Back and Forth - Cube SL Road Race 2016

[JustDave]

Hi all

Just signed up to forums to get a better understanding before I buy a bike on the cycle scheme.

Me and a few others plan on doing the coast 2 coast later on in the year and as we are training I seem to be putting more effort in with my MTB against their hybrid bikes.

I really like the look of the Cube SL Road Race 2016 as well of it having Shimano 105 I've always liked Cubes style.

I was going to stick some Schwalbe Marathon Plus to give me more grip on the canal paths(mud) but I've been told the rims wouldn't be any good for that sort of riding? How true is this?

If the Cube is a no go, Where should I be looking?

Thanks

 

[vickster]

I personally found Marathon plus (in 28mm) the slippiest tyres I've ever ridden! They are also heavy and sluggish on road IME, great if commuting and don't want punctures, but I wouldn't want them on a racy roadbike. Not sure what road bike tyres if any fare well on mud

Maybe have a look at a Gravel type bike like the Specialized Diverge. Or the Whyte road bikes which can take fatter tyres. These should also take proper mudguards, needed for group rides in the wet and also a pannier rack for carrying your touring stuff....and for commuting as a cycle to work bike

Go to a few bike shops and get advice

 

[Ste pt1]

I've just ordered the same bike should be picking it up by the weekend the only other bikes that caught my fancy was the sl disc or the giant defy 0
http://www.cube.eu/uk/products/road-race/attain/cube-attain-sl-blacknflashred-2016/

 

[JustDave]

I personally found Marathon plus (in 28mm) the slippiest tyres I've ever ridden! They are also heavy and sluggish on road IME,

Its not so much the tyres that worry me, I can alwasys change them to something more suited but the rims on the other hand?

I've just ordered the same bike should be picking it up by the weekend the only other bikes that caught my fancy was the sl disc or the giant defy 0
http://www.cube.eu/uk/products/road-race/attain/cube-attain-sl-blacknflashred-2016/

Do you think the SL Road Race can be classed as a hybrid if its really suited to road/path cycling only?

 

[Cubist]

Hybrid means many things, and eventually loses meaning because it actually defines nothing. For example, some hybrids are MTBs with road style tyres and gearing, others are road bikes with everything except drop bars.

Go and speak with a Cube dealer and see if you can fit CX type tyres as @vickster suggests. If not, then the SL road Race is indeed simply a road bike for commuting for those that don't like drops.

If it does have clearance for 28 mm gravel or CX tyres, then it'll do for what you want. Read up on the wheel set though. As you suspect, they may be too fragile for proper muddy bumpy stuff.

 

[JustDave]

Did as you said an went to a shop to ask some questions an it does seem the Cube SL Road Race 2016 is a no go for me, which is a shame as its a great looking bike.

how would the Cube LTD Race 29" Hardtail do with hills having the Shimano 2x11 if I put some 700 semi slick tyres on?

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/cube-lt...nents-bikewear/fcp-product/64080?listing=true

Thanks

 

[Kajjal]

It depends on the route you are taking, if it is mainly road and smooth off road trails a bike like a diverge, grade etc. would be better suited. A mountain bike fairs better when there is little road riding, mainly off road with a few rougher / steeper off road sections.

Have a think about the route and your personal preferences. Also where do you normally ride, best to get a bike to suit your all round riding.

 

[JustDave]

Hi Kajjal

I always struggle with decisions when there so much range.

I already have a gt avalanche 3.0 mtb which does me fine but I plan on doing more rides out on nation cycles routes, canal paths and events such as "Manchester to blackpool"
Saying all that would a Cyclocross bike be a better match? Better gearing for hills?

I've gone from hybrid to mtb to Cyclocross in this post. Shot me now

 

[Kajjal]

I have an xc mountain bike and a diverge (gravel bike / cx bike). Comparing the two, on road the diverge is much faster especially uphills due to a more aerodynamic riding position and not having grippy nobbly tyres. On smoother, straighter, off road trails such as fire roads, gravel tracks etc. again the diverge is a noticeably faster but the mountain bike handles better, and is a smoother ride. On off road trails that are rougher, twisty, and more technical the mountain bike is easier to ride and much faster.

Simply a mountain bike is better off road but slower on road.

 

[JustDave]

Hi, been doing a bit more research online and going to a few bike shops, I'm growing more an more interested in a cyclecross bike as it seems to cover what I want out of a bike since I already have a MTB.

I do like the look of this cube http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cube-Cross-Race-Pro-2016-Cyclocross-Bike_84861.htm. How would the gears fair with the hills doing c2c?

Thanks

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Hi, been doing a bit more research online and going to a few bike shops, I'm growing more an more interested in a cyclecross bike as it seems to cover what I want out of a bike since I already have a MTB.

I do like the look of this cube http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cube-Cross-Race-Pro-2016-Cyclocross-Bike_84861.htm. How would the gears fair with the hills doing c2c?

Thanks

Gears are fine on that but you'll be pushed to find one in stock as they are pretty much sold out for the CX season.

 

[cm2mackem]

As said it depends on the route, I've done Whitehaven to Sunderland on both, road bike is quicker but I think some of the roads we use may still be closed

 

[Deleted member 23692]

The trouble with Cube CX bikes (IMO) is that they don't have rack mounts on.

My 2015 SL Road Race has the same wheels as the current Cube CX's (Fulcrum 77 CX) but comes with fat slicks rather knobbly CX tyres. It's also got rack/mud guard mounts too. I'm currently converting mime to a drop bar tourer/adventure/gravel bike

 

[JustDave]

The trouble with Cube CX bikes (IMO) is that they don't have rack mounts on

This is a worry, the only time I'll ever want a panniers is on the c2c.

 

[rideswithmoobs]

Hi, been doing a bit more research online and going to a few bike shops, I'm growing more an more interested in a cyclecross bike as it seems to cover what I want out of a bike since I already have a MTB.

I do like the look of this cube http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cube-Cross-Race-Pro-2016-Cyclocross-Bike_84861.htm. How would the gears fair with the hills doing c2c?

Thanks

I had a cube cross race 56cm frame. Fabulous bike but compact frame and small. A 58 or even 60 would have fitted better so you need to try before hand or definitely go up a frame size. Cross race disc is a better option than the canti brakes, better in the wet and mud but that's personal because I didn't get on with them. The cross race is a rapid bike on and off road and only on the very steepest of hills (road) did I find myself wanting a lower gear or in descents, steep, it spun out and wanted a higher gear. This is because they are not geared as a road bike. Steep hills you shoulder it or push and don't really have serious steep down hills in cross racing I suppose. Basically the cube is more CX race orientated rather than a do it all commute, off road, road, tour type gravel bike.
Great bike but not a c2c I would say