AeroAddicts

CubeLitening Aero C:68X

Aero road20272027 version (second generation) ↗Disc brakes

Cube's aero road race bike in its top C:68X carbon grade. The 2027 generation keeps the geometry but redesigns the frame, fork and one-piece cockpit: Cube says frame and fork are about 150 g lighter and up to 6 W faster than before, tyre clearance grows from 28 to 34 mm, a size 62 is added and the rear end takes a UDH hanger. Every complete build has a power meter and Newmen carbon wheels.

Cube Litening Aero C:68X SLT in slategrey'n'prizm, drive side
© Pending System GmbH & Co. KG
From
€7,299€7,299£7,499
Builds
6
Sizes
7
Frame weight
980 g34.6 oz

Design sketch, generated from the manufacturer's photo

Our verdict

Overall

out of 100, average of 7 categories

A new-generation aero race bike at a price well below most WorldTour rivals, with a power meter and Newmen carbon wheels on every build and room for 34 mm tyres. You trade a heavier frame than the lightest rivals, a proprietary one-piece cockpit and seatpost, a press-fit bottom bracket and no published wind-tunnel figures beyond Cube's own claim.

Scored Oct 2026

  • + Light
  • + Aero-first design
  • + Affordable way in

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
88/100

Aero claims and front-end integration

Frame
82/100

Carbon grade, weight and warranty

Components
86/100

Groupset, wheels and power meter

Fit
74/100

Sizes and adjustment range

Practicality
66/100

Travel, standard parts, servicing

Price
87/100

From the cheapest complete-bike MSRP

Weight
98/100

From the lightest claimed weight (6.9 kg)

How each category is scored

Bike duel

Reviews

1 independent review of the Cube Litening Aero C:68X.

Frame & platform

Frame & fork

Frame material
Carbon (C:68X, Advanced Twin Mold monocoque)
Fork material
Carbon (Litening C:68X Aero fork)
Frame weight
980 g34.6 oz
Weight measured on
Frame only, as listed by Cube (size not stated)
Frame sizes
50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62
Colours
slategrey'n'prizm, teamline, oceanfibre'n'prizm, digitalcarbon'n'prizm, carbon'n'chrome, chalky'n'black, beamfibre'n'black, genesisfibre'n'black, graphic'n'white (varies by build)

Compatibility & standards

Brake type
Hydraulic disc, flat mount
Wheel size
700c
Max tire width
34 mm
Bottom bracket standard
86 mm press-fit
Front axle
12x100 thru-axle
Rear axle
12x142 thru-axle
Drivetrain compatibility
Complete builds use Shimano Di2 12-speed 2x, SRAM AXS 12-speed 2x and SRAM Red XPLR AXS 13-speed 1x
1x compatible
Yes
Front derailleur mount
Braze-on
Cable routing
Fully internal through frame, fork and cockpit

Fit & adjustability

Cockpit
One-piece carbon bar and stem: CUBE IC Aero Max (SLT, SLX, Orbit, frameset) or IC Aero (Race, Pro)
Seatpost type
Litening C:68X Aero 'Comfort Flex' seatpost with integrated clamp; 380 mm (50-58) or 430 mm (60-62)
Fit notes
Stems are -10° on every size. Cube says the frame works with all CUBE one-piece cockpits; the IC Aero Max on the top builds runs 380 mm bars up to size 56 and 400 mm above, the IC Aero on the Race and Pro 380/400/420 mm. Cube lists a maximum rider weight (with kit) of 100 kg.

Aerodynamics

Manufacturer aero claims
Cube claims frame and fork together are about 150 g lighter and save up to 6 W at race speed versus the previous Litening Aero. TOUR and road.cc report the saving as 6.2 W at 45 km/h; BikeRadar quotes 10.4 W at 45 km/h.
Testing method
CFD simulation and wind tunnel testing (Cube)
Tube profile
Aero-optimised tubes; fork and longer head tube shaped to work together, the head tube no longer hourglass-shaped (TOUR)

Travel, maintenance & warranty

Headset bearings
Acros integrated, 1-1/8 in top, 1-1/4 in bottom
Derailleur hanger
UDH (SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger)
Proprietary parts
IC Aero / IC Aero Max one-piece cockpit with aero spacers, Litening C:68X Aero seatpost
Sold via
Through CUBE dealers

Photos

Design sketches

Design sketch of the Cube Litening Aero C:68X, side view
Side view · Design sketch, generated from the manufacturer's photo
Design sketch of the Cube Litening Aero C:68X, three-quarter view
Three-quarter view · Design sketch, generated from the manufacturer's photo
Design sketch of the Cube Litening Aero C:68X, front view
Front view · Design sketch, generated from the manufacturer's photo

Builds & components

Highlighted rows differ between builds. Green marks the best value.

