We were at the Cycle Show yesterday, strolling about in search of new things we hadn't already seen at Eurobike. Cube's 2017 road bike range caught our attention — and particularly the new range-topping Cube Litening C:68 SLT Disc. There are some new road shoes, too.
UPDATE: The model shown in our gallery above has the current-generation 9000-series brake levers/shifters and derailleurs, combined with the new 9100-series crankset. A spokesman for Shimano tells us that the new 9170 brake levers/shifters and derailleurs aren't available yet.
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The Cube Litening C:68 SLT Disc
The German brand introduced disc brake versions of its Agree (aero endurance) and entry-level Attain road bikes last year, and now it's put some icing on the cake by releasing an aero race model with Shimano's new Dura-Ace 9170 Di2 groupset.
The Cube Litening C:68 SLT Disc is described as Cube's "ultimate racing bike", which weighs 6.6kg and promises exemplary stiffness-to-weight. We can't put numbers on that claim yet, but we can say that the frame is made from Cube's latest C:68 carbon fibre, which is claimed to require thinner layers than normal within the frame and less resin to bind them together.
The frame is made to Cube's racing geometry and includes internal cable routing, flat-mount brakes, a tapered head tube and press-fit bottom bracket. It gets paired to Cube's C:68 full carbon fork, which features slim legs to absorb vibrations when out on the road, plus thru-axles.
We've already written about the new Shimano Dura-Ace groupset in detail, but in case you missed it, this update brings bigger, stiffer crank arms; hydraulic disc brakes; an integrated power meter and synchronised shifting, among other highlights.
There aren't many bikes around yet with Dura-Ace 9170 — the all-singing, all-dancing hydraulic disc / Di2 variant — fitted as standard. In terms of gearing, a 52x36t crankset is paired with an 11-28t cassette.
Finishing kit includes Syntace Racelite handlebars and stem, a Syntace P6 carbon seatpost, Newmen Advanced SL R.25 wheelset, Schwalbe One 25mm tyres, and a Fizik Antares R3 saddle with carbon rails. The only colour available is black with blue and orange highlights, and sizes go from 50cm to 62cm.
Price is £5,999 / €7,099, and it will be available from February 2017.
Cube Litening C:62 Disc
If you like the sound of the above, but not the price, then take a look at its little brother, the Cube Litening C:62 Disc. It gets Shimano's Ultegra groupset with a 50/34t crankset paired to an 11-28t cassette, and also gets Shimano's hydraulic disc brakes.
The wheelset is Mavic's Aksium Disc, again shod with Schwalbe One 25mm tyres, and finishing kit includes Selle Italia's X1 road saddle, as well as Cube's own-brand handlebars, stem and seat post.
Total weight is 8.1kg and it comes in a carbon finish with red details — which is very difficult to photograph, as you can see above.
Price is £2,499 / €3,099, and it will be available from November 2016.
Cube Cross Race SLT
We also liked the 2017 Cube Cross Race SLT, which tops the German brand's cyclocross range. It's hard to miss with a bright baby-blue paint job and luminous orange cable housing. The frame is double-butted alloy, mechanically formed to make shouldering the bike easier when you need to climb or jump over things.
Spec-wise it comes with SRAM's 1x11 Force groupset, including hydraulic disc brakes and a 40t chainring paired with an 11-36t cassette that should get you up most muddy slopes. It spins on Mavic's Aksium Disc wheelset shod with Schwalbe X-One 33mm tyres. Finishing kit comes courtesy of Cube and includes handlebars, stem and seat post.
Price is a reasonable sounding £1,799 / €1,999, and it's available now.
Cube C:62 road shoes
Finally, we also spotted Cube's new C:62 road shoes, in a very shiny black. They're designed for performance with a super-stiff carbon sole, large vents on the side, a Boa dial near the top plus a Velcro strap further down, and reflective elements.
Price is £179 / €249 and they're available now, with a Teamline edition coming soon.