The mail order company also offers its aluminium gravel bike in two full-equipment versions (1599 and 1799 euros). The 200 euro surcharge for the version we tested is money well spent, because in addition to higher quality Shimano GRX shifting components, there are also more powerful brake discs and a brighter headlight from Busch&Müller.
A bell and a sturdy kickstand are included, mudguards and pannier rack come from Cube's own brand Acid and are identical to those of the Radon, except for the simple headlight, which looks a bit cheap on the Radon. Cube Nuroad FE. This leads to the same points of criticism: Here too, the rear mudguard in particular is short, and overall the mudguards are a little narrow for the width of the tyres, so that some spray water always flies past them when the road is wet. We also find the position of the front headlight on the handlebars less than ideal.
Radon Regard: Unrivalled lightness
The Radon scores many plus points with its frame set, which is one of the lightest on the market. The lightweight aluminium frame and the full carbon fork put the model in first place in the weight ranking despite its low price, just ahead of the significantly more expensive rose. The fact that the frame with its simple shapes, round seatpost, classic Ahead stem and externally routed cables looks a little out of date is not necessarily a disadvantage. The bike is much easier to maintain and adjust than the integrated solutions on Bergamont and Rose - stem length and handlebar height can be changed in a few simple steps.
However, the frame geometry puts the rider in an emphatically upright riding position even in the basic setting; this bike does not allow for a truly sporty, road bike-like position. Once underway, the Regard impresses with its stoic straight-line stability and requires little concentration even on rough terrain. Agile manoeuvres, on the other hand, are not its strong point. The chunky Conti tyres offer plenty of comfort and grip on loose surfaces, but roll more sluggishly on asphalt than the competition from Schwalbe, which is usually fitted to other bikes and has less tread.
More gravel bikes with full equipment
Radon Regard: Info & test grade
- Price: 1799 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 11.7 kilos
- Frame sizes: 50, 53, 56, 58, 61 (test size bolded)
- TOUR grade: 2.3 (TOUR test winner)
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 494/555/165 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 612/376 millimetres/1.63
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 665/545 millimetres/1.22
- Wheelbase/caster: 1045/72 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano GRX 600/810 (2x11; 46/30, 11-34 t.) | Grade: 2.0
- Brakes: Shimano GRX 400 (160/160 mm) | Grade: 2.5
- Tyres: Continental Terra Trail 40 mm (eff.: 41 mm) | Grade: 2.0
- Impellers/Dyn: Alexrims GX 26/Shutter Precision PL-7
- Impeller weights: 1964/2289 grams (front/rear)
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Lightweight frame set, favourable price, maintenance-friendly design
- Minus: narrow mudguards
Jens Klötzer
Editor