Cube Litening Aero C:68X builds
Litening Aero C:68X SLT
Litening Aero C:68X SLX
Litening Aero C:68X Orbit
Litening Aero C:68X Race
Litening Aero C:68X Pro
Litening Aero C:68X Frameset
Overview
Price (MSRP)€7,299€7,299£7,499€7,299€7,299£7,499€6,999€6,999£6,999€4,999€4,999£4,999€4,999€4,999£4,999€2,999€2,999€2,999
Weight7.1 kg15.7 lb7.1 kg15.7 lb6.9 kg15.2 lb7.4 kg16.3 lb7.5 kg16.5 lb—
TypeComplete bikeComplete bikeComplete bikeComplete bikeComplete bikeFrameset
NotesColours slategrey'n'prizm and teamline, same spec and price. EUR price from Cube's German site, GBP from the UK site. Cube doesn't state the size of the claimed weight; BikeRadar measured 7.41 kg in size 58 without pedals.Colour oceanfibre'n'prizm. The spec list gives 30 mm Continental tyres while Cube's description of the bike mentions 28 mm. Cube doesn't state the size of the claimed weight.Single-chainring 13-speed build, colour digitalcarbon'n'prizm; the UK site lists it as available from January 2027. Cube doesn't state the size of the claimed weight.Colours carbon'n'chrome (claimed 7.4 kg) and teamline (claimed 7.5 kg). Comes with the IC Aero cockpit rather than the IC Aero Max, with different stem lengths and bar widths by size. Cube doesn't state the size of the claimed weight.Colours beamfibre'n'black (claimed 7.5 kg) and chalky'n'black (claimed 7.6 kg). Comes with the IC Aero cockpit rather than the IC Aero Max. Cube doesn't state the size of the claimed weight.Frame, fork, IC Aero Max cockpit, aero seatpost, Acros headset and, unusually, a Newmen Streem A.49/54 carbon wheelset. Colours genesisfibre'n'black and graphic'n'white; the UK site lists it as available from December 2026 without a price. Cube lists the frameset at 2.4 kg without saying what that weight includes.
Drivetrain
GroupsetShimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200SRAM Red AXS E1SRAM Red XPLR AXS E1Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100SRAM Force AXS E1—
Launched2021 · current generation2024 · current generation2024 · current generation2021 · current generation2025 · current generation—
Speeds12-speed12-speed13-speed12-speed12-speed—
ElectronicYesYesYesYesYes—
Wireless—YesYes—Yes—
Drivetrain2x2x1x2x2x—
ShiftersShimano Dura-Ace Di2 ST-R9270SRAM Red AXS E1SRAM Red AXS E1Shimano Ultegra Di2 ST-R8170SRAM Force AXS E1—
NotesCombined shift and hydraulic brake leversCombined shift and hydraulic brake leversCombined shift and hydraulic brake leversCombined shift and hydraulic brake leversCombined shift and hydraulic brake levers—
CranksetShimano Dura-Ace R9200SRAM Red AXS E1 Power MeterSRAM Red 1x AXS E1 Power MeterShimano Ultegra R8100SRAM Force AXS E1 Power Meter—
Chainrings52/3650/3750 (aero)52/3650/37—
Crank lengths available165 mm (50-54), 170 mm (56-58), 172.5 mm (60-62)165 mm (50-54), 170 mm (56-58), 172.5 mm (60-62)160 mm (50-52), 165 mm (54-56), 170 mm (58-62)165 mm (50-54), 170 mm (56-58), 172.5 mm (60-62)165 mm (50-54), 170 mm (56-58), 172.5 mm (60-62)—
Spindle—DUBDUB—DUB—
Power meter4iiii Precision 3+ (dual-sided)SRAM Red AXS E1 Power MeterSRAM Red AXS E1 Power Meter4iiii Precision 3+ (dual-sided)SRAM Force AXS E1 Power Meter—
Launched2024 · current generation2024 · current generation2024 · current generation2024 · current generation2025 · current generation—
TypeCrank armSpiderSpiderCrank armSpider—
MeasurementDual-sided——Dual-sided——
Bottom bracketAcros Threadfit CeramicSRAM DUB Road 86mm PressfitSRAM DUB Road 86mm PressfitAcros Threadfit CeramicSRAM DUB Road 86mm Pressfit—
Standard86 mm press-fit86 mm press-fit86 mm press-fit86 mm press-fit86 mm press-fit—
Front derailleurShimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9250SRAM Red AXS E1—Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8150SRAM Force AXS E1—
Rear derailleurShimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9250SRAM Red AXS E1SRAM Red XPLR AXS E1Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8150SRAM Force AXS E1—
