Aluminum for more flexibility

The "Stereo 170 HPA 29" model has now emerged from the prototype stage and is available from specialist dealers. However, the team bike as ridden by Gusti Wildhaber is somewhat different. The paintwork is only available for the riders of the Cube Action Team and the frame is also slightly different. Interestingly, it is also made of aluminum, while the whole bike world seems to be crying out for carbon. However, carbon is not that far away, and the reasons Wildhaber gives for this sound plausible: "We like to test with aluminum, so the engineers can quickly implement our change requests and create the perfect final version for the carbon version."

New suspension

The latest suspension elements from Fox are installed on Wildhaber's Twentyniner. The 38 Factory fork at the front and the new Float X2 shock at the rear. To ensure that the 170 millimetres of suspension travel are not only used optimally, but that the 31-year-old is also fast, the suspension is set up as follows: The air volume of his 38 fork is currently reduced with two tokens, with an air pressure between 100 and 105 psi.
Two air volume spacers are also installed in the X2 shock, while the air pressure is 215 psi. "With the new shock, I ride with less volume spacers and less negative suspension travel, so I'm higher in the suspension travel, but thanks to the more linear spring characteristic, I still use the full suspension travel," says the 77-kilogram Wildhaber, explaining his suspension setup.

In order not to lose speed and traction, the tires also play their part. Schwalbe's "Magic Mary DH Ultrasoft purple" with 1.4 bar air pressure at the front and a "Magic Mary DH Soft orange" with 1.7 bar at the rear grip the ground. It also dispenses with tire inserts.
It is striking that the 29-inch tires are only specified with a width of 2.3 inches. "In combination with the Newmen A30 wheels with 30-millimeter rims, the tire gets enough volume. With wider tires, I also lose grip, as the tire surface doesn't build up enough pressure on the ground.

Steering and braking

The steering center on the Stereo 170 HPA comes from Race Face, consisting of a 32 millimeter short Turbine stem with 35 millimeter clamping and Next carbon handlebars with 35 millimeter rise and 770 millimeter width. Due to the XL main frame with a 133 millimeter high head tube, the bike is higher, which is why Wildhaber does not use stem spacers.

However, the maximum braking power has not been sacrificed. "I love the crisp braking performance of the XTR trail brakes in combination with 203 millimeter brake discs on the front and rear wheels." This combination also includes Shimano's resin brake pads.

Lots of freedom of movement

"I love this bike! Despite being just over 15 kilograms and its size, it feels lively and gives me the feeling of having reserves at all times. I personally consider the long wheelbase to be absolutely sensible in this sport and also for the geometries of the future. It gives you much more room to move around on the bike and also offers more safety."

More is more?

Where 150 millimetres of suspension travel and 27.5-inch wheels were once considered completely sufficient, the trend in enduro racing is clearly moving towards mini downhill bikes. Because with 170 millimeters of suspension travel, they are no longer so far removed from the pure downhill bikes.
Even if for the reasons mentioned above, the fact that Gusti Wildhaber and his Cube team colleagues are riding aluminum bikes shows that it is still possible to build competitive mountain bikes from light metal.

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