Top tier components should mean a top tier ride, right? German manufacturer CUBE offers top-spec bikes at affordable prices – and the Stereo ONE55 is no exception. Despite some seriously fancy components, it’s one of the cheapest bikes in this test. We found out whether it’s a massive bargain, or whether it’s too good to be true.
13.4 kg in size L | € 6,999 | Manufacturer’s website
What a presence! The 2023 CUBE Stereo ONE55 C:62 SLT 29 stands out from the rest of the test field in many respects. At 13.4 kg, it’s the lightest bike we tested, despite the fact that it also has the most suspension travel, combining a whopping 160 mm at the front and 155 mm at the rear. Furthermore, it’s the only bike to use a high volume FOX X2 shock, which trades a little extra weight for better trail performance on rough terrain. The € 6,999 price tag also makes it one of the most affordable bikes in this test. Things are looking good for the CUBE! But can the ONE55 also deliver on the trail or does its potent spec slow it down on the trail?
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best trail bike 2024 – 15 of the most exciting trail bikes in our 2024 comparison test
The 2023 CUBE ONE55 C:62 SLT 29 in detail
There’s no denying that the CUBE ONE55 C:62 SLT 29 is a real head turner. The slim, angular frame looks elegant in the sleek black paint finish, accentuated by the gold Kashima coating on the Fox suspension. The cables are routed internally, disappearing into the frame through an Acros headset, which ensures a tidy look but makes it harder to service the cockpit, especially if you want to replace the headset bearings. The frame features a tool mount underneath the top tube, as well as a storage compartment in the down tube. This can be easily opened at the push of a button, though this is positioned on the underside of the down tube, where it’s exposed to muck and dirt. Moreover, the locking system relies on a bolt that runs through the down tube, which restricts the amount of storage room – other manufacturers offer much tidier solutions. The underside of the storage lid includes as standard an ACID HUSK 24 multi tool, which includes an 8-piece bit set, chain breaker, a tubeless repair kit, a spoke wrench, and tire levers. The kit allows you to carry out all basic trail repairs, although the 8-piece bit system is a little finicky to use.
The spec of the 2023 CUBE Stereo ONE55 C:62 SLT 29
The suspension of the Stereo ONE55 C:62 SLT 29, CUBE consists of a top-tier FOX Factory 36 mm fork and high volume FLOAT X2 shock, which, thanks to its oversized air chamber, provides a more linear, planted ride feeling in exchange for a small weight penalty. FOX also supply the 175 mm Transfer Factory dropper post, which worked flawlessly throughout this test, but hasn’t been completely trouble free for us with other bikes in the past, as it’s very temperature sensitive and tends to get stuck when fully inserted. For the brakes, CUBE rely on SRAM’s CODE Ultimate Stealth stoppers with tool-free bite point and lever reach adjustments. Moreover, the levers feature SRAM’s proprietary SwingLink technology, which was designed to minimise deadband and reduce the pressure required at the lever, effectively reducing the likelihood of arm pump. The brakes are paired with a 200 mm rotor at the front and a 180 mm disc at the rear. However, the latter is too small for a potent trail bike, overheating quickly on long descents – we recommend upgrading to a 200 mm rear rotor! SRAM also supply the drivetrain, consisting of a top-tier XX1 rear derailleur with matching cassette and chain, and a slightly heavier X01 crankset. CUBE’s in-house, one-piece carbon cockpit looks elegant, but doesn’t allow for fine tuning. The Stereo ONE55 C:62 SLT 29 rolls on NEWMEN ADVANCED SL A.30 carbon wheels and Schwalbe tires, with a Nobby Nic in the soft ADDIX Soft rubber compound at the front coupled with a Wicked Will in the hard ADDIX compound at the rear, both in the paper-thin Super Ground casing. Overall, the tires are too flimsy for a trail bike with this much travel, which calls for a tougher casing and more aggressive tread pattern. Our hot tip: upgrade the tires with a tougher, more aggressive model. We recommend an Ultra Soft Magic Mary at the front and a Soft Big Betty at the rear, both in the more robust Super Trail casing.
