Cube is a German bike company that was founded in 1993.
It is a popular mountain bike brand in Europe but it is not so well spread into the US. The company has maintained its mountain bike heritage but has diversified to offer its large clientele a wider variety of bikes such as the Cube hybrid bikes. The variety of bikes offered ranges from ultra-competitive e-bikes to leisure bikes.
The Story Behind Cube
The story behind the origin of the company is like something cut out of a Hollywood script. Bike-crazy Marcus Pürner was just an ordinary guy living in his father’s house in Waldershof, Germany.
He was trying to raise money for his University studies and it is this need that pushed him into assembling bikes in the family’s furniture factory; at the beginning, the project only occupied an area of 50 m². During that period, he was bringing in his frames from the Far East. The company manufactures bikes that are sold all around the globe; reaching more than 60 countries. Today, Cube has left behind its humble beginnings and now boasts of a production area of up to 20,000 m².
Cube participates in a number of reputable XO and Enduro competitions all over the world – Enduro World Series, Megavalanche La Reunion, and many more.
Models
Cube offers various types of hardtail and full-suspension bikes as their denominators – Tour, Sport, Endurance, and Sport and the price range is from around $500 to $4,000, so their top-level bikes are slightly cheaper than most of the other manufacturer’s.
They also produce hybrid-, trekking-, cyclocross-, road-, electric-, city-, and triathlon bikes for men, women, and kids.
Cube Tour/City Bikes
Cube’s most popular category is its range of fully-equipped tour-style bikes. They break this category into two groups, off-road or on-road.
Either range is perfect for day-to-day use or cross-continental bike touring. It includes:
- Travel – Choose between one of the four builds, designed differently to suit various terrains. The Travel is a fully-equipped, belt-drive bikepacking specialist machine with a rigid fork.
- Nature – Another four models to choose from, with varying drivetrains and wheelsets. This bike uses a standard drivetrain with a suspension fork and is fully equipped for touring or commuter needs.
On-road:
- Touring – This is a comfort-optimized bike in various frame designs and four slightly different models. Fully equipped for the most comfortable bicycle touring trip you can imagine.
- Kathmandu – This iconic bike is renowned among bicycle tourers for its durability and versatility, ready to take on mountain passes or daily commutes with ease.
- Ella – This female-specific bike comes in a belt-drive Cruise model or standard Ride model. Components and geometry provide tailored comfort for women.
Cube Urban Mobility Bikes
Close relatives to the touring models are the urban commuter Hyde, Editor, and the SL Road.
- Editor – The Editor comes with a single design, a belt-drive bike with a nimble, streamlined feel. This lightweight bike is perfect for zipping around the city.
- Hyde – Choose between one of three models, the base model being a standard drivetrain, the Pro and Race belt-drives. These are versatile rigid hybrids ready for anything the city has to offer.
- SL Road – With five distinct models to choose from, this bike combines the speed of a racer with the versatility of a rugged tourer. Pick between a lightweight carbon model, a fully-equipped (FE), or something in between.
Cube Women’s Bikes
Cube has a dedicated women’s range, one road, gravel, and hardtail MTB. They understand the difficulty women face in finding a bike that fits perfectly. Therefore, they place an emphasis is on tailored fit, great function, and unrivaled comfort.
- Access WS – This hardtail MTB is an all-rounder available in various designs, from equipped aluminum hardtail tourers to carbon fiber race-ready beasts.
- Axial WS – Cube’s women’s road bike is a thing of beauty. Choose between performance or endurance models with varying components to suit any rider and budget.
- Nuroad WS – The women’s Nuroad blends road with cyclocross to make this playful, speedy gravel bike.
Cube E-Bikes
Cube has a massive range of e-bikes (more than 100 models) or hybrids, as they call them, based on the standard models such as the Kathmandu, Reaction, and Ella.
Each of their bikes utilizes premium Bosch technology for all of the electronic components. In addition, their team of engineers works closely with professional athletes and the engineers at Bosch to develop new technologies, materials, and production techniques.
Among their range are e-MTBs (hardtail and full-suspension), on and off-road e-tourers, electric city bikes (including folding and cargo models), and kids’ e-bikes. With choices of entry-level to high-end builds available, there is something for almost every e-biker; unfortunately, however, there are no e-road or e-gravel options.
