New Bike: Ebony Fantasy
 

After much debate (thread1, thread2) I received my Cube Hyde Team a few weeks ago. She sports an Alfine 8, hydraulic disc brakes, and Schwalbe 700 Road Cruisers. Since then I've been tweaking it to get it just right. I think I've finally nailed it and am ready to show her off. Take a look!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5058/...776432ed_z.jpghttp://farm6.static.flickr.com/5174/...dbf2d76d_z.jpghttp://farm6.static.flickr.com/5055/...29491785_z.jpghttp://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/...4239d208_z.jpgMy first impression of this bike was the uncomfortable racing stance yet my second was this bike is fast! I was forewarned by Cube that the Team had a less comfortable seating position than the Pro. However, it was the only trim level which sported both the IGH and disc brakes. Other than some small differences in the frame, the lack of riser bars was the most noticeable difference. The office was in near hysterics over the number of packages I've received. I mail ordered 3 handlebars just have a variety to try. Also the seat was hard as a plank. I'm hoping my new Tioga riser bars and Brooks saddle solves the seating position issue. The Hebie Chainglider caused some problems as it required I remove the bashguard, hence my chainring bolts were too long requiring washers (ultimately replaced with Brand-X fixie bolts). The Topeak also caused me grief, first due to the included washers which went rusty but second because the 15mm bolts weren't long enough to secure both rack and fenders. I think I have finally ironed out all these small issues (other than waiting for a new kickstand).

This bike is a culmination of 2 months of intensive learning and research. I wanted to say thank you to all the forum members whose advice and experience helped me build this bike. Let’s ride!

Wow--what a steed! Looks awesome, even though the rack looks low--is it level?

Is that a wheel lock? Looks beefy. Is the rear reflector part of the fender assembly? Love the pedals--I put oversized bmx style pedals on my Breezer and I love them.

That looks like the perfect commuter bike! I bet it more people had bikes like that there'd be a lot more commuters.

(Oh, and it looks like the rack is indeed level, but the front wheel is off of the ground in the photo.)

Nice bike!

lol ebony fantasy :lol: :lol: :lol: c'mon dude

nice bike, though!

See... and I was thinking when I saw the subject line, A wooden bike - how cool!!!

Pretty expensive. Get a good lock.

That is ultimate. I even like the name.

+1

Queue the music - bow chick a wow wow. [porn groove]

Thanks everyone! Yeah as far as the rack looking off it's just the bipod stand so the front wheel is lifted. The rear reflector on the Bluemels is a Cateye I got off ebay for a fiver. Agree that huge pedals are great, especially as it came with whimpy tiny pedals and I ride in boots.

The ring lock is an Axa Defender which can plug in an optional chain. As someone else mentioned, all those accessories added up (this was the first time seeing the real cost!). Thankfully the Irish govt Bike2Work scheme shaves 50% off the first grand. This is the most expensive bike I've ever owned and only the second new bike I've ever bought. But this is the BMW I will never afford. I also splurged on the Kryptonite NY 3000 and combined with the Axa hope that will be enough of a deterrent. That and I'm keeping my old beater for trips to the pub.

So the thing between the fork and downtube is a steering damper? I didn't know there was such a thing, and after a few minutes with the Google I'm still not sure why you'd need one on a commuter bike. Interested to hear why you included this.

I highly recommend adding one of these:
http://axabasta.intermix5.nl/cat/fro...3=&item_id=639

so you can secure your front wheel and lock the bike to something solidly fixed.

I have mine around my seatpost and the saddlebag mount
buckled straps thru the saddle mount loops .
so It's always right there.

That bike looks very nice and very clean. I hope you have been riding it.

I like it.

Beautiful bike!

I don't get it. How -or into what- do you plug the end? Do you need a small lock for it?

Sweet ride :D

I bought my first all matte black commuter earlier this year and love the look, 'course mine doesn't hold candle to your Cube.

If I may answer for OP, they are usually added alongside that type of double kickstand, this bike also has. It prevents the front wheel from swinging about when it is lifted from the ground. It doesn't have a great lot of influence on the steering while riding.

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeet!!

Looks badass. I like the color indeed.

Damn, that's a sexy ride. Makes my black sirrus look like something that was pulled out of hte garbage.

What you may notice on the ring lock/Rahmenschloss, is a hole, it is for that chain.
it is locked by the same key that locks up the back wheel, the key is in the opposite side.