sorry I can't answer your question directly, but it strikes me that your two existing XL bikes (I think we can consider Spesh S5 as XL) have considerably different reach and stack figures (to each other). So doesn't back-to-back riding on those bikes tell you something about your preferred reach...
I'm pretty sure the flap unclips somehow, for when you're using the extender. I remember my dealer demonstrating it (I'd showed some interest in buying an extender, but the stock 800 turned out to be plenty)
Stock crank length is 165mm, I was getting a lot of pedal strikes so went for Pinnd 155mm. For I while I wondered if I should have gone even shorter (SRAM do a 150, Pinnd do 145) but I've so far stayed with the 155, despite still getting the occasional strike.
I've got one, had it a year, done 1600 miles. It's an amazing value bike in my opnion, needed shorter cranks but not much else.
I reckon Greg has made a couple of mistakes above: 1. the front triangle is carbon but the rear is aluminium and 2. the One44 SLX weighs more like 24kg, not sure where...
"The next cheapest CX full-sus we could find is the Focus JAM² 6.7 at £4,899"
Cube Hybrid Stereo 144/177 Race & SLX are all cheaper - or have I misunderstood?
The Cube 144/177 SLX is a bit above your budget at £4500 but in my view has a much better spec than the £4000 Race - Fox suspension, Shimano XT brakes, Kiox 400C display. You should be able to negotiate a discount to bring it down to your budget.
I'm running Pinnd 155 on my Cube One77, still getting some strikes but generally not the scary ones (omg that was close to having me over the bars!) that I was getting with the stock 165. It's a pity the Cubes don't have a hi/lo flip chip but given the relative bargain prices I don't think one...
In my view, it'd be worth your while stretching to the SLX which has pretty good components. I think the SLX is £500 more but has Fox suspension, excellent Shimano XT brakes, plus the Kiox 400C screen on the top tube.
are you the first owner? the factory saddle should - I think - be an Acid (CUbe's own brand) whereas I'm seeing the word Ergon in that pic, suggesting that it's not the original saddle.
I think the Cube adapter for the 400C is now readily available in the UK, I just picked up 400C and adaptor from my local Cube dealer earlier today Cube eSpare Stereo Display Adapter Bosch Kiox 400C - Freeborn Bikes
If you order over the phone I'm sure they'll confirm whether or not they've...