Cubie (120-180)
Origin
Cube is a German bicycle manufacturer founded in 1993 by Marcus Puerner in Waldershof, Bavaria, starting in a 50-square-metre corner of his father's furniture factory and growing into one of Europe's largest bike brands. The Cubie line was Cube's dedicated kids' range, built to bring the same lightweight-aluminium philosophy that defines its adult mountain and road bikes down to the youngest riders. Rather than the heavy steel bikes common in the toy-store segment, Cube engineered the Cubie around 6061 alloy frames and child-specific components so that a two-year-old could actually handle the bike. Sold as 120 (12"), 160 (16") and 180 (18") through Cube's bike-shop dealer network, the Cubie bridged the gap from balance bike to the first real mountain bike, and was quietly retired around 2024 in favour of the even-lighter Numove series.
Specifications
- Frame
- 6061 aluminium (Lite/Alloy), lightweight with rounded edges for safety; same alloy across 120/160/180
- Weight
- kg
- Drivetrain
- Single-speed; Hudson chainset (25T on 180 SLX, 32T on early 180 SL) with full chainguard (Hebie Chainlooper)
- Brakes
- Varies by size/trim: 120 = front alloy cantilever + rear coaster; 160 = front rim/V-brake + rear coaster; 180 = front + rear V-brakes (child-sized levers)
- Wheels
- 120 = 12"; 160 = 16"; 180 = 18"; aluminium rims and hubs
The verdict
- Genuinely light for the category thanks to full-aluminium frame and fork - easy for small kids to lift and steer.
- Solid dealer-brand build quality with child-appropriate components (levers, chainguard, carry handle) and a 5-year frame warranty.
- Sensible size ladder (12/16/18") with real MTB tyres on the 180, making a clean progression from balance bike to first mountain bike.
- Coaster (back-pedal) rear brake on 120/160 is normal in continental Europe but means a re-learn when moving to hand brakes later.
- Single-speed only - no gears, so it tops out on hills and longer rides as the child grows.
- Discontinued (replaced by Numove), so buying new is hard and spares/support are fading; mostly a used-market bike now.
Generations
Cubie 120 (12")
- First pedal bike, ages ~2-4; back-pedal braking to keep it simple.
- Wheels
- 12"
- Brakes
- front cantilever + coaster
Cubie 160 (16")
- Ages ~3-5; MTB styling, rear mudguard on some trims, still single-speed.
- Wheels
- 16"
- Brakes
- rim/V-brake + coaster
Cubie 180 (18")
- Ages ~4-6; real Schwalbe MTB tyres and two hand brakes - the bridge to a first geared MTB.
- Wheels
- 18"
- Brakes
- front + rear V-brake
Versions & builds
Every official build side by side — differences highlighted.
| Spec | Cubie 120 Walk (balance bike) | Cubie 120 | Cubie 160 (coaster) | Cubie 160 V-Brake / RT | Cubie 180 SL | Cubie 180 SLX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 2023 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2019 | 2022 |
| Drivetrain | none (balance) | single-speed | single-speed | single-speed | single-speed (Hudson 32T) | single-speed (Hudson 25T) |
| Brakes | none | front alloy cantilever + rear coaster | front rim + rear coaster | front V-brake w/ Powermodulator + rear coaster | front + rear V-brake | front + rear V-brake |
| MSRP | €230 | €350 | €380 | €400 | €350 | €400 |
| Purpose | Value | Value | Value | Balanced | Balanced | Flagship |
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