1K hardtail: Cube Ltd Team v. Trek 6500 (2010 models)

timmys

For Christmas I said I'd get my girlfriend a new bike using my cycle to work scheme. So given the 1k budget and after a bit of discussion we've got the shortlist down to;

- Trek 6500 (2010)
- Cube Ltd Team (2010)

She currently rides a Trek 4300 Disc (2009) and of the two options marginally favours the Trek (based on looks largely!). I'm very taken by the spec of the Cube but it's hard to find out too much about them so I'd be very interested to hear feedback from anyone.

(BTW, my employer uses Cyclescheme for it's cycle to work scheme so before anyone suggests it unfortunately the Boardman Pro isn't an option as I can't use Halfords, otherwise it would probably be top of the pile.)

thebikechain

We sell Cube

Happy to answer any questions you may have.

weeksy59

Same as my old CUBE, short wheelbase and very light, makes it a cracking bike for climbing.

Lovely paint on the CUBE's too although i agree the Treks are very pretty too.

timmys

thebikechain wrote:

We sell Cube

Happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thanks for the offer. It will be for general XC and mildish trail centre usage. I think the most important thing for her is a bike that is as light as realistically possible (for the budget) and I guess the Cube is going to be the lighter of the two (can't really find a quoted weight for the 2010 Trek). I did read somewhere that the quoted weight for the Cube on their website is a misprint and it's actually 11.8kg not 10.8kg - any idea if that's true?

By the way, I bought my Zesty from you

timmys

weeksy59 wrote:

Same as my old CUBE, short wheelbase and very light, makes it a cracking bike for climbing.

Lovely paint on the CUBE's too although i agree the Treks are very pretty too.

Light is pretty much my main consideration really hence the Cube. I think they look great too but she's very taken by the Trek!

I'm hoping if I can find a Cube in stock somewhere in London/Herts/Essex I might be able to sway her when she sees one in the flesh! Having said that I'm perfectly happy for her to go for the Trek if that's what she decides she wants.

thebikechain

Ahh good to hear from you - i take it the BB is all fine still?! Hope you are riding it!

As we don't do Trek you need to bear in mind i am biased but they are a great wee model. We certainly seem to sell quite a few.

I think the key is with the ride quality - it offers a much more sophisticated feel than most bike at it's price.


Plus... as it is a Cube there are no corners cut on the frame or the spec. It really is a bargain.

You ideally need to find a shop nearby to take a test ride.

A good friend of mine - she bought an 09 Race and she does just that, races. And wins stuff - really quite capable.

supersonic

The frame is fairly lardy though, or at least was last year - well over 4lbs for a medium. But the rest of the kit makes it great value.

Also be aware that Recon SL forks do not have Motion Control as stated - though could be a misprint and it is a Recon Race.

timmys

thebikechain wrote:

Ahh good to hear from you - i take it the BB is all fine still?! Hope you are riding it!

Well not riding it as much as I would like the last few weeks but still loving it when I do get out! The BB has been spot on, my only gripe is the rear freehub making nasty noises but I get the impression that's a common problem with XT hubs.

Thanks for the Cube advice, tracking one down for a test ride is definitely the way forward!

RogueRider

I have a CUBE AMS 125 RX coming at the end of the week..I know its a step up from what you're looking at but I was very impressed when I demo'd before Xmas. I had demo'd a Trek Fuel EX8 the week before which was great as well but I guess it just comes down to the 'want one' factor and as mentioned previously on this thread Cubes are brilliantly specced for the money..for £1800 I have a Fox Talas fork and Formula RX brakes and lots of other top end gear. It was surprisingly fast on the road as well..the dealer network is deffo getting better. I am buying from Bob Trotters in York who started stocking a couple of months ago so you won't be stuck for servicing,parts etc..