First Look: Cube's New TWO15 DH Bikes
Despite DH races being a bit thin on the ground, we've seen a few new DH bikes pop up this year, and just around the corner we have the biggest race of the year, the World Championships in Leogang.
Ready for that event, but not all that much of a secret if you're an eagle eyed DH fan, is the launch of the new Cube TWO15. There are two separate version for 2021, giving Cube the potential to focus each bike in more closely on its specific job.
The HPC version is squarely aimed at DH racing and was informed quite heavily from the racers' feedback on the old bike. It's also Cube's first foray into a composite DH bike. The HPA version on the other hand caters to the park rats and bike park crew, perhaps more content with squaring off turns and avoiding the pressure police than chasing tenths of a second.
TWO15 HPC
The HPC is the DH race bike of the TWO15 brothers and goes for this with a 29" wheel only setup.
The main frame and rocker link are made from carbon fiber composite. Not a first all together for Cube, but it's first composite DH frame for the company. The chain stay and seat stay of the frame use 6061-T6 aluminum. Overall frame weight is 3.3kg for a size M.
Carrying on from their previous frame, the shock is flipped, with the piggy back end of the shock mounted to the main frame and was done in an attempt to keep the unsprung mass as low as possible.
The main frame and rocker link are made from carbon fiber composite. Not a first all together for Cube, but it's first composite DH frame for the company. The chain stay and seat stay of the frame use 6061-T6 aluminum. Overall frame weight is 3.3kg for a size M.
Carrying on from their previous frame, the shock is flipped, with the piggy back end of the shock mounted to the main frame and was done in an attempt to keep the unsprung mass as low as possible.
TWO15 HPC 29 At A Glance
• Wheel Size: 29"
• Carbon fiber composite mainframe & rocker link, aluminum chainstay and seatstay
• 201mm travel
• 63.8° head angle
• 463mm reach (size L)
• 445mm chain stay
• Weight: 34.83 lb / 15.8 kg (claimed HPC SLT version, size M)
• Price: SLT €5,999, SL €4,699
• cube.eu
• Wheel Size: 29"
• Carbon fiber composite mainframe & rocker link, aluminum chainstay and seatstay
• 201mm travel
• 63.8° head angle
• 463mm reach (size L)
• 445mm chain stay
• Weight: 34.83 lb / 15.8 kg (claimed HPC SLT version, size M)
• Price: SLT €5,999, SL €4,699
• cube.eu
There's a 203mm post mount for the brake and an array of stuck on protection from the down tube to chainstay and heel rub areas to keep the bike quiet and more resistant to wear from riding.
Geometry, Sizing & Adjustability
As is the case with both versions of the new TWO15, it's available in sizes M to XL. For the HPC version that sees slightly longer reaches ranging from 443mm to 490mm. That's then paired to a 445mm chain stay on all sizes and a -27.5mm BB drop, giving a BB height of around 343mm.
The stock head angle is 63.8°, but can be adjusted by 0.5° by the use of some adjustable headset cups. German brand Across was drafted in to do the cups which are made from plastic and don't actually press into the frame, the idea being that you can loosen the fork crowns and turn the cups 180° fairly easily. The cups include some small tabs to apparently stop them rotating during use.
Cube stated that they preferred to have just a head angle adjustment over the common flip chip somewhere in the suspension system to avoid changing the whole bike geometry in one go. The change in head angle also gives a smidge of BB height change too at 1.5mm.
Suspension
The new TWO15 retains the Horst pivot rocker link layout of the previous bike and also retains the imperial length shock.
The HPC is built around a 241mm x 76mm stroke shock, or 9.5" x 3" to be imperially correct. This allowed Cube to pack a tiny bit more stroke into a shorter eye to eye than the metric shock version, drop the standover of the frame and package a shorter shock in the frame without the need for a side loading trunnion mount.
Leverage ratio left and anti-squat right. Blue is the new bike and green is the old bike.
Cube was given the green light from Fox that the shocks would be available for the foreseeable future and it's the company's DHX2 that the whole bike is designed around. Having said that, the Float X2 will also fit. So too with other brands shocks as long as you can get an imperial version. That shock compatibility is he biggest downside of going with an imperial length.
The new bike's kinematics see a drastically upped progression to 43%, with a much higher starting leverage ratio of 3.6 dropping all the way to 2.05.
Anti-squat also sees an increase, with around 140% anti-squat at sag with a 34/18T gear combination and overall higher percentages throughout travel. The bike's anti-rise sits at around 60% throughout the whole travel and is also an increase over the old bike.
