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Priced at 899 euros Cube the Attention SLX An affordable hardtail for touring, everyday use and first forays into trail riding. On paper, the spec looks very appealing: a RockShox air suspension fork, 12-speed drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes and a modern aluminium frame. On top of that, there are numerous practical details such as rack and mudguard mounts. For beginners or touring cyclists, this is a versatile hardtail with decent spec. However, a closer look beyond the spec sheet reveals that Cube has had to cut corners in a few key areas.
Conclusion
The Cube Attention SLX isn’t a bad bike – quite the opposite, in fact. It features a well-designed aluminium frame and offers a solid all-round package for forest trails and forest tracks. However, anyone who regularly tackles trails will want to upgrade in the medium term, as the focus on cost-saving quickly limits the hardtail’s performance on proper terrain. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
The Cube Attention SLX in detail
- Intended use: MTB tours
- Suspension travel: 100 mm
- Wheel size: 29”
- Frame material: aluminium
- Weight: 13.9 kg (BIKE measurement, size M, excluding pedals)
- Price: 899 euros >> available here
- Special features: Luggage rack and mudguard mounts, internally routed cables
Facilities
- Front suspension fork: RockShox Judy Silver TK Air
- Gear system / gear ratio: SRAM SX Eagle (1 x 12), 32; 11–50
- Brakes: Shimano BR-MT200/UR300
- Bikes: Cube Acid EX25
- Tyres: Schwalbe Smart Sam, 29 x 2.25
Aluminium hardtail at an entry-level price
A glance at the geometry table for the Cube Attention SLX hardtail quickly reveals a few distinctive features. The head angle is modern and tailored to the discipline, but the reach is extremely short, which makes handling at low speeds easy, particularly for mountain bike beginners. On the other hand, the chainstays are extremely long at 450 millimetres. In five out of six frame sizes, the rear end is even longer than the reach. Whilst this helps with riding stability on steep climbs, it does limit agility. Even inexperienced riders won’t struggle to keep the front wheel on the ground on steep gradients. The flip side of the coin: want to lift the front wheel briefly and practise a wheelie? Unfortunately, that’s difficult on the Cube Attention SLX.
Two further factors are likely to put a damper on the fun off-road. Firstly, the seat tube is relatively long, and a rigid seatstay makes the bike feel rather cumbersome on steep descents. Secondly, at just under 14 kilos, the weight is too high for a sporty mountain bike. Of course, even heavier bikes can be found in the budget segment. However, not even many high-quality full-suspension mountain bikes weigh 14 kilos. The excess weight puts a damper on nimble riding manoeuvres.
Basic equipment
The Cube Attention SLX just about has the minimum spec required for a modern mountain bike. This includes a 100-millimetre air suspension fork with handlebar lockout and hydraulic disc brakes, although all of these are of the lowest quality grade. The frame looks high-quality, but the rear end features an outdated quick-release axle.
Although the tyres bear the Schwalbe logo, they are not traditional mountain bike tyres. A simple rubber compound and a narrow profile on narrow rims mean they lack grip and traction. Even with the single-chainring drivetrain, there are limitations to be expected despite the twelve gears typical of this type of bike. The gear range of the budget Sram SX Eagle lacks both a high-speed gear and a light climbing gear. On steep terrain, the Cube hardtail therefore reaches its limits quickly, both uphill and downhill.
Strengths and weaknesses
Pro
- A versatile hardtail at an affordable price
- stylish aluminium frame available in six sizes
- Stable, beginner-friendly geometry
Cons
- weight in pounds
- not very playful
- Tyre choice is not ideal for off-road driving
What do you think: how much should a beginner’s mountain bike cost, and how much should it weigh? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Jan Timmermann
Editor