![]() Having grown somewhat used to modern bikes with super-steep seat angles, the 73º seat angle left me feeling like a bit too much weight was over the back of the bike on steep climbs, but at 444mm for the 18" frame I rode, the reach is pretty decent, meaning once you're stood up there's plenty of stability for moving about when out of the saddle. ![]() Having respectably short 435mm chainstays also means the bike is pleasingly eager to flick its rump around corners, with a lively, spaniel-esque feel in the turns. The calmer steering also means it's much less of a handful on steeper trails - up or down - and although I'd love to see a shorter stem than the 70mm item fitted, the nice and wide 780mm low-rise bars give you plenty of leverage to place the bike where you want it. The 67.5º head angle means it's actually pretty damn slack compared to most, meaning that the bike doesn't want to snatch the front end away or under you at the first sight of trouble. When it comes to the ride, Calibre has got the Two Cubed well dialled. Nice and wide bars are paired with a slightly over-long stem Okay, the square-taper bottom bracket and cranks aren't the stiffest and you need to ensure that they stay tightened up if they're to have a long and happy life, but it's still capable of riding proper off-road terrain without falling apart in a few miles, which is more than can be said for some. That means the jumps between ratios on the 11-34T cassette at the back aren't too gappy, while having a 22/30/40T triple up front means you should be able to cope with pretty much everything from steep dirt climbs to on-road commuting, should you wish. It's really nice to see a proper nine-speed Shimano groupset on this bike, rather than seven or eight-speed setups you might see on rivals. The no-frills saddle is also a pretty pleasant place to be, even on longer rides. The seatpost is of the skinnier 27.2mm diameter, which means your choices of dropper post are limited should you wish to upgrade, but considering that the most affordable on the market costs a quarter of the price of this entire bike, that seems a reasonable trade-off for a more springy post and comfortable back end. The own brand saddle is comfortable and the skinny 27.2mm post helps The aluminium frame has also been updated with a slacker head angle and more reach, although the fork travel stays the same at 100mm, delivered by a coil-sprung RockShox XC30. The Two Cubed updates the older Two Two by moving to mid-sized 650b wheels for improved rollover and a smoother ride. ![]() That said, what you're getting at the higher price is still quite the bargain. While the official retail price of the Two Cubed is £499, if you buy a discount card from Calibre's owner Go Ourdoors for a fiver, that drops the price to £399 plus getting you money off a load of other outdoors kit at their giant stores - making it a bit of a no-brainer. ![]() Buyer's guide to mountain bikes - get the best MTB for you.The best mountain bikes for under £1000 - hardtail and full suspension machines.Buying your first mountain bike: the complete guide. ![]() It's about as close to perfect as you can expect for under £500. It manages to pack in a 9-speed drivetrain, quality aluminium frame and brand name kit along with solid handling that'll suit beginner and more experienced rider alike. When it comes to bang for your buck, there's little to beat Calibre's Two Cubed hardtail. ![]()
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