Cube Cross Race black'n'red'n'blue

matt@theforce

After another poor experience with PlanetX, I've decided to buy another Cube, my last Cube was an AMS125 so this will be very different but I'm looking forward to collecting it.

I've always liked the styling and colour schemes that Cube offer and seeing the 2015 Cube line up at the Bike Show @ the NEC this year I've decided to give them another try.

Frame - Aluminium Superlite, Double Butted, Internal Cable Routing, Disc Only
Color - black´n´red´n´blue
Size - 53cm
Fork - CUBE Cross Race Disc, Tapered
Headset - CUBE Z-t ECO, top zero-stack 1 1/8" (OD 44mm), bottom integrated 1 1/2"
Stem - CUBE Performance, 31.8mm
Handlebar - CUBE Compact Race Bar
Handlebar tape - CUBE Grip Control
Rear derailleur - Shimano 105 RD-5800GSL, 11-Speed
Front derailleur - Shimano 105 FD-5800BML, 31.8mm
Shifters / Brake levers - Shimano 105 ST-5800, 2x11-Speed
Brake Calipers - Shimano BR-R517 Mech. Discbrake (160/160)
Crankset - Shimano FC-RS500-L, 46x36T,170mm (53cm)
Cassette - Shimano 105 CS-5800, 11-32
Chain - Shimano CN-HG600-11
Wheelset - Fulcrum Racing 77 CX Disc
Tires - Schwalbe Rocket Ron, 33-622
Saddle - CUBE RP 1.0
Seat post - CUBE Performance Post, 27.2mm
Seatclamp - RFR Close 31.8mm

Factory picture

qube

Nice.

imposter2.0

Real pic please - or you didn't buy it.

matt@theforce

Best pic I have of it from when I tried it out earlier today

iron-clover

Looks nice- I've always been a sucker for Cube's colour schemes.

gavster1975

I have just purchased this bike, had a quick ride last night, so far impressed, have you had an problems with it and areyou happy with the bike?

matt@theforce

gavster1975 wrote:

I have just purchased this bike, had a quick ride last night, so far impressed, have you had an problems with it and areyou happy with the bike?

Today was the 1st day I got time for a quick ride, I love it, 100% better than the Dirty Disco.

matt@theforce

I love the little details on Cubes





Initial impressions are very good but I've only managed a short ride today, hopefully heading out off road all day tomorrow

freefall_junkie

I've been using Cube X Race as my commuter/winter hack for 4 years now and it has been great, with the exception of the canti brakes which are really poor. The disc version obviously solves this - should be an excellent all rounder I reckon.

matt@theforce

freefall_junkie wrote:

I've been using Cube X Race as my commuter/winter hack for 4 years now and it has been great, with the exception of the canti brakes which are really poor. The disc version obviously solves this - should be an excellent all rounder I reckon.

What wheels are you using on yours? Mine came with the new Fulcrum CX77's with 21spokes, I'm a little concerned that with the spoke count being low they wont cope with commuting duties.

matt@theforce

I went out for a 30mile off road ride yesterday, a lot of mud was involved, various Trans Pennine Trails (surfaced & un-surfaced), a little road, a forest & a rocky peak district decent, what a bike :twisted:

It's a great ride, the frame is very stiff but not harsh, the steep angle of the fork keeps the front firm & lively. The 11sp 11-32 cassette keeps the jumps between gears low and smooth, however, when it get clogged with mud the chain does jump (it used to on my old 10sp merida but not as much as the 11sp). The Shimano brakes are powerful enough but need sintered pads to replace the organics which howl when wet, it not an issue for me as I shall be trying my TRP Spyres at some point.

I don't get on with the Cube saddle so have gone back to my Charge Spoon, for me though the worst thing about the bike is the toe overlap, with the top tube being so short & the fork angle my toes overlap the front wheel by 1"-2" which is going to take a little getting used to (especially on my commutes).