Small brake rotors and flimsy tires are the biggest no-no with a potent trail bike! If you buy the CUBE, you should upgrade both.
The elegant one-piece stem/handlebar unit might look great, but doesn’t allow for fine tuning of the cockpit.
With their thin casing and shallow profile, the tires lack traction and puncture protection.
Since the locking mechanism of the storage compartment is underneath the down tube, the locking pin significantly reduces the amount of space in the compartment.
The storage compartment comes standard with a multi-tool and tubeless repair, including tire levers. Everything is attached to the bottom side of the compartment cover.
The cables run through the headset directly into the frame. This ensures a clean look, but makes it harder to service the headset.
CUBE ONE55 C:62 SLT 29
€ 6,999
Specifications
Fork FOX 36 Factory GRIP2 160 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X2 Factory 155 mm
Seatpost FOX Transfer Factory 175 mm
Brakes SRAM CODE Ultimate Stealth 200/180 mm
Drivetrain SRAM XX1/X01 AXS 1x12
Stem CUBE Onepiece 50 mm
Handlebar CUBE Stereo Carbon Cockpit System 800 mm
Wheelset NEWMAN ADVANCED SL A.30 Carbon 29"
Tires Schwalbe Nobby Nic, Super Ground, ADDIX Soft/Schwalbe Wicked Will, Super Race, ADDIX Speedgrip 2.4"/2.4"
Technical Data
Size S M L XL
Weight 13.4 kg
Specific Features
Toolmount
storage compartment
adjustable head angle
Tuning tips: Tires with more aggressive profile, tougher casing and softer rubber compound | 200 mm brake rotor at the rear
Pants Specialized Demo Pro Pants | Shoes Fizik Gravita Tensor
The geometry of the 2023 CUBE Stereo ONE55 C:62 SLT 29
The Stereo ONE55 C:62 SLT 29 is available in four sizes, S to XL. Our test bike in size L combines 475 mm reach and a very short 420 mm seat tube, which allows you to insert the dropper all the way into the frame, ensuring plenty of freedom of movement on the bike. The rotating headset cups allow you to change the head angle by 0.6° without having to buy extra parts – awesome! This adjustment also alters the reach, stack height and BB drop slightly. We rode the CUBE mainly in the slacker setting. Chainstay length remains the same in all sizes, which might result in different handling qualities across the sizes. Many manufacturers adapt the chainstay length to the respective frame size to ensure consistent handling.
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube | 567 mm | 592 mm | 621 mm | 652 mm |
| Seat tube | 370 mm | 405 mm | 420 mm | 470 mm |
| Head tube | 100 mm | 103 mm | 113 mm | 133 mm |
| Head angle | 64.2° | 64.2° | 64.2° | 64.2° |
| Seat angle | 76.5° | 76.5° | 76.5° | 76.5° |
| Chainstays | 438 mm | 438 mm | 438 mm | 438 mm |
| BB Drop | 36 mm | 36 mm | 36 mm | 36 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,196 mm | 1,222 mm | 1,252 mm | 1,285 mm |
| Reach | 425 mm | 450 mm | 475 mm | 500 mm |
| Stack | 625 mm | 627 mm | 636 mm | 654 mm |
The 2023 CUBE Stereo ONE55 C:62 SLT 29 on the trail
Is the Stereo ONE55 C:62 SLT 29 just a cool looking bike with a killer spec, or can it also deliver on the trail? As soon as you swing your leg over the saddle, the CUBE positions you far back over the rear wheel, which is mainly due to the high front end and slack seat tube angle, and it makes for a comfortable pedalling position on level ground. However, as soon as the gradient inclines, you’ll have to actively weight the front wheel to keep it tracking, especially on steep climbs. That said, the suspension is pleasantly firm, making the climb switch unnecessary. Together with the low system weight and fast-rolling tires, this makes the CUBE a fast, agile climber.
