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Cube Litening Super HPC Di2 review

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$9056.43

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'It’s the perfect blend of speed, agility and comfort all combined with subtlety'

BikeRadar verdict

4.5 out of 5 stars

"Quite simply one of the best handling bikes we’ve ever tried"

3 comments
Thu 13 May 2010, 9:00 am BSTBy

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The Litening is Cube’s flagship road model and it’s available with a range of drivetrains, from Ultegra to Record, Dura-Ace, Super Record and this Di2 spec edition.

Di2 is certainly an interesting proposition, using what’s essentially Shimano Dura-Ace equipment but with electronically enhanced shifting. Rather than pushing a brake lever you have two buttons on each hood – one for up and one for down.

Shifting is fast and unerringly precise, and the self-centring front mech is a revelation – no more chain rub or noise ever again! What’s worth noting with Di2 on the Litening is how Cube have managed to integrate it so it’s all internally routed.

Even the battery unit is mounted underneath the rear non-driveside chainstay, making for a remarkably clean looking machine. But while Di2 is going to grab the headlines with this machine, what makes the Litening so good is the chassis – this frame and fork combination is an absolute triumph.

The front end has a 11/8x11/2 head-tube making for a stiffer front end than most : the front end has a 11/8x11/2 head-tube making for a stiffer front end than most

The front end has a 1-1/8x1-1/2 head tube, making for a stiffer front end than most, combined with an all-new Easton EC90 SL fork. Previous versions of the EC90 were always impressively lightweight, but the stiffness left a lot to be desired. This new model is just as light but the increase in stiffness is quite brilliant.

The massively oversized bottom bracket shell features a press-fit bearing system, which means you can do away with the bottom bracket cups and press the bearings directly into the frame (saving weight).

Combining super-deep chainstays (over 1.5in) with the massive bottom bracket makes for super-direct power transfer under acceleration and you can feel the Litening pulse forward with every pedal stroke.

This all sounds very German – they like their bikes stiff and fast – but Cube have introduced a wonderful subtlety to the Litening. They've managed to combine stiff and fast with pencil thin seatstays and an integrated seatmast, which does a wonderful job of smoothing out rough surfaces.

Shifting is fast and unerringly precise, and the self-centring front mech is a revelation: shifting is fast and unerringly precise, and the self-centring front mech is a revelation

The front end is long and low with Syntace’s superb Racelite 2 bar and F109 stem making the cockpit a great place to be. Direction changes are instant, quick and incredibly stable with the subtlest body weight shifts enabling the Litening to dart here and there. It’s a superbly exciting bike to ride.

The wheels are a combination of Xentis Squad 4.2 carbon rims and DT Swiss hubs. They’re smooth rolling and super-stiff, but the downside on our test bike was that it wasn’t supplied with carbon-specific pads (Cube assure us this isn’t the case on production models). Our Dura-Ace pads did stop us eventually but with a great deal of noise and a horrid burning smell.

We’ve always regarded Cube’s bikes as great value, well specced machines. What this bike has shown us, though, is that they're also a brand capable of making one of the best handling superbikes we’ve ever ridden. It has the perfect blend of speed, agility and comfort, all combined with subtlety and seriously intelligent design.

As for this model at nearly £6,000? Well if you must have the electronic shifting of Di2, this is one of the cheaper ways to get it. Ourselves? We’d go for the Campagnolo Record equipped Litening, for which you still get all the fantastic riding, but save the best part of £1,000.

What's the score with BikeRadar reviews? You can find a full explanation of our ratings here.

