The Bavarian bicycle manufacturer Cube is a retail brand known for its good price-performance ratio. The company is not turning away from this course in 2017 either. In order to continue offering bicycles at favourable prices, the Bavarians have invested in a modern, even more efficient production facility for the final assembly of bikes in Waldershof in the Upper Palatinate. Bike gained an insight into the production facility and the bike giant's 2017 product range. Anyone interested in a Cube bike in 2017 will also find a wealth of information from past product tests here.
How Cube bikes are assembled
In the two-storey production line, the frames produced in the Far East are assembled with the corresponding components to form the complete bike. Pre-assembly takes place on the lower floor of the assembly line, while cables and gears are assembled at individual workstations on the first floor. Wheel assembly takes place separately upstream.
The Cube Limited (LTD)
The Limited hardtails represent the entry level into sporty mountain biking and stand out from the more affordable Aim, Analogue and Acid bikes primarily due to their significantly higher quality equipment. All Limited models have hydraulic disc brakes, air suspension forks and 2x11 Shimano XT gears. The frame remains unchanged from the previous year. With our Comparison test of entry-level hardtails in BIKE 3/16 it shone in comparison to the competition with better equipment, but with 2205 grams in size 19 inch (L) it had the heaviest frame among the ten test bikes. The complete bikes weigh approx. 12.5 kilos without pedals. There are three models for 1499, 1299 and 1099 euros, all of which roll on large 29er wheels.
Cube Reaction GTC
The Reaction GTC from Cube is an affordable entry-level carbon hardtail. However, the cheapest model shown here is slightly less well equipped than the best Limited model due to the more expensive but also higher quality carbon frame. The price remains the same at 1499 euros. Advantage: thru-axles on the rear and front wheels increase stiffness. In our last test of the Reaction GTC in BIKE 8/15, we emphasised the sporty riding position and the smooth and precise handling of the carbon racer. In addition to the affordable entry-level model, there are three other models costing up to € 2999. The highlight is the Race One with the electronic Shimano XT Di2.
Cube Elite C:68 and C:62
The Cube Elite frame also remains unchanged for 2017. With a weight of 989 grams (frame size 19 inch, measured in the BIKE test lab) the C:68 frame in 19 inches is still competitive. In the comparison test of twelve carbon hardtails in BIKE 1/15, the Cube Elite even won the BIKE tip in terms of handling. The abbreviation C:68 marks the frames with higher quality carbon and a fibre content of 68%. C:62 frames are slightly cheaper and heavier, as the fibre content decreases to 62% and the resin content increases. The geometry remains the same. Four equipment variants are available: SLT, SL, Race and Pro, each with C:68 or C:62 carbon fibres. The top models rely on a single drivetrain from Sram, while the more affordable Elite models have 2x11 gears. Prices range from 2699 euros to 6499 euros.
Cube AMS 100 C:68
The AMS 100 is the only new development that Cube is presenting in the mountain bike sector in 2017. You can find all the information about the carbon race bike in this separate Article here
Cube Stereo 120 HPC and HPA
The Stereo 120 is the touring classic. The models in frame sizes 16"/S, 18"/M and 20"/L roll on 27.5-inch wheels. The sizes 19"/M, 21"/L and 23"/XL have larger 29er wheels. The affordable HPA models are equipped with aluminium frames, while the higher-end HPC bikes have a carbon main frame paired with an aluminium rear triangle. In our Test in BIKE 2/16 The good climbing characteristics were emphasised in particular. There will be five models in total, with prices ranging from €1499 for the aluminium entry-level bike to €3399 for the Cube Stereo 120 HPC SL with full Shimano XT equipment and Fox Kashima suspension.
Cube Stereo 140 29 and 27.5
In the 140 millimetre travel class, Cube continues to offer customers the choice of wheel size. There are 27.5 mm bikes in aluminium or carbon with 150 mm suspension forks and a 29er variant, albeit only in carbon and with 140 millimetres of travel at the front and rear. Riders with a preference for playful trail descents should opt for the smaller wheels. The 29er bikes offer a little more safety and advantages when rolling over obstacles in the terrain, but are heavier, which is also noticeable on the climbs and in the overall weight of the bike. The 27.5-inch Cube Stereo 140 HPA won the BIKE tip for the best specialised brand in our last comparison test among ten other all-mountain bikes in BIKE 5/16. The equipment was already downhill-orientated in 2016, just like in 2017. If you opt for the All Mountain in 27.5 inches, you will have to pay between € 2299 and € 5999. The 29ers tend to be more expensive due to the carbon frame.
Cube Stereo 160 C:68, C:62 and HPA
Enduro riding is all the rage, and Cube continues to offer numerous aluminium and carbon bikes for downhill enthusiasts in 2017. The models range from 5999 to 2399 euros. Top: Even the cheapest bike already has a dropper post. In our enduro test for the BIKE 8/16 issue, we were able to ride the Cube Stereo C:68 Action Team from 2016. Downhill, the 170 millimetres of travel on the fork and the high front end provided a lot of confidence. However, if you want a more sporty position on the bike, you should swap the handlebars, some of which have a rise of up to 35 millimetres, for a slacker one. The geometry remains unchanged for 2017 and the Action Team model remains the top model in Cube's Enduro category.