Anti-rise left and pedal kickback right. Blue is the new bike and green is the old bike.
Cube knew the up in anti-squat would also bring an increase in pedal kickback degrees, but also knew the topic is deeper than just a graph and the number of times it actually affects the rider is different to what most people think or believe.
Lastly, the axle path was wiggled to give a slight bit more rearward trajectory, only 2mm, but mainly to overall be a bit closer to vertical around sag.
TWO15 HPC SLT
TWO15 HPC SL
Options, Price & Availability
The HPC version of the TWO15 is split into two models, the SLT and SL, both available now.
The SLT version is a replica of the team bikes and uses a Fox 40 Factory fork and DHX2 Factory shock, SRAM X01 DH drivetrain with Race Face Sixc cranks, Magura MT7 brakes, Race Face Atlas wheels with Schwalbe Magic Mary and Big Betty combo with a Super Gravity casing. Price is €5,999 and the claimed weight is 15.8kg or 34.86lbs.
The SL version uses a Fox 40 Performance fork and DHX2 Performance shock, SRAM GX DH drivetrain with Race Face Atlas cranks, Magura MT5 brakes, Answer ATAC DH wheels with Shwalbe Magic Mary Big Betty combo with a Super Gravity casing. Price is €3,699 and claimed weight is 16.6kg or 36.6lbs.
TWO15 HPA
The HPA carries over a lot of the engineering and design found in the HPC version and actually uses the same composite rocker link. The rest of the frame is made from aluminum and frame weight is claimed to be 3.8kg.
With not everyone wanting every run they do on a DH bike to be a full on race run, Cube sought to cater to the crowd looking to get their fun from a slightly different motivation, as well as riders looking for a less expensive, 27.5" wheeled option.
With not everyone wanting every run they do on a DH bike to be a full on race run, Cube sought to cater to the crowd looking to get their fun from a slightly different motivation, as well as riders looking for a less expensive, 27.5" wheeled option.
TWO15 HPA 27.5 At A Glance
• Wheel Size: 27.5"
• Aluminum main frame, chain stay & seat stay, carbon fiber composite rocker link
• 200mm travel
• 63° head angle
• 455mm reach (size L)
• 430mm chainstay
• Weight: 37.26 lb / 16.9 kg (Race version)
• Price: Race €2,999, Pro €2,499
• cube.eu
• Wheel Size: 27.5"
• Aluminum main frame, chain stay & seat stay, carbon fiber composite rocker link
• 200mm travel
• 63° head angle
• 455mm reach (size L)
• 430mm chainstay
• Weight: 37.26 lb / 16.9 kg (Race version)
• Price: Race €2,999, Pro €2,499
• cube.eu
The HPA is designed around 27.5" wheels only and sees some geometry changes to also help with the more bike park focus on fun and games.
Geometry, Sizing, Adjustability & Suspension
M, L and XL sizes are available with slightly shorter reaches compared to the HPC race bike. Reach spans 435mm to 475mm and is paired with a shorter 430mm chainstay length.
The HPA also uses a metric 250 x 75mm shock to enable Cube to use other shock manufacturers and hit the necessary price points while also opening up the bike to fitting shocks from all brands.
It uses the same plastic adjustable headset cups with a stock head angle of 63° that can be adjusted down to 62.5°.
The smaller wheels also drive a smaller BB drop of -8mm giving a BB height of around 346mm, which is altered by 1.5mm with the head angle change.
TWO15 HPA Race
TWO15 HPA Pro
Options, Price & Availability
The HPA version is also split into two models, the Race and Pro, available very shortly.
The Race version uses a Marzocchi Bomber 58 fork and Bomber CR shock, SRAM GX DH drivetrain with Race Face Atlas cranks, Magura MT5 brakes, Answer ATAC wheels with Schwalbe Magic Mary and Big Betty combo but in a Super Trail casing. Price is €2,999 and the claimed weight is 16.9kg or 37.26lbs.
The Pro version uses an X-Fusion RV1 HLR fork and H3C shock, SRAM GX DH drivetrain with Race Face Chester cranks, Magura MT Thirty brakes, Answer ATAC DH wheels with Shcwalbe Magic Mary Big Betty combo but in a Super Trail casing. Price is €2,499 and claimed weight is 17.7kg or 39.02lbs.
A note on Euro pricing:
Prices in Euros stated are for the German market, which is currently having a reduced tax period and might not be representative of other Euro using country prices. So, check in with your local markets to have the accurate price for where you are in the world.
