Cube LTD Pro CLS 700c drop bar build

[Dead Rats]

Picked up this 3-4 year old Cube hybrid as a F&F with headset and seatpost at a very nice price from one of my bike customers recently and decided to build it up into... well, something halfway between a tourer and a cx bike. Feels like it'll make a great commuter too... Oh, for a world without bike thieves! I'd built the wheels already as a spare set for my 29er, likewise the controls, brakes and most of the drivetrain were from the parts bin. The only bits I bought specifically for this were the top pull CX-70 front mech, the bashring (as the triple crank looked naked with only two rings and my trousers will thank me if I use it for commuting - tip Driveline bashrings - buy them slightly larger than their advertised capacity, ie buy a 48t for a 44 ring) and a pair of used bar-end shifters which came from eBay.

I'd like the bars a bit higher as its nice to get into the drops but that would mean a new fork (carbon!) so I'll see how we get on for a bit. Fitting the front mudguard on the LH side was a bit of fiddly but I got there in the end. Without the guards I reckon it'd take a 42c tyre but the 38s on it are easily wide enough for tow paths, bumpy roads and light local trails. Gearing is 44/28t x 11-34t and I've fiddled with the chainline so I can use all the gears - I'm loving the infinite trim of a friction LH shifter!

Its a wee bit long so might add an inline post to the wishlist. Also bit portly at 29lb but its a big frame with fat tyres, alloy fork, disc brakes, mudguards and bottle cages :roll: I reckon it'd drop a least 1kg if stripped of the cages and guards and fitted with carbon fork and seatpost

More pics here...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/deadratscycles/

Frame & Fork: Cube LTD Pro CLS aluminium, size L
Headset: FSA No.10 (OEM)
Stem: Profile Boa (sprayed black)
Handlebar: On-One Midge
Tape: Charge
Brakes: Avid BB5R with Shimano CL rotors
Cables: Goodridge
Levers: Tektro R200 + Acor inline
Bar End Shifters: Shimano Dura-Ace 9 speed
Front Derailleur: Shimano CX70 (braze-on with modified clamp)
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT M772 (medium cage)
Cassette: SRAM PC980 11-34t
Chain: SRAM PC951
Cranks: Shimano Deore XT M760
Chainrings: 44/28t
Chainring Bolts: Onza red ano
Bashguard: Driveline CNC 48t
Bottom Bracket: Enduro ceramic red ano
Pedals: VP with clips & straps (don't do SPDs)
Skewers: Halo red ano
Rims: Rigida Sputnik 700c
Hubs: Shimano Deore XT M765
Tyres: Specialized Crossroads 700 x 38c
Saddle: Specialized Sonoma 155
Seatpost: Scape (OEM)
Bottle Cages: Specialized
Mudguards: SKS Chromoplastic
Weight: 29lbs

 

[Steve_Yorks]

Love the "halfway" thing!, how are you finding it?, i've got a Cube LTD CC and built up an LTD Pro custom commuter from a frame up,
really like Cube as a brand.

 

[john88]

Overall, I like it

 

[Dead Rats]

Yeah it's good, fettled it a little bit now with an inline post which has helped position and a huge saddle bag Mr K gave me. I've got really long arms but it still feels a bit stretched out despite that silly stem. I do have a flat bar set-up ready for it but I'm persevering with the drops, think I'm just so used to upright bikes.

It's a right boneshaker on the bumpier trails but overall I really like it, very versatile. Handling gets better at speed and the brakes are wicked powerful now they're bedded in! I'm generally cruising pretty fast with 2 or 3 cogs still to use on road descents, barely using the granny so far but it'll be handy for sure.