One word to describe this bike AWESOME , dare I say it, 'The best CX bike I've owned yet' closely followed by my Merida CX4 then the PlanetX Dirty Disco

freefall_junkie

matt@theforce wrote:

freefall_junkie wrote:

I've been using Cube X Race as my commuter/winter hack for 4 years now and it has been great, with the exception of the canti brakes which are really poor. The disc version obviously solves this - should be an excellent all rounder I reckon.

What wheels are you using on yours? Mine came with the new Fulcrum CX77's with 21spokes, I'm a little concerned that with the spoke count being low they wont cope with commuting duties.

My bike originally came with Easton wheels but they have long since bitten the dust. It has been on Fulcrum Racing Quattros for the last 9 months are they are proving excellent so far - well up to the dire roads around Edinburgh. Fulcrum wheels generally have a good reputation for being strong and well built so I think you'll be fine.

matt@theforce

freefall_junkie wrote:

matt@theforce wrote:

freefall_junkie wrote:

I've been using Cube X Race as my commuter/winter hack for 4 years now and it has been great, with the exception of the canti brakes which are really poor. The disc version obviously solves this - should be an excellent all rounder I reckon.

What wheels are you using on yours? Mine came with the new Fulcrum CX77's with 21spokes, I'm a little concerned that with the spoke count being low they wont cope with commuting duties.

My bike originally came with Easton wheels but they have long since bitten the dust. It has been on Fulcrum Racing Quattros for the last 9 months are they are proving excellent so far - well up to the dire roads around Edinburgh. Fulcrum wheels generally have a good reputation for being strong and well built so I think you'll be fine.

Thats good to hear, they are the smoothest rolling wheels I've owned. I tried to fit my marathon plus tyres ready for todays commute but I couldn't get them fitted so tried my durano plus's, they would fit onto the rims but the beads wouldn't fit on the the rims properly causing the tyre to-go egg shaped. I'm a dis-appointed that my road/commuting tyres won't fit on the rims but it meant that I had to-go off road coming into work this morning .

I love having Shimano gearing again (over SRAM), such smooth quick/light/shifting, perfect shifting everytime (even when caked in mud). The hoods of the 5800's feel just as nice & comfortable as the 5700's which is great as I don't get pins & needles like I did with the SRAM Rivals.

freefall_junkie

I'm running Marathon Racer 30mm tyres for commuting. They are a pig to get on the rims, but it is possible with a modicum of swearing and brute force. Worth the effort for absolute bomb proof puncture protection. The Marthon Racers are actually surprisingly fast too - shame they don't make them anymore in the 700x30 size.

matt@theforce

I'm going to buy some Vittoria Randonneur's today from Decathlon to try, I would prefer a tyre as close to 30mm as possible but looks like I'll end up with some 35mm's, I have a pair of these I used to use on my MTB and they have lasted well.

I did commute on it yesterday but those Rocket Ron's really drag on the road, was quite a tough 35miles!

gavster1975

matt@theforce wrote:

I went out for a 30mile off road ride yesterday, a lot of mud was involved, various Trans Pennine Trails (surfaced & un-surfaced), a little road, a forest & a rocky peak district decent, what a bike :twisted:

It's a great ride, the frame is very stiff but not harsh, the steep angle of the fork keeps the front firm & lively. The 11sp 11-32 cassette keeps the jumps between gears low and smooth, however, when it get clogged with mud the chain does jump (it used to on my old 10sp merida but not as mucoverlahtoe as the 11sp). The Shimano brakes are powerful enough but need sintered pads to replace the organics which howl when wet, it not an issue for me as I shall be trying my TRP Spyres at some point.

I don't get on with the Cube saddle so have gone back to my Charge Spoon, for me though the worst thing about the bike is the toe overlap, with the top tube being so short & the fork angle my toes overlap the front wheel by 1"-2" which is going to take a little getting used to (especially on my commutes).