Prices in Euros stated are for the German market, which is currently having a reduced tax period and might not be representative of other Euro using country prices. So, check in with your local markets to have the accurate price for where you are in the world.
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Yo dude, let me know how your Bronson holds up after 30 trips to Northstar in late summer.
- Carbon frame
- 29" wheels
- 200mm travel
- Looks like a Session
- £3499 to £6999
Flipped imperial shock to "reduce unsprung mass" but then alloy rear end....
Imperial to "Squeeze extra travel out of a given eye to eye" they... have heard of trunnion right? plus bushing on a suspension design with so much upper mount rotation is sacrificing some sensitivity.
Let alone the non trunnion, metric right side up shock on the alloy one. So you get neither the compact stroke to length ratio nor the "unsprung mass reduction"... was it so hard to use trunnion?
AND then f*cking SUPER TRAIL on a "bike park oriented bike".... Not even super gravity, let alone downhill?
Plastic headset cups... no thanks..
Would you rather be able to choose whatever shock you like, potentially lower standover and stiffer rear end with easer access to adjusters and less friction or save 250 grams or whatever out of 3-4kg of unspung weight and lower centre of gravity a couple millimetres
I've killed three already in two different frames.
There's an also Interview with DVOs head engineer on YT about that.
I love the general trend of “smaller bike company with nicer spec’d kits for less money”.
btw idc if this looks like a session at least not as sticks and stones as the last gen
On a serious note: I'd have loved the Canyon solution, with a protection plate covering the cables. Simple and elegant.
Also whilst it's cool seeing magura's come stock on a bike I would have thought shimano 6/7120 might be better suited. It's been a while since I've ridden magura. Do they still use a proprietary fluid? Hopefully ebike development has had a positive impact on their performance.
Also it's good to know mags work fine on mineral oil. It's been a while since I've used them. I didn't like them much but I do love the fact that you can use the same slever on either side.
Every now and then I read the comment - "I bought 29 because I like new products but now I returned to 27.5", the bike is agile, accelerates easier - 29 is annoying, brake pads fell faster, I had to change the brakes to the strongest on the market + the best brake pads + 225mm discs - summing up 29 = more weight, less agility, less precise driving through a longer front shock absorber, aching hands with the need to use more force, higher costs - more expensive tires, more expensive brakes, more expensive brake pads, more expensive wheels, in the eyes of others you are those who fell for it and believe in everything new must be better and probably drives a new Skoda instead of a used car from a premium class. Well, then new standards sell the fastest, so why not. Loic Bruni doesn't like 29 well either, but he had to put the wheel on and put it on only the front.
I greet all the brothers 27,5
63.3 and 63.8, which puts it squarely among all the other modern race bikes out there. The 27.5" version being even slacker. Did I miss something?
Commencal has the exact same number if I remember correctly.
www.pinkbike.com/news/first-look-cubes-new-two15-dh-bikes.html
People fail to realize how much crap this bike-brand is...how poorly their bike designs, quality, kinematics are and how of a rip-off they are with their products. Basically, they are the scamers of mtb industry.
Case in point, when the stereo 150 team edition is 5800 euro on bike24 and I can take it with as little as 2700 euro from a local shop, you guys do the math!, from where comes the price diff?, if the shop still makes 10% at 2700 euro, what's with the up-market prices for these crappy bikes with bad kinematics?(in simple words, bad bike feel..unsupportive, unsofisticated and flat); what is the real value of them?
So, pls, everyone, stop promoting/discussing any ????s with kashima coating on it. For real, some bike-brands should not be discussed or used(for that matter
To make it even easier...good/high-end components on a mediocre chasis it is like putting ferrari-esque wheeks, bumpers and wings on a toyota camry.
A good chasis though it is like buying a type-r with normal bumpers and no wings.
In the end, every man decide for himself but, it is a shame to encourage the industry in producing fake ferrari-esque camrys. Just my 2c.
The 150 Team Edition was 6000 in 2019 and 3600 in 2020 with totally different spec.
And blame you bad riding technique on the bike.. way to go mate!
