Cube Road & Gravel Bikes

Cube's road and gravel bikes are designed for a balance of speed and comfort. Whether you're on a performance road bike like the Attain or a versatile gravel bike like the Nuroad, a proper fit ensures you get the most out of every ride. This chart provides general sizing recommendations for a variety of their road and gravel models.

Cube Mountain Bikes (MTB)

Cube's mountain bike lineup includes hardtails and full-suspension bikes built for a variety of trail types. A correct MTB size is essential for handling and control on challenging off-road terrain. This chart provides general sizing recommendations for models like the Reaction and Aim.

Cube Hybrid & Commuter Bikes

Cube's hybrid bikes are versatile for city commuting, touring, and casual fitness riding. They offer a comfortable, upright riding position. This chart provides sizing recommendations for models like the Kathmandu and Touring.

Cube E-Mountain Bikes

Cube's electric mountain bikes combine capable off-road performance with the added power of an electric motor. Sizing is crucial for a balanced ride and control on varied terrain. This chart provides sizing recommendations for models like the Stereo Hybrid and Reaction Hybrid.

A Deeper Look at Cube's Sizing Philosophy and Technology

Beyond simple height charts, understanding the engineering principles behind Cube's frames can help you make a much more informed decision. As a German brand, Cube places a heavy emphasis on rigorous testing and precise engineering to create bikes that are both high-performing and comfortable. Their sizing philosophy is not just about fitting the rider to the bike, but ensuring the bike's handling and characteristics remain consistent across all sizes.

Agile Ride Geometry (ARG): The Secret to Cube's MTB Handling

If you're looking at a Cube mountain bike, you'll encounter the term "Agile Ride Geometry" (ARG). This isn't just a marketing slogan; it's a specific design philosophy that addresses a common problem in bike design, especially with 29-inch wheels. ARG focuses on creating a bike that feels nimble and playful on tight, twisty trails, while still being stable and confidence-inspiring at high speeds. They achieve this through a combination of:

• Intelligent Fork Offsets: Cube uses specific fork offsets to achieve a lively steering feel without making the bike feel twitchy.
• Optimised Chainstay Lengths: The rear end of the bike is kept as short as possible to make the bike feel "flickable" and easy to lift the front wheel over obstacles.
• Refined Frame Angles: The head tube and seat tube angles are carefully chosen to create a balanced riding position that is efficient for climbing and controlled for descending.

When choosing an MTB size, understanding ARG helps you trust that even a larger 29er frame will not feel like a cumbersome monster truck, but rather a well-balanced trail machine.

The Cube Size Split System: The Right Wheel for the Right Rider

Another key Cube innovation, primarily on their hardtail mountain bikes like the Aim and Reaction series, is the "Size Split" system. This system ensures that riders of all heights experience a proportionally correct and optimised ride. Instead of forcing smaller riders onto bikes with oversized 29-inch wheels, Cube splits their sizing:

• Smaller Frames (typically XS and S): These frames are designed around 27.5-inch wheels. This prevents issues like toe overlap (where your foot hits the front wheel in a turn) and keeps the handlebars at a comfortable, manageable height.
- Larger Frames (typically M, L, XL, XXL): These frames utilise 29-inch wheels to take advantage of their superior rolling speed and ability to smooth out rough terrain, which taller riders can accommodate without compromising geometry.

This means you don't need to choose your wheel size; instead, you choose your correct frame size, and Cube has already selected the wheel size that provides the best possible handling and fit.

Decoding the Geometry Chart: Stack and Reach

For the most precise fit, especially for experienced riders, looking beyond the height chart to the bike's geometry table is key. The two most important figures are Stack and Reach.

• Stack: This is the vertical distance from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube. A higher stack gives a more upright, comfortable riding position, often found on Cube's hybrid and endurance road bikes. A lower stack creates a more aggressive, aerodynamic position, typical of their race bikes.
• Reach: This is the horizontal distance between the same two points. It determines how "long" a bike will feel. A longer reach stretches the rider out, which is good for stability at speed, while a shorter reach provides a more nimble feel.

