00:00Let's face it, gravel bikes are everywhere. Standing out in the mixed surface space is tough,
00:06but I think I've found a bike that cuts through the noise. And no, it's not from a brand that
00:12you
00:12might expect. I'm talking about the Cube New Road C62 SLT. And on the surface, it has all the right
00:20tools. It has a lightweight carbon frame, top-tier components, all-terrain capability, yet it manages
00:26to undercut the Trek Checkmate by a staggering £4,000 for a similar spec. So what's the catch?
00:35Well, let's find out.
00:46Like with any bike, it makes sense to start out by taking a look at the beating heart of this
00:51two-wheeled machine, the frame set. Two-thirds of the new Road C62 SLT's list price is made up by
00:59the
00:59group set alone. So what exactly do you get when it comes to the frame? Cube hasn't just slapped
01:05together any old carbon frame here. The C62 SLT is built using the brand's range-topping C62 carbon
01:13layup, designed to be ridiculously light while still soaking up vibrations for all-day comfort.
01:20But here is where it gets interesting. Cube has gone a step further. The resin in this layup is
01:26reinforced with nanoparticles, bonding with high-modulus fibres to create a frame that's not just
01:32lighter, but also stronger and more durable than before. Cube's advanced twin mould process ensures
01:40every fibre is exactly where it should be. The first mould is said to guarantee a perfectly precise
01:46layup, while a secondary inner mould locks everything in place during the curing.
01:51The result is a tighter tolerance and frames that are stiffer, tougher and impressively refined,
01:58all without the eye-watering price tag of big name competitors. But even the best carbon
02:04layups can be ruined by bad geometry or a lack of features. So how does the new Road stack up?
02:10As far as geometry goes, Cube has given its new Road gravel endurance geometry.
02:15It's designed to keep you comfortable on those all-day adventures while still feeling sharp and
02:20responsive when you put the power down or dive down some more technical single track.
02:25And it will handle single track. The new Road clears up to 50mm tyres or 45mm tyres with mud guards.
02:34When we put that into numbers, we are looking at a middle-of-the-road 71.5 degree head tube
02:39angle
02:40paired with longer 440mm chainstays for a size medium. This combination keeps things stable on tough
02:47terrain, yet shouldn't feel sluggish when you want to throw the bike around a little bit more.
02:52Speaking of fit, Cube has done a very good job of keeping things inclusive with sizes from extra
02:59small to extra large. Every brand, small or medium, is slightly different, but Cube covers
03:05everything from a 50cm frame to a 61cm frame for taller riders, allowing pretty much every
03:12single rider to get comfortable on a capable gravel geometry. Cube has also included a whole host of
03:19features you would expect to see from any high-end gravel bike. Once again, sticking it to the likes
03:25of Canyon and Giant. First up, the drop seat stays. Borrowed from Cube's road and cyclocross bikes,
03:32they let the seatposts flex just that little bit more, giving you extra comfort on rough terrain
03:37without killing efficiency. For those who like to venture deep into the unknown, Cube has loaded the
03:43new Road with mounting points in all the usual areas, making it as adventure ready as you need it to
03:49be.
03:49The C62 comes with two carrier mounts and even a hidden top tube mount for Cube's in-house acid
03:57top tube bag range, tucked neatly under a rubber grommet to keep things looking sleek when not in use.
04:03The frame itself can also hold three bottles with a third mount under the down tube, leaving room for
04:09a frame bag if you're heading off grid. The new Road has been around for a fair few years now
04:15and
04:15generally speaking, there has always been a fully equipped bike in the range for commuters. Arguably
04:22then, the mounting points for full-length mount guards and rear rack is almost trickle up technology.
04:28Either way, coupled with clearance for 45mm tyres, the new Road should keep you rubber side down and dry too.
04:36There's an integrated seat clamp at the top of the bike, which not only makes the bike look sharper,
04:41but it also shaves off a few grams. And let's not forget the fully integrated headset cable routing.