As for bad technique..., all-in-all, all bikes that have 2 wheels and big suspension can come down a hill. The big difference is how they feel while doing it. When you move from a shite kinematics to a decent one, you'll feel like you have turbo bosters or wings. Anyway, this lame line I have heard it before from cube and merida owners, #nothingnew. Then, they get the chance to ride a spez enduro comp and their life gets tumbled, their value system gets all messed up and they don't know how to explain it. How in the world the basic model from a different brand is soooo much better then their kashima golden swan uber ride?, how can that happen?, personally, I've see it twice now so, please, enough with the BS; you may think you only need skill and kashimas, while the frame design isn't important. I believe you need skills and a good frame/bike in the first place, then quality components after. That is why I usually build a bike from a frame only or, in the worst case scenario, from the basic model in the product range, stripping it from the low budget parts then puting the best performance-to-cost ratio components known to men. Basically, superbikes but with the components I like, not the ones a manufacturer has a deal in place.
Just look at their 27.5 offering...435 reach?, what is this, 2014 again?
Also, check @Civicowner post above. He explains it without bias and so clear, anyone in their right minds can understand it.
Imo, these are not mtb-ers bikes; in the same way 99.99% of electrics are designed with non-mtbers in mind, so are cube bikes designed with a similar approach.
If, instead of 6000 euros for one, they have been honest and asked 3500, then, I wouldn't have had any problems as cheap bikes ride as they are...which is, cheap!
What I really-really hate is the imposture!, big up-market price, pretending they have good quality bikes, trying to fool people with less knowledge, they happy-go-lucky type when they see a gold kashima fork kn their bike.
Also, go ahead, ask any shop owner(former racer)...ask any bike mechanic...ask any individual with large expertise on riding or on working on bikes and see how they feel and what is their opinion on brands like cube. You'll see what I am talking only after a small discussion with them. No matter what pretty colors they have on them, bad bikes are just that, bad!, the ppls ego and ignorance are too big though and a brand like cuve is using that to their advantage.
And seriously, no one likes OTBs so let's cut the BS.
As for the bike itself..did anyone..I mean, anyone who downvoted like crazy bother to check their anti-rise and kick-back graphs?, also...the incredible 2mm rearward axlepath..on a bike with 200mm travel. Basically, it is like the admit the fact that their susp is bad but, they simply not care enough to try and make it better. And, with that motto ij mind, they ask 6k euros for one.
You got to be a major...major! ignorat or a major-uber-ultra brand fan to pay that price. But yeah, keep downvoting the truth as, by the look of it, truth is highly unpopular.
It does not matter that a mezzer is better than a comparable fox or RS as it is more difficult to set it up(which will mean 90% riders will ride with a bad set-up and the fork will not be what they expected/want from it - and if you don't believe me, just look on utube at fox 36 grip seting up tutorials; the number of comments from people who did not undetstand how to set the damn fork after such detailed explanations even my dog would know how to do it is staggering/fightening -) and by the time it breaks, the time and the costs for making it work again will be that high that, after two "repairs", it would be cheaper for the bike brand to just offer a brand new fork to the client. - I know it, because I do it also in retail; sometimes, it is cheaper to just replace the product to the client instead of taking it into service, repairing it, etc-etc as all of these generate a lot of costs - ; with this is mind, for a bike brand, the compromise of equipping bikes with components that have large ready/available stocks and can be repaired/serviced in any corner bikes shop is a much-much better proposal; when you take into account that 90-95%% of mtbers would not be able to differentiate between forks, basically, it becomes a no-brainer. For the rest of 5-10%, those know what they want and aren't upset by the fact that their brand new bikes comes with a lyrik instead of a mezzer, ohlins, ext, whatever. They will change it anyway, not only the fork but the whole bike, modifying it to suit their particular needs and preferences.
please delete your account so none of us have to read another pile of your bullshit in the future
I don't know who said it but it is true. Mtbers aren't an elite group of intelectualls who enjoy an adrenaline rush in the outdoors...no,..actually, mtbers, in their vast majority are a bunch of footballers that play with bicycles instead of balls. That's the real lvl. How can I expect a footballer to understand P&L analysis and global trade when, the can't even see the diff between a good bike and a bad bike in plain sight!?!
But it still isn't true
As for winning...again...the skill lvl of top racers is out of this world. You would die of shock if you'll be riding that hard on a bike. Yeah...he won on a cube so what?, our national dh champion won the nationals on an enduro bike(against the rest of the fast guys on dh bikes...on, actually, the hardest dh tracy in our country), so what?, what is the relevance?, has any of you that skill lvl?, has any of you that speed?, why does it matter what a champion rides?, for them, better reach, better whatever is incremential difference. For any of us, it is the difference between feeling fast and in control on a trail at 8-9 out of 10...vs feeling like on a loose cannon-ball. You decide for yourself who you are and what you need but, I'm telling you, in my opinion, the better the bike, the better the experience for us(non-racers, amsteurs, slow speed guys).