Cube Elite 240 C:62 Carbon SL
The new children's race hardtail from Cube is called Elite, just like the adult bikes. Only the suffix 240 reveals that the kids' bike rolls on 24-inch wheels. According to the manufacturer, the carbon frame and suspension fork reduce the weight to just 6.7 kilos. Narrow handlebars, extra-thin grips, 130 mm crank arms and a narrow Q-factor make the bike ideal for small riders. For the gearing, Cube relies on an 11-speed GX groupset from Sram in combination with an E13 XCX Plus cassette with 9-34 teeth. A super-light MT8 brake system from Magura reliably brings the young savages to a standstill on fast descents. The brake discs measure just 140 millimetres in diameter, in keeping with the lightweight construction and low weight of the kids. If you want to spoil your child with the lightness of the Elite 240, you will have to pay 2099 euros - an attractive price considering the equipment.
Cube Stereo 240 One
With the Stereo 240 One, the Upper Palatinate company is launching a more affordable 24-inch children's bike for 2022 - the We had the Pro version in the last kids' Fully test with it. The 120-millimetre bike comes with comfortable Manitou suspension, Magura MT Thirty brakes with four-piston calipers at the front and super-adjustable, ergonomic brake levers and 1x9 Microshift gears. The bike rolls on 2.35 inch wide Schwalbe Hans Dampf tyres and offers space for a water bottle on the down tube. The 130 millimetre short cranks are also suitably selected. Price: 1749 euros.
Cube Stereo 140 HPC Rookie
Cube also has a new carbon bike in its programme for teenagers and small women for 2022: the Stereo 140 in 27.5 inches. The bike is the shrunken version of the normal Stereo 140 HPC. The carbon frame is available in frame sizes XS (13.5 inches) and S (16 inches) and the grey-olive design is based on the popular TM models of the adult models. The rookie model of the Stereo 140 relies on a Marzocchi Bomber Z2 with 150 millimetres of travel at the front. A Fox Float DPS Performance is used at the rear. The twelve gears are shifted by a Shimano Deore groupset and the brakes are a Magura MT Thirty with four-piston callipers at the front and 180 mm discs. Cube has opted for Newmen Evolution A.30 wheels. Price for the 140 mm carbon full-suspension bike: 2299 euros.
Now in BIKE 9/2021: New products 2022
Where parents used to wait years for their kids to finally fit on a decent 26-inch bike, today high-quality children's bikes are springing up like mushrooms. Almost every major manufacturer lists corresponding models in their 2022 catalogue. Full suspension with disc brakes and carbon frames: You can hardly tell the difference between current children's bikes and high-quality adult models. A trend for 2022 - and one that was long overdue.
In addition to the new generation, adults are also increasingly longing for new bikes and parts in view of the empty market. Industry insiders call this current phenomenon, which is shaking up the entire industry, "hyper demand". This autumn, the priority for many companies is to work through their long order lists, and no major fireworks display of new products is to be expected. But there are new products, and that's what counts. In BIKE 9/2021 we show you the big Trends for the coming season and have already 2022 models tested.
