We take a closer look at Cube’s newly refined Nuroad C:62

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Published: Wednesday, 23 October 2024 at 16:05 PM


Cube’s Nuroad C:62 SLT blends elements of road and cyclocross design, comes with SRAM Red XPLR AXS and will cost you a mere £5,999.

That’s an astonishingly low price, given the groupset alone is priced at £3,980 / $3,979 / €4,465 / AU$6,840.

The German brand says it has refined the Nuroad C:62’s versatility for gravel exploration.

With a mid-size frame weighing in at 1,150g, the bike is at the lighter end of the spectrum for gravel bikes, but there’s still room for comfort-bringing 50mm tyres.

The bike enters the market as one of the cheapest gravel bikes you can buy equipped with SRAM Red XPLR AXS.

We’ve got the Nuroad C:62 SLT in for testing, but before we get started, let’s take a look at the details of this new gravel bike.

Frame

The Nuroad C:62 SLT features a colourway not dissimilar to my local library’s floor. Scott Windsor / Our Media

This Nuroad is made from Cube’s C:62 carbon fibre layup, which it says gives the bike uncompromised lightweight performance and vibration-absorbing comfort.

Cube says the resin in this layup is reinforced with nanoparticles before bonding with high-modulus fibre to create a stronger, lighter and more durable composite.

The brand’s Advanced Twin Mold process is also used in the construction, with the first outer mould ensuring an accurate layup and a secondary inner mould making sure every fibre remains in place during the curing process.

Cube Nuroad C:62 SLT drop seat stays
Dropped seatstays improve comfort. Scott Windsor / Our Media

The frame takes cues from both the brand’s road and cyclocross bikes, featuring dropped seatstays at the rear, which should improve seated comfort because the seatpost can flex more – adding compliance.

Like many of the best gravel bikes, Cube has given the Nuroad plenty of mounting options, with the C:62 front fork featuring two carrier mounts.

Cube Nuroad C:62 SLT top tube mount
This rubber grommet stops water from entering the frame. Scott Windsor / Our Media

A mount for a top tube bag is hidden by a rubber grommet to keep the top tube looking clean when not in use.

The front triangle has space for two bottle cages, with a third mount featuring on the bottom of the down tube should you wish to use a frame bag on your gravel adventures.

Full-length gravel mudguards and racks can be fitted, with tyre clearance reduced to 45mm should you wish to make use of the versatility.

Cube Nuroad C:62 SLT integrated seat post
Two bolts are needed to tighten the seatpost. Scott Windsor / Our Media

An integrated seatpost clamp features on the seat tube and is said to save a few grams, while making for a more refined image.

Cube Nuroad C:62 SLT integrated headset cable routing
Love it or loathe it, internal headset cable routing looks great. Scott Windsor / Our Media

The Nuroad uses integrated headset cable routing, making for a clean, cable-free cockpit.

Unusually, the bike features a mount for a kickstand.

Gravel Endurance Geometry

Cube says it has given the Nuroad its Gravel Endurance Geometry, which optimises your position for long days in the saddle and has frame angles that give it the perfect balance of stability and agility.

Head tube angles range from 69 degrees to 72.5 degrees, increasing through the sizes, and seat tube angles range from 75.5 degrees to 73 degrees, slackening through the sizes.

The bike comes in sizes XS to XL, with the XS having a 50cm frame and the XL 61cm.

Top-spec groupset

Cube Nuroad C:62 SRAM Red XLPR AXS
SRAM’s Red XLPR AXS is the American brand’s top-of-the-range groupset. Scott Windsor / Our Media

Sitting at the top of the range, the Nuroad C:62 SLT features an impressive spec for the money.

SRAM’s Red XPLR AXS is a highlight, giving the bike mullet gearing for steep off-road climbs.

This even comes with the SRAM Red XPLR Power Meter crankset, with a 40-tooth chainring.

Cube Nuroad C:62 SLT Newmen Advanced SL X.R.36 VONOA
The Newmen Advanced SL X.R.36 Vonoa wheels feature an internal rim measurement of 24mm. Scott Windsor / Our Media

Newmen’s carbon fibre Advanced SL X.R.36 Vonoa wheels are booted in Schwalbe’s Kevlar-infused G-One R tyres.

Newmen also supplies its carbon Advanced Gravel handlebar and seatpost, with the latter having a diameter of 27.2mm.

This model is said to weigh 7.5kg, although we’re yet to put it on our scales.