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User Reviews

There are 3 reviews on this post

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 comments

  • I have Litening Super HPC Reynolds 2009 blackline model. My one doesn't have the intergrated seat mast, mine comes with the Syntace P6 carbon post and none the worse for it. The wheels on my model are the Reynolds Attack carbon clinchers and the groupset is primarily Sram Force. The frame however is notably the same. The ride is incredibly smooth, more so due to the fact of the Carbon wheels. I previously owned a carbon framed Litening HPC (not "Super") with Fulcrum 5 alu wheels, which while smooth, is nothing in terms of comfort to the Super model. It came as a bit of a shock to ride the Super for the first time, as the road feel was so dampened, I missed the feedback from the road I used to get from having alu wheels. This initially took away from the sensation of speed. After a few hundred miles of training and a 100 miles sportive on ths bike, I have to say those feeling are long gone. Its very comfortable, yet "litening" quick on accelerations. Bursts of speed are easily achieved up hills due to the light weight of the whole bike (I think mine weighs in at 6.8kg for the 53cm model). This bike just demands to be riden fast. It has given me a competitive streak I never knew I had, everytime I see a wheel in front of me I just have to chase it down!

    Saddle is the Fizik Arione CX Carbon. I think you will either love it or hate it. I'm not sure if it just needs wearing in, but my sit bones aren't quite used to the saddle for all day comfort yet. I'm sure others have had the same problem, so it is a bit hit and miss. Aside from this, I love this bike to bits. My Blackline model is very much a stealth version of the bike reviewed, with naked black carbon and subtle red, grey and white graphics. Very pretty - more so than the team colours in my opinion. Got this bike from a German website retailer. They were out of stock in the UK, but I managed to get this with 30% off as it was end of season sale. What with current EU import/export rules, no import levies were charged, which is great, and delivery only cost 20 euro's. All in all a bargain for a super bike. I'm sure 2010 models are coming to end of season (2011 models start apearing in October this year), so have a look out for some European retailers for some bargains!

  • I agree with Kin on his assessment of the Cube Litening. I have a Litening too and I am really pleased with it, I can thoroughly recommend it.

    To get an idea of what a 2010 Litening Super HPC Pro Blackline looks like, albeit a lower specification to the one tested, follow this link :

    http://www.bikeradar.com/road/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12699041

  • My friends,

    just got mine delivered and was riding 300km the last weekend.

    I had to modify it a bit from the stock built :-)

    My handlebar was replaced by a white FSA plasma and I use the the TRP 970SL white magnesium brakes. In my opinion that is a better fit.

    I really have to say it is a great bike. Handling, cornering and acceleration is great.

    it also is a compfy ride and really smooth. I have to say that after my modifications it is really my dream bike and I will stay with it for a while.

    Now it is up to me to move and pedal it with the necessary strength and respect.

    Breaking with the Xentis wheels full carbon rim wheel is not so easy and I have to get used to it. Even using the yellow swiss brake pads, I'm not sure how it will be when being wet. Let's see.

    But I really have to say, it is a white (wet) dream.

    Hans

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Specification

Name:
Litening Super HPC Di2 (10)
Built by:
Cube Bikes
Price:
$9056.43

Available Sizes:
50, 53, 56, 58, 60 cm, 62cm
Weight (kg):
6.6

Frame & Fork:

 
Frame Material:
HPC Monocoque Advanced Twin Mold Technology for DI2
Fork Model:
Easton EC90 SL CNT Full Carbon 1 1/8" - 1 1/2"
Headset Type:
Acros AI-71 Integrated

Brakes:

 
Brakes Model:
Shimano Dura Ace BR-7900

Transmission:

 
Cranks Model:
Shimano Dura Ace FC-7900 Hollowtech II 53x39, Press-Fit BB
Rear Derailleur Model:
Shimano Di2
Front Derailleur Model:
Shimano DIi2, Braze
Shifters Model:
Shimano Di2
Chain Model:
Shimano Dura Ace CN-7900
Cassette:
Shimano Dura Ace CS-7900 12-25, 10-speed

Wheels:

 
Rims Model:
Xentis Squad 4.2 - CUBE EDITION for Clincher

Contact Points:

 
Saddle Model:
Fi'zi:k Arione CX Carbon
Seatpost Model:
Ritchey Stubby WCS Integrated 34.9mm
Stem Model:
Syntace F109 Oversized
Handlebar Model:
Syntace Racelite Carbon Oversized

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