Aero road bikes for around 5000 euros: The Cube Litening Aero C:68X Pro on test
Julian Schultz
· 24.04.2024
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A lot of aerodynamics for the money: This is the formula for success of the Litening Aero C:68X Pro in the current model year, which is completely convincing apart from a few nuances and narrowly wins the test ahead of the German competitors' mail-order bikes. The specialist retail brand from the Upper Palatinate also sent one of the most affordable road bikes to the test. In addition to the extremely torsionally stiff and stable frame set, the Cube outperforms its strong competitors in terms of riding comfort. Only a few models in the race category roll more smoothly over bumpy tracks.
Cube Litening Aero: What makes the test winner?
The comparatively filigree carbon seatpost allows a lot of flex and yields by just under eight millimetres at a test load of 80 kilograms - more than twice as much as the toughest bikes in the test. In terms of weight and aerodynamics, the most important criteria for a competition bike, the Litening Aero doesn't achieve top marks, but it follows closely in the slipstream of the lightest and fastest competitors. The optimised chassis with its eye-catching seat tube cuts through the wind quickly even with relatively flat carbon rims from Mavic and, with 209 watts, it enters the phalanx of the fastest production bikes in the TOUR test. Just behind the C:68X Race, by the way, which is fitted with impressive aero wheels from Newmen.
The aggressive riding position emphasises the competition-oriented character, and corners can also be controlled precisely. Stylish: The matt clear coat reveals the diamond-shaped carbon parts, which allude to the bike manufacturer's roots in the Bavarian part of the Fichtelgebirge. The Cube shares the limited room for manoeuvre when adjusting the position and the high maintenance requirements due to the fully integrated cockpit with other models. An exclusive feature is the very limited steering angle, which is not noticeable when riding, but can make transport more difficult. The Upper Palatinate company offers four other equipment variants, also at a fair price. However, the versions costing between 800 and 2900 euros are not much better than the basic model.
Cube Litening Aero C:68X Pro
- TOUR grade: 1.9 (TOUR test winner)
- Price: 4699 Euro >> available here
- Weight of complete wheel: 7.9 kilos
- Aerodynamics: 210 watts
- Frame sizes: 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 (test size greased)
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 520/565/146 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 565/396 millimetres/1.43
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 609/572 millimetres/1.06
- Wheelbase/caster: 995/60 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Force AXS (2x12; 48/35, 10-33 t.) | Grade: 1.0
- Brakes: SRAM Force (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.5
- Tyres: Schwalbe Pro One TLE 28 mm (eff.: 27 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Impellers: Mavic Cosmic SL 45
- Impeller weights: 1225/1650 grams (front/rear)
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Remarkable price-performance ratio, top equipment, fast chassis
- Minus: Steering angle makes transport difficult, complicated maintenance
Julian Schultz
Editor