CassetteShimano Dura-Ace R9200SRAM Red XG-1290 E1SRAM Red XPLR XG-1391 E1Shimano Ultegra R8101SRAM Force XG-1270 E1—
Range11-3410-3610-4611-3410-36—
Speeds12-speed12-speed13-speed12-speed12-speed—
ChainShimano CN-M9100SRAM Red E1SRAM Red E1Shimano CN-M8100SRAM Force E1—
Brakes
Brake calipersShimano Dura-Ace BR-R9270SRAM Red AXS E1SRAM Red AXS E1Shimano Ultegra BR-R8170SRAM Force AXS E1—
TypeHydraulic disc, flat mountHydraulic disc, flat mountHydraulic disc, flat mountHydraulic disc, flat mountHydraulic disc, flat mount—
Notes160 mm rotors front and rear160 mm rotors front and rear160 mm front, 140 mm rear rotor160 mm rotors front and rear160 mm rotors front and rear—
Wheels & tires
WheelsetNewmen Streem S.60/66 VONOA CarbonNewmen Streem A.49/54 VONOA CarbonNewmen Streem S.60/66 VONOA CarbonNewmen Streem A.49/54 CarbonNewmen Streem A.49/54 CarbonNewmen Streem A.49/54 Carbon
Front rim depth60 mm49 mm60 mm49 mm49 mm49 mm
Rear rim depth66 mm54 mm66 mm54 mm54 mm54 mm
MaterialCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbon
Tubeless readyYesYesYesYesYesYes
HubsCenter Lock, 12x100 / 12x142Center Lock, 12x100 / 12x142Center Lock, 12x100 / 12x142Center Lock, 12x100 / 12x142Center Lock, 12x100 / 12x142Center Lock, 12x100 / 12x142
SpokesCarbon, 15 front / 18 rearCarbon, 15 front / 18 rearCarbon, 15 front / 18 rear21 front / 24 rear21 front / 24 rear21 front / 24 rear
TiresSchwalbe Pro One Aero TLRContinental Grand Prix 5000 S TRPirelli P Zero Race SL-RSchwalbe Pro One Aero TLRContinental Grand Prix 5000 S TR—
Tire width28 mm30 mm28 mm28 mm30 mm—
Cockpit
HandlebarCUBE IC Aero Max Cockpit SystemCUBE IC Aero Max Cockpit SystemCUBE IC Aero Max Cockpit SystemCUBE IC Aero Max Cockpit SystemCUBE IC Aero Max Cockpit SystemCUBE IC Aero Max Cockpit System
TypeOne-piece bar and stemOne-piece bar and stemOne-piece bar and stemOne-piece bar and stemOne-piece bar and stemOne-piece bar and stem
Integrated stemYesYesYesYesYesYes
Widths available380 mm (50-56), 400 mm (58-62); stem 90-120 mm by size, -10°380 mm (50-56), 400 mm (58-62); stem 90-120 mm by size, -10°380 mm (50-56), 400 mm (58-62); stem 90-120 mm by size, -10°380 mm (50-56), 400 mm (58-62); stem 90-120 mm by size, -10°380 mm (50-56), 400 mm (58-62); stem 90-120 mm by size, -10°380 mm (50-56), 400 mm (58-62); stem 90-120 mm by size, -10°
Cable routingInternalInternalInternalInternalInternalInternal
MaterialCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbon
NotesAero spacer system and integrated computer mountAero spacer system and integrated computer mountAero spacer system and integrated computer mountAero spacer system and integrated computer mountAero spacer system and integrated computer mountAero spacer system and integrated computer mount
HeadsetAcros Integrated, 1 1/8" top / 1 1/4" bottomAcros Integrated, 1 1/8" top / 1 1/4" bottomAcros Integrated, 1 1/8" top / 1 1/4" bottomAcros Integrated, 1 1/8" top / 1 1/4" bottomAcros Integrated, 1 1/8" top / 1 1/4" bottomAcros Integrated, 1 1/8" top / 1 1/4" bottom
Saddle & seatpost
SaddleACID Nuance SLT CarbonSelle Italia SLR Racing ReplicaSelle Italia SLR Racing ReplicaACID Nuance SLT CarbonACID Nuance SLT Carbon—
SeatpostCUBE Litening C:68X Aero Comfort FlexCUBE Litening C:68X Aero Comfort FlexCUBE Litening C:68X Aero Comfort FlexCUBE Litening C:68X Aero Comfort FlexCUBE Litening C:68X Aero Comfort FlexCUBE Litening C:68X Aero Comfort Flex
MaterialCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbon
Notes380 mm long (50-58), 430 mm (60-62)380 mm long (50-58), 430 mm (60-62)380 mm long (50-58), 430 mm (60-62)380 mm long (50-58), 430 mm (60-62)380 mm long (50-58), 430 mm (60-62)380 mm long (50-58), 430 mm (60-62)
Bar tapeACID Bartape RC 2.5ACID Bartape RC 2.5ACID Bartape RC 2.5ACID Bartape RC 2.5ACID Bartape RC 2.5ACID Bartape RC 2.5

