in this duel: is the Cube Stereo 120 HPC still a downhill bike? The manufacturer says yes. With the exception of the 130 mm fork, the key data also points to this. However, the ultra-grippy tyres and the super-sensitive suspension with plenty of reserves speak a different language. And the powerful four-piston brakes with 203 mm discs at the front also bring the bike to a standstill faster than we are used to from other bikes in this category. The testers are unanimous: the Stereo easily holds its own in the trail bike duel on the climbs. But the bike also masters the uphill sections reliably. Thanks to the central riding position, you always stay in control on key sections. The rear suspension also bobs a little when seated. However, a grip on the platform lever ensures calm. However, when trying to take on the Rose on the climbs, the Cube with its heavy tyres comes out on top despite its lower overall weight.
Conclusion from Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor:
Cheap versus expensive. Aluminium against carbon. Long-distance ace against off-road toy. Two worlds meet in this duel. Its exclusive equipment and downhill performance help the Cube to win the points. If you judge the duel purely on the basis of the requirements for a down-country bike - i.e. powerful, efficient but still capable off-road - the choice falls in favour of the Rose.
Technical data Cube Stereo 120 HPC EX 29
General information
- Price: 3699 Euro >> available here
- Frame material: Carbon
- Frame size: S / M / L / XL (tested in 47 cm)
- Info->
Measured values
- Weight without pedals: 13.37 kg
- Front/rear suspension travel: 128/124 mm
Equipment
- Wheels: Newmen A 30 Evolution
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion 3C MaxxTerra / MaxxSpeed Exo Protection TR 29 x 2.50 / 2.40
- Fork: Fox 34 Float Factory FitGrip2
- Shock: Fox Float X Factory
- Brakes: Shimano XT BR-M 8100; 203 / 180
- Gear system: Shimano XT 1 x 12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 30; 11-51 / 463%
- Telescopic post: Fox Transfer Factory / 145 mm
Technical data Rose Ground Control 3
General information
- Price 2): 2999 Euro >> available here
- Frame material: aluminium
- Frame size: S / M / L / XL (tested in 47cm)
- Info->
Measured values
- Weight without pedals: 13.75 kg
- Front/rear suspension travel: 122/124 mm
Equipment
- Wheels: Mavic Crossmax XL
- Tyres: Maxxis Forekaster / Exo Protection TR 29 x 2.35
- Fork: Rockshox Pike Select+
- Shock: Rockshox Deluxe Select+
- Brakes: Formula Cura; 160/160 mm
- Gear system: Shimano XT 1 x 12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 32; 10-51 / 510%
- Telescopic support: Rose / 150 mm
1) The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price.
2) Price may be subject to additional costs for packaging, dispatch and coordination
You can download the complete reader test 2022 here:
>> Reader test 2022 from BIKE 8/2022 <<
Max Fuchs
Editor
