For over six months, the MTB scene has been speculating about what lies behind the masked wheels of the Cube Action Teams is hiding. The fact that it is a 29-inch bike with 150 millimetres of suspension travel had already been leaked, but now the Bavarian bike manufacturer is completely revealing the secret. Is the new Stereo 150 a high-powered racing machine for full-throttle descents or does it - like its predecessor (the Stereo 140 29) - also for all-mountain riders?
At least the inspiration for the new Cube Stereo 150 came largely from racing. When Cube became the first major manufacturer to set up a pure enduro racing team in 2012, the Bavarians did not have a suitable bike for the increasingly popular EWS races in their portfolio. Although the Stereo 160 HPC presented shortly afterwards had 160 millimetres of travel, new 27.5-inch wheels at the time and was one of the lightest bikes in this class, the team expressed increasingly specific wishes to the engineers when it came to the material.
In 2015, when Irishman Greg Callaghan then launched his first EWS race in Wicklow wonit was clear to the Cube engineers led by chief designer Michael Prell that there was a need for action. Callaghan had not won on the Stereo 160, which was originally developed for enduro races, but on a Stereo 140 650 B. He won on an all-mountain bike. He won on an all-mountain bike. "We first had to find each other," explains Prell at the presentation of the new bike, "but the new Stereo 150 largely bears the signature of Greg Callaghan." So a full-throttle machine after all? We got our own impression of the new Cube Stereo on the trails of Finale Ligure.
Cube Stereo 150: the hard facts
Greg Callaghan's specifications were clear. He wanted 29er wheels, at least 150 millimetres of travel and an agile geometry to suit the trails of his native Ireland. This challenge forced Prell and his team to break new ground. The bridge between the two seat stays was removed to make the new rear triangle shorter.
The characteristic curve of the rear suspension has been made significantly more progressive than on the previous bike. On the one hand, this gives more counter-pressure and feedback from the ground, which racers love. On the other hand, because the bike is generally a little higher in its travel, the bottom bracket can be designed a little lower. With a bottom bracket drop of -34 millimetres, a 457 millimetre reach in size L and a steering angle of 66 degrees, the new Stereo 150 is in line with what has already proven itself with other manufacturers.
All models of the Cube Stereo 150 come with a 160 mm fork as standard. An imbalance between the slightly shorter travel at the rear (150 millimetres) was not noticeable on our first rides.
According to the manufacturer, the frame of the top model made from Cube's high-quality C:68 carbon in size 18 inches weighs just 2100 grams. That would be an absolute top value, which is well below the level of the competition. The carbon rocker and the carbon rear triangle certainly contribute to the low frame weight.
In terms of design, the Cube Stereo 150 seamlessly follows on from the already Stereo 140 introduced last year with 27.5-inch wheels. The striking front frame triangle and the hidden pivot points of the rear triangle make for an interesting look.
Conclusion: The Cube Stereo 150 29 in the first practical test
So, is the new Stereo a full-throttle machine or an all-mountain touring bike? Cube provided us with the top model Stereo 150 C:68 TM 29 for our first test rides. Will it make you as fast as Greg Callaghan straight away? In any case, you need calves like the EWS pro. Because Cube wants to deliver a race-ready bike with this equipment, you end up with a total weight of 14.5 kilos without pedals, tubeless! However, the heavy but stable Super Gravity tyres from Schwalbe, a chain guide and the downhill-compatible suspension elements and 4-piston brakes put the weight into perspective. The bike may not win a lightweight competition, but it can certainly cope with a day in the bike park or on the rough trails of Finale Ligure. Considering the equipment, the weight is okay. If you pedal uphill in a seated position to the trailhead, the rear triangle remains stable even without the platform in place. If you sprint the first few metres into the trail, the rear end pumps a little more than usual.
Downhill, the bike unfolds its full potential. The suspension elements swallow even the biggest rocks and make the roughest trails in Finale pleasant to ride. The handling of the Cube 29er is not bulky, but in tight corners it requires a bit of pressure from the rider to change direction. In long rock gardens or root passages, the new Fox 36 fork harmonises perfectly with the large 29er wheels and gives the rider a lot of confidence. We are confident (even if we weren't as fast as Greg Callaghan, who has already achieved a fifth place at the EWS): the new Cube Stereo 150 29 is a full-throttle machine, especially in the TM configuration for 4499 euros. The two cheaper models are aimed at touring bikers with different equipment.
The equipment variants of the Cube Stereo 150 29
The Cube Stereo 150 is initially available in three different equipment variants from 3199 euros to 4499 euros. According to the manufacturer, the weights are between 13.3 (SL), 13.6 (Race) and 13.9 kilograms (TM) without pedals - however, the TM model we weighed ended up at 14.5 kilograms in size 19 inches and with a tubeless setup. An Action Team version is due to follow later this year.
The Cube Stereo 150 TM for 4499 euros
The Cube Stereo 150 SL 29 for 3499 euros
The Cube Stereo 150 Race for 3199 euros
The Cube Stereo 150 29 should be available in shops from the end of May. Info on www.cube.eu.
