Pro Bike Check: Greg Callaghan’s CUBE STEREO 27.5″ vs 29″
08.06.2016
by
Since getting the call up to the CUBE Action Team, Irish shredder Greg Callaghan hasn’t looked back. He has since scored two Enduro World Series wins, multiple podiums and is a consistent top ten finisher. One of the valuable assets Greg has as a CUBE racer is his option to switch between the 27.5″ and 29er model of the CUBE STEREO, so whilst at the Tweedlove International we had a look at the differences between the bikes and found out Greg’s reasoning for choosing between them.
The CUBE STEREO 160 C:68 27.5 (left) and the STEREO 140 C:62 29 (right). Greg runs a large frame on both bikes.
The STEREO 160 C:68 27.5 was in action in the opening two EWS rounds in South America.Whilst the 29er came out for the Irish action and took the win!
“I chose the 29er for Ireland because I thought the 27.5″ might have been just a little bit too much travel. There is a lot of flat pumping and pedalling, and you lose a lot of energy through a bigger bike. The 140 mm on the 29er gives me that efficiency to push through the bike, whilst the big wheels just give me the stability at high speeds to plow through everything, and it was a similar logic for Tweedlove.”
Cockpit Setup on Greg Callaghan’s CUBE STEREO
Both bikes sport a RaceFace cockpit but with different stem lengths and handlebar rises. On the 27.5 is a 30 mm stem.Because of the higher front end on the 29er, Greg uses a smaller 10 mm rise handlebar to try and get a similar feeling between both bikes.
This is anchored to bars with a 20 mm rise.A 50 mm stem on the 29er helps to get the weight further forward on the big wheels.
Both bikes are equipped with Shimano Saint stoppers, 203 mm rotors front and 180 mm on the rear.Shimano’s electronic Di2 shifting is mutual.
Suspension Setup on Greg Callaghan’s CUBE STEREO
FOX 36s are shared between the bikes, with a 170 mm of travel on the 27.5″ and 160 mm on the 29er.
A FOX Float X2 takes care of the 160 mm rear travel on the 27.5.With the 140 mm 29er using a standard Float X shock.
Drivetrain Setup on Greg Callaghan’s CUBE STEREO
Both bikes are equipped with a full Shimano XTR drivetrain, just in different configurations.
The 27.5″ runs on a 2x set up with a giving Greg the range he needs.Greg has chosen to equip the 29er with a 1x setup as the climbs in Ireland were pretty mellow and for simplicity.
DT Swiss wheels all round.
The new EX1501 SPLINE ONE 25 are just on the 29er for the moment, but Greg said they would be coming to the 27.5 soon.Schwalbe rubber with beefy super gravity casing, Magic Mary in front and Hans Dampf in the rear. Both bikes use this configuration.
Greg on his way to victory on the CUBE STEREO 140 C:62 29, it will be interesting to watch his bike choice for the remainder of the season!
You can keep up to date with Greg’s racing by liking his Facebook Page.
For more information on the CUBE STEREO, visit the CUBE website.
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