Cube 160 Action Team first impressions. 9/10

More-read-than-ride

Active member
Patreon
Jan 3, 2019
277
218
Spain
My local LBS loaned me a 160 Action Team
Edit: I rode 200km over 4 rides, rocky trails, descent and fire roads

It is a 160mm, 64º, top-spec enduro bike with fox 36 factory and full kashima everywhere (even the dropper). EX1 groupset and saint brakes. Absolutely dream spec. It looks awesome, although I prefer the more muted TM colors.
The bike new with an LBS discount is probably somewhere in the vicinity of 5400€ (5800€ list).
Many people on here has that exact bike and I just wanted to share a few quick comments:
The bike I tried had 1000km on it.

It is my favorite bike I have ridden to date, and the spec for the price is imo unbeatable.

The suspension is firm and extremely sensitive and allows the bike to go everywhere. Brakes are fantastic (saints). Shifting is smooth, although I think in light of many reviews, the EX1 is probably overkill.

What spoke to me the most was the seating position. I immediately felt comfortable on the bike and rode for 3,5h without any fatigue on specific points. It is spot on for me.

The bike is on the stable side, downhill oriented, but for my level as a rider it is perfect. I found it very safe on fast descends but also quite lively on trails and was able to do practice few manuals (My technique is pathetic). Despite the longer chainstays you can definitely do it.

The bosch motor is also my favorite overall (over Yamaha and Shimano). It just climbs and do rocky trails so well. The only negative point was the drag over 25kmh on straights. This is partly due to the bosch motor, but also the 27,5 wheels and wide tires. For that I have to subtract a point from an otherwise perfect bike for me.

(I rode a 27,5 shimano (Lapierre 727i) shortly after and the drag was noticeably less, although on many surfaces, the drag from the tires was more important than the motor so I would not obsess over that.)

I tend to like slightly more stable bikes, and this hits just the right balance. It is certainly not unresponsive, but probably not as agile as the most extreme on the market.

In conclusion an awesome bike and the best possible spec for the price. A brilliant bike for someone who does not necessarily need the absolute lightest and liveliest out there.

9/10

(btw, don’t work for cube or anyone else, just my honest opinion.)

137300_light_zoom.jpg
 
Last edited:

Akiwi

🐸 Kermit Elite 🐸
Feb 6, 2019
986
1,292
Olching, Germany
Nice review, thanks. I have the Cube 160 Race. I don't have bike envy for any other bikes except this one. ;-) I am still not sure about the Tube batteries. THe external packs are so convenient to quickly clip off and take inside for a charge etc.
 

Mad Mark

E*POWAH Elite
Patreon
Nov 2, 2018
434
670
Burton on Trent
I totally agree with what you just wrote.
The only issue I had was the limiter, so I de-restricted it - but I would do that to any bike
Now I feel I have the perfect bike for me.

The only extra money I've spent is on mud guards, there's not many bikes you could buy and feel you don't need to up grade anything.

CUBE THE WAY FORWARD ?
 

ggx

Well-known member
Dec 10, 2018
692
446
Sintra
1st time remove tube battery to charge it overnight last wkend. It´s a one/two minutes operation.
The tube is also beter protected inside the frame and key secured. So both solutions have issues and good thinks.
 

Marcus Arrowsmith

New Member
Sep 7, 2018
25
93
uk
I totally agree with what you just wrote.
The only issue I had was the limiter, so I de-restricted it - but I would do that to any bike
Now I feel I have the perfect bike for me.

The only extra money I've spent is on mud guards, there's not many bikes you could buy and feel you don't need to up grade anything.

CUBE THE WAY FORWARD ?
Can you tell me how to de restrict it please.
 

May 30, 2020
55
30
St newlyn east
Hi my 22 action team has started creakinga lot and gets annoying any ideas how to getrid of it anyone? Ive oiled the moving parts but still there ifanyonehas any tips im all ears thankyou
 

techm8n

Member
Sep 15, 2020
35
11
SF Bay Area
My local LBS loaned me a 160 Action Team
Edit: I rode 200km over 4 rides, rocky trails, descent and fire roads

It is a 160mm, 64º, top-spec enduro bike with fox 36 factory and full kashima everywhere (even the dropper). EX1 groupset and saint brakes. Absolutely dream spec. It looks awesome, although I prefer the more muted TM colors.
The bike new with an LBS discount is probably somewhere in the vicinity of 5400€ (5800€ list).
Many people on here has that exact bike and I just wanted to share a few quick comments:
The bike I tried had 1000km on it.

It is my favorite bike I have ridden to date, and the spec for the price is imo unbeatable.

The suspension is firm and extremely sensitive and allows the bike to go everywhere. Brakes are fantastic (saints). Shifting is smooth, although I think in light of many reviews, the EX1 is probably overkill.

What spoke to me the most was the seating position. I immediately felt comfortable on the bike and rode for 3,5h without any fatigue on specific points. It is spot on for me.

The bike is on the stable side, downhill oriented, but for my level as a rider it is perfect. I found it very safe on fast descends but also quite lively on trails and was able to do practice few manuals (My technique is pathetic). Despite the longer chainstays you can definitely do it.

The bosch motor is also my favorite overall (over Yamaha and Shimano). It just climbs and do rocky trails so well. The only negative point was the drag over 25kmh on straights. This is partly due to the bosch motor, but also the 27,5 wheels and wide tires. For that I have to subtract a point from an otherwise perfect bike for me.

(I rode a 27,5 shimano (Lapierre 727i) shortly after and the drag was noticeably less, although on many surfaces, the drag from the tires was more important than the motor so I would not obsess over that.)

I tend to like slightly more stable bikes, and this hits just the right balance. It is certainly not unresponsive, but probably not as agile as the most extreme on the market.

In conclusion an awesome bike and the best possible spec for the price. A brilliant bike for someone who does not necessarily need the absolute lightest and liveliest out there.

9/10

(btw, don’t work for cube or anyone else, just my honest opinion.)

137300_light_zoom.jpg
Regarding the "The only negative point was the drag over 25kmh on straights.", do you have the motor updated to version 1.1.2.0? I have a Trek Rail 7 with Bosch Gen4 motor and felt the same drag. But after the 1.1.2.0 update it resolved the drag issue for me and increased torque from 75nm to 85nm.
 

More-read-than-ride

Active member
Patreon
Jan 3, 2019
277
218
Spain
Regarding the "The only negative point was the drag over 25kmh on straights.", do you have the motor updated to version 1.1.2.0? I have a Trek Rail 7 with Bosch Gen4 motor and felt the same drag. But after the 1.1.2.0 update it resolved the drag issue for me and increased torque from 75nm to 85nm.
This review was for the 2018 model with the gen3 motor. I now have the 2020 model and I do not feel any noticable drag.
 

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