Cube were one of the first companies to offer the world of enduro exactly what it required. Sub 30lbs, 160mm travel, up to date 27.5” (650b) wheel size and a tidy price, the Stereo was, as it always has been, a winner. Last year it was a benchmark bike that we had slightly late in the day for our Dirt 100, but it was so critical we made that extra space for it…

From Dirt Issue 138 – August 2013

Words by Steve Jones. Photos by Steve Jones.

This year it comes under pressure from such bikes as the Lapierre Spicy and YT Wicked but it retains its presence as a forerunner in this travel area. The important news is that it now comes available in aluminium as well as carbon. This is big news for 160mm fans and makes accessible a bike for all occasions to more people.

Available in four sizes 16/18/20/22”, with what looks like a solid mix of Easton/Shimano XT/Formula/RockShox Reverb Stealth/DT wheelset and E13 the bike will be coated either green or raw in finish. It simply a bike that has all the angles necessary to go charging and all–day riding, the Cube has character and performance through and through. It has your ISCG tabs, good standover and many attributes learned from Nicolas Lau’s Trans–Provence success.

Last month I headed to Val di Sole in Italy for various reasons (there was a World Cup on to). Meeting one of Cube’s founders, Michael Prell, was high on the list and we got together to shuttle two of their 2014 offerings whilst downhill practice was taking place. Our first impressions remain similar to where we were with the carbon bike, although our only concern being the Fox 34 fork fitted to our test bike. Having weathered some Alpine terrain recently on RockShox equipment I now believe them to be by far a better option in 160mm department (up front it’s now Pike’s all the way).

In a short space of time Cube have gone from small beginnings to offering some of the world’s best mountainbikes. Prell is a total enthusiast, a man that gets his hands dirty, absorbing feedback. We look forward to a few days riding with him on home soil on the wider range of bikes later in the year.