{"id":12031,"date":"2022-05-16T18:17:08","date_gmt":"2022-05-16T16:17:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/mbuk\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=12031"},"modified":"2022-05-16T18:17:08","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T16:17:08","slug":"cube-stereo-120-hpc-tm-29","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/mbuk\/2022\/05\/16\/cube-stereo-120-hpc-tm-29\/","title":{"rendered":"Cube stereo 120 HPC TM 29"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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SPEC<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u00a33,299<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frame <\/strong>\u2018HPC\u2019 carbon fibre mainframe, 6061-T6 aluminium alloy rear end, 120mm travel <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sizes <\/strong>S, M, L*, XL<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fork <\/strong>Fox 34 Rhythm, 130mm travel <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shock <\/strong>Fox Float DPS Performance <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wheelset <\/strong>Fulcrum Red 55 EM wheels, Maxxis Ardent EXO 29×2.4 tyres <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drivetrain bottom bracket <\/strong>SRAM GX Eagle with X1 cranks, NX Eagle shifter and SX Eagle chain (1×12)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brakes <\/strong>Shimano Deore XT, 203\/180mm rotors <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bar\/stem <\/strong>Newmen Evolution SL, 780mm\/ Newmen Evolution SL, 50mm <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seatpost\/saddle <\/strong>Cube 150mm dropper\/SDG Bel-Air V3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weight <\/strong>13.8kg (large, without pedals)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

www.cube.eu<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

Cube pitch the <\/strong>Stereo 120 as a comfortable bike with geometry that\u2019s got your back. This should mean its suspension, frame shape and kit all combine to help you get out into the hills and make the most of the trails.<\/p>\n\n

The front triangle is carbon fibre, with a heavily-sloped top tube, which features a brace to prop up the seat tube. Cube\u2019s industrial designers have done a good job of merging the carbon mainframe with the alloy rear triangle, using continuous lines and a clean paint job. A four-bar suspension linkage gives 120mm of rear-wheel travel. The seat tube is tall, at 470mm on our large test bike, while the 67-degree head angle sits on the steeper side of things and the reach, at 460mm, is relatively short.<\/p>\n\n

As the cheapest bike in this year\u2019s test, and with a carbon front triangle, too, the Cube is decent value. A Fox 34 Rhythm fork with 130mm of travel sits at the front, while a DPS Performance shock is fitted out back. The drivetrain comes from SRAM \u2013a mix of SX, NX and GX Eagle components \u2013 while Shimano supply their four-pot XT brakes. Fulcrum wheels are wrapped in Maxxis Ardent tyres.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

The Stereo 120 pedals fairly well, with the suspension not moving too much under normal seated cranking. This, along with the fast-rolling rubber, means the bike is more than capable when spinning up long, smooth climbs. When it gets rougher, the suspension easily bumps up and over steps, then returns to its efficient state around the sag point.<\/span> If you like to stand up and mash, though, you\u2019ll find yourself reaching for the shock\u2019s lockout, and the Ardent tyres may start to struggle to find grip.<\/p>\n\n

On descents, the Cube\u2019s relatively dated geometry is noticeable. The long seat tube means you can\u2019t get the saddle particularly low, while the front end feels twitchy, robbing you of confidence to push hard on technical trails. Over bigger or repeated hits the suspension drops through its mid-stroke too easily, too, leaving you wanting more support.<\/p>\n\n

However, fire the Stereo 120 along smooth, mellow singletrack and the bike is rapid. The tyres roll well and, when you come across a rooty or rocky patch, the suspension quickly deals with it, letting you continue pounding the pedals and covering ground quickly.<\/p>\n\n

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A rapid bike for trail centre loops, but its geometry and suspension reduce confidence on more technical trails<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Its suspension, frame shape and kit all combine to help you get out into the hills and make the most of the 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suspension, frame shape and kit all combine to help you get out into the hills and make the most of the 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