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 ÂŁ4,000 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
01:13layout 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
01:26layup is reinforced with nanoparticles bonding with high-modulus fibres to create a frame that's
01:32not just lighter, but also stronger and more durable than before. Cube's advanced twin mould process
01:40ensures every fibre is exactly where it should be. The first mould is said to guarantee a perfectly
01:46precise layup, 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
02:09stack up? As 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 mudguards.
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
02:47tough terrain 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 small
02:59to extra large. Every brand, small or medium, is slightly different, but Cube covers everything
03:05from a 50cm frame to a 61cm frame for taller riders, allowing pretty much every single rider to get
03:13comfortable on a capable gravel geometry. Cube has also included a whole host of features you would
03:20expect to see from any high-end gravel bike, once again sticking it to the likes of Canyon and Giant.
03:27First 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.
03:40For those who like to venture deep into the unknown, Cube has loaded the new Road with mounting points
03:45in all the usual areas, making it as adventure ready as you need it to be.
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 downtube, 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 generally speaking, there has always been a fully equipped bike in the range for commuters.
04:21Arguably then, the mounting points for full-length mudguards and rear rack is almost trickle up
04:27technology. Either way, coupled with clearance for 45mm tyres, the new Road should keep you rubber
04:33side down and dry too. There's an integrated seat clamp at the top of the bike, which not only makes
04:39the bike look sharper, but it also shaves off a few grams. And let's not forget the fully integrated
04:46headset cable routing. Love 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. Oh, and in a move that will
05:00split opinions, Cube has even included a kickstand mount. Is it necessary? Maybe not, but if you ever
05:09need it, then it's there. And that sums up the new Road C62 SLT, designed for adventure with the details
05:16to match.
05:22However, we really need to address the star of the show, or at least put it into context, the SRAM
05:29Red
05:30Explore Axis groupset. The new Road C62 SLT has been paired with SRAM's range-topping gravel groupset,
05:37complete with the American brand's UDH technology, improving longevity, as well as shifting performance.
05:45If you tally up the cost of SRAM's Red Explore Axis groupset, you'll quickly realise that the list price
05:51of the groupset comes in a shade under ÂŁ4,000. How, then, has Cube managed to build the bike,
06:00complete with all-carbon finishing kit, for just six? Well, Cube has kept things in-house, but that
06:08doesn't mean poor quality. Not by a long shot. Rolling duties are handled by the Neumann Advanced SLXR36
06:17Vinoa wheelset, which come tubeless ready and feature a 24mm internal rim width. Thanks to the carbon spokes
06:24and lightweight hubs, the wheelset weighs just 1245 grams. That's seriously impressive. And if you were
06:34in any doubt of the wheels being good quality, then do remember that Neumann wheels are Tour de France proven.
06:40You only need to look at Binion Gourmet's green jersey to see that. Tyres can often be a common
06:47cost-saving area when brands are speccing up a new bike, but Cube, once again, has gone all out.
06:54The new Road C62 SLT is finished with Schwalb G1 Kevlar tyres as standard, which can be set up tubeless,
07:01thanks to the tubeless-ready wheels. Both handlebar and seatpost are carbon fibre, once again,
07:07thanks to Cube's in-house component manufacturer Neumann. A carbon seatpost aids not only weight
07:13saving, but comfort too, allowing for a little more fore-aft movement at the rear of the bike.
07:20And the Advanced G318 gravel handlebar tops things off, weighing a scant 200 grams. The bar comes with
07:2912.5 degrees of flare, allowing for maximum control while you're in the drops, while not slowing you
07:34down when you're on the hoods. When you add all of this together, you are left with a high-end
07:42gravel
07:42frameset, which has stood the test of time. SRAM's latest and greatest groupset and a 1245 grand carbon
07:50wheelset. That's all very impressive indeed, and it boasts a total weight of just 7.5 kilos. But to
07:57understand 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. The Trek costs ÂŁ10,000.
08:28That is 165% more than the Cube. Even Canyon, king of the great value performance space, cannot keep up.
08:38The Grail CFR Explore features a similar spec sheet, even down to the 7.5 kilo weight, yet still costs
08:45ÂŁ7,899.
08:48So, what's the takeaway? Well, first off is that the Cube New Road C62 boasts incredible value for
08:55money. When comparing it to competitors, the build offers all the same key components in the right
09:01material, leaving you wanting for very little. The geometry and mounting options mean it can work
09:07for riders who want to travel far and wide, while the stripped back lightweight spec will also serve
09:13those who are wanting to push the pace. The word versatile is often thrown
09:17around. However, in this case, it's clearly very applicable. If you want top spec components and
09:23a bike that can seemingly do it all, then be sure to check out the Cube New Road C62 SLT.
09:29Okay.
09:30So, let's go.
09:30.
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