Cube Nuroad Race FE: A long-standing favourite in the gravel bike category put to the test

​With the Nuroad Race FE, Cube is launching a rather special gravel bike. Fully equipped with lights, mudguards and a luggage rack, yet sporty enough for ambitious rides. Our review will reveal whether it manages to strike the right balance between everyday practicality and riding enjoyment.

​Conclusion: The bike for anyone who wants it all

The Cube Nuroad Race FE is the gravel bike for people who don’t want to have to choose. Whether you’re commuting to work in the morning, like to add an extra loop to your journey home, or head out on a tour at the weekend with a packed luggage rack – you’ll find the Nuroad Race FE to be a reliable, versatile and exceptionally well-equipped companion. However, due to its slightly higher weight, you shouldn’t expect quite the same level of performance as with classic gravel bikes. - Adrian Kaether, Test & Technology Editor

The perfect sweet spot or a half-hearted compromise

Trekking bikes are considered heavy and not particularly sporty, whilst gravel bikes lack suitability for everyday use. However, a distinct category of bike is filling the gap between these disciplines, and has been growing in popularity for years. Fully equipped gravel bikes – formerly known as randonneurs – combine touring and everyday practicality with sporting performance, and the Nuroad FE from Cube has been the market leader in this field for years; the latest version is also technically still very close to our 2024 test winner, the Nuroad FE.

Frame and fork: aluminium meets carbon

As is customary in this price range, the frame of the Nuroad Race FE is made of aluminium. The tubes are hydroformed, and the welds are neatly ground down. The geometry is designed for long-distance riding: a long wheelbase ensures a smooth ride, whilst the moderately stretched riding position offers sufficient comfort even on rides lasting several hours.

The real highlight is the fork: Cube has fitted the Nuroad Race FE with a carbon fork, which is by no means a given in this price range. Numerous eyelets on the frame and fork make it ideal for bike packing. So if you want to fit panniers to the bike, you’ll find the right mounting points.

Drivetrain: Shimano GRX in 2-speed mode

For the drivetrain, Cube relies on the tried-and-tested GRX groupset in a mix of 600 and 800 series components, which was developed specifically for gravel riding. The double crankset offers a wide range of gear ratios and fine gear spacing, enabling riders to tackle steep climbs as well as maintain a brisk pace on flat gravel tracks. Shifting is precise and reliable – since its introduction, GRX has been the benchmark for dependable gravel drivetrains, and that hasn’t changed.

The brakes – also from the GRX range – engage cleanly and can be modulated precisely. Whether in rain, mud or on dry gravel, the hydraulic disc brakes deliver predictable and powerful deceleration in all conditions. This provides peace of mind, particularly on unfamiliar routes with varying terrain. The dual-chainring system is slightly more complicated to operate than a single-chainring setup, but offers a more finely graduated gear range – ideal for riders who want to use their bike for a variety of purposes.

Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Overland 365, 45 mm

A gravel bike stands or falls on its tyres – and Cube has made an excellent choice here. The Schwalbe G-One Overland 365 tyres, 45 mm wide, are good all-rounders. The tread rolls surprisingly efficiently on tarmac, whilst offering enough grip on gravel and loose surfaces to ensure a safe and controlled ride. A width of 45 millimetres already provides a good level of comfort. Most competitors have to make do with less.

Schwalbe’s 365 version is designed for year-round use – the tyre is engineered for all weather conditions and maintains a reliable grip even in wet conditions. The 45 mm width also allows you to ride with moderately low tyre pressure, which significantly improves riding comfort on rough terrain.

Ready for anything: the equipment

Luggage rack with QL 3.1: The fitted Cube luggage rack is connected to the Quick-Lock 3.1 Standard Compatible with Ortlieb – so if you rely on the tried-and-tested Ortlieb system, you can attach your bags in seconds and you’re ready to go.

Mudguards: The mudguards fitted extend well down and are neatly tailored to the bike. They make the Nuroad Race FE a true all-weather companion – even after riding along a gravel track in the rain, you’ll arrive at your destination dry.

Weight and ride feel: 12.7 kilograms in practice

12.7 kilograms for a fully-equipped gravel bike – that’s not an ideal figure, but it’s a fair and honest figure for what you get here. A road bike or a race gravel bike without any accessories will be lighter, but it will also be significantly less suitable for everyday use. In a direct comparison with a typical gravel bike fitted with additional mudguards, racks and lights, the Nuroad Race FE holds its own.

When riding, the weight is hardly noticeable. The bike sits firmly on the road, steers precisely and instils a pleasant sense of security on long rides. Anyone using the bike for a brisk commute will appreciate how smooth it runs. Those who take it on tours will appreciate its stability when the luggage racks are fully loaded. On sporty rides without any load, the Nuroad Race FE reveals its other side: it’s not a racing bike, but it’s lively enough to be fun on winding gravel tracks.

Value for money: 1,599 euros – fair or expensive?

At first glance, 1,599 euros is no small sum, but compared with the competition, it’s a very fair price. Anyone buying a similarly equipped gravel bike, even from online retailers such as Rose, will often find themselves well over the 2,000-euro mark.

Product details: Cube Nuroad Race FE