mountain bikes: Test: Cube Stereo 150 C:68 Actionteam – One MTB with everything, please!

Test: For many years, the name Stereo has stood for the all-round fullies in Cube's portfolio. Nothing will change in 2019 either: With the Stereo 120, Stereo 140 and Stereo 150, the manufacturer from the Upper Palatinate is sending three variants into the race this year. For our test, we chose the top model of the Stereo 150: the Cube Stereo 150 C:68 Actionteam. First of all: For just under 6.000 euros you get exceptionally high-quality equipment on the light carbon frame, which flexes its muscles, especially downhill.

Cube Stereo 150 C:68 Actionteam: frame and geometry

The completely newly developed frame of the Stereo 150 is made exclusively of carbon in all equipment variants, but in two different layups: Cube's well-known C:68 carbon is used on the two top models, on the cheaper variants you have to use the slightly heavier C:62 Put up with. The numbers in the designation, which at first glance seem cryptic, refer to the percentage of carbon fibers in the material - the 'rest' is filled with resin, which is significantly heavier but simplifies production. In the frame of our test bike there are 68% carbon fibers, which enable the low frame weight. The rear triangle gets 55mm of spring travel out of the 150mm stroke of the damper and, in combination with the 160mm at the front, offers a potent basis for even the roughest trail shredding.

For this season, the Stereo 150 is exclusively on large 29″ wheels and the frame also comes with the usual modern features: Boost dropouts, trunnion damper mount, an ISCG05 attachment for chain guides and even 2x friends will like the Cube thanks to the front derailleur mount can.

The processing and the details of the frame are appropriate for a top model and do not have to hide from the sometimes significantly more expensive noble manufacturers. Nicely integrated protectors for the chainstay and down tube are also available, as well as well clamped cables and a bottle holder that easily accommodates even large bottles. The geometry remains true to itself, has its finger on the pulse, but does not take any extreme paths. A 66° head angle meets a pleasantly steep 75.5° at the rear, the short chainstays and the average length of the main frame keep the bike nice and compact.

Cube Stereo 150 C:68 Actionteam: Equipment

Cube bikes are known for their excellent price/performance ratio. With the Stereo 150 C:68 Actionteam, however, a new record may be set in this respect. Sure, 6.000 euros is a lot of money for a mountain bike, but in view of what the 150mm fully from the Upper Palatinate brings with it, this price is put into perspective within a few moments. The Fox 36 Factory chassis with a new grip cartridge and X2 Factory damper is among the best the market currently has to offer. The same applies to the drive: Here Cube installs the new Shimano XTR 12-speed group with 510% range - including the matching 4-piston brakes.

The DT Swiss EX1501 Spline One 30 wheels combine robust, durable 240 hubs with tried-and-tested 30mm wide aluminum rims that comfortably accommodate 2,35″ wide Schwalbe tires. The Hans Dampf with Super Gravity carcass on the rear wheel is paired with the snappy Magic Mary with the Addix Soft Compound on the front wheel. A combination that also cuts a fine figure on the EWS routes around the world, but should cause one or the other additional bead of sweat on the forehead on extended tours. The "Baller orientation" is also reflected in the full E13 LG1+ chain guide, which should keep the chain in place even with the heaviest rumble and also protect the chainring from bottoming out.

In the cockpit, as in the case of the crank, you trust in proven Canadian quality from Race Face and the Fox Transfer post in the Kashima coating that matches the chassis rounds off the classy equipment package from A to Z.

Cube Stereo 150 C:68 Action Team: On the trail

The particularly powerful models from Cube come in the Action Team finish. With no bike is this as much a program as with the 150 Stereo. The enduro team was already on the 29er predecessor with 140 millimeters of spring travel and a much more "touring" geometry. So you can expect the bike to really hit the gas on the descents and willingly bring the rider uphill to the next stage. It does.

You shouldn't expect top performance from the optically beefy Cube. However, the Stereo 150 never completely loses sight of the top group in the test. The damper should be set accordingly for this, the bandwidth of the setting options ranges from "joyfully bobbing-driving energy-destroying" to "moves briskly". In the end, we opted for a rather soft set-up and used the two-position lever to stabilize the suspension for the climbs. You still sit further back on the stereo than with the climbing artists in the test field, but that's not a problem. Since the cassette offers 12 gears with a maximum of 51 teeth, the 32 tooth ring at the front is just about ok, 30 teeth may be more suitable for many drivers.

At the latest on the descent you can give the Cube its spurs. The Magic Mary tire at the front grips very well, the Hans Dampf at the back follows quickly. The very good chassis makes the pilot happy when he has taken the time to set it up properly and is actively working on the bike. The wheel has "pop" and gives feedback. So you always feel what speed is left. Never mind that we couldn't coax all-soaking traction out of the Stereo, the bike still felt secure. A rather aggressive geometry and the sporty basic orientation go well with the race-heavy chassis and result in a Ready to Race Enduro with the equipment.

Said equipment can only be described as the poet Oscar Wilde described his taste: “It's easy with good taste; You only take the best of everything.” Carbon chassis, top suspension from Fox, gears and brakes with Shimano's top group XTR. Carbon parts from Race-Face, the highest quality DT-Swiss aluminum wheels, etc. What is there to complain about when everything works perfectly? Crisp, very precise, tactile and audible shifting processes, powerful, easily controllable brakes and cleverly chosen tyres. Even a chain guide with bash guard from E-thirteen is mounted. The only thing we didn't really like were the handles. Testers with large hands found them too thin and too hard. but they will also differ a bit in the series.