Product news: Cube Mountain Bikes 2018: New Stereo 140, Hanzz Freeriders and XC Hardtails

Market: Lots of news in the Cube mountain bikes 2018. With the completely revised All-Mountain Stereo 140 HPC, the new edition of the Hanzz Freerider and its extensive new XC hardtail fleet - including the Reaction C:62 - the manufacturer expresses the Upper Palatinate 2018 on the gas.

Cube mountain bikes 2018: Stereo 140 HPC TM - 27.5" all-mountain with new carbon chassis and new geometry

The 27.5" All-Mountain Stereo 140 HPC from Cube Mountainbikes has been newly developed from scratch. The new chassis consists of a light carbon main frame and an aluminum rear triangle. The low top tube is striking, giving the rider plenty of room to maneuver on steep terrain. The rear pivot points on the chainstay and seatstay are well hidden and underline the elegant look. Keyword elegance: this promotes the internal routing as well as the top tube, which visually merges seamlessly into the seat stays. The shock absorber is connected to the rocker via a trunnion mount. Advantage: thanks to the high-quality bearing on the trunnion mount, the rear end reacts more sensitively to bumps on the road.

The Cube developers designed the geometry with a longer reach and a shorter 425 mm rear end, which should allow the Stereo 140 HPC to be maneuvered playfully both at high speeds and in tight bends. The 66,5° steering angle ensures smooth running. In terms of high frame rigidity and steering precision, Cube mountain bikes use a 148 boost axle at the rear and a 110 boost axle at the fork. The frame is available in four sizes: 16, 18, 20 and 22". The suffix "TM" stands for Trail Motion at Cube and refers to the character of the bike: equipped with a 150 mm suspension fork, it should shine in a wide variety of terrain as a versatile all-mountain, but also tolerate a somewhat tough enduro pace.

Downhill-oriented top model Stereo 140 HPC TM 27.5

Consequently, the 13,2 kg light top model Stereo 140 HPC TM 27.5 goes trail hunting with Fox' powerful 36 mm Float Factory fork in a 150 mm version, complemented by the new, downhill-oriented Fox Float DPX2 Evol Factory air spring strut. The four-bar rear triangle uses this to generate 140 mm of travel. The bike is rounded off by the Fox Transfer Factory dropper post and a Newmen wheelset with wide aluminum rims, which is optimized for use with wide tyres. For the price of €3.499 you can also get the affordable 12-speed GX Eagle drivetrain from Sram.

Stereo 140 family of three 

The Stereo 140 family is completed by the Stereo 140 HPC SL 27.5 (€2.999) and the Stereo 140 HPC Race (€2.499). Both use the frame of the TM top model and offer the same suspension travel, but work with the slimmer 34 Float fork (Stereo 140 HPC SL) or the 34 Rhythm from Fox (Stereo 140 HPC Race). The SL version, weighing just 13,5 kilos, underscores its tour-oriented approach, as does the race version with a 2 x 11 drive. As if that weren't enough, the Stereo 140 HPC is also available in different women's versions; These models are called Sting.

Cube mountain bikes 2018: Hanzz 190 or - the return of the freeride mountain bike  

Once they were stars in the limelight, but have been eliminated from most bike manufacturers in recent years: freeride mountain bikes. All the more gratifying that Cube Mountainbikes is reviving the freeride idea of ​​a robust, playful long-travel bike for the bike park with the new Hanzz 190. The Upper Palatinate company is bringing the Hanzz 190 in three variants. The centerpiece of the novelty is an extremely robust aluminum frame, which is manufactured using the complex hydroforming process and is supposed to shine with its low weight. The four-pivot rear triangle has a whopping 190 mm of travel, which is joined by 190 mm of fork travel on the Hanzz 190 TM and Hanzz 180 Race. The massive Marzocchi double crown fork 200 CR on the Hanzz 380 SL 190 provides 27.5 mm. Gravity fans should be well-armed for tough downhill stretches.

With a generous reach and a short rear end, Hanzz is said to be smooth-running and agile at the same time. Frame details such as the 157 mm installation width of the rear end and the 83 mm bottom bracket housing (BSA, bolted) promise high frame rigidity and directional stability even at top speed.

The equipment on the Hanzz 190 is trimmed for maximum stability. The top model Hanzz 190 TM uses the Fox-Top air suspension (Float-X2 air spring strut, 36er Factory LSC/HSC) to disenchant hard stretches. There are also DH-oriented wheels and high-traction 2.35" tires from e*thirteen (front/rear: TRS Race/TRS Plus). Race Face's 800 mm wide Atlas handlebar protects against loss of control in rough terrain. Like its brothers, the Hanzz 3.699 SL (€190) and Hanzz 190 Race (€2.499), the €190 Hanzz 2.299 TM rolls on 27.5” wheels and weighs a manageable 14,5 kilos. All three models come with a chain guide. Hanzz 190 SL and Hanzz 190 Team slow down with the Sram Code-R (200/180 mm), the Hanzz 190 Race with the Magura MT5.

Cube mountain bikes 2018: Elite C:68 and Elite C:62 – the XC race hardtails 

In terms of frame, there is nothing new to report about the Elite 29" XC/marathon hardtail platform. Cube is still producing the classy 29er carbon hardtail in an exclusive C:68 version with a weight-optimized frame with a particularly high carbon fiber content of 68%. The reduced resin content of the frame, which is manufactured using the monocoque process, enables a particularly light end product. This is used in the Elite C:68 SLT, the top model of the Elite model series, and the Elite C:68 SL. The oversized down tube shared by the Elite C:68 and Elite C:62 frames aims for high rigidity. Flat seat stays and the slim 27,2 mm seat post guarantee riding comfort.