Model-Specific Fit Nuances

While the charts provide a general overview, the specific fit and feel can vary significantly between models within the same category.

• Road & Gravel Comparison: The `Cube Litening` series is their top-tier race platform, featuring a very low stack and long reach for an aggressive, aerodynamic position. The `Cube Attain` is their endurance road model, with a much taller stack and shorter reach for all-day comfort. The hugely popular `Cube Nuroad` gravel bike sits in the middle, but with a longer wheelbase and slacker angles than either road bike to provide stability and confidence on loose surfaces.
• MTB Comparison: A cross-country hardtail like the `Cube Reaction` is designed for pedalling efficiency and sharp handling, with a more aggressive, forward-leaning position. A full-suspension trail bike like the `Cube Stereo` has a longer reach, a much slacker head tube angle, and a higher stack, placing the rider in a more centered and upright position for maximum control on steep, technical descents.
• E-Bike Considerations: Cube's Hybrid series (e.g., `Stereo Hybrid`, `Reaction Hybrid`) are designed to be extremely stable to handle the extra weight and power from the motor. They often have longer chainstays and a geometry that encourages a more central body position. When choosing a size, stability and control are paramount, as the bike's weight makes it less "flickable" than its non-electric counterpart.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cube Bike Sizing

What if I am between two sizes?

If you find yourself between two sizes on a Cube chart, your riding style and body proportions are the best guide. If you have a longer torso and arms, or prefer a more stable, stretched-out feel for long rides, the larger of the two sizes is often the better choice. If you have shorter arms, or you want a more nimble, agile bike for technical terrain or city riding, the smaller size will likely feel more controllable. A test ride or consulting with a local bike shop is always the best way to make the final decision.

How do I measure my height and inseam correctly?

For the most accurate measurements, stand with your back against a wall without shoes. For height, have a helper mark the top of your head and measure from the floor to that mark. For inseam, which is critical for standover clearance on MTBs, stand in the same spot with your feet about 15cm (6 inches) apart. Place a hardcover book between your legs and pull it up firmly into your crotch to simulate a saddle. Measure from the top edge of the book to the floor. This provides your true leg length for cycling.

Are Cube's hardtail and full-suspension bikes sized differently?

Yes, while the general height recommendations may overlap, the geometry and resulting fit are quite different. It's important to use the chart for the specific type of bike you want. A full-suspension trail bike is designed with a longer reach and slacker angles to provide confidence on descents. A hardtail cross-country bike will have a geometry focused on efficient climbing and quick handling. Therefore, a Medium hardtail and a Medium full-suspension bike from Cube will feel very different to ride, even for the same person.

Why does the road bike chart give a range of frame sizes for my height?

The range (e.g., 50-54 cm) accounts for variations in body proportions and flexibility. Two people who are 175cm tall might have very different arm and leg lengths. The rider with longer legs might be better on the 54cm, while the rider with a shorter torso might prefer the 50cm. The smaller end of the range will generally offer a more aggressive, nimble ride, while the larger end of the range will be more stable and stretched-out. This is where a professional bike fit can be invaluable to select the perfect size within the recommended range.

How does the sizing of a Cube Women's Series (WS) bike differ?

Cube's Women's Series (WS) bikes are not just different colours. They are built with female-specific geometry and components. This typically includes a slightly shorter top tube to reduce the reach to the handlebars, narrower handlebars to better match average female shoulder width, and a women's specific saddle. These adjustments provide a more comfortable and ergonomic fit for many female riders right out of the box.

My inseam suggests a different size than my height. Which should I follow?

This is a common issue. As a general rule, for mountain bikes and any bike where you'll be riding on uneven terrain, it's safer to prioritize your inseam measurement. You must have adequate "standover clearance"—the ability to stand over the bike's top tube with both feet flat on the ground. If your inseam suggests a smaller size, it is usually the correct and safer choice. You can often make a smaller frame feel bigger with a longer seatpost or stem, but you cannot make a frame with no standover clearance safe to ride.