The CUBE’s storage compartment includes all essential tools for basic trailside repairs. Unfortunately, the 8-bit minitool is a bit finicky to use.
However, as soon as you point the CUBE’s nose downhill, the tires become a problem, lacking both traction and puncture protection, thus preventing the ONE55 from unfolding its full potential – and we also had a puncture just a few laps into the test. Once you’re back on track with new tires and can finally focus on riding, the first thing you’ll notice is the high front end, which integrates you nicely with the bike, but leads to a rather rearward weight distribution. Particularly on flat trails, this creates more of a ploughing sensation rather than a feeling of flow, forcing you to actively shift your weight forward to keep the front wheel tracking. Despite the high-volume shock and generous amounts of travel, the rear suspension of the Stereo ONE55 C:62 SLT 29 is on the firm side, providing plenty of support and tons of pop, and allowing active riders to generate speed by pumping through rollers and berms. The CUBE conveys an authentic pump-track feeling, making it incredibly fun on flowing trails. At the same time, the rear suspension generates good traction, albeit delivering significantly less travel than you would expect. When the going gets rough, you’ll have to deal with a couple more issues: while on one hand, the CUBE Stereo ONE55 C:62 SLT 29 feels rather sluggish, on the other, it gets nervous on high-speed sections, requiring great physical effort in open corners – it’s a wild ride on rougher trails.
Who should take a closer look at the 2023 CUBE Stereo ONE55 C:62 SLT 29?
Like most CUBE bikes, the Stereo ONE55 C:62 SLT 29 is a great choice for anyone who wants a top spec at an affordable price. Thanks to CUBE’s wide dealer network, it’s available in many local shops, especially in German-speaking countries, making for convenient after-sale service, maintenance and repairs. It comes as no surprise that CUBE are amongst the most popular brands in Germany. That said, the ONE55 impressed us more on the spec sheet than it did on the trail.
Our conclusions about the 2023 CUBE ONE55 C:62 SLT 29
The CUBE might look promising at first but turns out to be a bit of a sheep in wolf’s clothing – it’s stubborn and sluggish at low speeds, and hard to control when it gets scared. On paper, you get a top-tier spec and some interesting frame features at a very attractive price. Upon closer inspection, however, the CUBE Stereo ONE55 C:62 SLT 29 has some major flaws in the spec, and fails to impress on the trail. The high front end conveys huge amounts of confidence, but the handling is somehow simultaneously sluggish and nervous, which has a real impact on the bike’s trail performance.
Tops
- Many high-end components for little money
- Sensible frame details
Flops
- High front end makes for unbalanced handling
- Less reserves than expected
- Tires don’t suit the character and intended use of the bike (at all!)
- Nervous and sluggish at the same time
You can find out more about at cube.eu
The test field
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best trail bike 2024 – 15 of the most exciting trail bikes in our 2024 comparison test
All bikes in test: Cannondale Habit LT 1 (Click for review) | Cube ONE55 C:62 SLT 29 | Ghost RIOT Trail Full Party (Click for review) | Merida ONE-FORTY 10K (Click for review) | Mondraker Neat RR SL (Click for review) | Nicolai Saturn 14 Swift HRZ (Click for review) | Orbea Occam LT M10 (Click for review) | Santa Cruz Heckler SL XX AXS RSV (Click for review) | Santa Cruz Hightower X0 AXS RSV (Click for review) | Scor 2030 X01 (Click for review) | SCOTT Genius ST 900 Tuned (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo SL (Click for review) | Trek Fuel EX 9.9 X0 AXS T-Type (Click for review) | Yeti SB140 LR T3 X0 (Click for review) | YT JEFFSY CORE 5 CF (Click for review)
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Words: Simon Kohler Photos: Peter Walker