04:48Love it or loathe it, there's no denying it makes for a cleaner, more aero cockpit,
04:53something you certainly won't find on every gravel bike at this price point.
04:58Oh, and in a move that will split opinions, Cube has even included a kickstand mount.
05:06Is it necessary? Maybe not, but if you ever need it, then it's there. And that sums up the new
05:12Road C62 SLT,
05:14designed for adventure, with the details to match.
05:22However, we really need to address the star of the show, or at least put it into context,
05:28the SRAM Red Explore Axis groupset. The new Road C62 SLT has been paired with SRAM's range-topping gravel
05:37groupset, complete with the American brand's UDH technology, improving longevity as well as shifting
05:44performance. If you tally up the cost of SRAM's Red Explore Axis groupset, you'll quickly realise that
05:51the list price of the groupset comes in a shade under £4,000. How then has Cube managed to build
05:59the bike, complete with all carbon finishing kit, for just six? Well, Cube has kept things in-house,
06:07but that doesn't mean poor quality. Not by a long shot. Rolling duties are handled by the Newman
06:14Advanced SL XR36 Vinoa wheelset, which come tubeless ready and feature a 24mm internal rim width.
06:23Thanks to the carbon spokes and lightweight hubs, the wheelset weighs just 1245g. That's seriously
06:32impressive. And if you were in any doubt of the wheels being good quality, then do remember that
06:38Newman wheels are Tour de France proven. You only need to look at Bini & Gourmet's green jersey,
06:43to see that. Tyres can often be a common cost-saving area when brands are speccing up a new bike,
06:50but Cube, once again, has gone all out. The new Road C62 SLT is finished with Schwalbe G1 Kevlar
06:58tyres as standard, which can be set up tubeless thanks to the tubeless-ready wheels. Both handlebar
07:05and seatposts are carbon fibre, once again thanks to Cube's in-house component manufacturer Newman.
07:11A carbon seatpost aids not only weight saving, but comfort too, allowing for a little more
07:17fore-aft movement at the rear of the bike. And the Advanced G318 gravel handlebar
07:24tops things off, weighing a scant 200g. The bar comes with 12.5 degrees of flare,
07:31allowing for maximum control while you're in the drops, while not slowing you down when you're on the hoods.
07:38When you add all of this together, you are left with a high-end gravel frameset,
07:43which has stood the test of time. SRAM's latest and greatest groupset and a 1245g carbon wheelset.
07:51That's all very impressive indeed, and it boasts a total weight of just 7.5kg,
07:56but to understand how good this really is, I need to bring in some spec sheets from some rival brands.
08:02Take the Trek Checkmate SLR 9.0 for example. The Trek boasts the same SRAM Red Explore Axis groupset,
08:09in-house carbon wheels, internal cable routing and carbon finishing kit. The only obvious difference
08:15is a one-piece handlebar over the Cube's two-piece affair, which is arguably more user-friendly.
08:20You might think then, that both bikes have a similar price. But you'd be wrong,
08:25the Trek costs £10,000, that is 165% more than the Cube. Even Canyon, king of the great value
08:35performance space, cannot keep up. The Grail CFR Explore features a similar spec sheet,
08:42even down to the 7.5kg weight, yet still costs £7,899. So, what's the takeaway? Well, first off,
08:51is that the Cube New Road C62 boasts incredible value for money. When comparing it to competitors,
08:58the build offers all the same key components in the right material, leaving you wanting for very
09:04little. The geometry and mounting options mean it can work for riders who want to travel far and wide,
09:10while the stripped back lightweight spec will also serve those who are wanting to push the pace.
09:15The word versatile is often thrown around. However, in this case, it's clearly very applicable.
09:21If you want top spec components and a bike that can seemingly do it all,
09:25then be sure to check out the Cube New Road C62 SLT.
Comments