CubeAerium C:68X
The Aerium C:68X is Cube's triathlon-specific frame, made from its C:68X carbon with a twin head tube, fully internal cable routing and flat-mount disc brakes. It was developed with Lucy Charles-Barclay and supports a bar-mounted hydration system plus an extra in-frame bladder or storage compartment above the bottom bracket. A separate UCI-compliant Aerium C:68X TT frame is sold for time trials.
- From
- €9,999€9,999€9,999
- Builds
- 6
- Sizes
- 4
- Frame weight
- —
Design sketch, generated from the manufacturer's photo
Our verdict
Overall
out of 100, average of 7 categories
A strong-value long-course triathlon bike: even the cheapest build gets electronic shifting, carbon wheels and a power meter, and the frame won Kona. Expect complete bikes that are heavy for the class, an in-frame compartment that holds either a bladder or spares but not both, and bar hydration that won't work with tall spacer stacks.
Scored Oct 2026
- + Affordable way in
- + Aero-first design
- + Integrated hydration and storage
AI-drafted from the specs on this page and reviewed before publishing. Scores are relative to every bike in the catalog when they were given, so they drop as newer bikes and parts raise the bar.
- Aero
- 85/100
- Frame
- 70/100
- Components
- 80/100
- Hydration & storage
- 84/100
- Fit
- 72/100
- Practicality
- 62/100
- Price
- 87/100
Aero claims and front-end integration
Carbon grade, weight and warranty
Groupset, wheels and power meter
Hydration and storage in the frame
Sizes and adjustment range
Travel, standard parts, servicing
From the cheapest complete-bike MSRP
Bike duel
Reviews
3 independent reviews of the Cube Aerium C:68X.
- WrittenJack SextyTested: SLT4.5/5
- ▶ Video
Custom Bike Fit
Cube Aerium C:68X Race Bike Fitter ReviewTested: Race - WrittenChris FosterTested: SLT4/5
Frame & platform
Frame & fork
- Frame material
- Carbon (C:68X)
- Fork material
- Carbon (Aerium C:68X)
- Max system weight
- 100 kg220.5 lb
- Frame sizes
- XS, S, M, L
- Also available as
- Aerium C:68X TT (separate UCI-approved time-trial frame)
Compatibility & standards
- Brake type
- Flat-mount disc
- Wheel size
- 700c
- Max tire width
- 30 mm
- Bottom bracket standard
- 86mm press-fit
- Front axle
- 12x100 thru-axle
- Rear axle
- 12x142 thru-axle
- Drivetrain compatibility
- Electronic; 1x or 2x (front derailleur mount cover plate for 1x)
- 1x compatible
- Yes
- Front derailleur mount
- Braze-on, with cover plate for 1x setups
- Cable routing
- Fully internal (frame and handlebars)
Hydration & storage
- Integrated hydration
- Yes
- Hydration volume
- 750 ml25.4 fl oz
- Hydration details
- Bar-mounted Hydration Set Aerium (750 ml) with a refill door, plus an optional in-frame bladder above the bottom bracket that refills through a port in the top-tube nutrition box. The Hydration Set cannot be used with 40 mm or more of spacers.
- Integrated storage
- Yes
- Storage details
- CUBE Hydration Set Aerium (750 ml, bar-mounted) plus a compartment above the bottom bracket for an additional hydration bladder or spares; Storage Box Set Aerium for nutrition.
- Top tube bento box
- Yes
Fit & adjustability
- Aerobar system
- CUBE Aerium C:68X Cockpit System in Low (XS-S) or High (M-L) setup; extensions can be swapped
- Seatpost type
- CUBE Aerium C:68 Aero seatpost
- Fit notes
- Arm pads adjust over a wide range of widths and stack heights, and saddle stack and reach are adjustable.
Aerodynamics
- Manufacturer aero claims
- Cube claims the C:68X is 3.63 W faster than the previous Aerium C:68
- Testing method
- Wind tunnel, CFD and athlete feedback
- Tube profile
- Twin head tube with a cutout, very low seatstays, deep fork
Travel, maintenance & warranty
- Headset bearings
- Acros integrated, 1-1/8" top, 1-1/4" bottom
- Sold via
- Through CUBE dealers
Photos
Design sketches
Builds & components
Highlighted rows differ between builds. Green marks the best value.
Aerium C:68X price & value
Building up the Aerium C:68X Frameset
Included: Aerobar system, Extensions, Headset, Seatpost, Wheelset.
Still to buy: Groupset, Crankset, Cassette, Chain, Brake calipers, Tires, Saddle, Pedals.
