Cube Peloton 2012

TJenkos

Best start a thread for my very recently acquired 2012 Cube Peloton. First ever road bike, start of a new hobby and all that. I've taken it 50 miles so far (3x10m, 1x20m) and it's been great, such a contrast from only having ever had MTB's.

I don't have any plans for it as such, really just see how it goes and what could be improved. I've got nothing to compare it to, so as far as I'm concerned it seems a fantastic bike for the money! Very much recommended..

Added a photo how it is now anywho, would be interested to see what peoples opinions are of the spec and what they'd change first? I'm not looking for any drastic race-spec mods but if its a nice and relatively cheap upgrade I'm all up for that..



Frame Alu Superlite 6061 AMF Double Butted, RFR-Geometry, inner cable routing
Front Fork CUBE CL Race Carbon, 1_1/8"- 1_1/2"
Head Set FSA Orbit Z-T Eco, semi-intergrated
Stem EASTON EA30 Oversized
Handlebars EASTON EA30 Oversized
Tape / Grips CUBE Grip Control
Front Brake Shimano Sora BR-3400
Rear Brake Shimano Sora BR-3400
Brake Levers Shimano Sora ST-3400
Front Derailleur Shimano Sora FD-3400BL triple, clamp 34.9mm
Rear Derailleur Shimano Sora RD-3400GS
Shift Levers Shimano Sora ST-3400, 9-speed
Crank Set Shimano Sora FC3403 50x39x30T, integrated BB
Chainrings 50x39x30T
Bottom Bracket integrated BB
Pedals Shimano R540 SPD
Front Rim Shimano WH-R501
Front Hub Shimano WH-R501
Rear Rim Shimano WH-R501
Rear Hub Shimano WH-R501
Spokes Shimano WH-R501
Tyres Schwalbe Lugano
Inner Tubes Impac RR SV28
Saddle Selle Italia X1 Road
Seat Post EASTON EA30 31.6mm
Seat Clamp Scape Close 34.9mm
Weight 9,1 kg

ShutUpLegs

Nice that, i'd probably level the saddle a bit, ditch those tyres and move the bottle cage

TJenkos

I did wonder if the seat was right at that angle! I'll adjust and see how it compares..

Are the tyres pretty budget then? Like i say, nothing to compare to so seemed alright! What would be a good alternate?

TMR

TJenkos wrote:

I did wonder if the seat was right at that angle! I'll adjust and see how it compares..

Are the tyres pretty budget then? Like i say, nothing to compare to so seemed alright! What would be a good alternate?

Use a spirit level to get it spot on. For tyres, I really like Continental GP4000S.

mattmaximus

TJenkos wrote:

Are the tyres pretty budget then? Like i say, nothing to compare to so seemed alright! What would be a good alternate?

I've never ridden these tyres but online reviews suggest they're puncture prone and somewhat unreliable in the wet. At a claimed weight of 325g they're pretty heavy - you'll save almost 250g in rotating mass by trading up to a premium tyre and should find more grip and perhaps more comfort.

Continental GP4000s seem the most popular, other tyres with a strong following include Gatorskins (give a rather harsh ride IMHO), Ultremo ZX and Durano. The search function on Road Buying Advice will help.

Nice bike, btw.

TJenkos

Seat now adjusted, thanks

I've read a lot of mixed reviews with these Schwalbe Lugano's. Some people raving about them then others finding them rediculous for punctures. Theres no denying that they carry a bit more weight though, and after a very uphill ride today this is clearly something I want to focus on reducing.. Considerable price difference between the two though

mattmaximus

If you're happy with the tyres then you should keep riding them until they wear out! If it were me, I'd be a little careful on tight turns, downhill and in the wet until I'd got a few rides under my belt.

Reduced weight will help up the hills, but not by a significant amount. Your triple chainset will have far more of a bearing in this regard and, at sub 20lb, you don't need to worry about excess weight on the bike.

cyclingqueen

I have just had this bike written off in an accident last week. A car completely wiped me out on a junction where I had right of way! Lovely bike, only had it 3 months (after 6 months of waiting for it!). Will definitely be ordering a new one but proving hard to get hold of again?

TJenkos

Hey - sorry to hear that. Something in very weary of being new to cycling is trying to get people's view at junctions. Ridden a mototcycle on the road which I guess helps but feel much more vulnerable cycling!

I purchased the bike from Samways in Derby but they haven't had any on display ever since. Might be worth a call though, see why? They have a few other Cubes in but these are £1k+

ALaPlage

The overall spec of your bike is good and Cube offer great value for money. As already suggested I would change the tyres and my favourites are Schwalbe Ultremo ZX HD but I would run the tyres you have until they either suffer and annoy you with punctures or wear down.

I wouldn't bother upgrading anything else until you really feel that you want to invest in your cycling. Even then it may be cost effective if the bug really takes hold to relegate the Cube to a bad weather training bike and upgrade the whole bike to something lighter for the nicer days.

If you do want to go down the upgrade route then I would look at it in this order

Wheels such as Mavic krysium or similar
Groupset - Shimano 105 will give lighter components, slightly better feel and stopping power on the brakes and smoother shifting with less travel on the lever to change gear. Plus up and down changes on the brake levers which is a little easier than the thumb switch of the Sora.
And if you want to be really anal and shave a few grams off (easier to lose body weight tbh ) then look at seat post and stem for a carbon option.

For me I went down the upgrade the whole bike option although sold my Boardman to fund my first carbon framed bike. I then subsequently bought a Kinesis Cross bike for bad weather/winter training days which also allows me to go off road on forest trails and tow paths.

For now just get out there and enjoy your Cube. It's a nice looking bike. My riding buddy has the Peloton Race with 10 speed Tiagra on and Easton wheels and absolutely loves it. He has lost a stone in weight over the last 3 months and average speed on mixed terrain routes over 30+ miles has moved from 14 mph to almost 17 mph.

cyclingqueen

Oh great, I'm only in the Uttoxeter area so I'll give the Derby store a ring. I have rang around 15 stores but keep being told they are not having any in until maybe the end of november! Think I may have to upgrade to the Cube Axial WLS. In my opinion not as good looking but looks like I'm not going to be able to get hold of another Peloton.

Cyclingqueen.

cubedean

There is also Leisure Lakes in Derby, thats where i bought my Cube from.