Assembly
Your local bike shop is the best financial choice to make when it comes to assembling your Cube bike. A fair deal from the shop should be somewhere between $50 and $65. The best part is that your mechanic knows exactly what he or she is doing and so you are unlikely to return to the shop with any problem in the future.
Sponsorship
Cube has been sponsoring the Wanty–Groupe Gobert team which competed in this year’s Tour de France. The company sponsors Michael and Andreas Raelert (the Raelert brothers)—who compete in triathlon competitions. Also in this category are athletes like Malte Bruns, Daniella Sammler, Celine Scharer, and Svenja Bazlen. It also sponsors the Cube Action Team that features names like André Wagenknecht, Greg Callaghan, Daniel Schemmel, Gusti Wildhaber, and Nicolas Lau. They compete in the Enduro sport.
Technologies
Well, it wouldn’t be German if didn’t come with some innovative and revolutionary technology. Cube features the Aerium technology that has a carbon frame. This top-class technology is found in the triathlon bikes; it allows the rider to adapt swiftly and it also ensures optimum aerodynamics. The Aerium is all about versatility, being light as well as a very involving and responsive ride. If you like to have fun and enjoy some pace then this technology has got you covered; it is for short to medium distance rides.
The e-bikes come with fully integrated battery packs. They have an appealing look that brings together elegance and sportiness thanks to the PowerTube that hides the batteries into the frame. Cube provides a standard in-frame charging option. The user can easily remove the sealed battery covers which are also designed to ensure the batteries don’t come into contact with water and dirt. The company has definitely pushed the limits by introducing new frame concepts.
Cube Road Bikes
Cube road bikes are intended to cover long distances at high speeds while giving the rider some much-needed comfort. The Attain models can perform under any weather thanks to their disc brakes that enhance the stopping power; they’re great for long rides and quick spins.
The road bikes’ starting prices range from $480 to $4,124. The 2018 Cube Litening C:68 Race is the high-end model offered by Cube. It has Shimano‘s Dura-Ace components as well as a light and stiff carbon frame. This attention to detail brings out the best performance possible and thus making every second count.
Cube Mountain Bikes
Cube started with trail bikes and over the years, the company has become among the most reliable when it comes to high-quality mountain bikes. For instance, you can get a really smooth ride from Cube’s light mountain bike or you can opt for a solid entry-level MTB.
Their prices range from $360 to $5,299 of the high-end mountain bike – Cube Stereo C:29 The bike delivers a smooth ride even on bumps thanks to the DPX2 shock and Fox 36 Factory fork. They also ensure that the Newmen wheelset remains glued to the road (these wheels accelerate fast, are strong and lightweight.)
FAQ
Are Cube bikes any good?
Yes, Cube bikes are good. The brand has a wide range of high-quality bikes in different price categories. In the cycling community, their bikes are very well-respected. Specifically, Cube gains recognition and popularity for its excellent touring and mountain bike options, although all of its bikes are good.
What size Cube bike should I get?
To find out what size Cube bike to get, visit their site, choose the bike you want, and click the “Calculate Frame Size” button. Input your height and inseam measurement, and they will recommend the ideal size for you. The sizes vary between models.
How good are Cube electric bikes?
Cube electric bikes are very good. Cube is a German bicycle brand. Germany has worldwide recognition for its high-level engineering and manufacturing. In addition, the brand has an electric bike for almost any rider and various budgets, making them even more appealing.
Why are Cube bikes so cheap?
Cube bikes aren’t so cheap. They have a standard range of pricing based on the level of components, with entry-level bikes around $1,000 and pro-level bicycles at $10,000 or more. Cube bikes may be slightly cheaper than other top name brands because the name recognition isn’t as high.
Are Cube mountain bikes any good?
Cube mountain bikes are excellent. The brand is widely recognized for its mountain bikes, including two full-suspension and five hardtail models and e-MTBs. Cube’s bike helped German mountain bike André Wagenknecht to national titles in Enduro and Downhill racing, showing their ability to make top-level bikes.
Are Cube bikes made in Germany?
Yes, all of Cube’s bikes are made in Germany. Their headquarters, testing and innovation lab, showroom, and manufacturing facilities are all located close together in Bavaria, Germany. The large size of their operation makes them one of the biggest employers in the area.
