Test: The Cube Nuroad C:62 SL is perfect for fast off-road use, where it proves to be more all-terrain than a crosser and more dynamic than an MTB. Minimal weight and top equipment also make it attractive.
Cube rightly has the reputation of being a very sporty brand, although the manufacturer has long since become a "full-range supplier" that offers everything that cyclists need and want, including e-cargo bikes. Currently, these are gravel bikes, and Cube has a lot to offer here too. In 2021, the Nuroad series consists of three new carbon and five facelifted aluminum bikes, two of the latter with full equipment suitable for everyday use. In addition, the brand also offers seven cyclocross bikes; the young Gravel segment is not at the expense of the proven off-road racers.
Equipped for trail use
You can see at first glance that the Nuroad is a Graveller. Sloping frames (unlike the Cube Crossers), Flare handlebars and "Mullet" drive with 42 chain ring and 50 sprocket, plus 45 mm wide tires are tailored more to trails than to circuits. The geometry data indicate a sporty but not too stretched sitting position and differ only slightly from those of the crosser; The Nuroad's chainstays, which are quite long at 440 mm, are striking. The frame looks slim in profile, while the down tube is almost as wide as the bottom bracket shell and elegantly transitions into the slightly hanging chainstays. The saddle clamp combines the advantages of a classic clamp with the beautiful look of an integrated clamp. The visual design of the simple racer is also pleasing with glitter paint and "oil slick" accents on the drive and cockpit.
frame | C:62 Advanced Twin Mould |
suspension fork | CUBE C:62 Technology |
Wheels | Newmen Advanced SL XR25 Carbon |
Tubes | WTB Riddler TCS |
derailleur | Sram Force/XX1 Eagle eTap AXS |
Gear levers | Sram Force/XX1 Eagle eTap AXS |
Crank | Sram Force D1 DUB Carbon 42T. |
Front derailleur | |
Brake | Sram Force eTap AXS |
Seat post | Newman Advanced, Carbon |
Saddle | Natural Fit Nuance SLT Road Carbon |
Stem | Cube Performance Stem SL |
Links | Easton EC70 AX Gravel Carbon |
The Cube doesn't have too much to offer in terms of mounting options: mudguards can be attached, for which there is a special bar between the seat stays, and of course two bottle holders. This indicates that with the Nuroad C:62, Cube is primarily targeting riders who are looking for a bike for medium to demanding terrain and for whom a mountain bike is not dynamic and direct enough.
Lively and dynamic
Road riders will first notice the wide handlebars – 44 cm at the top and 51 cm center to center at the ends. Together with the 90 mm short stem, this provides a large lever with which the Nuroad can be steered very easily around stones, roots and other obstacles on the trail. Of course, experienced riders are different with the Nuroad: with a weight of less than eight kilos, the bike is quicker and more lively than almost any other; if you can, just jump over obstacles and then land pleasantly soft thanks to the wide tubeless tires, which are mounted on an extremely light carbon wheelset. The Cube always wants to be in motion, it craves speed changes, sharp braking maneuvers and powerful acceleration, for which the Sram Eagle cassette, which is graduated in steps of two in the fast range, is ideal. You always want to shift and brake anyway - the function of the Sram eTap lever can only be called perfect.
The Nuroad is definitely not a tourer in this configuration, but there is also the Race model, which with Shimano GRX 2×11 and 40 Schwalbe G-One Allround is more geared towards longer distances and an even speed and also costs 1.400 euros costs less. There is also the option of attaching a lowrider to the fork. The good 4.000 euros for the top model is a very attractive price and a good investment for anyone who wants to drive fast and dynamically off-road.
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