2012 CUBE Two 15 Downhill Mountain Bike Review

2012 CUBE Two 15 DH Mountain Bike

Here we go!! Finally the long expected review of the new 2012 Cube Two 15 Downhill Mountain Bike. The bike should be availible to buy from December 2012 and the price is £4199.

So what do you get for your money – HPA 7005 Advanced Hydroform DH TLK Triple Butted, FSP 4-Link-System frameset, Kashima coated Fox Factory 40 FIT RC2, SHIMANO Saint Transmition, MRP G2 SL chain guide,  the newest FORMULA Oval stoppers, SHIMANO Saint hubbed hoops with Schwalbe rubber and Easton finishing kit. Al this comes to race ready overall weigt of 17.9kg (39 lbs).

To keep things easy (for themsel mainly, I guess) the bike comes in one size only, with 23” long top tube, 63,5 head tube angle and 74 degree seat tube angle  and the  ‘zero drop’ bottom bracket (BB in line with the axles).

It took CUBE nearly three years to develop this beast – the work on the TWO15 started in autumn 2008, the chassis is designed around Fox’s DHX-RC4 shock, Later in 2010 the firm began to work closely with Eamon Cleere at Fox Racing to develop the ratios and suspension curve and how to get the best out of the Fox DHR-RC4 shock. The production prototypes were shown for the first time at the Riva Bike Festival in Italy and CUBE are now ready to bring this bike to market for 2012.

As we mention in the Firts Look Article from July this year, the Cube Two15 is stacked with the latest technology and utilizes Cubes Triple Linkage Kinematics. These kinematics have allowed to achieve, according to designer Michael Prell, the suspension ratios and characteristics they have been searching for, he explains. Much of the atheistic of the design have been developed by Cube designer Gregor Dauth who was also responsible for the hugely successful Dual Trail Control Bikes from Cube. They have eschewed the low shock position favoured by most of their rivals and gone for a complicated triple linkage suspension design, with a Horst link four-bar rear end.

 And not to forget, the no. 1 shop where to get Cube bikes is definitely Chain Reaction Cycles, the biggest online cycle retailer in Europe, sold secure, service second to none and free delivery world wide plus 12 month no hassle return policy! So please check out their site for latest pricing and availability of the Cube bikes, just click on the link here or the banner below.

2012 Cube Two 15 DH Mountain Bike Specifications:

Frame: HPA 7005 Advanced Hydroform DH TLK Triple Butted, FSP 4_Link_System, X-12
Forks: Fox Factory 40 FIT RC2, Kashima coated 200mm, 20mm through axle
Rear Suspension: Fox Factory DHX RC4, Kashima coated, 267x89mm length
Headset: FSA Orbit Extreme Pro 1,5R
Stem: Easton Havoc DH Bolt On
Handlebars: Syntace Havoc DH 318 Oversized
Grip: CUBE Fritzz Screw-On-Grip
Rear Derailleur: Shimano SAINT RD_M810 Shadow
Shifter: Shimano SAINT SL-M810 Rapidfire-Plus, 9-speed (right one only)
Brakes: Formula OVAL hydr. discbrake (203/203mm)
Cranks: Shimano SAINT FC-M815 Hollowtech II 36T, 165mm, integrated BB
Cassette: Shimano CS_HG50 11-25T, 9-speed
Rims: Alex Supra D
Hubs: Shimano Saint HB-M810, Shimano Saint FH-M815
Spokes: DT Swiss Competition 2.0, 1.8, 2.0 black
Tyres: Schwalbe Muddy Mary DH 2.35
Inner Tube: Schwalbe MTB SV 13F Freeride
Saddle: SDG Fly Ti
Seat Post: Syntace P6 Alloy 31.6mm
Seat Clamp: Scape Close 34.9mm
Chain guide: MRP G2 SL

Cube Two 15 SL Full Suspension Mountain Bike Technologies:

FSP 4 Link: The requirement for a continuously active and fully usable travel: The rear triangle is not affected by pedalling or especially braking forces. Regardless of the fact that a variety of other possibilities exists, we employ a four pivot chain stay construction. Here, one of the pivots is located between the dropout and the chain stay; this ensures that braking does not have a negative effect on the movement of the rear wheel. Thereby via the appropriate positioning of the remaining pivots, we obtain the finest riding qualities for our fullsuspension bikes in terms of uphill as well as downhill abilities.

Fox DTC Customized Setup: Elaborative developed kinematics are only able to function correctly if the associated suspension shocks is properly tuned to it. Connected with the new Fox Float RP23 Boost Valve shock and the DHX RC4 shock, we could achieve the best optimised performance.

X12 Through Axle: In this system, a cone is used to form a play-free connection. It is only necessary to tighten the axle from one side. The main advantages of the Syntace system are: quick and simple changing of the wheel, a stabilised position of the brake disc, a higher stiffness of the rear drive train and a lighter weight compared to a conventional thru axle. The advantages of the Syntace through-axle system are: easier fitting and removal of the rear axle, stable brake disc position (thus less sliding) and improved rear assembly rigidity values. Hence the X12 weighs less than conventional through-axle systems.

Advanced Hydroforming: For the first time in 2011 we are also manufacturing top tubes and seat tubes of the new AMS ALU models using this hydroforming process, which has proved its worth. In conventional hydroforming processes this custom form and technical advantages cannot be achieved. As this manufacturing method reduces the number of welds, the weight is reduced with a simultaneous increase in stability.

TLG – Triple Linkage Geometry:With our new Triple Linkage Geometry TLG, we can control the rate curve of the rear suspension as we wish. On long travel damping systems with short leverage it is difficult to control the rate curve and still use the full potential of the rear shock. With TLG we have the control to do this. The system works with three links. Two of the links control via the third link the curves of the shock pivot points. With the positioning and length of the links we have fine control of the curve of the damper compression to maximise the performance of the mountain bike chassis.