As befits the top SLT models from Cube mountain bikes, the Elite C:15 SLT, available in five sizes (17/19/21/23/68"), offers the finest MTB technology for the fight for seconds and podium places. For €5.999, the (hobby) racer uses electronic XTR Di2 gears (22-speed version) from Shimano, decelerates with XTR disc brakes and receives support from the Fox 32 Float Step Cast Factory fork when taming wild stretches with 100mm travel. Noble carbon wheels from Newmen (Advanced SL X.22 Carbon) complete the noble equipment and reduce the overall weight of the Elite C:68 SLT to a seductively airy 8,9 kilos. The Elite C:68 SL is the affordable brother of the top SLT version, which is hardly heavier at 9,3 kilos. The equipment of the € 4.499 29" XC racer also offers a high-end touch: Here Cube relies on the 12-speed Sram XX1 gears, Rock Shox' SID-RL suspension fork that can be locked from the handlebars and fine Level Ultimate -Brakes by Sram. Well thought out: The Newmen carbon handlebars with a span of 68 mm on the Elite C:68 SLT and Elite C:740 SL improve bike control on technically difficult downhills.

The two cheaper models Elite C:62 Eagle and Elite C:62 Race are based on the slightly heavier C:62 carbon chassis and are changing hands at €3.499 each. Nomen est omen applies to the Eagle model variant, in which the driver uses Sram's smooth-running 12-speed Eagle X01 gear system with a generous 500% overall gear ratio. The Elite C:62 Eagle also features the RockShox Reba RL Air suspension fork (100mm travel) and Sram Level TL disc brakes. The Elite C:62 Race works with the 32 Float SC fork from Fox and a 22-speed XTR drive from Shimano and, according to Cube, weighs 9,6 kg.

Cube mountain bikes 2018: 1100 g light, aesthetic carbon frame, 29" wheels: the XC hardtail Reaction C:62

The popular Reaction platform from Cube Mountain Bikes has been completely revised. The Reaction C:62 models of the sporty 29" XC hardtail are based on a carbon fiber frame that is even lighter for 2018 and has a revised geometry. The carbon chassis now only weighs 1.100 g and is said to have gained in stiffness and steering precision thanks to the super-voluminous down tube, 148 Boost rear wheel axle and the top tube, which is very wide towards the head tube. At the same time, the Carbon Reaction models offer an amazing amount of riding comfort on rough slopes thanks to the slim 27,2 mm seat post diameter and flat, thin seat stays. The 2018 Reaction C:62 carbon frame is also prepared for the use of a dropper post. A great idea, as it increases driving fun and safety considerably on technical descents. Cube has the Reaction carbon frame made in five sizes (15/17/19/21/23"), so that every rider should be able to find the right size. The new, shorter tail should give the 29er XC hardtail the best agility and lively handling.

All six Reaction C:62 models offer great value for money. Above all the top model Reaction C:62 Eagle. For €2.999, bikers get Rock Shox' proven Reba RL suspension fork with 100 mm of travel and the 12-speed X01 Eagle drive from Sram. At 9,7 kilos, the 29" XC hardtail is also pleasantly light. The Reaction C:62 is particularly attractively priced: the Reaction carbon frame, the Recon Silver fork with locking function from Rock Shox and the durable, high-quality 1.499 x 2 XT drive from Shimano are available for €11. The Reaction C:62 One model for €2.699 rolls onto the trail with Shimano's electronic XT-Di2 drive (22-speed version) and Fox' 32-speed fork. Here, too, the driver has the option of locking his fork conveniently from the handlebars using the lock-out remote control during long climbs on asphalt. The 740 and 720 mm wide handlebars that Cube install on the Reaction C:62 are contemporary, as they significantly increase riding fun and control on demanding downhills.

Cube Mountain Bikes 2018: Reaction HPA 

At Cube, the well-known Reaction HPA is understood as a tour-heavy XC hardtail. For 2018 it comes with a new aluminum frame. The people from the Upper Palatinate are bringing three high-priced model variants from €1.099 to €1.699 to the MTB market. The 2018 aluminum frame is designed for 15" wheels in the smallest 27.5" size, from 17" frame size it is tailored for 29" wheels. Touring and marathon bikers of all sizes should enjoy full riding fun. The revised aluminum frame is said to have gained in stiffness and acceleration thanks to the new X12 Boost thru axle. The Cube developers have also prepared it for the use of a lowerable, internally controlled dropper post, which the customer can retrofit. The newly designed head tube now accommodates fully integrated headset bearings, which saves weight.

The top model in the Reaction aluminum series is the Reaction SL, which offers a 1.699-speed XT drivetrain, Shimano XT brakes and the Fox 22 Rhythm suspension fork (32 mm travel) for €100. Great: Cube offers it with a black or dark blue frame. The Reaction Race, which is equipped with the 1.299-speed GX Eagle drivetrain from Sram and the RockShox Judy Silver TK Air fork, costs a fair €12. Finally, the entry into the aluminum model series marks the Reaction Pro for an exciting €1.099, to which Cube bolts a Shimano XT drive (22 gears) and Rock Shox' Recon Silver. Reaction Race and Reaction Pro are also available in two color variants.

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