My Cube Agree GTC Race + New Wheels

supermurph09

Hi

Bought the bike on Sunday, not had chance to take it out yet. Spent along time pouring over reviews and decided this would be a good step up from my Specialized Allez I bought last year. I'll be doing Sportives of 80 miles and above this year and my main territory is Derbyshire which makes most rides a challenge.

The pictures aren't the best but please feel free to critique and offer pointers where needed. I'm sure the bars and stem will draw a few comments as they do appear a bit high. That's more for a little comfort for the next few months.

The spec is Ultregra/105 with Easton rims and the Schwalbe Ultremos. I've added in the Look pedals. I just need a couple of cages and the Garmin 500 fitted on and its ready to go.

Twelly

Very nice - like the colour scheme. How does it compare to the Allez?

Shaun67

+1, I do really like the Agree GTC Race.

supermurph09

TwellySmat wrote:

Very nice - like the colour scheme. How does it compare to the Allez?

I'll be sure to let you know, not had chance to get out on it yet due to a chest infection. I'm not expecting miracles, slicker shifts and hopefully more stable (probably the rider!) on descents. I did feel the Allez was a little bouncy on the rear so maybe that will also improve.

tlw1

looks fantastic!

Twelly

I found my Allez quite bumpy - not the most compliant frame, it had a rather steep head angle and that fork with dead vertical drop outs which meant it could be quite skittish at speed.

k-dog

That's nice.

What's up with the tape though? The finishing tape should be right at the edge of the bar tape - looks like your is inboard or you've got a double thing going.

supermurph09

k-dog wrote:

That's nice.

What's up with the tape though? The finishing tape should be right at the edge of the bar tape - looks like your is inboard or you've got a double thing going.

Not entirely sure!

waynemoule

I was told by my bikeshop when i bought the same bike as yours last week that the bikes comes from the manufacter with black and also white tape so the bike shop you bought the bike from did your tape job during assemble.

supermurph09

waynemoule wrote:

I was told by my bikeshop when i bought the same bike as yours last week that the bikes comes from the manufacter with black and also white tape so the bike shop you bought the bike from did your tape job during assemble.

That would seem to fit with a few things they said, I know they mentioned a few things that the assembly guys might have got something a bit wrong, but I think that was to do with the bar position. How are you finding the bike? Have you been out yet?

Cheers

supermurph09

Can anyone recommend some cages and bottles for my bike? 2 to choose from below...

Cheap Option:


Expensive Option:


Bottles:

£4.95

Am I thinking this through too much? :?

zx6man

Nice...

declan1

Nice bike! Carbon cages obviously.....

supermurph09

declan1 wrote:

Nice bike! Carbon cages obviously.....

Damn it! 8)

p1tse

Elite cages do some nice matching colour scheme

Love my cube too

pmannion9

Lovely Bike mate.
Looking at somethingl ike htis myself.
If you don't me asking where did your purchase? Samways by any chance?

supermurph09

pmannion9 wrote:

Lovely Bike mate.
Looking at somethingl ike htis myself.
If you don't me asking where did your purchase? Samways by any chance?

Hi, I actually got it from JE James in Chesterfield, but could have got it cheaper from Leisure Lakes with my VIP membership It'll be having its first outing tomorrow. Whereabouts are you based?

pmannion9

Nice one...
Based in Ashbourne...
Will have a scout around to see if any small frames in stock...

Enjoy your spin tomorrow..Mind the roads are sh1te at the moment !!

supermurph09

Cheers, lets hope this dry weather lasts. Cycled through Ashbourne after coming through Turnditch. Nice place, I'm near Oakerthorpe. Hope you get sorted.

supermurph09

Fitted the Carbon cage and the garmin on and been out for a quick 6 mile test this morning, initial thoughts were fantastic. Felt much quicker than the Allez, felt solid, more comfortable and the shifting was definitely an improvement. Will be doing 30-40 miles tomorrow, so far so damn good!

supermurph09

Massively impressed with the Cube, been out for 50 miles today which is 15 miles further than I'd done so far on the Allez. This thing flies and is so comfortable only time and running out of food brought me home. I really wasn't expecting it to be so much better than the Allez because I thought that was very good.

chrispsmith83

Enjoy the Agree, i bought one a few years back, I have the stem like that too. Never had any issues with the bike It still rides great. Shame the weather sucks at the moment though

zx6man

Which Allez did you have?

supermurph09

zx6man wrote:

Which Allez did you have?

The basic one, Shimano 2300, Carbon fork, 2012 model. Good bike imo.

zx6man

Thanks, just checking as I tried and elite which was a different frame.

taimur

Love the bike!!!

About the cages, i got the polycarbonate cage in white. Previously i was usingbontrager cages. i found the cube cage good only for looks the bottle in and out angle was terrible especially with the smaller frame it was a hassle to use. Also, theyare very flimsy, first one came broken which was replaced by the shop. The other two were the only things that broke in a minor accident. Of course i have no experience with the carbon version but design wise it looks similar i expect it to work similarly except being more durable.

Currently using ebay carbon cages, got two for 20 and very light like these.

On my cube(2010 bought on sale in 2011) i also ended up replacing the wheels. came with Easton Vista SLs which rode fantastically for the price bracket but after being plagued by string of broken spokes i claimed warranty. Easton was kind enough to upgrade me to EA70s which were even better!! sadly the spokes jut kept breaking, after third warranty claim i sold them and upgraded to Mavic ksyrium SL which ride-wise so far dont ride half as well as my Eastons but i know they wont leave me stranded 70kms away from home.

supermurph09

Hi taimur, the bike is now fitted with the Carbon HPC cage. Used it last Sunday and found it excellent, time will tell if its durable. Interesting points regarding the wheels, hopefully my EA50s will be fine. Just plotting in tomorrows ride, cant wait to get back on it!

supermurph09

Ultegra brakes now fitted, pleased with the performance. Bar tape swapped from white to black and stem flipped. All in all still loving the bike.



Just put these on today, Planet X 52mm clinchers. Decided to go for no logos as the Cube has enough of those already.I think they look great, I've put my old Ultremo's on for the moment and kept some recently bought Contis on the Eastons. test ride to come later.

supermurph09

New wheels as shown above.

smoggysteve

I see a lot of these bikes out and about in Germany and I have never heard a bad word about them. They look great, handle well and are very well priced for the kit on them.

Great bike you got there. I know you will love riding out on her.

supermurph09

Steve, I've really enjoyed the bike so far (about 1800 miles on it now). Had the odd niggle with the gears and the bottom bracket has a minor squeak but in terms of ride its great.