Bikes & Set Ups: CUBE Nuroad SL
Posted By Gravel Union
On 13 March 2020
Product Title:
CUBE Nuroad SL
Cost:
€1,699
Brand:
CUBE Bikes
Website Link:
www.cube.eu
Questions:
Introduce yourself to the Gravel Union community.
My name is Frank Greifzu and I am part of the product management team at CUBE.
What appeal does gravel have for the brand to make you produce a bike specifically for it?Counter question: Isn’t gravel so appealing through the fact that it actually isn’t “specific”? It’s freedom. Take the road or take the shortcut (or extra loop) on fire roads or trails. Mount a carrier plus fenders and you have a perfect partner for commuting.
How has your experience with other categories influenced your interpretation of a gravel bike?We were lucky to have a proven comfort road geometry from our ATTAIN series. Before it comes to wide handle bars or tyres we think that this is the essence of a good gravel bike. The road bikes also featured fender-mount option to suit the needs of riders who wanted to commute. Simply speaking it was mainly adding tyre clearance to the frame platform to make the step to NUROAD.
Who do you feel is your target audience for this platform?That’s the true momentum of gravel: It reflects almost the whole spectrum of cycling. We see a wide range of potential customers coming from numerous bike applications and with different backgrounds. Mountain bikers, roadies, XC riders, adventure-seekers on multi-day trips or urban commuters…they all merge in the gravel world.
Tell us about the bike and any unique features.CUBE will extend the gravel range in the near future, but currently we are working with one aluminium frame platform. Like on any of our drop bar disc brake bikes the frame features a press-fit bottom bracket and a 12x142mm rear end for increased stiffness. So does the smooth-welding and multi-butting on the alloy 6061 T6 tube set. One specific detail of the “SL” is that it comes with a full-carbon fork. With its 1x drive train it represents the “athlete” within the NUROAD range but like all its brothers it can be rigged with matching fenders and carrier from CUBE’s in-house accessories brand ACID.
You spec the new Shimano GRX group set … was there something particular about this new product range that made it the perfect complement to your new bike?The name says it all: “G”-RX was specifically designed for this type of bikes. I would really call it a perfect match. Besides technical details like the outboard chain line, clutch rear derailleur and adapted chain ring dimensions it’s the excellent ergonomics of the brake/shift levers that a rider can instantly feel. The hood shape offers comfort on long rides and good control when the terrain gets rougher.
How do you think gravel will develop in the future?
Gravel enriches the world of cycling and was the best thing that could happen to drop bar bikes. It’s here to stay. It will sprout and branch out even more into the most diverse under-interpretations that all have the right to exist.