Just in: Cube Stereo 140 HPC Race


The not-so-minor details

Product

Cube Stereo 140 HPC Race

Price

3999

Weight

13500

It’s been a while since we’ve spent quality time on a Cube, one of Germany’s biggest bike producers, so we’re keen to start rolling and discuss how they have kept up with the times in a demanding segment. Before we get it too dirty, let’s have a closer look at the smartly finished, and very blue machine.

Carbon frame, solid construction, killer value.

A carbon bike for $3999? Yes, that’s what we said. The Stereo 140 uses a carbon mainframe with an aluminium rear to reap the weight and stiffness benefits of the magic material, with the front while keeping the costs down out the back. The frame appears very well finished, and you can’t help but notice the size of the downtube too, it’s huge. Everything is the right place on paper, and the frame geometry looks to seek a middle ground between high-speed stability and agile handling.

Carbon frame with a price-point spec. The Cube appears to be excellent value.
The four-bar suspension design is a proven winner, and Cube has many years of experience with it.
Unique shapes make up a popular suspension design used by many brands.

Vital statistics for a proper shredding.

The Stereo has 150mm of FOX travel up the front, and 140mm out the back via a four-bar linkage. Meaty Schwalbe tyres on 27.5″ wheels should make for a grippy and lively feel, while the rims are tubeless compatible the ‘Performance’ spec construction of the tyres aren’t designed to be used without tubes, an area for an upgrade for sure.

A FOX Rhythm 34 fork with 150mm of travel up front.

Shimano’s great value and surprisingly powerful Deore brakes have established their worth amongst the Flow crew, and the colossal 203mm disc rotor on the front means business.

The Cube branded dropper post feels a little slow in its actuation, so hopefully, it speeds up when we use it on the trail. There are ISCG mounts for a chain guide for added security if you wish, and ample space for a water bottle, too.

Being single is ok.

When we looked up the 99 Bikes website to see what looked like a double chainring, 2×11 drivetrain, our hearts sunk a fraction. Coming from Germany where front derailleurs are popular it was no big surprise, but the Australian distributor opted for a single ring spec, phew! A Shimano SLX drivetrain with a large 11-46 tooth cassette should be ample range to get around the place; we’ll find out.

A single ring 1×11 drivetrain is certainly more popular in the Australian market for a bike like this.
Less typing, more riding. Let’s hit it!

We’ll have our video review of the Stereo 140 up on Flow soon, stay tuned – pardon the pun – for our thoughts.

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