Cube Aim Review
- High-quality 6061 alloy frame
- Fork with 100mm suspension travel
- Choice of 27.5” or 29” wheels
- Remote lockout only on Race and SL
- V-brakes on entry level Aim
- 27.5” wheels only option on entry level Aim
Discipline:
Hardtail MTBUsage:
Singletrack and forest roadsWeight:
Coming SoonRobust yet lightweight and efficient, the Cube Aim is geared towards cross country rides that take in a mixture of terrain; including rocky, rooty singletrack, wide open gravel paths, forest roads and even a bit of tarmac.
2020 Update
The Cube Aim build on it's 2019 revamp. Mudguards and rear luggage racks are now easier to fit to help you set the bike up for weekday commuting or gravel road touring. The frames are still made from high quality 6061 aluminium alloy tubes and featuring Agile Ride geometry. The new Allroad model comes ready fitted with mudguards, kicks stand and lights.
Updated: 12th December 2019
The Cube Aim featured in this review is a versatile hardtail mountain bike that blends capable off-road performance with a comfortable, efficient ride. All four Aim models in the range – Aim, Aim Pro, Aim Race & Aim SL - are built around the same lightweight aluminium alloy frame that offers a stable riding position for confident mountain bike riding. Apart from the entry level Aim 27.5, each model is available with either 27.5” wheels, for small and medium sized riders, or 29” wheels for medium and large riders. You also get a choice of two different colour schemes for each model, so you can choose whether you want to stand out or blend in.
Built for aspiring MTB riders, the Cube Aim is ideal for singletrack trails as well as forest roads and cycle paths.
The frame is a real highlight of the Aim range and would not be out of place on much more expensive mountain bikes. Built from 6061 aluminium alloy the mechanically formed frame tubes are stiff and strong as well as being lightweight. This offers efficient pedalling alongside nimble handling characteristics. Internal cable routing keeps the lines nice and clean and is great to see on a bike at this price point.
Agile Ride Geometry provides agile, lively handling that is easy to control and is perfect for having fun on the trails, as well as being comfortable and efficient on longer rides. A worthy platform for future upgrades, the frame is very similar to that found on the higher end Cube Acid.
All models share a beautifully crafted, lightweight aluminium frame, where a square-profile down tube boosts stiffness and a flattened top tube improves standover clearance. MBR
The Suntour XCT and XCM forks on the Cube Aim are simple yet smooth and effective.
All the Cube Aim models feature a Suntour fork that offers 100mm of suspension travel to smooth the bumps on the trail. While the coil spring in the fork is heavier than the air springs found on more expensive bikes the feel is actually smoother.
While the forks are quite similar on all the models in the range, the XCM fork found on the Aim Race and Aim SL feature a remote lockout switch. This means that you can lock the fork, for more efficient cycling on smooth terrain, and then open it back up again on bumpy trails without taking your hands off the handlebars.
All models get a reliable Shimano drivetrain with a triple chainset that gives you a wide range of gears for climbing and descending. The Aim, Aim Pro and Aim Race get a 3x8 speed drivetrain while the Aim SL gets 3x9 speed which gives you an extra low gear for easier climbing.
Hydraulic disc brakes are ideal for off-road riding as they offer powerful, reliable and consistent stopping power in all-weather conditions and it is great to see hydraulic discs on most models. The traditional V-brakes found on the entry level Cube Aim are powerful in the dry but do loose some power in the wet.
Reliable Shimano gears are combined with hydraulic disc brakes and are ideal for performance off-roading.
Choose between rapid rolling 29” wheels or more nimble handling 650b hoops.
The Cube Aim range is split into bikes with 27.5” (650b) or 29” wheels and each has their own performance characteristics. The most popular size is 27.5” and these wheels offer a great balance between rapid rolling and nimble handling characteristics. However 29” wheels are undeniably faster and roll more smoothly over rough terrain although some riders find them a little ungainly. Smaller riders will find that the bikes with 27.5” wheels offer a better fit, while larger riders will find the same thing is true of the 29ers.
All models feature fast rolling Schwalbe Smart Sam tyres that feature low profile nobs. These offer grip on loose surfaces without slowing you down too much on smoother trails.
Robust yet lightweight and efficient, the Cube Aim is geared towards cross country rides that take in a mixture of terrain; including rocky, rooty singletrack, wide open gravel paths, forest roads and even a bit of tarmac. The wide gear range will enable you to take on all the climbs while still giving you plenty of gears for riding quickly on the flat. The hydraulic disc brakes on most models offer confident all-weather stopping power so you can ride all-year-round.
With its choice for wheel size and colour schemes the Cube Aim is a hardtail mountain bike that offers an ideal introduction to MTB trail riding, while still being versatile enough for family cycling and commuting.