One word to describe this bike AWESOME , dare I say it, 'The best CX bike I've owned yet' closely followed by my Merida CX4 then the PlanetX Dirty Disco

agree about the overlap but got the hang of that now, smiling on my commute to work again even on the windiest days like today it cuts through the wind can really chuck it about use tow paths and road handles both brilliantly will defo have to look into new brake pads they do wail when going through the muddy bits could you recommend a good brand and ones that fit the brakes

matt@theforce

I removed the Shimano brakes and fitted some TRP Spyres with Superstar sintered pads this week that I had spare, while I was at it I also removed the top brake levers as I never use them or see the point in them.

I had a fantastic ride out through the Peaks on wednesday, out through Houndkirk/Longshaw Estate/Curber Edge/Baslow/Calver/Coombes Dale/Eyam/Grindleford/Burbage Rocks/Ringinglow. The bike held up extremely well, the 105 levers paired with TRP Spyres provided more than enough stopping power (even if the brakes did howl when they got very hot & smelly on the fast decents).

I do have a real dislike for the rims, its a pain to get the Rocket Rons to sit properly, I gave up and ended up riding the best part of 30miles without the tyre seated properly (only noticed it by the feel when on a smooth road).

I still stand by my above comment, This is the best CX bike I've ever owned.
The bike is so much fun and supprised a few mountain bikers as I cycled past them going over Froggats

JoostG

Best CX bike you ever owned. I like that comment as I just purchased a Cube Cross Race frame. Hopefully all bits and pieces will arrive soon, so I can you use the time between Christmas and New Year to build the bike.

matt@theforce

JoostG wrote:

Best CX bike you ever owned. I like that comment as I just purchased a Cube Cross Race frame. Hopefully all bits and pieces will arrive soon, so I can you use the time between Christmas and New Year to build the bike.

I do around 4-5000miles a year on my CX bikes accross alot of different terrain (and road), but this one is by far the most fun , yet still relaxed enough to plod along on the road between the muddy sections

gavster1975

threw it round epping forest between xmas and new year, the dirty parts took it all with ease, nice and muddy and 40+ miles, left my 2 friends on 750quid hybrids in my dust and just as comfortable at the end, considering upgrading my pedals to dual type and trying clipping in to get everything i can from the bike

mrb123

What's the verdict on those additional brake levers on the bar tops?

jamie 'jammy dodger'

Hi
How heavy/light is the bike & which pedals are you using.
Cheers J

matt@theforce

I haven't weighed the bike, according to Cube's website, its around 10.2kg.

I'm using M520 SPD's.

On a sad note, the bike is currently un-usable. One of the front wheel bearings has seized & I'm having a nightmare trying to find the correct sized bearings to fit over the axle.

RideOnTime

great shots...

MountainMonster

Shame to hear that you've had problems with bearings. Do you have a local auto parts bearing specialist in your area? Might be worth popping in with the bearing to see if they have anything that will work.

matt@theforce

I've been to a couple bearing companies so far & neither have been able to help. I shall try Fulcrum customer service later this week.

Nickshek

this looks great!

jamie 'jammy dodger'

Cheers for reply....Hopefully if i finish work in time tomorrow im going to Lbs to order this bike...Going to also try the m520 pedals,never used spds before but have a pair of compatible shoes (Xmas present),so just gonna jump in deep end...Did you set the pedals/cleats yourself?

Hope you sort bearings soon.

matt@theforce

Bearings sorted, ended up buying a pair of 18x7x30 sealed bearings (instead of 17x7x30 that it came with) & they fit perfectly , just need some time now to get out and ride it again.

Yes, I've always setup my own SPD's. As this is your 1st time with SPD's, turn the release spring in the pedal to the lowest tension (this will allow you to release you feet with very little effort), as you get used to them you can then increase the tension notch by notch until you reach a setting that suits you.
Take your time setting your cleats up, make sure you use a little anti-seize on the screws.

matt@theforce

This isn't a post I ever wanted to make.

This bike has been stolen from Central Leeds 02/06/17, Please keep your eyes open for it, it is registered on the National Insurance Database & Police National Computer