Cube Road C:62 cycling shoes

The Cube Road C:62 shoes are a high performing, good looking pair of cycling shoes with a stiff sole, decent ventilation and a strong closure system.

When you think of cycling shoes, Cube probably isn't the first name that springs to mind, but the company has been making kit as well as bikes for a while. It's getting several plaudits for its kit too, and testing out the C:62 road shoes I can see what all the fuss is about.

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The first thing you notice about these shoes are their looks, which, let's be honest, are almost as important as any other element when riding. To some people. To me they have an appealing, understated design, with that mix of matt and gloss black throughout giving a subtle but stylish finish. They are also pretty svelte, with nice lines throughout – all in all a good looking pair of shoes.

The closure systems used take the form of the Atop system, which is similar to the more common Boa lacing system, and a single Velcro strap. On the Atop system you simply turn the knob away from you to tighten and towards you to loosen, although the loosening is more of a release that then needs retightening, rather than making microadjustments on the fly. It is also off-centre, meaning that you put less pressure on the top of your foot, helping to reduce the chances of developing hotspots that can become irritating over time. The system works really well and it kept my foot locked into position with very little movement, even when really pushing on the pedals while climbing.

The upper is a single moulded piece, which is part of how Cube has managed to keep the shoes looking svelte. It is proving durable and is easy to wipe clean. There are also several venting areas throughout, including above the toes, on the tongue and on both the inside and outside of the arch. These, plus the single vent below the toe box, do a good job of stopping the shoes from overheating, with air flowing through effectively at higher speeds.

Underneath is a full carbon sole, with variable thicknesses to help keep weight down without impacting on stiffness and your power output. They're certainly stiff – the stiffest that Cube makes, with a stiffness index of 300 – and a really good platform for putting power through the pedals, though they aren't quite as good as the top end Easton soles or similar that I've tried, with a tiny bit of flex when pushing up hills. Still very impressive though.

Cleats are secured with a standard three-hole system and have measurement gauges around them to help get the fit correct. There are also firm rubberised buffers on the heel and toe, which help when walking and prevent slipping; unlike other brands, these aren't replaceable, but they're likely to last several years anyway.

Cube has used a 'natural fit' insole, which worked well for me. I often get some discomfort in the arch of my foot after a few hours in the saddle, but these managed to stop that, so they certainly help with comfort.

The shoes weigh in at 532g for the pair, which is good if you compare them to other top end shoes such as Shimano RP9 (£219.99, 538g), Giro Factor ACC (£249.99, 620g), and Sidi Genius 7 (£170, 620g). This, along with their stiffness, makes them pretty good value at £179.99, comparing well with others of a similar price and more expensive options too.

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In summary, I was really impressed with these shoes. There's enough stiffness in the soles for sprints and putting power through the pedals, the closure system works well, and ventilation is also strong. It would be good to be able to micro-adjust the fit on the fly, but aside from that there is little not to like.

Verdict

A well made, good looking pair of shoes and comparable to those costing a fair bit more