I negotiated the seller of the Kona Sutra Al 2017 to sell me it for only €400, and I thought I'd go for that, but this Cube Nuroad popped up today for €500, and I'm honestly so enamored with the color, it's absolutely gorgeous.

I usually think cube bikes are hideous, but this one really pops. The Sutra isn't ugly, but it's definitely very understated and just decent. Would probably look better with tan sidewall tires.

Both can fit 40mm tires with a fender, 45 without on the cube, with some people saying 45-50 without fenders on the Kona, but I can't find any official info on that.

Both are quite upright which is a big factor for me, both around 630-640 stack (I'm 6'3 / 190cm)

My one concern is the carbon fork on the cube, as I hate carbon, but I'm not planning on strapping anything to my front forks unless I've already exhausted all other space.

The friction shifters on the Sutra seem nice for future drivetrain compatibility and not having to index my shifters, but I've never run friction before and am unsure about commiting to it, especially if I'm riding it off road and want to shift.

Finally, I'm not a weight weenie by any means, but the Cube clocks in at 10-11ish kg, whereas the Kona Sutra Al I can't find a weight listed anywhere and I imagine it's quite beefy as a hardcore touring bike. I wouldn't mind as much if it steel, but being another aluminum bike, if it's not as repairable as steel, might as well be light if possible.

What are your thoughts?