Which Cube road bike to go for

[razer17]

So my work is signed up to the Cycle Scheme. And I have decided that I should get in on the offer with a road bike. I'll be using it to get to work and back, 4.4 miles, and then on weekends for longer rides.

I've been looking at the Cube Peloton Race 2014 (£1000), but I have just seen last years Peloton Race for £800, and last year's Agree GTC for £800 on Paul's Cycling. Now, the Paul's bikes will come with a charge of 11% I believe, bringing them up to £888 each.

I can get the 2014 model from Rutland Cycling, though, which is about 30 minutes from my house, so if I need a service or anything, it's a lot easier than dealing with Pauls. I think I'd rather either the 2014 Peloton, or last year's Agree.

Is it worth getting last years Agree to get a carbon frame and a little bit of saving, or spend an extra £112 to get the new Peloton Race with a full 105 group and Mavic wheels? The bike weight is apparently about the same at 8.7kg.

And does anyone have any experience Cube sizing? I've heard they are a little smaller than other frames, so what size would I be best to go with at 6"1?

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b67s6p4671/CUBE-AGREE-GTC-COMPACT-2013
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/231645/products/cube-peloton-race-road-bike.aspx

 

[User6179]

On the cube sizing you either want the 60 or 62 depending on long body short legs or long legs short body , fwiw I have a 58 at just under 6ft and it is smaller than my 56 CAADX , Buy the one with the best wheels and groupset regardless of carbon or aluminium imo.

 

[Big Nick]

I was a 57/58 size frame in virtually all brands but needed a 60 in a Cube so size up from normal

 

[Cycleops]

I would go for the carbon frame. You wouldn't then have to look at the dreadful frame welds on the aluminium frame.

 

[inkd]

^^^^ As above, go for the better frame as you can always upgrade components at a later date.

 

[Downward]

I have the 56cm and I am 5ft 11". The 56cm is about 1cm shorter reach than my previous 56cm frame and I prefer this.

If going with the cheaper carbon though I would look at what brakes and cassette it comes with. The Race has the 105 brakes which are great and a big cassette - 12-32 so if you live and will be going up 10% + gradients it's ideal.

 

[razer17]

I would go for the carbon frame. You wouldn't then have to look at the dreadful frame welds on the aluminium frame.

I don't mind the welds too much, and I actually love the look of the Peloton, but they don't have the red/white/blue version available in my size anyway. Actually, in general Cube bikes look great.

I have the 56cm and I am 5ft 11". The 56cm is about 1cm shorter reach than my previous 56cm frame and I prefer this.

If going with the cheaper carbon though I would look at what brakes and cassette it comes with. The Race has the 105 brakes which are great and a big cassette - 12-32 so if you live and will be going up 10% + gradients it's ideal.

The agree has a compact setup, but I'm not sure what the gear range actually is. It also has a full Tiagra set, including the brakes.

^^^^ As above, go for the better frame as you can always upgrade components at a later date.

Is a low end carbon frame really going to be better than a good aluminium frame, though?

 

[vickster]

Is it a low end carbon frame though? Most manufacturers use the same frame through much of their range. The componentry just gets better as the price goes up

£1250 rrp with tiagra isn't a cheap bike nowadays

 

[razer17]

Is it a low end carbon frame though? Most manufacturers use the same frame through much of their range. The componentry just gets better as the price goes up

£1250 rrp with tiagra isn't a cheap bike nowadays

I did like the idea of a carbon frame, might be more comfortable, especially as the road's can be a bit iffy round my way. But chances are I'm not going to upgrade the components, unless something goes wrong, so it's basically carbon with tiagra, or aluminium with 105. The Agree frame I guess is the same all the way through that range, up to about £2200, so I guess it's a decent frame.

 

[vickster]

I don't think the peleton and agree frames are the same, the former is more sportive, latter race, so you are comparing apples with pears really

Go ride the different groupset and frames, see what you like. I don't think you will make the correct decision really without doing so

 

[Cyclist33]

Shucks, just get the Defy Composite 3 if you want comfort, performance and joy!

 

[Cyclist33]

(You'll want the Large.)

 

[vickster]

(You'll want the Large.)

You'll want to try one out to confirm size

 

[Cyclist33]

Preferably, I concede!

 

[Cyclist33]

There is a certain amount of adjustability for fit though, and at 6 foot one, due will suit a Large. I'm 5,11 and have the Medium Large in the non-carbon version but the geometry's identical...