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Like the seat tube angle, the relatively steep 73.5-degree head tube angle combined with a shortish 100mm stem offers quick handling, well suited to flicking the bike through tight corners and making split-second decisions at speed. Riding position aside, the Litening C:68X SL feels racy and sharp on the road.
#Cube litening c 68x trial
This gives you the option to trial various handlebar heights before settling on a final position and cutting the steerer to length.Ī seatpost with 25mm of setback is also available separately from Cube, if you prefer that. That makes sense on a bike such as this, though, and, fortunately, it is possible to run a few of the aero-profiled spacers under and on top of the stem. With 389mm of reach and 563mm of stack (5mm and 1mm more than the Giant TCR), the result is a bike that practically demands you ride in an aerodynamic position. Thanks to the steep 73.5-degree seat tube angle and zero-offset seatpost, for example, your saddle position on the Litening C:68X SL ends up being a touch higher and more forward over the bottom bracket. Though the geometry figures suggest a bike that’s only slightly more aggressive than a classic road racing bike, such my Giant TCR Advanced, in practice there is a palpable difference. Cube Litening C:68X SL geometry and ride feelĪs ridden by the Intermarché-Wanty breakaway experts. The tan sidewall tyres and delicate colour matching on the wheels are also tasteful details that help blend everything together as a complete package. This model’s translucent navy (Cube calls it ‘liquidblue ‘n’ carbon’) clear coat, which allows the frameset’s carbon weave to subtly shine through, is especially eye-catching, for example. I’m also thrilled to see Cube has abandoned the drab matt-black dominated paintjobs of previous model years, in favour of brighter, more colourful options. But with a claimed frame weight of less than a kilogram, opting for one of the cheaper builds (with Shimano Ultegra R8170 Di2 or SRAM Force eTap AXS) still sees complete bike weights under 8kg, according to Cube.Ĭrucially, though, the Litening C:68X SL is a bike that feels fast and exciting to ride, no matter what the numbers say. Of course, much of that low weight can be attributed to this bike’s high-end build specification. While the overall weight isn’t the most important trait of an aero road bike, it’s also true that a bike being lighter is, all else being equal, generally a good thing. Given its deep aerofoil tube shapes, narrow frontal profile and aggressively low stack, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was simply a slimmed-down version of the Cube Aerium C:68 time trial bike.Īnd while, like a time trial bike, the Litening C:68X SL certainly is notably fast in a straight line, it’s no slouch on technical courses with tight, twisty turns either.Īt 7.54kg for my size 56cm test bike, it’s impressively lightweight too. Previously reserved only for paid professionals, these bikes are now available to the ready public.The overall shape of the frameset isn’t a million miles away from the Cube Aerium time trial bike. Even more compact frames, even more sporty seating positions and perfectly tuned equipment should bring out the best. Carbon components are used to improve stiffness and weight by a few percentage points.
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No other bike offers as much scope for improvements in detail as the racing bike. The overall weight saving on a classic road bike is a difference you can clearly feel – and see in your results! For whom is the Cube Litening AIR C:68X Race suitable?įor the racing bike professional. At around 799g for a mid-sized frame it's svelte enough to easily build a UCI-compliant 6.9kg bike, but it's still slippery through the air and comfortable for long days in the saddle. So, with the brand-new Litening AIR C:68X, we worked with Team Wanty to develop a frame from our premium C:68X® carbon that combines the best of both worlds. Are you? Frame and equipmentĪn aero bike that reduces wind resistance is great, but a race bike should also – of course – be as light as possible.
#Cube litening c 68x full
And the light, comfortable full carbon fork complements the exceptional performance of the C:68X® carbon frame.
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Newmen Advanced wheels shod with Continental Grand Prix tyres and super-light Schwalbe Aerothan tubes get your power down to the road. Built around our brand-new ultra-light carbon frame, we started with Shimano's Ultegra Di2 components and a compact chainset. As aero as possible, as light as possible and fully UCI-compliant: that's the Litening AIR C:68X Race.
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