The best race bikes on test: The Cube Litening Aero C:68 SLX
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Cube presented the first aerodynamically designed racing bike back in 2019. The approach of the flawless aero racer seems slightly outdated today, when manufacturers are increasingly looking for a balance between weight and aerodynamics. However, as the workhorse of Biniam Girmay, winner of the green jersey at the 2024 Tour de France, the Litening Aero was able to prove that it is far from being a thing of the past. Because the brand from the Upper Palatinate did not subordinate all of its riding characteristics to aerodynamics, the bike can still roll along well in the peloton even six years after its premiere. Without exaggeration, the price is spectacular, as the Cube costs less than half of what other manufacturers charge for comparable bikes with top equipment.
The Cube Litening Aero C:68 in the lab
The Cube is the heaviest bike in the test; the frameset in particular weighs in at almost 500 grams more than the lightest chassis (Specialized) in the comparison. However, the lightweight SRAM groupset and Newmen wheels with carbon spokes prevent the gap to the competition from becoming too large. The Litening still performs well in the aerodynamics ranking and lands in the front midfield. With very high riding stability and acceptable comfort values, it's enough for a stable one in front of the decimal point.
Driving experience
Thanks to the lightweight wheels, the bike accelerates better than the total weight would suggest. The position is firm and sporty, the steering behaviour is classically direct. It is also as fast as an arrow.
That's what you get for your money
Much, much more than all the others. This applies in particular to the top version shown here, which has everything, including a power meter. The price comparison with the competition speaks for itself.
Cube Litening Aero C:68 SLX: Info & test grade
- Price: 7299 Euro >> available here
- Weight of complete wheel: 7.3 kilos
- Aerodynamics: 208 watts
- 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: SRAM Red AXS (2x12; 50/37, 10-33 t., PM) | Grade: 1.0
- Brakes: SRAM Red HRD (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Tyres: Conti Grand Prix 5000 S TR 28 mm (eff.: 30 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Impellers: Newmen Streem p.60/p.66
- Impeller weights: 1172/1467 grams (v./h.)
Measured values
- Weight of complete wheel: 7340 grammes | Grade: 2.3
- Air resistance: 208 Watt | Grade: 1.7
- Front stiffness: 8.3 N/mm | Grade: 1.7
- Bottom bracket stiffness: 68 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
- Rear comfort: 168 N/mm | Grade: 2.7
- Comfort front: 103 N/mm | Grade: 3.0
Advantages and disadvantages of the Cube Litening Aero C:68 SLX
- Plus: Extremely good price-performance ratio
- Minus: heavy frame set, tight steering angle
All 13 bikes in the comparison test
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 1000 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): 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): 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): 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 it would when riding.
Rear comfort (10 per cent): A measure of compliance in the event of 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): 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): 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): 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 evaluated, but the function of the interaction between brake body, pads, rims or discs and cables as well as cable routing: How well can the brakes be modulated? How durable are the brakes, how long are the braking distances?
tyres (5 percent): Rolling resistance and grip are evaluated - as far as known from one of our independent tyre tests or on the basis of driving impressions.
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
