Cube Litening C:62 Pro review

Formed in 1993, German brand Cube has grown rapidly. It now exports to 32 countries, with a reputation for offering high-performance, good-value bikes.

This Litening C:62 Pro is at the racier end of the brand's stable, and is used at Pro-Continental level by Belgian Team Wanty-Groupe Gobert.

The matt/gloss black finish gives it look that some might say is a little safe and uninspiring. Fortunately, it’s a different story once we start riding it.

On the road, it proves comfortable from the off, especially at the rear, with a smooth, refined ride. Yet when power is pushed to the pedals, there is instant response with no noticeable flex through the frame.

This is largely due to the highly moulded frame, with an almost-square down tube that’s designed with stiffness in mind, with its svelte seatstays adding further comfort.

The componentry’s centrepiece is the Shimano Ultegra 6870 Di2 groupset. The most popular electronic gear-shifting system on the market, it offers proven durability and consistent performance.

However, the Di2 shift buttons can feel a little vague. There are two buttons crammed into each lever (one for up-shifts, another for down-shifts), and they’re small and close enough together to make pressing the wrong one a distinct possibility.

That said, Cube’s done a great job of building it into the frame, with very neat cable routing.

Finishing kit is a mix of own-label and branded components with no obvious corners cut, giving a very well-rounded build.

The Fulcrum Racing 55 wheels are a decent weight and offer reasonable stiffness, although if you’re keen to race or take things to the next level, a pair of deeper section race wheels would improve the bike’s speed.

The Litening’s climbing ability is impressive and while it's heavier than some of its immediate rivals, in the real world this isn't much of a penalty, even on the steepest of climbs.

With excellent response and feel, downhills are a breeze and we found ourselves getting close to personal-best times on some of the faster, sweeping descents around our test ride circuit.

Ratings

Frame 9/10; Components 9/10; Wheels 9/10; The ride 9/10

Verdict: It's hard to fault the Cube Litening C:62. It offers racing performance above most bikes on the market, providing excellent control and speed at a superb price. It's just a slight shame about the understated looks – when you're on a bike this good, you really want it to stand out from the crowd.

Spec