CUBE Nulane C:62 SLX FE: A nippy everyday bike with gravel DNA, priced at 1,699 euros – our review

Conclusion: The fast everyday bike that can do more

The CUBE Nulane C:62 SLX FE takes the Nulane’s sporty foundation and adds everything that matters in everyday life. The carbon frame and full-carbon fork keep the weight down to 11.9 kilograms – despite the luggage rack, mudguards, lights and side stand. This means the bike is much closer to a sporty fitness or gravel bike than to a classic trekking bike.

The straight handlebars ensure direct control, whilst the 45-millimetre-wide Schwalbe G-One Overland tyres provide grip on both tarmac and gravel. In addition, Shimano’s Cues 11-speed groupset offers a comfortable gear range from 11 to 50 teeth. This makes the Nulane C:62 SLX FE an excellent choice for commuting, touring and weekend rides.

The key difference from the minimalist SLX version lies in the ‘FE’ designation: CUBE supplies the bike fully kitted out. Mudguards, a luggage rack, lights and a kickstand are already fitted. If you’re looking for a lightweight, sporty bike that’s perfect for your morning commute and great for weekend rides, this is a well-rounded package.

Key facts about the CUBE Nulane C:62 SLX FE

• Frame: C:62 Carbon
• Fork: C:62 Carbon
• Weight: 11.9 kg
• Price: 1,699 euros >> available here
• Gear system: Shimano Cues, 1x11
• Gear ratio: 40 teeth at the front, 11–50 at the rear
• Brakes: Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, 160/160 mm
• Wheels: CUBE RA 2.3 Aero Disc
• Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Overland, 45-622
• Ground clearance: 45 mm with mudguards, up to 50 mm without mudguards
• Handlebars: CUBE Flat Race Bar, 660 mm
• Lights: ACID Pro-D100 at the front, ACID Mudguard Rear Light PRO-D at the rear
• Luggage rack: ACID Semi-Integrated Carrier
• Mudguards: ACID 56 BB-Mount
• Side stand: ACID FM Pure Silent
• Lowrider mountings: fitted; allows for up to 10 kg of additional load
• Frame sizes: XS to XL
• Maximum rider weight: 100 kg

Carbon fibre is what makes the Nulane so special

For the Nulane C:62 SLX FE, CUBE has opted for a C:62 carbon frame and a matching full-carbon fork. This not only offers weight-saving benefits but also gives the bike a sporty character. CUBE combines this material with a Gravel Comfort geometry, designed to blend agility with a smooth ride.

The handlebars, which are exactly 660 millimetres wide, reinforce this character. They offer plenty of control and are ideal for city riding. At the same time, the cockpit remains sporty enough for fast training laps and long rides.

The internally routed cables help to keep the cockpit tidy. The cables run through the headset and into the frame. This looks neat and emphasises the Nulane’s modern look.

45 millimetres for tarmac and gravel

CUBE fits the Nulane C:62 SLX FE with Schwalbe G-One Overland tyres in size 45-622. The tyre is a perfect match for the bike’s design: fast enough for tarmac, with enough grip for gravel and forest tracks.

The 45-millimetre tyre width provides plenty of volume, promises a high level of comfort and offers plenty of headroom on rough terrain. If you need even more tyre clearance, you can fit tyres up to 50 millimetres wide without mudguards. With mudguards fitted, CUBE limits the maximum tyre width to 45 millimetres.

This means the Nulane is clearly positioned somewhere between a fitness bike, a gravel bike and a trekking bike. It’s fast on tarmac, feels right at home on country lanes and handles rough roads and gravel with ease.

Shimano Cues: a wide range to suit every need

For the drivetrain, CUBE has opted for an 11-speed Shimano Cues system. Up front is a 40-tooth chainring, whilst the rear cassette ranges from 11 to 50 teeth. This provides an enormous range for a bike in this class.

It is on long rides in particular that the setup really comes into its own. You can pick up speed on flat roads, whilst on hills the 50-tooth sprocket provides a comfortable climbing gear. The Cues groupset is therefore a better match for the Nulane’s versatile character than, for example, a closely spaced road bike groupset.

Fully equipped rather than a marathon of accessories

This is where it comes into play FE its greatest strength. CUBE supplies the Nulane C:62 SLX FE complete with a luggage rack, mudguards, lights and a side stand. Anyone who buys this bike can start using it for everyday travel almost straight away.

The ACID luggage rack accommodates suitable luggage and is compatible with the RILink system for compatible bags and accessories. The mudguards keep out splashing water, whilst the integrated lighting system makes the bike even more practical for everyday use on your daily commute.

This is precisely where the FE model stands out from the lighter, more minimalist Nulane version. Whilst it does weigh a bit more, it comes fully equipped for everyday use.

Editorial commentary

The CUBE Nulane C:62 SLX FE Solves a problem that other bikes in this category often struggle with: it combines a sporty character with everyday practicality without making any major compromises.

A classic trekking bike is usually heavier. A dedicated gravel bike often does without lights, mudguards and a luggage rack. The Nulane sits right in between.

At 11.9 kilograms, it remains remarkably light despite being fully kitted out. At the same time, CUBE includes practically everything an everyday bike needs. The carbon frame, the full-carbon fork and the wide tyre clearance give the bike an extra sporty look and also make sense from a performance perspective.

If you’re mainly looking for a fast everyday bike and don’t want to have to buy extra accessories later on, this is a very well-rounded package. If, on the other hand, you’re counting every gram, go for the lighter SLX without FE features.

Advantages and disadvantages

Plus

• Lightweight C:62 carbon frame
• Full-carbon fork
• Very light for a fully equipped bike
• Just 11.9 kg
• Mudguards as standard
• Luggage rack as standard
• Integrated lighting system
• Side stand fitted as standard
• 45 mm tyres for tarmac and gravel
• Tyre width of up to 50 mm without mudguards
• Lowrider shots of the carbon fork
• Numerous mounting points
• Very wide range of applications

Minus

• Weighing around two kilograms more than the minimalist SLX
• The lowrider must be purchased separately
• The extensive range of features detracts somewhat from the minimalist lightness of a gravel bike