Biro, Aspirin, Hoover and Band-Aid are just a few examples of what is called genericisations, the linguistic and legal process where a brand name becomes the common, everyday term for an entire category of products.
One could argue that 'Cube' has very nearly become one in the golf push cart space. So many brands, most notably Motocaddy, utilise this name and this folding mechanism in the best push carts that it has become synonymous with the category as a whole.
One brand I hadn't heard of prior to a sample arriving on my doorstep is Wishbone. It has just released the third generation of its Cube push cart - the Cube Three - to the UK market, looking to chip into the more established brands' push cart market share.
Retailing at £189.99 in the UK (though I've seen it closer to £169), it's certainly on the more budget side of the overall push cart market, so I was intrigued to take it out onto the golf course.
First impressions were strong. The Cube Three is easy to set up out of the box and has a premium, uncluttered design that suggests a much higher price tag than the one you'll actually pay for it.
At 7.8kg, it's slap bang in the middle of the market in terms of overall weight. Whereas the likes of the Big Max Blade IP 2 (6.5kg) and the PowaKaddy Micra (7.5kg) are lighter, the Motocaddy QB2 (9.5kg) and the Clicgear 4.0 (8.5kg) come in heavier than the Cube Three.
The folding mechanism is incredibly simple and, most importantly, quick. Once the front wheel is folded under, the rest of the chassis collapses in on itself to form the now familiar cube shape of a push cart. Size-wise, when folded, it's nearly identical to the likes of the PowaKaddy Micra and the original Motocaddy Cube, making it perfect for storage in tight car boots or even some locker spaces. It even had a convenient carry handle, making it all that bit easier to lift in and out of the car.
On the golf course, the Cube Three is solid without being spectacular. It's compatible with pretty much any cart bag, and the bungee straps have plenty of give and adjustability on them.
The handle storage is good too, and I like that it comes with a built-in drinks holder, rather than having to get an attachment for it. It's far more subtle and classy in my opinion.
Strangely, the handle had quite a lot of give even when it was securely locked in place. It felt a little flimsy, especially when turning sharp corners. Alongside the parking brake lever that looks and feels a little vulnerable to more than a year's consistent use, I could see and feel where perhaps Wishbone has decided to opt for cheaper parts on this ultimately cheaper-than-most product.
That being said, Motocaddy's QB2 isn't all that much more expensive than the Cube Three, likewise the PowaKaddy Micra, both of which, for my money, have a slightly better build quality. All in all, as pretty and functional as the Cube Three is, it hasn't done enough for me to recommend it any more highly than the main competition. Unless it can be found for even less than the £169 I've seen it online for, I'd say the marginal extra investment at the start will pay dividends in the long run.
