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In 2015, Cube whittled down its Elite hardtail to a record-breaking 989 grams. However, in the years that followed, the competition overtook it at breakneck speed, and the Elite gained 200 grams. For the new C:68X range, the Upper Palatinate-based company has now brought in the expertise of carbon specialist Alex Schnura (formerly of AX-Lightness). Although he doesn’t quite break the 1,000-gramme mark with his debut creation, the superbly crafted carbon chassis seems to convert every turn of the cranks into forward momentum. The 52 N/mm central frame stiffness figure reinforces this impression. Combined with the lightweight wheels, the result is a bike “with extremely good forward momentum and a lively acceleration”, as professional tester Markus Schulte-Lünzum notes. When it comes to spec, Cube makes no compromises with the SLT version: carbon from the handlebars right down to the rims, a Fox 32 Factory fork and a flawless XX1 Eagle AXS drivetrain. Uphill, this 8.6-kilo machine leaves the competition in the dust. When it comes to geometry, the Bavarian brand is keeping up with the trends – albeit in a rather conservative way. The riding position is sporty yet balanced, and the bike handles the tight hairpin bends of our test circuit with crisp, wonderfully direct steering. Only the numerous small cross-roots on the track are transmitted to the rider by the rear suspension with virtually no damping. The Elite isn’t just stingy with flex in the lab; in practice, too, the thin seat stays and the 27.2 mm seat post provide very little comfort, despite a tyre pressure of 1.5 bar. “Good for sprinting, but a disadvantage on bumpy descents,” says Max Brandl, the 2019 German Cross-Country Champion. At least at the front, the Fox fork responds like butter and filters out rough bumps impeccably.
Test verdict on the Cube Elite C:68X SLT
Lightweight construction without compromising on safety: superbly equipped, this stiff 8.6-kilo hardtail leaves the competition in the dust on uphill sections. Even without radical geometry updates, the Elite rides in a balanced and harmonious manner. Only the lack of comfort in the rear suspension is likely to bother long-distance riders. For 600 euros less, you can get the SL version with Shimano XTR and 8.7 kilos.
Cube Elite C:68X SLT – 2020 model year
Price 5,199 euros (specialist retailers)
Frame material / Sizes Carbon / 16" / 18" / 20'' / 22'' (47 cm)
Weight excluding pedals 8.64 kg
Frame weight 1079 g
Impeller size 29"
Weight of wheels 3494 g
Handlebar width 740 mm
Frame stiffness (absolute / STW) 52 N/mm / 48.2 N/mm/kg
Seating comfort 7.3 mm
Front suspension travel 102 mm
Fork Fox 32 Float Factory SC Fit4 Remote
Cranking SRAM XX1 Eagle
Circuit SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS / 1x12-speed
Translation / Bandwidth 34; 10–50 / 500 per cent
Brake system / Front and rear discs SRAM Level Ultimate / 180 mm / 160 mm
Seat post / Diameter Newmen Advanced Carbon / 27.2 mm
Training wheels Newmen SL X.A.25 Carbon
Tyres Schwalbe Racing Ray/Racing Ralph Evo Addix TLE 29 x 2.25
Reach / Stack / BB Offset 444 / 622 mm / -63 mm
BIKE rating: SUPER (213 out of 250 points)*
You can easily download the full comparison test of eight 2020 race bikes from different price ranges (BIKE 1/2020) as a PDF below the article. The test costs 2.49 euros.
Why isn’t it free? Because quality journalism comes at a price. In return, we guarantee independence and objectivity. This applies in particular to the tests in BIKE. We don’t get paid for them; on the contrary, they cost us money – hundreds of thousands of euros every year.
Eight 2020 race bikes in a comparison test
- Cube Elite C:68X SLT
- Giant XTC Advanced 1
- Müsing Specter
- Specialized S-Works Epic HT XTR
- Bulls Wild Edge RS Edition
- Mondraker F-Podium R
- NS Bikes Synonym RC2
- Rose Thrill Hill 3
*The BIKE rating reflects the laboratory measurements (BIKE laboratory test) and the test riders’ subjective impressions. The BIKE rating is independent of price. BIKE ratings: excellent (250–205 points), very good (204.75–180 points), good (179.75–155 points), satisfactory (154.75–130 points), with weaknesses (129.75–105 points), inadequate (104.75–0 points).