Litening Aero C:68X price & value

Where it's cheapest

MSRPs converted at ECB reference rates of 2026-10-05 (1 EUR = 1.1204 USD = 0.8472 GBP). US prices exclude sales tax, so add your state's rate before comparing.

BuildMarketMSRPIn EURvs cheapest
Litening Aero C:68X SLTEurope (EUR, incl. VAT)€7,299€7,299cheapest
UK (GBP, incl. VAT)£7,499€8,852+21%
Litening Aero C:68X SLXEurope (EUR, incl. VAT)€7,299€7,299cheapest
UK (GBP, incl. VAT)£7,499€8,852+21%
Litening Aero C:68X OrbitEurope (EUR, incl. VAT)€6,999€6,999cheapest
UK (GBP, incl. VAT)£6,999€8,261+18%
Litening Aero C:68X RaceEurope (EUR, incl. VAT)€4,999€4,999cheapest
UK (GBP, incl. VAT)£4,999€5,901+18%
Litening Aero C:68X ProEurope (EUR, incl. VAT)€4,999€4,999cheapest
UK (GBP, incl. VAT)£4,999€5,901+18%

Building up the Litening Aero C:68X Frameset

Included: Bar tape, Handlebar, Headset, Seatpost, Wheelset.

Still to buy: Groupset, Crankset, Cassette, Chain, Brake calipers, Tires, Saddle, Pedals.

Real-world weight

Scale weights of the Litening Aero C:68X from reviewers, next to Cube's claim.

WhatMeasuredClaimedMeasured by
Litening Aero C:68X SLTSize 58 · Without pedals7.41 kg16.3 lb7.1 kg15.7 lb+310 g vs claimBikeRadar2026-08

Comparing with the claim

Ownership checklist

2 of 3 known checks pass, 1 not published by Cube. Why these checks

  • ✕

    Threaded bottom bracket

    86 mm press-fit

  • ✓

    UDH derailleur hanger

    UDH (SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger)

  • ✓

    Standard 12×142 mm rear axle

    12x142 thru-axle

  • ?

    Works with mechanical shifting

Litening Aero C:68X geometry

Cube Litening Aero C:68X geometry
50525456586062
Stack514 mm20.2″524 mm20.6″542 mm21.3″563 mm22.2″580 mm22.8″594 mm23.4″609 mm24″
Reach389 mm15.3″389 mm15.3″389 mm15.3″398 mm15.7″403 mm15.9″405 mm15.9″412 mm16.2″
Seat tube angle75°74.2°73.5°73.5°73°72.5°72.5°
Head tube angle72.2°74.2°73°73.5°73.5°73.5°73.5°
Head tube length110 mm4.3″120 mm4.7″140 mm5.5″160 mm6.3″180 mm7.1″195 mm7.7″210 mm8.3″
Effective top tube527 mm20.7″537 mm21.1″550 mm21.7″565 mm22.2″580 mm22.8″592 mm23.3″604 mm23.8″
Seat tube length460 mm18.1″480 mm18.9″500 mm19.7″520 mm20.5″540 mm21.3″560 mm22″580 mm22.8″
Chainstay410 mm16.1″410 mm16.1″410 mm16.1″410 mm16.1″410 mm16.1″410 mm16.1″410 mm16.1″
Wheelbase981 mm38.6″981 mm38.6″984 mm38.7″995 mm39.2″1,005 mm39.6″1,011 mm39.8″1,023 mm40.3″
BB drop72 mm2.8″72 mm2.8″69 mm2.7″69 mm2.7″67 mm2.6″67 mm2.6″67 mm2.6″
Wheel size700c700c700c700c700c700c700c
Crank length165 mm6.5″165 mm6.5″165 mm6.5″170 mm6.7″170 mm6.7″172.5 mm6.8″172.5 mm6.8″
Stem length90 mm3.5″90 mm3.5″100 mm3.9″110 mm4.3″110 mm4.3″120 mm4.7″120 mm4.7″
Handlebar width380 mm15″380 mm15″380 mm15″380 mm15″400 mm15.7″400 mm15.7″400 mm15.7″

