E-bikes with mid-motors tend to be heavy. Cube’s new e-gravel bikes aren’t. Richard Peace puts the mid-range Nuroad Hybrid C:62 through its paces
The Cube Nuroad Hybrid C:62 SLX 400X is a lightweight electric gravel bike that features Bosch’s latest motor, the Performance Line SX. That weighs just 2kg, making it Bosch's lightest motor yet and around 1kg less than most of the company's others. The frame and fork are also lightweight as they're made from Cube’s own C:62 carbon; the frameset is less than 2kg.
I weighed the complete Nuroad Hybrid at 14.4kg, including my own pedals. That’s towards the lighter end of the e-gravel bike spectrum. What makes it really stand out, however, is that the Nuroad Hybrid is powerful as well as light. To me, the SX motor felt more like Bosch’s top-of-the-range Performance Line CX, even though it’s 800g lighter and claims a torque of 55 Newton metres against the CX’s 85Nm.
Climbing prowess
This is a fantastically effective climber, right up there with the quickest e-bikes I’ve tried, while remaining quiet and smooth. In all power levels it responds beautifully to your pedal action; Bosch's torque-sensing algorithms have become exceptionally well refined. Spinning lightly you get nice even power, but when you step on the pedals the motor responds in kind. The synergy between human power and electric assistance is at its most elevated level yet with this motor setup.
It’s remarkably efficient, too. I estimate that, ridden in the lower power levels, it would take my 80kg weight around 50 miles. Even using the higher levels liberally in very hilly Pennine country, I managed 30 miles. If you need more range, Bosch’s MorePower 250 range extender gives 250Wh of extra ‘plug and play’ battery capacity that can be removed from the bike for charging elsewhere (unlike the main, frame-enclosed 400Wh battery).
It’s also a pretty nice e-bike to ride without power. I found I could cruise along on the flat and up smaller inclines without assistance.
The hydraulic brakes are very effective, as you would expect, but the wireless SRAM GX Eagle AXS derailleur shifting really stands out. The rear mech is powered by the main bike battery so you won’t need to worry about a standalone derailleur battery running flat. Shifts are quick, precise and smooth.
This iteration of SRAM GX Eagle AXS is a relatively low-maintenance, high-performance e-bike gearing solution. And with a 52-tooth bottom rear sprocket, you’ll struggle to find a hill too steep to climb.
Well-integrated electronics
The motor is more clearly visible than the smaller rear hub motors often used on road and gravel e-bikes (Mahle being the best known). However, it’s significantly more powerful in the upper levels, and in the lower levels is subtle and responsive. Best of all, it pedals you like you are actively riding the bike as the torque sensing is so natural feeling.
It feels fast and sporty on road, even with those 45mm knobbly (well, pimply) Schwalbe G-One Bite tyres. Head off road and there’s good traction, while the relaxed riding position and carbon frame help soak up the bumps in moderately challenging off-road conditions.
Changing power levels is easily accomplished using the wireless remote on the handlebars. This links to the system controller mounted on the top tube, which gives you a simple display consisting of battery bars and a coloured light showing your power level (Eco, Tour+, Sprint or Turbo). It's all very minimalist and lets you concentrate on riding rather than data.
If you want more information you can install the Bosch eBike Flow app on your smartphone, using that as a display (third-party bar mount required) or slipping it in your pocket. With the app you get an accurate percentage of battery capacity remaining, route finding and navigation software (compatible with Strava and Komoot), plus electronic locking. You can also customise riding modes to make the motor performance more or less aggressive.
Different options
There are mounts for mudguards, a rear rack and kickstand. But if you want these, the FE (fully equipped) version comes fitted with them, as well as hardwired lights.
There are several other variants of the Cube Nuroad Hybrid C:62. All share the same carbon frame and forks. The SLT 400X (£6,499) is the premium-spec, lightweight model (12.9kg); like the SLX, it also has an FE version. The mechanical-shifting Race versions are £3,599 and £3,799 (FE), with quoted weights of 14.3kg and 15.7kg respectively.
Verdict
If you’re used to road or gravel bikes without electric assistance but want a bit of extra help, the Nuroad Hybrid is a great choice. At 14.4kg it’s a lightweight machine (in mid-drive e-bike terms) that blends human and electric power superbly, and the geometry gives a comfortable yet sporty ride. It would be great for club rides pretty much as it is but can also be fully equipped for commuting or touring. And as an e-gravel bike it’s a fine off-road performer, too.
Other options
Cairn E-Adventure 1.0 Rival £3,489
Despite its alloy frame Cairn’s e-gravel bike is only 14.3kg, thanks in part to the lightweight Fazua Ride 50 mid-drive.
Ribble CGR AL E Sport £2,799
At 13.6kg, this is one of the lighter e-gravel offerings. Provides more subtle power than the Cube via the well-reviewed Mahle
First published in Cycle magazine, August/September 2024 issue. All information correct at time of publishing.
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