CUBE AMS ZERO99 C:68X Race Review

The Cube AMS is being revitalized. The once purebred race-ready full-suspension bike now comes with 110mm of travel and a dropper post as standard. Does this make it more intriguing than ever, or is Cube diluting the bike’s pure DNA?

Cross-country bikes have always walked a fine line between sport equipment and torture machine. Okay, the expression is exaggerated, but with sporty riding positions, 100 mm of travel, narrow tires, and high seatposts, fun often came up short in this bike genre. However, in a system comparison, we have already sealed the end of this purism. The sacrifices with a purebred race bike are too great. The target group celebrating such concepts is too niche.

Although Cube sticks with the purist 100-mm concept with its Elite hardtails, the latest AMS full-suspension bikes take a step into modernity. Unlike their predecessors, the AMS bikes will only be available with more travel and a dropper post from 2025 onward.

But how versatile is it really? Can it still compete with the top bikes in the XC category? And how does it stack up downhill compared to all-mountain bikes?

Made from CUBE’s C:68X® carbon, the frame offers a very good stiffness-to-weight ratio and weighs only about 1,600 g. Our test bike, equipped with a Shimano XT setup, has a total weight of 11.6 kg (without pedals). According to Cube’s website, in the most expensive configuration for €8,000, it is even 1.5 kg lighter. And that makes it clear: in terms of weight, the bike can compete at the top. Even a Canyon Lux Worldcup in the test , a Specialized Epic 2024 test , or a Cannondale Scalpel 2024 test are not lighter.

What clearly sets the Cube apart from all other race fullys: It features a true four-bar linkage rear suspension. Most competitors skip the Horst link pivot in the chainstay and replace it with flexing seatstays. This saves weight and adds stiffness. However, Cube prioritizes rear suspension functionality above all.

Because of this, the rear suspension can respond sensitively and doesn’t have to fight against material twisting even in the final third of the travel. The spring curve remains 100% predictable by the designer.

Cube breathes some light progression into the AMS Zero99. In the first half of the suspension travel, the anti-squat value always stays well above 100%, which allows the bike to pedal efficiently. The harder the gear, the more stable the rear triangle becomes while pedaling.

However, the shock still makes minimal movements due to the motion caused by an unsettled upper body while riding. If you want to prevent this, you can lock out the entire suspension from the handlebars. Unfortunately, there’s only “On” or “Off”. An intermediate position, like the one known from Scott bikes, would have been ideal.

Thanks to integrated headset cups for angle adjustment, the head tube angle can be finely tuned to tailor the handling to individual preferences. However, the cables are traditionally routed through the head tube.

The frame even accommodates two water bottles, a welcome addition on long summer rides. But they are mounted not in the usual seat tube and down tube positions, but both underneath the down tube.

With a frame weight of 1600 grams (manufacturer’s claim), the Cube is right in the race. Even more minimalist bikes like the BH Lynx Race SLR have the same frame weight.

Thanks to the long chainstays, the front wheel reliably stays planted even on steep sections, while the rear tire always offers optimal grip—no slipping, no unnecessary power loss. The 90 mm stem positions you in a sporty stance, ensuring the necessary preload in the gluteal muscles for pedaling with high efficiency. The pedal-neutral rear triangle and the fast-rolling tires fit the bike’s consistently sporty uphill performance.

We admit it: We pushed the Cube to its limits more than one should. We took the AMS Zero99 on trails we usually love to shred with the enduro. Of course, we had to dial it back a bit here and there or skip a jump or two – but overall, the test bike made a fantastic impression on the downhill sections. Adjust the speed a little, and you can confidently tackle technical trails. This was not always the case with pure race bikes. The Shimano XT brakes do a stellar job.

In some spots, the frame could be slightly stiffer when actively riding it on the trails. Whether this subjective feeling, noticeable during heavy compressions, comes from the frame, the Newmen Beskar wheels, or the somewhat slender 2.25-inch tires is not definitively clear on the trail.

The Cube is a workhorse that easily handles both cross-country racing and extended tours over moderate distances. With its lightweight design and optimized geometry, it is an excellent choice for demanding race courses that combine fast climbs and technical descents.

Cube offers the AMS in four specification options starting at €3799. Besides the bikes with 110 mm travel at the fork (Zero99), there are also the One11 models with 120 mm travel for more fun on singletracks. For those seeking even more downhill enjoyment, the Cube Stereo One22 offers a model with more travel, though with a bit more weight. The Stereo One44, with even more travel, shows that Cube currently has a rich portfolio for trail riders.