Gravel bikes under 2000 euros on test: The Cube Nuroad C:62 One - the high-flyer
Julian Schultz
· 18.04.2025
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With every new Cube bike that rolls into the test editorial office, the film "And every day the groundhog greets you" comes to mind more and more often. As if in a time warp, the bike manufacturer from the Upper Palatinate is currently sending one price cracker after another onto the market - and consequently also into the TOUR test. In the current comparison, the Nuroad C:62 One, as it is the only gravel bike in this price range with a carbon frame. The base model of the revised Nuroad platform therefore plays in a league of its own and secures the test victory. The total weight of 9.3 kilograms is the best value in this comparison test. With the exception of the Radon (p. 58/59), no other bike remains under the ten-kilogram mark, and the Cube is even more than two kilograms heavier than its heaviest competitor - that's worlds apart. The comparatively low weight is noticeable in the saddle. The Nuroad feels light-footed and fast, it transports the speed feeling of a road bike best off-road. Thanks to its fast tyres, however, it also cuts a fine figure on asphalt. It gives the impression that you are travelling on a much more expensive bike. Even in the Price range between 2,400 and 3,000 euros the Cube would be competitive and would only have to give way to one bike in terms of weight.
Fast and convenient
The sporty approach is emphasised by the Nuroad's riding position, which is slightly more stretched than some of its competitors, but is still suitable for long distances and many hours in the saddle. The Nuroad variants with aluminium frames, which have remained unchanged for the current season, give the rider a much more upright riding position. The directional stability is on a par with the competition; however, the comparatively light aluminium wheels from Newmen mean that the Cube steers a little more directly.
In addition to its agile handling, the Nuroad also impresses with its suspension comfort, as it is one of only two models in our comparison to be fitted with a carbon seatpost that can flex. In combination with the smooth rolling Schwalbe tyres, bumps are noticeably smoothed out. However, there is one drawback that cannot be ignored: Due to the remarkably short seat post (350 millimetres), our testers were unable to set their preferred seat height. Cube only adds a longer version (400 millimetres) to the frame from frame size L upwards.
The choice of gearing does not match the character of the bike one hundred per cent. You do benefit from the huge mountain bike cassette on steep ramps; in the lowest gear (40/51 teeth) you can still turn the crank on the uphill even with a lot of luggage on the bike. For fast gravel hunts, however, the range is limited by the small chainring. In addition, the jumps between gears are large. The € 500 more expensive version with 2x12 drivetrain avoids this weakness; thanks to lightweight wheels with carbon rims, the Nuroad C:62 Pro is also another 600 grams lighter. Nevertheless, mounting points for pannier racks and fixed mudguards, which reduce the maximum tyre clearance from 50 to 45 millimetres, round off the very successful appearance of the Nuroad C:62 One. The mounting option for a side stand is unusual. The other carbon models cost between 2499 and 5999 euros, while the gravel fleet with aluminium frame costs between 899 and 1599 euros.
Cube Nuroad C:62 One: Info & test note
- Price: 1999 Euro >> at Bicycle XXL or Lucky Bike available
- Weight of complete wheel: 9.3 kilos
- Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL (test size greased)
- TOUR grade: 2,1
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 491/565/142 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 590/387 millimetres/1.52
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 647/556 millimetres/1.16
- Wheelbase/caster: 1045/72 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano GRX 610/820 (1x12; 40, 11-51 t.) | Grade: 2.5
- Brakes: Shimano GRX 400 (160/160 mm) | Grade: 2.0
- Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Allround 45 mm (eff.: 44 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Impellers: Newmen Performance 25
- Impeller weights: 1700/2400 grams (f./h.)
Measured values
- Weight of complete wheel: 9320 grammes | Grade: 3.3
- Driving stability: 8.6 N/mm | Grade: 1.3
- Rear comfort: 134 N/mm | Grade: 2.0
- Comfort front: 86 N/mm | Grade: 2.3
- Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 61 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
Advantages and disadvantages of the Cube Nuroad C:62 One
- Plus: Unrivalled price, powerful, good spring comfort
- Minus: only five frame sizes, short seat post
All 13 bikes in the comparison test
- Bulls Grinder 4
- Canyon Grizzl 7
- Carver Gravel 220 1by
- Cube Nuroad C:62 One >> available here
- Focus Atlas 6.7 >> available here
- Giant Revolt 0 >> available here
- Megamo Jakar 20 >> available here
- Merida Silex 400 >> available here
- Radon Regard AL 10.0
- Ridley Kanzo Adventure Alu
- Rose Backroad AL GRX RX400 >> available here
- Scott Speedster Gravel 10 >> available here
- Stevens Prestige >> available here
How TOUR tests
Weight (25 per cent of the overall grade): The weighed complete wheel weight in the standardised test wheel size 56-57 centimetres counts for the evaluation. We also show the wheel weights for orientation. The grading scale is set in such a way that a grade of 1.0 is technically achievable: we award the best grade for weights under 7.5 kilograms.
Rear comfort (20 per cent): A measure of compliance during road impacts, measured in the TOUR laboratory. A suspension travel is measured when the seatpost is loaded. The measured value correlates very well with the riding impressions and the feeling of comfort. Good marks also mean decent riding dynamics, which have a positive effect on speed on poor roads and off-road.
Comfort Front (10 per cent): The deformation of the handlebars under load is determined in the same way as the rear. A good score means a lot of suspension comfort, which takes the strain off your hands on long rides. However, strong sprinters who want a lot of stiffness should look for stiff handlebars.
Front stiffness (10 per cent): Important parameter for steering precision and confidence in the bike at high speeds, determined in the TOUR laboratory. Overall stiffness is determined on the fully assembled frame set, i.e. including the fork. The stiffness values are capped. The aim is not an infinitely stiff frame, but one that is sufficiently stable to ride.
Bottom bracket stiffness (10 per cent): Reveals how much the frame yields under hard pedalling, for example when sprinting. This measurement also takes place in the TOUR laboratory, with realistic clamping, in which the frame can deform as it would when riding.
circuit (5 per cent): The shifting characteristics are determined in the driving test. It is not the price or the quality impression of individual components that is assessed, but exclusively the function of the entire gearbox. The gear range, but also, for example, the cable routing, the quality of the cables and the mounted chain play a role.
Brakes (5 per cent): As with shifting, the test on the road also counts here, and the experience from our countless tests of brakes is also incorporated into the assessment. It is not the component itself that is assessed, but the function of the interaction between the brake body, pads and discs: How well can the brakes be modulated? How durable are the brakes, how do they react in hot or wet conditions, how long are the braking distances?
tyres (5 percent): Rolling resistance and grip are evaluated - as far as known from one of our independent tyre tests or based on driving impressions. The tyre width has no influence on the rating, as this is more a question of personal preference.
Lacquer (5 per cent): The TOUR paint test simulates stone chipping and allows a statement to be made about the durability of the protective top coat. A chisel simulates stone chipping or chain impact. Starting at a height of ten centimetres, the height is increased by ten centimetres until the paint gives way or the maximum drop height of 50 centimetres is reached.
Maintenance/adjustment (5 per cent): The test assesses how easy a bike is to maintain and adjust. Marks are deducted, for example, for special tools required, particularly complex detailed solutions, manufacturer-specific components or maintenance work that can only be carried out in specialised workshops. The overall score is calculated arithmetically from the differently weighted individual scores (percentages in brackets). It primarily expresses the sporting qualities of the bike.
Julian Schultz
Editor