Spare & upgrade parts from Cube
| Part | Part number | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Basebar Aerium High, disc brake (40 mm rise)Cube lists it for the Aerium C:68X from model year 2024 only. | 12901 | €470€470€470 |
| Basebar Aerium Low, disc brake (0 mm rise)Cube lists it for the Aerium C:68X from model year 2024 only. | 12900 | €470€470€470 |
| In-frame hydration setAerium C:68X only. | 12884 | €200€200€200 |
| In-frame hydration bladder, sizes XS / S (750 ml)Aerium C:68X only. | 12885 | €50€50€50 |
| ACID reach extension (+30 mm)Sold as the ACID Reach Extension Aerium C:68X. | 92281 | €50€50€50 |
Real-world weight
Scale weights of the Aerium C:68X from reviewers, next to Cube's claim.
| What | Measured | Claimed | Measured by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete bikeSize M · Aerium C:68X SLT with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and Newmen 80 mm wheels; all integrated hydration and storage fitted but empty (22 lb 4 oz) | 10.09 kg22.2 lb | — | Triathlete2024-02 |
Known issues & recalls
Reported issue2024-02
Fiddly in-frame hydration bladder
Triathlete's reviewer found the in-frame bladder hard to fit when filled to its full 750 ml, and refilling on the move took practice before it drained properly. The compartment above the bottom bracket takes either the bladder or storage, not both, unless the bike has a SRAM groupset (the Di2 battery shares the space).
Affected: Aerium C:68X with the in-frame hydration set
Source
Ownership checklist
1 of 2 known checks pass, 5 not published by Cube. Why these checks
- ✕
Threaded bottom bracket
86mm press-fit
- ?
UDH derailleur hanger
- ✓
Standard 12×142 mm rear axle
12x142 thru-axle
- ?
Works with mechanical shifting
- ?
Fits third-party aerobars
CUBE Aerium C:68X Cockpit System in Low (XS-S) or High (M-L) setup; extensions can be swapped
- ?
Rear disc wheel compatible
- ?
Fit kept when packed
Raced by
Pros who raced the Aerium C:68X, with results on it.
© CUBE Bikes Frederic Funk2023–2025Germany · Cube
- 2ndIronman 70.3 World Championship (Lahti) 2023
- 3rdIronman Switzerland 2025
Setup: SRAM Red 1x, Vision Metron 91 mm front with a Metron TFW disc rear (70.3 Worlds 2023)
Race setup, 2 parts →Source
© CUBE Bikes Lucy Charles-Barclay2023–2025United Kingdom · Cube
- 1stIronman Lanzarote 2025
- 1stT100 London 2025
- 1stIronman 70.3 World Championship (Marbella) 2025
Setup: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 12-speed, 58/44T, 165 mm cranks, DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut wheels (2025)
Race setup, 3 parts →Source
Aerium C:68X geometry
| XS | S | M | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stack | 487 mm19.2″ | 497 mm19.6″ | 517 mm20.4″ | 539 mm21.2″ |
| Reach | 395 mm15.6″ | 405 mm15.9″ | 421 mm16.6″ | 442 mm17.4″ |
| Seat angle min | 78° | 78° | 78° | 78° |
| Seat angle max | 78° | 78° | 78° | 78° |
| Head tube angle | 72° | 72° | 72° | 72° |
| Head tube length | 74 mm2.9″ | 85 mm3.3″ | 106 mm4.2″ | 129 mm5.1″ |
| Effective top tube | 499 mm19.6″ | 511 mm20.1″ | 531 mm20.9″ | 557 mm21.9″ |
| Seat tube length | 535 mm21.1″ | 545 mm21.5″ | 566 mm22.3″ | 588 mm23.1″ |
| Chainstay | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ |
| Wheelbase | 979 mm38.5″ | 992 mm39.1″ | 1,015 mm40″ | 1,043 mm41.1″ |
| BB drop | 78 mm3.1″ | 78 mm3.1″ | 78 mm3.1″ | 78 mm3.1″ |
| Wheel size | 28" (700c) | 28" (700c) | 28" (700c) | 28" (700c) |
| Stem length | 81 mm3.2″ | 81 mm3.2″ | 81 mm3.2″ | 81 mm3.2″ |
| Basebar width | 400 mm15.7″ | 400 mm15.7″ | 400 mm15.7″ | 400 mm15.7″ |
Side view & pad range
Drawn to scale (how to read it).
How the geometry rides
The Aerium C:68X in size S against the middle size of 42 other bikes: tendencies from geometry, not a ride review (how to read this).
- Wheelbase992 mm39.1″
shortestlonger than 36% of 42 bikeslongest
- Chainstay410 mm16.1″
shortestlonger than 75% of 53 bikeslongest
Long chainstays: adds stability and room for a rear wheel with wide tyres.
Good to know
Design
In Triathlete's test, a size M SLT weighed 22 lb 4 oz (about 10.1 kg) with all hydration and storage fitted but empty. The reviewer found the ride smooth and the bike stable in crosswinds.
SourceAerodynamics
Cube says the twin head tube reduces drag in a straight line, cuts buffeting in strong crosswinds and improves steering stability.
SourceFit
Cube fits a high-rise bar on the M and L sizes and a low setup on XS and S, a choice it says came from development with Charles-Barclay.
SourceIntegration
The compartment above the bottom bracket holds either the hydration bladder or storage, not both. Triathlete found it hard to fit a full 750 ml bladder and needed some setup practice before on-the-go refills drained properly.
