Competition road bike test: The Cube Litening Aero C:68X Race

Cube Litening Aero C:68X Race - Uncompromising line

If you're looking for as much aero speed as possible for as little money as possible, the Cube Litening Aero is the bike for you. The bike is not only unrivalled in terms of price and performance, it even outshines mail order brands such as Canyon and Rose. When set up correctly, it is one of the fastest in its class and can be really light at the same time.

The Litening C:68X Race comes out of the test as the second fastest bike just behind the new Storck - and is remarkably affordable. For the same high-quality equipment as the clearly designed racer, you have to pay at least € 1000 more than the competition. At the centre is Shimano's electric twelve-speed Ultegra, which is functionally beyond any doubt and is not in the budget of any of the competitors.

The Newmen wheels play the biggest part in the first-class aero performance, as they are not only incredibly fast but also quite light. Comparably good wheels can only be found on the Benotti and Storck bikes in the test field. On the Litening Aero, the stylish rims are standard for all equipment variants.

Even beyond that, there is hardly any tuning potential on the bike - not least because a number of parts are consistently integrated and therefore hardly interchangeable. Tribute to the consistent design: The bike can no longer be set up with mechanical gears and the height of the handlebars can only be adjusted to a limited extent.

In addition, the steering angle is limited to around 50 degrees, which is irrelevant when riding, but can be an obstacle when transporting the racer. The entire range of electric drivetrains from Shimano and SRAM is available at moderate prices ranging from 4600 (SRAM Rival) to 7600 euros (Shimano Dura-Ace Di2).

During the test period, Cube offered two almost identically equipped Litening Aero C:68 Race bikes. The bike tested by TOUR is the 4799 euro version with Shimano Ultegra. The model of the same name for 5499 euros also has a power meter. At the time of testing, Cube was only unable to supply the bike with the correct paint finish. Both models are technically on the same level.

Facts & measurements of the Cube Litening Aero C:68X Race

• Price4799 Euro
• Weight: 7,7 Kilo
• Aerodynamics: 207 Watt

• Frame/fork/steering bearing weight* 1101/493/74 grammes
• Frame sizes** 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 cm
• Seat/top tube/head tube 520/570/145 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR*** 565/396 millimetres/1.43
• Wheelbase/caster 995/52 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive/gear shift Shimano Ultegra Di2 (2x12, 52/36, 11-34 t.)
• Brakes Shimano Ultegra (160/160 millimetres)
• Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Newmen Advanced R.50/62 Streem/Schwalbe Pro One TLE 28 millimetres (front/rear: 1139/1674 grams)

Strengthsunrivalled equipment, top aerodynamics

Weaknessesonly compatible with electrical circuits, limited adjustment

>> The Cube Litening Aero C:68X Race gets an overall score of 1.5 in the TOUR test of competition bikes

Also in the test:

>> Benotti Fuoco Aero
>> Cervélo Soloist 105
>> Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 7 eTap
>> Giant Propel Advanced 1
>> Lapierre Aircode DRS 5.0
>> Merida Reacto Rival Edition
>> Ridley Noah Disc 105
>> Rose XLite 04 105
>> Storck Aerfast.4 Comp Disc Ultegra

The test results in detail

*Weighed weights.

**Manufacturer's specification, test size bold.

***Stack/reach projected vertical/horizontal dimension from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube

STR (Stack to Reach): 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 a very upright sitting position.

****Wheel weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/threaded axles and brake discs if applicable.