- This topic has 23 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 7 months ago by
Timmee.
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January 10, 2015 at 11:58 pm #22989
thearchitect
I am a regular commuter cyclist but wishing to make a proper investment in a good all rounder road bike to take my cycling and fitness to another level. I hope to use for longer endurance, sportives and hopefully club ride outings. I have tried out a few makes and models from the likes of Willier, Cannondale & Cube and I am pretty settled on the latter from a geometry, spec and cost point of view. My LBS majors in these brands so a bonus if there’s s problem.
However I am really stumped on which Cube to go for? Yes, I would love to invest in the new Agree GTC Pro 2015, carbon frame is comfortable to ride and full Shimano 105 5800. However the Cube aluminium range £200 less is topped by the SL model with Ultegra front & rear derailleurs complementing 105. The weight difference is not that big between the two.
Does anyone have any experience of either of these models? Also is the new Shimano 11 speed 105 really worth investing the extra in? I have seen loads of great offers on Cube 2014 models but they are all 5700 group set. I don’t plan to do loads of upgrading in the future, so what I go for is what I’ll keep unless things fail and have to be replaced.
TIA
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Well I said I’d comment after
Well I said I’d comment after some rides on the Peloton. I’ve put in 250 miles now and I’m really pleased. The Armadillo Elite tyres were a good move as they seem comfortable, quick and tough. The U.S.E seatpost shim arrived so I now have the 30.9 EC 70 post in which has improved the comfort still further. I notice that with the new ‘Attain’ aluminium bike, Cube have changed the seatpost diameter from 31.6 (on the Peloton) to 27.2 (traditional for compliant mtb hardtails). I always hated the 31.6 alloy post on my Specialized Rockhopper years ago. Cube have realised that seatpost is somewhere that comfort can be improved on a sportive style bike, and they’ve taken a valid but different approach from Giant.
I’d say with the carbon post added, the Peleton matches the Giant Defy for comfort and has better wheels, chainset, and brake calipers (I forgot to mention the Ultegra mechs – which were not a deal-breaker for me.) I did 50 mile loop a couple of days back and felt fine at the end and ready to carry on riding so I’m happy.
Bear in mind I’m NOT a racer, I have the ‘compact’ chainset, and my requirement is not out & out speed. I’ve no idea whether the Peloton is fast compared with other bikes, but the ride feels enjoyable and lively. If I’m comfortable too, then that can’t be bad.
Cube Peloton SL vs. Giant
Cube Peloton SL vs. Giant Defy 1 – thoughts.Me:
I did the London-Brighton and Wessex 100 on a 26″ mtb a few years back, and I did the Surrey Hills Classic on a borrowed (and oversized) Specialized Roubaix last year – but that’s about it for my road experience. Lately I’ve done some road rides on my adapted 29er rigid mtb with cyclocross wheels and smooth 32c tyres. I really enjoyed them, but I noticed couldn’t keep up with the road bikes of my usual mtb club buddies.I ride mtb at least twice a week, but I’m not a fanatical cyclist, so I decided on nice (but not outrageous) sportif-style bike. I have been a consummate Ebay parts-swapper for my mtbs, so I’ve learnt the hard way that a complete discounted new bike is the often best way to get all your components. I started by deciding there were fantastic bargains available at £700-800 and ruling out carbon for cost reasons.
With that lot in mind, I test-rode the Giant Defy 1 and the Cube Peloton SL. Emotionally, I felt would like the ride of the Defy 1 alu frame & carbon post. It was good – no question about it. However (for an extra £80) the Cube had a real bucket load of upgrades which would have cost a fortune to do (even doing it whilst buying new bike with the giant dealer). I think the cheap components they remove are virtually worthless to them so they don’t give you much off new upgrade parts.
Anyway this was what I was looking at:
Giant Defy 1: FSA solid crank, stock wheel, Tektro brake calipers, 105 mechs.
Cube SL: 105 Crank, Acksium Wheelset (good basic wheel & much lighter), full 105 brakes, Ultegra mechs.