SourceIntegration
The bladder shares space in the frame with the Di2 battery. On SRAM builds the battery compartment is free for other uses, according to Cube.
SourceRacing
Lucy Charles-Barclay won the 2023 Ironman World Championship in Kona on an Aerium C:68X, setting a course record and the fastest bike split. Her bike used DT Swiss wheels and a custom Cube cockpit.
SourceHistory
A prototype was raced at the 2022 Ironman World Championship. The main change from the Aerium C:68 TT is the in-frame hydration bladder above the bottom bracket.
Source
Aerium C:68X FAQ
Is the Cube Aerium C:68X UCI legal?+
No. The Cube Aerium C:68X is not UCI legal. That is fine for non-drafting triathlon, but it cannot be used in UCI-sanctioned time trials. Also available as: Aerium C:68X TT (separate UCI-approved time-trial frame).
How much does the Cube Aerium C:68X cost?+
Manufacturer prices (MSRP): €3,499–€9,999 across 6 listed builds and framesets: Aerium C:68X SLT Aero, Aerium C:68X SLT, Aerium C:68X SLX, Aerium C:68X Race, Aerium C:68X Pro and Aerium C:68X Frameset.
How much does the Cube Aerium C:68X weigh?+
The lightest complete build listed (Aerium C:68X Frameset) weighs 5.3 kg (11.7 lb).
What sizes does the Cube Aerium C:68X come in?+
4 sizes: XS, S, M and L.
What seat angle does the Cube Aerium C:68X have?+
78° effective seat tube angle.
Does the Cube Aerium C:68X have integrated hydration?+
Yes, 750 ml (25.4 fl oz). Bar-mounted Hydration Set Aerium (750 ml) with a refill door, plus an optional in-frame bladder above the bottom bracket that refills through a port in the top-tube nutrition box. The Hydration Set cannot be used with 40 mm or more of spacers.
Does the Cube Aerium C:68X have integrated storage?+
Yes. CUBE Hydration Set Aerium (750 ml, bar-mounted) plus a compartment above the bottom bracket for an additional hydration bladder or spares; Storage Box Set Aerium for nutrition. A top tube bento box is integrated.
What is the tire clearance of the Cube Aerium C:68X?+
Up to 30 mm tires on 700c wheels.
Which groupsets are compatible with the Cube Aerium C:68X?+
Drivetrain compatibility: Electronic; 1x or 2x (front derailleur mount cover plate for 1x). 1x drivetrains are supported. Bottom bracket: 86mm press-fit.
What builds of the Cube Aerium C:68X are available?+
Aerium C:68X SLT Aero: SRAM Red AXS E1; Aerium C:68X SLT: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200; Aerium C:68X SLX: SRAM Force AXS E1; Aerium C:68X Race: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100; Aerium C:68X Pro: SRAM Rival AXS E1.
Which pros ride the Cube Aerium C:68X?+
Frederic Funk and Lucy Charles-Barclay raced this generation of the Cube Aerium C:68X. See the "Raced by" section for seasons and results.
Is the Cube Aerium C:68X aerodynamic?+
Cube claims the C:68X is 3.63 W faster than the previous Aerium C:68 (Wind tunnel, CFD and athlete feedback)
Sources
- https://www.cube.eu/de-en/bikes/road/triathlon-time-trial/aerium
- https://www.cube.eu/de-en/cube-aerium-c-68x-slt-aero-genesisgrid-n-black/1138800
- https://www.cube.eu/de-en/cube-aerium-c-68x-slt-liquidbluegrid-n-chrome/1138700
- https://www.cube.eu/de-en/cube-aerium-c-68x-slx-spaceship-n-cmyk/1138600
- https://www.cube.eu/de-en/cube-aerium-c-68x-frameset-liquidbluegrid-n-chrome/1138910
- https://www.cube.eu/de-en/cube-hydration-set-aerium/12815
- https://www.triathlete.com/gear/bike/a-hands-on-review-of-the-2023-imwc-winning-cube-aerium-c68x/
- https://www.cube.eu/de-en/cube-aerium-c-68x-race-carbon-n-chrome/1138300
- https://www.cube.eu/de-en/cube-aerium-c-68x-pro-greenfusion-n-black/1138200
- https://www.triathlete.com/culture/news/the-fastest-pro-bikes-at-the-2023-ironman-70-3-world-championships?scope=anon
- https://www.triathlete.com/gallery/2023-hawaii-ironman-world-championship-bike-lucy-charles-barclays-cube-aerium-c68x/?scope=anon
- https://www.cube.eu/de-en/cube-basebar-aerium-high-disc-brake/12901
- https://www.cube.eu/de-en/cube-basebar-aerium-low-disc-brake/12900
- https://www.cube.eu/de-en/cube-in-frame-hydration-set-aerium/12884
- https://www.cube.eu/de-en/cube-hydration-bladder-aerium-xs-s/12885
- https://www.cube.eu/de-en/acid-reach-extension-aerium-c-68x/92281
Cube Aerium C:68X data last updated · How the data is checked ·