New Cube - talk me out of it?

magicrichard

I've become tempted by a Cube LTD that's in a sale for £600. Has anyone here got one, or considered one and got any advice either way?

Specs are:
Forks Recon TK Air 100mm
Derailleurs XT rear, Deore front
Brakes Formula RX hydraulic disc brake (180/160mm)

I'd be ordering it without actually riding it, so slightly nervous.

Any alternatives for less money that are better value?

rockmonkeysc

You won't get better value than that. Just be sure that its the right size.

The Rookie

Shan't talk you out of it, no!

lee200

Haha, I'd seen this offer too. Was just wondering whether I can stretch my budget...

magicrichard

Shan't talk you out of it, no!

OK then! Thanks all, it's purchased

scottymazda

magicrichard wrote:

Shan't talk you out of it, no!

OK then! Thanks all, it's purchased

excellent bike I have the same. first time i have been on a bike with hydraulic discs and they are amazing! just check the fork and see if u need air as if it anything like mine it will need some.

magicrichard

Thanks - I bought a shock pump at the same time, so i'll do some reading between then and now on how to set it up - I'd heard it wasn't too bad as it only has a single valve. How hard can it be?!

scottymazda

magicrichard wrote:

Thanks - I bought a shock pump at the same time, so i'll do some reading between then and now on how to set it up - I'd heard it wasn't too bad as it only has a single valve. How hard can it be?!

If you know how to put air in a tyre you will be fine

getting2old4this

How is the Cube going?

Im looking at a new Cube Ltd 29. Cube didnt exist last time i bought a bike so not sure on them. The spec looks superb compared to similar budget bikes. The only concern I now have is the guy in the shop said the Manitou forks could be an issue?

Anyway, im soooo tempted!

magicrichard

Took the Cube out for a proper first ride last night, it tipped it down but still had fun. I have some initial thoughts:

Frame and components are significantly lighter than my old Kona Blast ('07) making the uphills easier
Rapid Bob tyres are exactly that, but not the grippiest on hard-pack trails that have turned a bit slimey, i'll probably switch them back to my NNs.
The Solo air Recon forks are great, but do clunk when you pull up hard on them to lift the front end over stuff - not sure if this can be adjusted away or not?
30 Gears is a lot! They have not been set up well from Pauls Cycles - I'll need to adjust both derailleurs to get rid of grinding noises and slow shifting.
The Formula RX brakes work reasonably well, but one downside of hydraulics is that in the wet, I couldn't see a way to adjust away any problems you get with mud getting on the disc/pad and slowing you down constantly.
I'll also probably be swapping the gear and brake levers around to make it more comfy for myself on the bars.
The saddle (Selle Italix X1) is light, but uncomfortable - budget on swapping for a different one!

I've re-read through that and it seems like I've been a bit negative. Overall I actually loved the bike and with a bit of setting up I'm sure it'll have me as comfortable and as quick as previously, but for the moment I was faster uphill and more tentative down!

The Rookie

If the bike was boxed it probably won't have had a setup from Pauls, leaving you to do the PDI Indexing.

Rebound clunk - have you adjusted the rebound damper at all?

You don't adjust to stop binding when muddy or you'd have no brakes - it soon comes out!

Saddle - default recomendation is a Charge Spoon simply as it seems to work for such a wide range of people (bottoms) making it a safe bet, I really like my new Bonty inform.

I'd have been very disapointed had it not been lighter than an 07 Kona Blast!

magicrichard

It was boxed, although not in its original box! I've been meaning to learn how to do indexing for a while, I'm sure it can't be that hard, and there seems to be plenty of guides out there.

Rebound damping has been played with, perhaps it needs more fiddling in combination to get it just right. But searching around on the internet, it seems like this is a common problem, and perhaps just a feature of the fork? I may try fiddling with the air pressure a bit too, as I didn't bottom it out at all so perhaps it needs a little less.

I have my SDG Bel Air on it, which is perfect for me.

I'd have been disappointed if it hadn't been lighter too, however I did weigh it at 13.2Kg, which was heavier than I expected!

The Rookie

Hm yes, I'd have thought around 12.5-12.8Kg ish, mind you your scales may be wrong!

Thinking back, more than a few complaints about the SDG on the cubes!

Top out clunk is a bigger issue on undamped forks, but the Reccon, while good, is still not top end, more rebound and less air will help of course, but don't compromise the core riding characteristics!

Indexing is easy, every rider should be able to do it!