I knew I’d want lighter wheels, better tyres, and I wasn’t convinced about the tektro brake calipers either. That was probably £200 right there.
The 10 mile Defy test-ride was smooth, but then the Giant had 25C tyres and a carbon seat post, whereas the Cube had the horrid skinny 23C Mavic tyres and an alloy post. The Cube dealer wasn’t keen for me to take the bike too far but I managed to do 6 miles including some poor condition cycle track and a hill. Despite the crap tyres and alu post, I thought the Cube felt pretty decent and had potential. Since I was planning to fit some 25c winter tyres, and I have an Easton carbon seat post I can use, I figured both those things would bring the Cube’s ride closer to the Giant’s. (BTW, the Giant’s carbon post is an exclusive proprietary shape.) Overall the stock Cube SL is significantly lighter than the Defy 1.
In addition of my own test ride, I’d seen the Youtube Cycle Show video where Matt Stephens was very complimentary about the Cube in a £1000 bike test. I liked the look of both bikes as neither looked garish or as if it was trying too hard.
So that was how I arrived at my choice. If the Cube had been full price (£999) and the Defy 1 had been available for £719 (which it was), then I’d have gone the other way and settled for a few cheaper components. I think either bike would be great for what I want.
I’m picking the Cube up this morning with some new 25c tyres for the autumn/winter riding. I’ll be fitting some old XT spuds (for Sidi mtb shoes) as I don’t hold with fancy roadie pedals and cleats. I’ll drop by this forum again with some feedback after a few rides.
Cheers for now, Timmee (Southampton)
So tested both Cube Agree Pro
So tested both Cube Agree Pro GTC and the Peloton SL today. Both were fantastic to ride. To summarise the Agree was super smooth ride, it felt like it was almost floating along. On first pedal pushing off it seemed to just go, all the power just transferred to forward motion. The SL was great in a slightly different way. I read somewhere else the analogy to a sports car for a good aluminium frame and an F1 car for a good carbon, this isn’t far from it. With the SL you are more in touch with the road and I felt you could throw the bike around corners, really fun. The Agree perhaps less raw in its ride, but I reckon better for clocking up serious mileage and climbing.I haven’t decided!
joeegg
A couple of friends both
A couple of friends both bought carbon Cubes. One the base model,the other an SL. Comparing frames the base model did not have same frame. Talking to the shop they confirmed that the entry model had a different frame to all the models above.My friend paid extra and swopped to the what he equated to as a higher spec frame.I sized myself with Canyon’s
I sized myself with Canyon’s PPS tool and I came out as small which equates to about a 53cm which sounds right to me. I think the Endurace (CF or AL) will be similar riding position to the Peloton, look at this page it is very useful:https://www.canyon.com/en/technology/geometriekonzept/index.html#1
The Endurace CF 7.0 looks a good deal but sadly I don’t think they offer through UK B2W scheme, can anyone confirm?
The Canyon being shipped to the UK would only save me £50 in comparison to buying the Agree Pro locally.
Weather permitting I’ll try
Weather permitting I’ll try and arrange another test ride of both Cubes models this Saturday as my local bike shop has both in stock in my frame size.The Canyon Endurace CF was on my shortlist, my only concerns being able to sit over one and physically size it correctly before I buy (I’m 5’7″, circa.170cm not sure Canyon match). It is a while since I used their sizing tool on their website, but maybe I’ll give it another go? The other was purchasing through the cycle scheme here in the UK, will a German online retailer accept it?
antekp
(sorry, double post)
(sorry, double post)Thanks a lot. Let me know
Thanks a lot. Let me know what you go with, too. I think I’m leaning towards the Peloton and then upgrading the wheels at some point.There’s still this bike: https://www.canyon.com/en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3694
(in the stealth colour) that is grabbing my attention at the price point of the GTC Agree Race.Hi, yes both were 2015
Hi, yes both were 2015 models. I think the difference of about 20mm between the two is only slight in reality, you can certainly assume a good low profile on the drop bars.hey, thearchitect,
I have one
hey, thearchitect,I have one more question. As you sat on both bikes, was the difference in ‘aggressiveness’ that big ? Would you still be able to curl up and get up to decent speeds on the Peloton ?