Side view

Drawn to scale (how to read it).

Cube Litening Aero C:68X · 56

How the geometry rides

The Litening Aero C:68X in size 56 against the middle size of 65 other bikes: tendencies from geometry, not a ride review (how to read this).

  • Wheelbase995 mm39.2″

    shortestlonger than 91% of 65 bikeslongest

    Long wheelbase: tends to track straight and feel calm at speed.

  • Chainstay410 mm16.1″

    shortestlonger than 63% of 73 bikeslongest

Compare on the stack & reach chart

Good to know

  • Fit

    TOUR's launch report gives different stock bar widths and stem lengths per size (e.g. 420 mm bars on sizes 60-62) than Cube's product pages; the geometry rows here follow Cube's pages for the IC Aero Max builds.

    Source
  • Racing

    Raced by Team TotalEnergies at the Tour de France.

    Source
  • Racing

    The 2027 Litening Aero isn't on the UCI's list of approved framesets (version 2026.10.02); Cube describes the frame as fully UCI-compliant.

    Source
  • History

    Presented in August 2026 as the second generation of the Litening Aero. The geometry is carried over; the frame, fork, cockpit and seatpost are new, tyre clearance rises from 28 to 34 mm and a size 62 was added.

    Source
  • Versions

    The SLT, SLX and Orbit use the deeper IC Aero Max cockpit and the Race and Pro the IC Aero. BikeRadar notes that switching to the other cockpit later is costly and that a setback seatpost isn't offered as an option when buying.

    Source

Litening Aero C:68X FAQ

How much does the Cube Litening Aero C:68X cost?+

Manufacturer prices (MSRP): €2,999–€7,299 / £4,999–£7,499 across 6 listed builds and framesets: Litening Aero C:68X SLT, Litening Aero C:68X SLX, Litening Aero C:68X Orbit, Litening Aero C:68X Race, Litening Aero C:68X Pro and Litening Aero C:68X Frameset.

How much does the Cube Litening Aero C:68X weigh?+

The lightest complete build listed (Litening Aero C:68X Orbit) weighs 6.9 kg (15.2 lb). The frame weighs 980 g (34.6 oz) (Frame only, as listed by Cube (size not stated)).

What sizes does the Cube Litening Aero C:68X come in?+

7 sizes: 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 and 62.

What is the tire clearance of the Cube Litening Aero C:68X?+

Up to 34 mm tires on 700c wheels.

Which groupsets are compatible with the Cube Litening Aero C:68X?+

Drivetrain compatibility: Complete builds use Shimano Di2 12-speed 2x, SRAM AXS 12-speed 2x and SRAM Red XPLR AXS 13-speed 1x. 1x drivetrains are supported. Bottom bracket: 86 mm press-fit.

What builds of the Cube Litening Aero C:68X are available?+

Litening Aero C:68X SLT: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200; Litening Aero C:68X SLX: SRAM Red AXS E1; Litening Aero C:68X Orbit: SRAM Red XPLR AXS E1; Litening Aero C:68X Race: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100; Litening Aero C:68X Pro: SRAM Force AXS E1.

Is the Cube Litening Aero C:68X aerodynamic?+

Cube claims frame and fork together are about 150 g lighter and save up to 6 W at race speed versus the previous Litening Aero. TOUR and road.cc report the saving as 6.2 W at 45 km/h; BikeRadar quotes 10.4 W at 45 km/h. (CFD simulation and wind tunnel testing (Cube))

Sources

Cube Litening Aero C:68X data last updated · How the data is checked ·