Alongside Cube’s 2016 road bike introduction were their new and updated mountain bikes, bringing the high-end C68 carbon construction to the dirt.
Called HPC (high performance carbon), the Stereo models will get a two new carbon front triangle bolted to their alloy rear triangle. The high end one is called C68, which uses a squarer fiber strand, which reduces the amount of resin needed to fill in the space between round strands. The result is the same strength but using 68% carbon versus resin compared to a normal frame with ratios as low as 40% fiber to resin. The other frame type is C62 (62% fiber), plus an alloy model that saves about 400g compared to the prior alloy model by using thinner, lighter tubes and linkages with all excess material removed.
They also add nano particles to the C68’s resin, which stops cracks or delaminations between layers from spreading. Translation: better impact resistance.
The new Stereo bikes will come in a 120mm travel 29er, a 140mm with both 27.5 and 29er wheel sizes, and the 160mm 27.5 bike shown above. The 27.5″ 140 and 160 bikes get a Boost 148mm spaced rear end but standard forks, the 29er gets a Boost 29er fork, too (the differences in spec are due solely to availability of compatible parts).
The Stereo 160 gets a shorter 436mm rear end (5mm shorter than before) that goes from a constant leverage ratio to slightly progressive.
They say that since the new Fox shocks work better with a higher leverage ratio, they changed it from 2.6:1 to about 2.8:1, which let them use a shorter stroke shock to get the same travel and maintain the same system weight as before.
One of the more interesting rear brake hose routings we’ve seen.
Head angle slackens to 66° from last year’s 66.5°.
They shortened the seat tube about 40mm to improve stand over height, which also lets shorter riders run dropper posts low enough that they fit well when fully extended. But, there’s still enough tube that dropper posts will install high enough for taller riders, too.
It also gets an ISCG05 mount and Di2 ports with a battery container near the BB under the armor plating. This one is team replica, other colors will be available.
The Stereo 120 gets a slightly progressive suspension and all new geometry with steeper seat angle, slacker head angle and longer reach.
It’s also updated with a Sideswing port…
…with all cables, hoses and wires run internally through the downtube.
Not shown, the new Stereo 140 29er gets shorter rear end and more progressive suspension to make it more playful and responsive. Only available in carbon.
And yes, Cube is working on a 27.5+ version. Look for a 150mm Stereo model coming with Boost all around and a 441mm rear end.
If Enduro isn’t fast enough for you, the new Two15 SL DH bike gets more progressive and 27.5″ wheels…and it gets a LOT lighter. Hydroforming on tubes all around and hollowed out forged parts save weight, plus a much more simplified rocker arm suspension design with a shorter shock save more than 1,000 grams!
Geo has a steeper seat angle and 12mm longer reach.
The bike ships with a 63° head angle using spacers on the top of the head tube, but can use an Angleset to get up to 1.5° slacker without changing any other geometry figures other than front center and wheelbase.
Suspension kinematics change to have 9% progressivity compared to the 26″ model’s flat curve. Double sets of bearings on the upper and lower main pivots, with external cover plate. They look small, but they’re big on the inside. Their old multilinkage design was done to create a nearly constant leverage ratio. But with the move to a more progressive design, this rocker arm layout saved a lot of weight. Rear uses a 157mm rear axle.
The shock will get a carbon shock fender that Velcros to the piggy back reservoir. Designed around the Fox DHX2, but will fit their air shocks and the Cane Creek Double Barrels.
Cable routing is now completely internal, with only the brake hose popping out and running externally along the bottom of the chainstay. Weight without pedals as shown was 15.4kg, with tubes, but production bikes will get a carbon seatpost.
A Cube fat bike is coming, and it’ll also be available as an e-bike.
Geo is based on their Reaction alloy 29er, so it’s meant to shred. It’ll only be spec’d with suspension forks, because they don’t like the feel of rigid forks…suspension is just more fun!
Sideswing compatibility and a 121mm PFBB surround a protruding direct mount front derailleur (or chain guide) mount.
Rear axle uses the wide 197mm standards.
Fits up to 26×4.8, but will ship with custom 4.5″ Schwalbe Jumbo Jims to comply with EU clearance safety regulations in the fork.
