After months of to-ing and fro-ing, I think I’ve decided to go for a Cube Stereo 160. I can’t decide whether to go for the carbon SL one or the alu TM one though.

Carbon: http://www.cube.eu/uk/bikes/fullsuspension/stereo/cube-stereo-160-super-hpc-sl-275-greennorange-2015/

Alu: http://www.cube.eu/uk/bikes/fullsuspension/stereo/cube-stereo-160-hpa-tm-275-metalngreen-2015/

The Alu is around £600 cheaper, and has a Fox 36 up front rather than a 34 which would be a good thing. It also has a Float X – not sure if this just means more dials and settings to obsess over. The alloy is just under 2kg heavier than the carbon though.

I can’t decide which one to go for. I mainly do riding around central Scotland, with trail centres and the odd foray into the big hills. I’m no lightweight myself, so it kind of seems silly worrying about an extra 2kg, but will it sap the speed on the climbs?

Which one would you go for and why?

I ride an older Stereo, it’s a carbon.

Wouldn’t want another 2kg to carry around – although a lot of that will be components, so you could spend some of the saving on upgrades.

I would go for the alloy. I saw a lot of broken carbon cubes when I worked in CRC. The 36 is worth the extra weight imo. I can’t be arsed looking at the weight of the tyres but doesn’t the alloy have heavier rubber to?

The carbon one is certainly green! – a bit much imo.

I’d go with the Alu version & spend the cash upgrading wheels & bits & bobs.

Split he difference?
http://www.cube.eu/uk/bikes/fullsuspension/stereo/cube-stereo-160-super-hpc-race-275-carbonnflashred-2015/
Most of the weight difference with the ali one is in the burly build kit,not the frame.

The Alloy does have slightly gnarlier tyres – not sue how much heavier they are though.

Alan – I think you’re right actually. I like bright bikes, but maybe that is just a bit TOO bright.

Rorschach – that would be a good compromise, but the shop I’m looking at don’t have it in stock. They’re doing 15% off list price on their in-stock bikes.

Edit – although I’ll pop into my lbs on Tuesday to see if they can get Cubes

The ali one then……and give me £600.

Or save another £1k and get a Radon Slide 8, similar spec.

http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/radon-slide-27.5-8.0-238562/wg_id-1293

Neither, get the stereo 140 much much better sizing and geometry. The Pike equipped versions are 150 front. (selling like hot cakes atm so won’t have long to get hold of one)

+1 just bought a 140 TM and it’s a missile. So impressive (and I’ve ridden the 160 version too).

Where are you based? Paul at Escape Bikes has a 140 TM in I think.

Based in Falkirk. Where is escape?

ah… near the Lakes. I’d seriously consider one though. When I was looking for a new full-susser I had my eye on a Whyte T130 so I demo’d that but wasn’t that impressed frankly, so I gave the Cube a go and boom! it was clearly better straight away, which came as a surprise. The rear end was much plusher and it rides light too. I did the Grizedale enduro on it last Sunday and it wasn’t out of its depth at all against the YTs and SCs of this world, and posted faster times than my previous Remedy (which has been significantly tweaked).