Also, were those both 2015 models that you tried on ?
Regards
I live in the south of Poland
I live in the south of Poland (so not *that* hilly) and most of my trips around here are rather flat (no hardcore climbing). Till now I was doing all my riding (last 1.5years) on a too-large 2007 2danger aluminium frame with an old Ultegra groupset and was actually quite happy, love riding it despite it slowly getting quite old.My biggest problem here is that I *never* really complained about the harshness of the ride (even when doing a few 3-4 hour rides) so I feel like aluminium would definitely be enough for me. Especially given that it is a much more modern alu frame and the 2×11 105 should be a huge upgrade anyway. Tons of people at my local club (just one here though :)) have alu frames and seem to be doing really well in terms of pace / keeping up.
Talked to a few people already and most of them suggested that switching those Fulcrums 77s over to a higher-end wheelset could also have great impact and that it is something I will probably want to upgrade anyway at some point. Either something more Aero (like the Cosmic Elite) or a bit all-round (Ksyrium Elite) would be a huge huge upgrade.
But also before doing anything to the wheels, there definitely will be a few parcels coming (like the saddle, pedals, tape, seatpost, probably the stem, too).
Good to hear that I’m not the
Good to hear that I’m not the only one mulling it over! There are really helpful comments above.I have actually test ridden both now, but only on an extended car park surface for 10 minutes each, certainly not long enough to appreciate the difference!
Both were nice and spritely and very responsive, the Agree marginally smoother but only slightly in my opinion. A helpful and knowledgeable assistant at Cycle Surgery today came up with some good points or questions to ask yourself?
Will you do much climbing on it? If so carbon better suited (I live in East Anglia which is pretty flat)!
How often will you use it? If everyday for commuting then carbon is perhaps not quite so resilient as aluminium.
Agree is more race (dare I say aggressive) geometry with a lower stem, Peloton a ‘little’ more relaxed. If you are only doing 2hours max either bike ought to suit, but if you are planning doing a long tour maybe the Peloton would be more comfortable. I can’t say I really feel the need to want to race but I would like to join my local cycling club and keep up with the pace for a couple of hours or a morning.
Personally I don’t think the Peloton is the bike you really need to upgrade much, it is at its natural level of spec to match a very good aluminium frame. You may just want to upgrade when things wear out. However if you love upgrading parts (and like receiving little Wiggle parcels like I do!) the Agree you might swap out the wheels at some point.
Let me know what you go with dude?
Hi,
I am in a similar
Hi,I am in a similar situation — thinking about either getting the Peloton Race 2015 or spending around GBP250 more for the GTC Agree Pro.
I don’t ride that much — usually it’s around 60-100 miles per week (I do a lot of MTB so not that much time left). Usually I’m going to spend 1.5-2hrs in one session.
Both bikes are full 105, whereas the Peloton appeals to me a bit more in terms of paint/colour.
So what do you guys think, would I really benefit from spending that money on a carbon frame, or should I maybe stick to the Peloton and e.g. spend the additional money on getting proper wheels in some time, like the Mavic Ksyriums ? I won’t ever race on this thing, it’s purely for training purposes.
Thoughts ?
sean evans
I totally agree with the
I totally agree with the comments about aluminium being as good as and often better than low priced carbon frames but in this case the carbon bikes in the cube range offer significant improvements in ride quality and stiffness.The bike that excites you the most visually is far more important than the addition of an extra gear. If you need more than 10 gears you can simply get another cassette (as I did). If you have a bike that you love the look of, you will ride it more often, take better care of it and ride it faster.
Simon E
Tyre pressures can make a
Tyre pressures can make a bigger difference to ride quality than frame material.Aksiums are OK but they aren’t that special.
Having 11 gears isn’t necessarily better than 10, you could waste half a lifetime debating the pros & cons. After six months of regular use they will be much of a muchness.
Bike envy? That is why you should buy the one YOU like best (which sounds like the 2014 GTC Pro). It’s not like it will be the last bike you ever buy.
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