Cube Litening Aero C:68X Race: Competition road bikes on test - fast offer
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Regular TOUR readers might experience déjà vu when looking at the picture above. An almost identical-looking bike took part in the 2023 comparison test of competition bikes under €5,000 and landed a big surprise with a clear test victory.
In model year 2025, the Cube Litening Aero C:68X Race has become a little more expensive, it now costs 5299 (instead of 4799 at the time) euros. On closer inspection, however, this is not a disadvantage. For one thing, a power meter is now fitted as standard in the Ultegra crankset, which the bike did not have at the time. That alone would justify the higher price.
The Newmen wheels have also been technically revised in the meantime, and the higher rims also look better on the consistently aerodynamically styled Litening Aero. Last but not least, the Cube remains by far the cheapest bike in our comparison.
Nevertheless, with a score of 1.8 according to the new TOUR rating system, it is right at the top, putting even brand new and significantly more expensive models from the competition under pressure. The most important quality of the bike in the race for first place is its good aerodynamics.
Although the design has been on the market for several years - the Cube Litening Aero first rolled into the shops in 2019 - the design doesn't look outdated next to modern aero bikes and is still one of the fastest, especially in this price range.
It also secured a place in the top five in this test field in the wind tunnel test. A comparison with reference wheels shows that this is the end of the line: There is hardly any potential to make the bike even faster. But even expensive high-end models are not significantly faster, just a little lighter.
Hardly any compromises
The not too heavy, very stable frame set with competitive comfort values makes hardly any compromises. Thanks to the relatively light wheels in comparison, it also occupies a good midfield position in terms of weight.
Any real criticism of the bike? The fact that the frame is only compatible with electronic shifting systems is unlikely to bother many potential buyers these days. People who want to adapt the decidedly race-like riding position to their needs could face greater difficulties: The height of the integrated handlebar unit can only be adjusted within narrow limits and with a great deal of effort, because the brake lines have to be shortened precisely.
There is also no technical alternative and the handlebars can only be replaced with an original part. Although there are different dimensions in the accessories, the replacement costs 299 euros. The tight steering angle, which is also a tribute to the cable integration, could be a problem during transport: the handlebars cannot be turned more than 50 degrees.
Professional technology
If you don't mind and find the perfect fit among the six frame sizes, you get a flawless super sports bike at an unrivalled price. This applies not only to the tested Race version, which is the entry-level model in the portfolio.
The top models called SLT and SLX with Shimano's Dura-Ace and Sram Red AXS respectively offer professional Tour de France technology. Biniam Girmay (Intermarché Wanty), for example, made history with the SLT last year when he became the first black African to celebrate stage victories and win the green jersey.
Both versions also cost relatively little money at 7299 euros each. Other manufacturers generally charge five-figure sums for comparable technology. The most expensive models even cost more than twice as much.
Cube Litening Aero C:68X Race: Info & test grade
- Price: 5299 Euro >> available here
- Weight of complete wheel: 7.7 kilos
- Frame sizes: 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 (test size greased)
- TOUR grade: 1,8
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 520/565/145 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 565/395 millimetres/1.43
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 604/572 millimetres/1.06
- Wheelbase/caster: 995/57 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano Ultegra (2x12; 52/36, 11-30 t., PM) | Grade: 1.0
- Brakes: Shimano Ultegra (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000S TR 28 mm (eff.: 29 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Impellers: Newmen p.60/p.66 Streem
- Impeller weights: 1156/1601 gram (v./h.)
Measured values
- Weight of complete wheel: 7740 grammes | Grade: 2.7
- Aerodynamics: 207 Watt | Grade: 1.3
- Driving stability: 8.3 N/mm | Grade: 1.7
- Rear comfort: 168 N/mm | Grade: 2.7
- Comfort front: 103 N/mm | Grade: 3.0
- Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 68 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
Advantages and disadvantages of the Cube Litening Aero C:68X Race
- Plus: Outstanding price-performance ratio, very good aerodynamics
- Minus: Complicated position adjustment
How TOUR tests
Weight (25 per cent of the overall grade): The weighed complete wheel weight in the standardised test wheel size of 56-57 centimetres counts for the evaluation. However, we also show the wheel weights for orientation purposes. The grading scale is designed so that the physical effect of weight and aerodynamics on the average speed is comparable for an average route profile of 1,000 metres in altitude per 100 kilometres. For orientation: the aerodynamic optimisation of the bike can compensate for up to almost four kilograms of weight on such a route. Simultaneous top marks in weight AND aerodynamics are mutually exclusive, but there are racing bikes that find a very good compromise. If the route is more hilly than our reference route, weight becomes more important; if the route is flatter, aerodynamics become more important.
Air resistance (25 per cent of the total score): Dynamically measured in the wind tunnel, with TOUR dummy, rotating wheels, moving legs and over a wide range of flow angles. Summarised to an aerodynamic grade for typical environmental conditions.
Front stiffness (10 per cent of the total score): Important parameter for steering precision and confidence in the bike at high speeds, determined in the TOUR laboratory. The overall stiffness is determined on the fully assembled frame set, i.e. including the fork. The stiffness values are capped. The aim is not an infinitely stiff frame, but one that is sufficiently stable to ride.
Bottom bracket stiffness (10 per cent of the total score): Reveals how much the frame yields under hard pedalling, for example when sprinting. This measurement also takes place in the TOUR laboratory, with realistic clamping, in which the frame can deform as if it were being ridden.
Rear comfort (10 per cent of the overall score): A measure of compliance under road shocks, measured in the TOUR laboratory. A suspension travel is measured when the seatpost is loaded. The measured value correlates very well with the riding impressions and the feeling of comfort. Good marks also mean decent riding dynamics, which have a positive effect on speed on poor roads.
Comfort front (5 per cent of the overall score): The deformation of the handlebars under load is determined in the same way as for the rear. A good score means a lot of suspension comfort, which takes the strain off your hands on long rides. However, strong sprinters who want a lot of stiffness should look for stiff handlebars.
Switching (5 per cent of the total score): The shifting characteristics are determined in the driving test. It is not the price or the quality impression of individual components that is assessed, but exclusively the function of the entire gearbox. For example, the cable routing, the quality of the cables and the mounted chain also play a role.
Brakes (5 per cent of the overall score): As with shifting, the test on the road also counts here, and the experience from our countless tests of brakes is also incorporated into the assessment. It is not the component itself that is assessed, but the function of the interaction between the brake body, pads and discs: How well can the brakes be modulated? How durable are the brakes, how long are the braking distances?
tyres (5 percent of the overall score): Rolling resistance and grip are evaluated - if known from one of our independent tyre tests or based on driving impressions. The overall score is calculated arithmetically from the differently weighted individual scores (percentages in brackets). It primarily expresses the sporty qualities of the tyre.
The overall score is calculated arithmetically from the individual scores weighted differently (percentages in brackets). It primarily expresses the sporting qualities of the bike.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
