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At first glance, the Cube AMS One11 C:68X Pro 29 in amazement. Wow! The carbon frame with its high-gloss metallic finish and beautifully covered rear suspension mounts is well received. In addition, the Shimano XT gear system and the Newmen parts a nod of approval. For the attractive price of 3799 euros, Cube has put a really nice fully on the tyres. The concept with 120 millimetres of travel at the front and 110 millimetres at the rear, trail-ready equipment and a fair price tag should magically attract many touring bikers. It would take a trained eye to spot any catches in this deal in the dealer car park. In direct comparison with the Canyon Lux Trail CF7 but we still found the odd fly in the ointment.
Cube AMS One11 C:68X Pro 29 in detail
- Price: 3799 Euro >> available here
- Area of use: Downcountry (marathon to trail)
- Suspension travel: 120 / 110 mm
- Wheel size: 29"
- Weight: 12.9 kg (BIKE measurement without pedals)
- Frame material: Carbon
- Maximum permissible total weight: 115 kg
- Warranty: 3 years
- Special features: two bottle holders
Equipment
- Fork: Rockshox Recon RL Gold
- Shock: Rockshox Deluxe Select+
- Gears / range: Shimano XT / 510%
- Brakes: Magura MT-Thirty, 180 / 180 mm
- Wheels: Newmen Performance 30 Light
- Tyres: Maxxis Forekaster 3C MaxxTerra Exo TR, 29 x 2.40
- Seatpost / Stroke: Cube Dropper / 150 mm
How the touring MTB from Cube performs in practice
A glance at the geometry table reveals that Cube has taken a conservative approach to the riding position on the AMS One11. The seat angle is extremely slack, but the top tube is still short. As a result, the rider sits quite balanced in the saddle, but hardly puts any pressure on the front. Together with the positively angled stem and 25 millimetre handlebar rise, the front wheel climbs much faster on steep ramps than on the Canyon. On shallow climbs in undulating terrain, the calculation still works, but then the higher wheel and total weight is more of a problem. The shock doesn't have a remote on the handlebars, but it doesn't bob much and can be further stabilised via the platform lever. Unfortunately, the grippy tyres can't hide the weak traction of the rear end. Uphill, the Cube lags behind the lighter and sportier Canyon.
As the tour descends, the high front and slack head angle of the Cube AMS One11 C:68X Pro 29 provide plenty of safety reserves. The geo of the short-travel Cube even copes well with really steep trails. Similar to a classic trail bike, the rider sits relaxed on the bike and the controlled handling is pleasing. Cube impressively proves that even inexpensive suspension components can work sensitively today. The simple Rockshox Recon and the Deluxe trail bike shock filter impacts from the trail with astonishing sensitivity. However, when the terrain becomes more demanding and the ride faster, the fork is stingy with progression and reaches its limit earlier than the rear triangle despite more travel. Speaking of which, this does not rely on a flex pivot, as is usual on race bikes, but on an additional bearing in the chainstay. Unfortunately, this doesn't help when the bike hits a fast sequence of hits. Then the only 110 millimetres of travel in the rear parries woodenly and the rear triangle starts to stutter in the root staccato.
Field of application
Evaluation of the Cube AMS One11 C.68X Pro 29 in the BIKE spider diagram: Uphill, playfulness and downhill refer to the riding behaviour. The greater the deflection, the better the suitability. The evaluation of the equipment is made up of various points such as quality, workmanship, usability, bottle cage volume and saddle drop. The deflection for propulsion refers to the influence of total weight and wheel inertia.
The devil is in the detail
Even if the Cube offers a lot for the money at first glance, professionals will soon discover a few weak points in the package. The Newmen rims come from the lowest compartment of the product portfolio and are pinned instead of welded. Although the rear derailleur is emblazoned with the prestigious Shimano XT logo and the XT lever fits snugly on the finger, the cassette and chain are "only" from the SLX and Deore series. Some people call this a fudge, others don't care about expensive wearing parts anyway. However, there is no room for discussion when it comes to serviceability. In this category of the BIKE evaluation, the Cube AMS One11 performs exceptionally poorly. The covered rear suspension mounts are nice to look at, but require additional time in the workshop if they need to be replaced.
With a pressed bottom bracket and hardly any frame protection the Bavarians lose additional sustainability points. If you want to have fun on your Cube bike for a long time, you should invest in protective stickers and protectors for the chainstay before use, as the chassis comes virtually naked from the factory. The stingy frame protection takes its revenge on the trail. The rear derailleur damping is not sufficient to prevent chain slap, and the drivetrain bangs loudly on the carbon. Another cost-cutting measure concerns the braking system. The simple Magura MT Thirty can be purchased for as little as 60 euros per pair. It takes an extremely long time to brake and is still a whole class weaker than the Shimano brakes on the Canyon. Nevertheless, all the testers praised the good grips on the Cube AMS One11 C:68X Pro 29.
Measurement data from the BIKE test lab
- Total weight: 12.89 kg (without pedals)
- Weight of wheels: 4927g (per set with tyres, cassette, brake discs)
- Wheel inertia: 3861 kg x cm² (the lower the value, the easier it is to accelerate)
Valuation
The BIKE grade is based on the impressions of the test riders and laboratory measurements. The grade is independent of price and analogue to the school grading system (grading range: 0.5-5.5).
Driving behaviour
- Uphill riding behaviour (15 %): 3,50
- Uphill efficiency suspension (15 %): 3,00
- Play instinct (8 %): 1.25
- Downhill riding behaviour (12 %): 2.00
- Downhill chassis (15 %): 3,25
- Driving behaviour grade: 2.77
Laboratory
- Weight without pedals (6 %): 3,50
- Inertia impellers (4 %): 3,00
- Lab grade: 3.3
Equipment
- Equipment quality (5 %): 2.68
- Usability / added value (5 %): 4,00
- Transport volume bottle cage (5 %): 1.25
- Saddle retractability (5 %): 1.00
- Quality / processing (5 %): 1.75
- Equipment grade: 2.14
Overall grade: 2.7
BIKE conclusion
The sleek Cube AMS One11 C:68X Pro 29 is a great mountain bike for beginners who prefer to take on versatile tours. It is good-natured and uncomplicated on easy trails. More radical manoeuvres are sometimes hindered by the suspension and equipment. Caution: Some details only reveal their shortcomings at second glance. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
Pro
- Relaxed sitting and riding position
- Versatility
- Great look
- Attractive price
Contra
- Rising front wheel on steep climbs
- Lack of chassis control
- Weak brakes
- Poor service friendliness
Jan Timmermann
Editor
